PINA

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...

The Chair of the Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN) has confirmed that the smuggling of illicit drugs within the region continues to increase, tracing its roots back to South America. The effect of this has been noticed in Samoa with larger quantities of methamphetamine being seized at a more frequent rate. In an exclusive interview with Samoa newspaper at the conclusion...

A motion of no confidence was lodged and registered Friday by the Opposition bloc, moved by Johnny Koanapo, Member of Parliament for Tanna Constituency, and Malekula MP Gracia Shadrack, to remove the Speaker of Parliament. Vanuatu's opposition leader, Bob Loughman, has filed an urgent court hearing challenging the decision of the Speaker Seoule Simeon last Wednesday to not accept their...

The Pacific region's focus will shift briefly to Port Vila this week when Vanuatu hosts the heads of governments from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the leader of the FLNKS of New Caledonia for the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders' Summit. The regional sub-group had met on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting in July...