PINA

Pacific Island nations are uniting behind a shared digital vision to strengthen sovereignty, boost connectivity, and build resilience across the region, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for ICT Timothy Masiu told delegates at the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) Annual General Meeting in Honiara this week. “The theme chosen for this year—‘Digital Nations and Smart Blue Continent: Strengthening the Digital Sovereignty,...

The Vanuatu Opposition bloc, led by Member of Parliament for Port Vila and President of the Union Moderate of Parties (UMP), Ishmael Kalsakau, chose not to enter Parliament Wednesday, staying outside the chamber. As a result, there was a lack of the required quorum for the special Parliament sitting. Parliament was subsequently adjourned due to the absence of the 39 MPs...

Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare pushed back sharply on Wednesday when asked by journalists whether he had defected to the Opposition to become Prime Minister, saying he had never in his life fought for the role—it was always offered to him. Sogavare and his former deputy PM Manasseh Maelanga—both key figures in the DCGA government from 2019 to...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is backing digital transformation and targeted capacity building as key tools to strengthen Pacific Island economies in the face of growing global and regional challenges. Speaking to PACNEWS, Nada Choueiri, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Asia & Pacific Department, said digital connectivity is already improving access to financial services across the region—but also warned of...

Leaders of the defected ministers and government backbenchers have defended their decision to leave GNUT (Government for National Unity and Transformation) – accusing Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele of weak leadership. Former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who was until Monday was the Minister of Finance and Treasury and his GNUT colleague and minister of infrastructure development Manasseh Maelaga appeared...

The Australian coalition will place infrastructure needs at the heart of a revamped development strategy in the Pacific, pledging an extra $2 billion (US$1.28 billion) in loans and grants to the region. Australia invests deeply in the blue continent, both to assist with developmental and humanitarian projects, and in an attempt to hold strategic sway over the region, rather than...

New Zealand deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to New Caledonia later this week. “This visit comes at an important moment in New Caledonia’s history and reinforces New Zealand’s commitment to being a constructive partner in the region for both New Caledonia and France,” Peters says. Peters will meet the French Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, and...

In an interview with PACNEWS Senior Journalist Pita Ligaiula, Nada Choueiri, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Asia & Pacific Department based in Washington DC, offered a detailed assessment of the economic landscape facing Pacific Island countries (PICs). Choueiri, who oversees IMF operations and policy engagement across the region, spoke on the wide-ranging impacts of global trade tensions, inflation, and climate-related...

Former Wallabies and Melbourne Rebels prop Pone Fa’amausili will get a chance to make his long-awaited debut for Moana Pasifika, when they take on the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The 28-year-old played seven Tests for the Wallabies between 2022 and 2023, with his last appearance coming that Rugby World Cup in France. At 1.96m tall (6 foot...

Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson is urging his players to believe in their ability and finish the season strongly, despite a tough campaign and dwindling hopes of making the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. With four matches remaining, Jackson says the focus is on clean execution, discipline, and playing for national pride. He highlighted the high number of turnovers in their...