PINA

The 6PAC+ alliance, representing Pacific Island nations, expressed frustration over the lack of strong action at the 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) Working Group, which wrapped up in London this month. Despite some progress on key elements of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) net-zero framework, the failure to secure consensus on critical measures such as...

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has officially launched its corporate plans for government departments that sets out clear strategies up to 2027, to prepare Bougainville’s institutions for the responsibilities of statehood and aligns with the government's broader vision for sovereignty. President Ishmael Toroama, speaking at the launch, emphasised that these plans are more than just objectives; they represent Bougainville's continued...

By Sione Tekiteki The Pacific Islands Forum and its secretariat is a complex bureaucracy that will take any individual at least a year to understand. It is a political organisation that continually works to balance the interests of 18 member states to strengthen regional solidarity. It operates on a mix of rules and procedures and established forum practice – a...

Following three days of meetings, Pacific Island Attorney Generals representing Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu and Vanuatu issued a joint statement today underscoring the Pacific Island states' unique position as the only region where all United Nations member states are actively participating in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) climate advisory opinion proceedings. Oral hearings are set to begin...

France's new Minister for Overseas, François-Noël Buffet, arrived in New Caledonia on Wednesday, five months after violent riots broke out. Buffet is scheduled to spend four days there, with high on his agenda to reaffirm France's commitment to New Caledonia's post-riots' recovery amid a backdrop of economic, social and societal collapse. Since the unrest started, New Caledonia has sustained significant damage...

Controversial Australian government contractor Paladin is suspected of abusing taxpayer funds to bribe then-Papua New Guinea police minister Jelta Wong to enable the firm to run the federal government’s offshore detention regime. The suspicions are detailed in police documents sighted by this masthead and come after federal agents seized the phone of a suspected Paladin middleman after he flew into...

More than 3,000 delegates and leaders from 56 Commonwealth countries, representing 2.7 billion people, will gather in Apia, Samoa, next week for the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Samoa is the first Small Island Developing State from the Blue Pacific to host CHOGM. This year’s CHOGM marks some other important milestones: *His Majesty King Charles III will, for the...

The Registrar of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has released the schedule for the oral hearings as part of its consideration of an advisory opinion on climate change obligations. A record-breaking 100 oral statements are scheduled to be presented, with Vanuatu’s arguments scheduled for 12 December. Eighty-eight will be from country delegations, including a joint statement from five Nordic countries,...

The upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, or CHOGM, set to take place in Samoa from 21 – 26 October, is a significant moment for the Pacific. Not only is this the first time the biannual event will be held in a Pacific island nation, but the focus on ocean conservation resonates strongly with the region. For Pacific leaders, this gathering...

A strong message of unity echoed at the Police Academy in Tafaigata, where nearly 1,500 law enforcement officers from Samoa and neighbouring Pacific Island nations gathered for a special service. This was in preparation for next week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This gathering served as a reminder of the strength of collaboration and shared purpose dedicated to maintaining peace...