PINA

Solomon Islands Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer has ruled in favour of the strike out application filed by the Speaker, Prime Minister, and Governor General against the Leader of the Independent’s claim regarding the Constitution (Amendment) Act of 2022. The Leader of the Independent Group, John Dean Kuku, presented his arguments through his lawyer, Billy Titiulu, alleging that Parliament had...

The U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released a report identifying several nations it alleges are engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing or that have not done enough to liminate the use of forced labor within their domestic fleets. Angola, Grenada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, The Gambia, and Vanuatu were all alleged to have participated in IUU...

The 8th Pacific Tuna Forum 2023 kicks off today in Port Moresby. Under the theme “Strengthening tuna sustainability and industry development in the Blue Pacific Continent through increased innovation, partnership and participation” the event is paramount in the world of marine conservation and fisheries management. The Pacific Tuna Forum (PTF) 2023 gathering is known for it’s profound impact on sustainable management...

A series of factsheets aimed at supporting Pacific Island negotiators as they navigate through the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) process to negotiate a new International legally-binding instrument (ILBI) to end plastic pollution have officially been launched. The 14 factsheets, developed as part of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (SPREP) support to Pacific negotiators, were launched during an...

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has declared it will now base itself in the region after years of partial exile. At a conference in Port Vila late last month - coinciding with the Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders' Summit - UK-based Benny Wenda stood down as president. Menase Tabuni is now president. More than 50 representatives from West Papua and...

Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister Sato Kilman, has wasted no time in outlining the new Government’s priorities and vision. Speaking after his election, he highlighted four key areas where his administration will focus its efforts: the economy, the social sector, the public sector, and foreign relations. In terms of the economy, the Kilman-led government aims to create an improved business environment that...

The Regional Pacific NDC Hub recently concluded its highly successful Annual Focal Point Meeting, which took place from 30 August to 01 September 2023, in Nadi, Fiji. Themed "A Climate Resilient Pacific: NDC Targets and the Way Forward," the event brought together climate focal points, implementing partners, donors, and media representatives to discuss and strategize on advancing climate resilience in...

The next steps in the journey to implement the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) programme, to strengthen the Pacific region’s ability to anticipate, plan for, and respond to high impact and extreme weather, water, and ocean events, were highlighted at the 31st SPREP Meeting of Officials in Samoa. These steps include the development of a Governance structure and an Implementation Plan...

The new prime minister of Vanuatu has flagged he wants to rewrite a security pact his predecessor signed with Australia, saying parliament is unlikely to ratify the agreement in its current form. Sato Kilman — who has served as prime minister of Vanuatu four times previously — was elected on Monday after a court in Vanuatu upheld the results of...

Fiji and Australia cooperation and friendship will be elevated to new levels through the first review of the Vuvale Partnership to strengthen engagements in important areas of development such as “economic and trade, labour mobility, skills development and visa access, climate change actions, infrastructure, development priorities, defence and security cooperation, and regional cooperation.” The first review of the Vuvale Partnership...