PINA

-Tonga has agreed to host the 2031 Pacific Games, the announcement coming seven years after pulling out of hosting the 2019 Games. It was announced the host in Koror, Palau on Friday, when the Pacific Games Council members voted. Tonga secured the right to host the Games with a total of 12 votes, against Fiji's nine. It will be the first Pacific...

Lakapi Samoa has suspended Manu Samoa Head Coach – Mase Mahonri Schwalger, effective immediately, following the filing of criminal charges against him last week. In a statement, Lakapi Samoa said the Board resolution was made on 30 September 2024, and the decision will be reviewed in three months. Coach Schwalger will continue on full pay during this period. “We respect the legal...

The Solomon Islands are ramping up their fight against climate change, demanding immediate global action on shipping emissions. At the 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC82), the nation, alongside other members of the 6PAC+ coalition, called for a universal levy on shipping emissions to align with the 1.5-degree global warming target. “We will continue to advocate for a...

On its 30th anniversary of independence on 01 October, Palau received the $80.4 million U.S funds allotted for fiscal 2025 under the renewed economic provisions of the Compact of Free Association. “The U.S government congratulates Palau on the 30th anniversary of its independence and is honoured to award these funds under the new 20-year Compact Review Agreement between our two countries,”...

Marshall Islands President Dr Hilda Heine brought an urgent appeal to the Human Rights Council in Geneva to highlight the profound human rights challenges endured by the Marshallese for nearly 80 years as a result of nuclear weapons testing and the ongoing climate crisis. “Despite these wrongs, for almost 80 years, we have not received an official apology. There has...

Forum Chair and Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has called for global backing of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) at the Pacific Resilience Facility(PRF) side event during the 79th United Nations General Assembly. The PRF aims to raise US$500 million by the end of 2025 to support Pacific communities facing the escalating impacts of climate change. “The PRF is a...

Regional defence leaders are continuing to meet in Auckland as the Pacific faces increased geopolitical tension, including pushback against China. The South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting (SPDMM) is in its eleventh year with defence ministers and representatives from New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Chili and France attending along with Japan, the US and UK which hold observer...

Pacific Climate Change Officials gathering in Fiji to firm up and consolidate the Pacific’s thematic priorities on the road to the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Azerbaijan later this year have been encouraged to work with negotiating partners to progress ambitious climate targets that have meaningful impacts for our...

France has dropped a divisive electoral reform in New Caledonia that triggered months of violent unrest and stoked concern across the region about Paris’ attitude towards its Pacific territories. French Prime Minister Michel Barnier said in his inaugural address to the national assembly on Tuesday that plans to “unfreeze” the electoral roll would not be sent to the joint meeting...

The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) leaders are worried about China's recent missile test after a dummy warhead landed in the Pacific Ocean last week. The launch was part of routine training by the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force, which is in charge of conventional and nuclear missile operations, and was not aimed at any country or target, the...