PINA

Within the next 40 years, the Marshall Islands will cease to exist. That’s according to the Kwajalein Atoll Sustainability Laboratory (KASL), citing U.S Department of Defence research that projects the chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls will be uninhabitable as early as 2035 and no later than 2065. Marshallese leaders and members of KASL, a project of the Marshallese government...

The Papua New Guinea Government plans to increase the size of its 33-member Cabinet by amending the Prime Minister and National Executive Council Act 2002 when Parliament sits for two weeks from Tuesday. Leader of Government Business Rainbo Paita told The National that the government’s main agenda for the session included a debate on the Ombudsman Commission Bill and an...

There are hopes a Pacific person will head the Western Pacific region for the World Health Organisation (WHO). It follows the sacking of regional director Takeshi Kasai after allegations of harassment, abuse and racism, and an internal investigation resulted in findings of misconduct. Kasai was accused of unethical behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic, including aggressive communication and racial comments, leading to...

Tokelau has a new Ulu-o-Tokelau, or head of government, Kelihiano Kalolo. In a statement, National Public Service general manager Tino Vitale said the general fono chairperson, deputy chairperson and the 28 members of the 12th Government of Tokelau have been sworn in. He said the Ulu, on behalf of the Taupulega, or Council of Elders, tabled the council's decision on ministerial...

By Nic Maclellan Moetai Brotherson of the independence party Tavini Huira’atira no Te Ao Ma’ohi has announced he will run for the Presidency of French Polynesia. The post is currently held by President Edouard Fritch of the Tapura Huira’atira party, who has held office in Tahiti since 2014. Brotherson, who currently represents French Polynesia in the French National Assembly in Paris,...

China has condemned a Japanese plan to release treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, demanding that Tokyo first receive the approval of neighbouring countries. China has made similar complaints on a regular basis in the past, but has not said how it would respond if Japan goes ahead with the planned release. China, which Japan...

The World Bank has disbursed a US$9.5 million (VUV 1.13 billion) grant to support the Government of Vanuatu’s response to Severe Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin, and a 6.5 Mw earthquake in Vanuatu’s north. The emergency funding will provide vital support to the government’s recovery and response efforts following the disasters. The Government of Vanuatu has declared a six-month State of...

Pacific countries have added their voice to a growing chorus of support for the establishment of a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. The latest opportunity to do this was at the resumed First Meeting of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on a Science-Policy Panel for Chemicals, Waste,...

China is engaged in “political warfare” in the Pacific, the outgoing president of the Federated States of Micronesia has alleged in an excoriating letter, accusing Beijing officials of bribing elected officials in Micronesia, and even “direct threats against my personal safety”. Two months before his term as president expires, David Panuelo’s letter alleged China was preparing for conflict over the...

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat is contemplating engaging China for cooperation on Security and sign on as its first official development partner. This follows a successful meeting at the Secretariat yesterday between the Chinese Special Envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo and the Director General, Leonard Louma, who described the meeting as satisfactory. “I had a very constructive discussion on...