PINA

Tongan Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho has issued a passionate call for the protection of kava’s cultural and economic value at the launch of the Regional Kava Development Strategy on Wednesday, emphasising that the plant is not just a product but a vital part of Pacific identity and heritage. “Kava is more than just a plant — it is the lifeblood...

Civil society groups are urging Pacific leaders to address two key issues during their retreat in Vava'u today - Japan's ongoing disposal of treated nuclear wastewater from Fukushima and the contentious debate over deep-sea mining. Speaking after a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) dialogue with Forum leaders in Nuku’alofa, Pacific Network on Globalisation's (PANG) Joey Tau expressed hopes that the Leaders...

The newly appointed World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, has called on Forum Leaders to confront the region’s most critical health challenges with urgency and commitment. Speaking at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, Dr Piukala outlined a stark reality facing the region: the escalating impacts of climate change on health...

The Court of Arbitration of Sport has dismissed an appeal brought by Lee Harmon against a decision issued by the OFC Appeal Committee on 21 May 2024. The OFC Appeal Committee found Harmon had breached the OFC Code of Ethics on three occasions, namely breaches of Articles 13 (General rules of conduct), 15 (Loyalty), 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and...

European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, Wednesday emphasised the urgent need for peace and stability in New Caledonia as Forum Leaders prepare to discuss the political crisis at their upcoming retreat in Vava’u on Thursday. Speaking after a meeting with New Caledonian President Louis Mapou, Urpilainen described the discussion as “very honest, open, and constructive.” She stressed that the...

In a significant move to strengthen regional security, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Forum Leaders today in endorsing the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), a transformative regional strategy aimed at enhancing the collective peace and security framework throughout the Pacific Islands. The Pacific Policing Initiative is designed to elevate the law enforcement capabilities of Pacific nations, ensuring they are better...

At the High-Level Ocean Dialogue on the sidelines of the Forum Leaders Meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo delivered a powerful message urging immediate and coordinated action to protect the Pacific’s vast marine resources. Emphasising the role of the Pacific nations as “Large Ocean States,” Teo called for a global recognition of their unique challenges and contributions in...

The Kingdom of Tonga today launched a National Single-Use Plastics Roadmap aimed at phasing out single-use plastics (SUPs) in the country. This strategic roadmap will provide a clear pathway for targeted actions to achieve a cleaner environment and improve waste recycling strategies. The roadmap was launched at a side event at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting hosted by...

By Nic Maclellan in Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of Tonga For twelve years after the Second World War, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests on Bikini and Enewetak atolls in the Marshall Islands. Today, the government and people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) want regional and international support to address the nuclear legacies of that era. As she joined...

As the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting crossed the halfway mark, Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa delivered a call to action, urging Leaders to stay focused and united in tackling the region's most pressing challenges. “I congratulate you all for the important progress we are making, setting a solid platform for our Leaders’ Retreat tomorrow in Vava’u,” Waqa said in his...