PINA

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...

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has nominated his country as Pacific Islands Forum chair in 2026. If accepted, it would confirm a return to Micronesia and a healing of rifts which have marred the organisation in previous years. Pacific leaders, including Australia's Anthony Albanese, are meeting in Nuku'alofa for the annual PIF summit. Tonga Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni will assume the...

As leaders and ocean champions converged in Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting, the spotlight was firmly placed on the Pacific Ocean. On 24 August, the Pacific Ocean Alliance (POA) held its inaugural Alliance event, organised by the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) on the sidelines of the Forum. This marked a significant moment as ocean...