PINA

The Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) expresses our concerns regarding Australia's eagerness to secure early support for its bid to host COP31. Australia, through its Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen MP, will host a dialogue with Pacific Island nations on 23 August 2023, seeking early commitments of support for its COP31 nomination. While PICAN acknowledges the...

As the calls continue to call for local and international action to reject the discharging of wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan into the Pacific Ocean, Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says the controversy is on the agenda of the Pacific Islands Forum. While speaking during the Pacific Small Islands Developing States High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change,...

Days after United States Congressional leaders and executive branch officials told Marshall Islands leaders there was "no more money" for nuclear test compensation, the U.S Senate passed legislation expanding nuclear compensation to more Americans in the US mainland and Guam. The Senate legislation seeks to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990. This law currently provides compensation to American Downwinders...

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Nadi The new Pacific Ocean Commissioner is not too concerned with perceptions of ‘turf war’ and ‘mandate creep’ in the ocean space in the Pacific. Instead, Dr Filimon Manoni is confident of the support and close collaboration with other regional organisations working in ocean governance. “I think you have heard the CROP heads speak out openly...

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Nadi As the new Office for Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) begins its transition away from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat, the regional ocean governance dialogue in Nadi this week has helped consolidate support for the mandate of the new office to be based in Palau. Palau, the host government of the new OPOC office,...

By Samantha Magick The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean says while great strides have been made towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG14) on sustainable oceans management and conservation, the focus now needs to be on ratification and implementation. Speaking at the opening of a Pacific Regional Ocean Policy and Governance Dialogue this morning, Fiji’s Peter Thomson, who...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has announced the suspension of the Defence Commander, Major General Mark Goina from duties for three months. This is so that the General Board of Inquiry established by the Defense Minister can continue to inquire into the fatal shooting of two service men, the wounding of another soldier, and a civilian during a...

"We cannot and should not, be forced to constantly live under the threat of climate change and climate induced disasters, while those most responsible for global warming continue to drag their feet when it comes to real and effective climate action,” says Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna. Puna made the statement in his opening remarks at the Pacific High-Level Climate...

Within days of United States congressional leaders and executive branch officials telling Marshall Islands leaders there was no more money for nuclear test compensation, the U.S Senate passed legislation expanding nuclear compensation to more Americans in the U.S mainland and also living on Guam. The Senate legislation seeks to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990. This law currently...

The sixth South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces meeting held in Apia last week was hailed a success, with the participants agreeing on better protection and security the Blue Pacific continent. The high-level regional forum highlighted the significance of cooperations and forging established relationships within the region. In an exclusive interview with Samoa Observer newspaper last week at the conclusion...