PINA

Kiribati is one of the most remote and geographically dispersed countries in the world. It is also one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of the climate crisis. The country faces what is described as a triple threat to health: communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and the health impacts of climate change. Climate and environmental changes are exacerbating Kiribati’s...

The Government of Tuvalu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sea Shepherd Global, a marine conservation organisation based in the Netherlands, to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Tuvalu’s waters. The MoU commits Sea Shepherd Global to send the Allankay, a 54.6-meter vessel, to support Tuvalu’s law enforcement efforts through at-sea patrols. Under the MoU, signed by...

A new investigative media outlet has been launched in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on 5 May 2023. It comes two days after the world marked World Press Freedom Day on 03 May . In-depth Solomons is an initiative of three leading Solomon Islands journalists Ofani Eremae, Georgina Maka'a and Charley Piringi. “We are glad to finally get this media project off the ground,"...

A tendency to “securitise” problems via a geopolitical lens only downplays legitimate aspirations of local communities. By Ilan Kiloe In his statement delivered during the March 2022 parliament session, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare described the then recently revealed security pact between Solomon Islands and China as an effort to broaden and diversify security arrangements to respond to needs...

The 16 men’s and 12 women’s team captains gathered on Wednesday at Port de la Daurade on the bank of the Garonne river ahead of what promises to be a nail-biting weekend of rugby sevens on 12-14 May at Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse. HSBC France Sevens marks the final event of the women’s Series where the champions will be crowned...

Fijian Drua Head Coach Mick Byrne has named his round 12 squad for the Super Rugby Pacific away game against the Western Force on Friday. Making a return to this week’s starting 15 is ‘Big T’ - Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, who missed the last two games, while captain Meli Derenalagi, Eroni Sau and Jone Koroiduadua returning to the run-on side. All...

Queensland playmaker Carys Dallinger and exciting teenage NSW Waratahs fullback Caitlyn Halse are two of the new faces in the Wallaroos squad named ahead of their Test against Fijiana. Coach Jay Tregonning announced a 32-player squad ahead of Australia's May 20 clash in Sydney. New Zealand-born Dallinger helped steer the Reds to the Super W final, which they lost to Fijiana...

As custodians of the world’s largest Ocean, the Pacific like in the climate change negotiations have the moral authority to speak out and lead international negotiations on plastic waste. The Pacific is disproportionately affected by global plastic pollution, contributing less than 1.3 percent. Still, our ocean is inundated with the bulk of the world’s transboundary washed away plastics which has...

The United States has opened a new Embassy in Tonga, the State Department said on Wednesday, part of efforts to step up the U.S diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counter China. The United States “officially opened the U.S Embassy in Nuku'alofa on 10 May 2023,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. “This opening symbolises the renewal...

Parts of Port Moresby and the airspace over the Jackson International Airport will be closed on 22 May when United States President Joe Biden arrives, says Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. Marape said city authorities would issue notices in the next 14 days on the changes to be made during Biden’s scheduled three-hour stop-over. “For the first time, as...