PINA

Poor science heard during the negotiations for a new Plastics Treaty has caused concern for the Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. A group of approximately 240 scientists representing over 250 independent scientists across the world that make up the organisation have been tracking the negotiations. They’re calling for greater participation in the INC process to ensure delegates have...

Cassie Siataga held her nerve to kick Samoa to a dramatic 19-18 victory against Fiji that secured a first ever Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship title and their place in WXV 2. Following an epic decider on Australia’s Gold Coast, it looked as though Fijiana had done enough to win the match, and their fourth championship, when Adita Milinia went over...

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on 11- time Super Rugby Pacific champions, the Crusaders in the quarterfinals this week in the cold of Christchurch. The Crusaders will be out for blood after losing to the Drua 25-24 at Churchill Park in Lautoka in round three. The Crusaders who finished second on the points tables after round 15 will host...

How did the season go for Moana Pasifika? Well, they lost their first 13 games, ahead of Saturday night’s win against the Waratahs, have had poor crowds, their coach Aaron Mauger is leaving early and best player Levi Aumua is jumping ship. You don’t need Picasso to paint a picture of what it’s been like. At first glance it does...

By Pita Ligaiula in Seoul Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the sustainability of Pacific fisheries is compromised by the impacts of climate change, marine pollution and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. In his remarks at the opening plenary of the Korea Cooperation on Oceans and Fisheries (KICCOF) this week in Busan, Brown said fisheries is...

Solomon Islands expressed reservations on an element of the outcome Declaration of the Korea-Pacific Islands Forum Summit in particular the reference to competing Strategy to the 2050 Strategy of the Blue Pacific Continent adopted by Pacific Leaders in 2022, in Suva, Fiji. The 2050 Strategy is the region’s collective voice and blue print in addressing the region’s challenges. It is...

By Pita Ligaiula in Seoul The Korea – Pacific Islands Summit shares the view that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear and missile programmes are a direct and serious threat to international peace and security. In the 2023 Korea-Pacific Islands Leaders’ Declaration issued after Monday’s Summit the Leaders emphasised that denuclearsation of the DPRK is essential for a...

The first Korea-Pacific Islands Summit was held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK) on 29 May 2023. The Summit was co-chaired by President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and attended by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and representatives. The...

By Pita Ligaiula in Seoul Cook Islands Prime Minister and Forum Chair Mark Brown says preparation are well underway for the upcoming Forum Leaders meeting in November. Brown told Pacific journalists in Seoul, the Forum Leaders Meeting is a significant event for the Cook Islands and the region. “All I can say is preparations are underway. We are ready to host...

By Pita Ligaiula in Seoul Cook Islands Prime Minister and Forum Chair Mark Brown is of the view the 2050 Pacific Strategy for Blue Pacific continent and Indo Pacific strategy will benefit both the region and its development partners. Brown told Pacific media every country has its own sovereign rights to be able to develop its own strategies. “I think we've...