PINA

Athletes on Tuvalu train on the airport runway in the absence of a running track, but the tiny Pacific nation will still manage to send a one-man sprint team to the Paris Olympics. Karalo Maibuca will jet across the world to race for Tuvalu in the men's 100 metres at next month's Games. The 25-year-old was flag-bearer three years ago in...

In a move to bolster Papua New Guinea's bid to join the NRL, the 30th Papua New Guinea-Australia Ministerial Forum has backed the inclusion of PNG teams in the National Rugby League (NRL) and National Women's Rugby League (NRLW). “Ministers shared PNG and Australia's aspiration for PNG franchises in the National Rugby League (NRL) and National Women's Rugby League (NRLW)...

The Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board (FRFUTB) and FIJI Water has announced a renewed partnership that will have FIJI Water as the major sponsor of the men’s national 15s team for the next four years. This multi-million-dollar deal solidifies the commitment of both organizations to build the strongest team heading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. FIJI...

France's president Emmanuel Macron has written to New Caledonians, confirming he will not convene the Congress meeting on the controversial amendments. Local media reports Macron also said he is waiting for the firm and definitive lifting of all the roadblocks and the unreserved condemnation of the violence and that those who encouraged unrest will have to answer for their actions. Macron...

Fiji's Acting President and Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo received a courtesy call from the President of Nauru David Adeang at the State House today. Temo on behalf of the government and the people of Fiji, congratulated President Adeang on being elected as the President of the Republic of Nauru in October last year. During the meeting, the Acting President highlighted...

Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Esala Nayasi, has emphasised the critical role of civil society in achieving regional goals. Standing in for Secretary General Baron Waqa, who was on duty travel early this week, Nayasi extended his apologies and shared Waqa's eagerness to engage with CSOs in his tenure. “Having commenced his term two weeks ago, we...

The permanent representative of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Jeem Lippwe has emphasised the urgent need for decisive global action on ocean protection in light of the climate crisis. “Micronesia welcomes the reports of the UN Secretary-General under Article 319 of the Convention,” Ambassador Lippwe said in a statement at the...

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has elected 16 Vice Presidents, including the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), to serve during its 79th session, which will last from September 2024 until September 2025. The Vice Presidents of the General Assembly are nominated by UN regional groups. Micronesia is among the five countries representing the Asia-Pacific region for the 79th session. Unlike individual...

The Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisation (PIANGO) has called for a Commission for the formal integration of Civil Society into Pacific regional architecture to lift the profile of CSOs. Board deputy Chair Drew Havea, during the first day of the Regional CSO Forum, said they’ve come a long way through different modality, different level of engagements, from submitting Communique...

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has highlighted potential for strengthened ties with Papua New Guinea, emphasising the need for enhanced engagement and structured partnerships, as outlined ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Tonga. He has signaled a clear intent to bolster ties between the two nations through strategic engagements and collaborative endeavours. Addressing inquiries about the perceived disparity...