PINA

Vanuatu has opened proceedings in a landmark climate case brought before the UN's top court, arguing international law and the warming of the atmosphere demands broader action. The Pacific state is leading two weeks of hearings at the International Court of Justice, beginning Monday, seeking a formal advisory opinion on whether high-emitting countries should do more to stave off climate...

Australia has reiterated its commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate action but does not think high-emitting countries have further legal responsibilities to stave off climate catastrophe. In a landmark case brought before the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ), Vanuatu is leading an argument brought by several Pacific nations and developing states that developed countries have a legal responsibility...

“We are drafting a treaty for the ages. A treaty to protect our environment, our health and our future. Getting this right is critical. And so, our work will continue.” That was the commitment from the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen, in the early hours of Monday morning when she closed the fifth session...

Negotiating an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution including in the marine environment is no easy task. With approximately 4,000 delegates representing over 170 countries, converging to find common ground through UN processes has posed challenges. With negotiators starting early and working through to early hours of the morning to collate all perspectives and develop text – many lessons...

New Caledonia's High Commissioner has announced its curfew has been lifted. It was first brought in after riots broke out in May and has been adjusted mutliple times since. French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said even though there remained some “sensitive areas”, authorities were able to "restore public order" and New Caledonia was on the path to experiencing a “return...

The Papua New Guinea Government has allocated K100 million (US$25 million) in the 2025 National Budget to sports which was handed down last Friday in the National Parliament. Under Volume 3A document of the budget ‘Public Investment Programme for National Government Departments 2025-2029’ the PNG NRL Bid Support Programme is allocated K100 million(US$25 million)(K400 million (US$100 million) in total) for...

While other regions in the world have made notable progress in curbing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, the Western Pacific still faces significant challenges, with 2.3 million people living with HIV, 140,000 new infections and 53,000 deaths in 2023 alone. Every hour, 16 people are newly infected and six people die from HIV-related causes in the Western Pacific region,...

ANZ Group CEO, Shayne Elliott has praised Fiji's quick economic recovery and reaffirmed the bank’s long-standing commitment to the Pacific region. Speaking at the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s Speaker Series, Elliott outlined ANZ’s enduring role in driving economic growth across the islands. “Fiji has bounced back impressively from the pandemic downturn, with the economy now outperforming 2019 levels,” Elliott said. “Leading the...

The Marshall Islands and Palau have signed the MOU for the U.S Tuna Treaty to apply the 2024 amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries between Pacific Island States and the U.S pending ratification of such amendments by all the Parties. Anthony M. Muller, Minister for Natural Resources and Commerce of the Marshall Islands, and Steven Victor, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries...

In a significant step for Pacific fisheries, U.S Ambassador Marie Damour on Monday hailed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Fishing Access Terms for 2025 as a “testament to enduring cooperation” between the United States and Pacific nations. Speaking at the ceremony held during the 21st Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC),...