PINA

Disability inclusion is a priority policy area on the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this October. The Commonwealth has urged governments, international agencies and disabled people’s organisations to urge countries to prioritise the rights and needs of people with disabilities in policy development. This was raised at a side event hosted by the Commonwealth...

The Republic of Fiji Navy has announced significant progress in the salvage operations of RFNS Puamau at Fulaga in the Lau group. In a statement, the Navy confirmed that defueling operations, led by the naval vessel RFNS Savenaca, are nearing completion. “Fuel has been successfully transferred to a nearby salvage vessel,” the Navy reported. With defueling almost complete, the focus now shifts...

Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa Tuesday chaired the 7th Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Independent Advisory Board meeting in Sydney, Australia to consider business growth in the Blue Pacific and build opportunities for export-ready and investment-ready businesses. The meeting was opened by the new Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa, who noted “Pacific Trade Invest improves the livelihoods...

One of the world’s most remote populations must deal with a flood of multinational plastic, much of it tossed overboard by the factory fishing ships hoovering up sea life just offshore By Jonathan Franklin in Easter Island, Chile From a distance, the colourful beach at Ovahe seems a postcard-perfect mosaic of natural beauty. Craggy volcanic boulders, pockmarked from bubbling lava, jut...

World Rugby has confirmed the withdrawal of Papua New Guinea’s men’s and women’s teams from the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco on 21-23 June. While disappointing for all concerned, the decision was made for reasons including player welfare, due to the teams not securing the necessary travel documentation to meet their pre-tournament arrival deadline. In accordance with the Terms of...

Fijiana XV Head Coach Mosese Rauluni has named his 23-member team to take on Sakura XV in their second match of a two-test series at home. Two significant inclusions have been made into the squad with the return of seasoned forward Ema Adivitaloga and with the debut of Josivini Tuikilakila. Up in the starting line-up, young front rower Loraini Senivutu is...

Fijian Drua wing turn 7s player Selestino Ravutaumada says he is following his heart. Ravutaumada got his first taste of the abbreviated version of the game Tuesday against Australia and was impressive as he added some attacking arsenal to the side. Speaking to the media in Lautoka, the 24 year old said that he loves to play 15s but has always...

By Nic Maclellan In a fast moving and complex situation, both supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia are preparing for the outcome of French elections later this month. Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan provides this comprehensive, special report on what this means for the conflict in New Caledonia. Within hours of his defeat in recent European Parliament elections, President...

The Permanent representative of Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Jeem Lippwe has deposited his island nation’s instrument of ratification for the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). The instrument...

Preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa are in full swing, with assurances from the Samoa Police Commissioner, Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo, that international officers deployed for the event will not carry firearms. Responding to inquiries, Commissioner Auapa'au emphasised that all participating countries have been informed that their officers will not require arms while in Samoa...