PINA

The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved funding for a programme to further strengthen regional collaboration to safeguard the health of the Pacific’s much-valued fisheries sector through the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. The US$9 million Forum Fisheries Agency: Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Programme - Second Phase for Economic Resilience will build on the first phase of the Pacific...

Tuvalu's foreign Minister Simon Kofe has announced his resignation from the island nation Parliament Friday. “Friends, today in Parliament I made a significant announcement. I've decided to relinquish my responsibilities as Minister for Justice, Communication, and Foreign Affairs, with this change taking effect in the coming week. With only four months left before Parliament dissolves, I believe it's time to channel...

France has announced that New Caledonian Armed Forces will be expanded in a significant overhaul that Vanuatu will feel the effects of, as they will also enhance a forward presence in civil security to train, equip and enable Vanuatu to respond on time, right here. The statement was made by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, during his official speech...

Nauru President Russ Kun says Nauru is “extremely disappointed” at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council’s failure to adopt rules, regulations and procedures that will enable seabed exploration in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, also known as the Area. In 2021, Nauru formally requested the Council to complete this work within two years. This deadline has expired and “we are extremely disappointed,”...

By Nic Maclellan in Noumea  In a major speech in Noumea, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed he would forge ahead to seek changes to the French Constitution in early 2024, to reform voting rights and create a new statute for New Caledonia within the French Republic. Speaking before thousands of supporters in Noumea’s central square – many waving the bleu-blanc-rouge French...

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday a partnership to "remunerate" Papua New Guinea for its efforts to preserve the primary forest. The first of its kind, the deal is an environmental model that France wants to see reproduced elsewhere. The French president was given a tour of Varirata National Park, near Port-Moresby, in the company of Papua New Guinea's Prime...

An international meeting in Jamaica to negotiate rules over deep-sea mining has ended with no green light to start industrial-scale mining and with an 11th-hour agreement to hold formal discussions next year on the protection of the marine environment. The agreement ended intense week-long negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA), an intergovernmental body based in Kingston that regulates sea-bed...

Taiwan on Friday donated two multipurpose Coast Guard patrol vessels to Tuvalu, its diplomatic ally in the South Pacific. The agreement inking ceremony was attended by Tuvalu Ambassador Bikenibeu Paeniu, Taiwan’s deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang and a representative of Karmin International Co., a local manufacturer of boats for public use. According to Tien, the aid will help Tuvalu protect its...

It was a tough loss for the Manu Samoa on Saturday as they went down to the Flying Fijians in the build up to the Rugby World Cup but according to the head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua this is the learning process before they reach France. Manu Samoa head back to the training pitch and are preparing to face Tonga...

Flying Fijians proved out to be the strongest opponent when they defeated their arch-rivals Manu Samoa 33-19 at Apia Park Saturday. With 12 changes after a win over Tonga and four debutants in the run-on team, the Flying Fijians made a perfect start in their first away match. Flying Fijians looked more organized and focused from the beginning as they gained...