PINA

New Zealand authorities have found a record-breaking amount of cocaine floating in international waters, which they say was bound for Australia and would have been enough to supply the country for a year. The 3.2-tonne haul was valued at NZ$500m (US$315m, AUD$456m). It was the largest seizure of illicit drugs made by New Zealand law enforcement “by quite some margin”,...

Recognising the need to unlock the economic potential of Fiji's blue economy and catalyse ocean related private sector development, the Fiji Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, Wednesday marked the commencement of the Blue Accelerator Grant Scheme (BAGS) and introduced the first cohort of projects. The launch also sought to create dialogue on enhancing Fiji's national blue...

The theme for World Cancer Day this year is “Closing the Care Gap”. It is the same theme as last year, and indeed will be the same theme in 2024, in recognition of the deep-rooted inequities that populations face in receiving cancer care within countries, and between countries. A blog by Emily Gilmour, Health Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat Unfortunately, in the Commonwealth,...

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has launched the Power of Football strategy, an ambitious programme to enhance the wellbeing of individuals and communities across the Pacific. OFC has long recognised the power of football to develop individuals and communities and has led the delivery of football for development programmes which address challenges specific to our region. This has included the...

Solomon Islands will have 24 leaders of the Pacific nations meet for the 2023 Pacific Games to be held from 10 November to 02 December 2, in Honiara this year. And Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says this will be the single largest unifying event for the nation – a uniting factor for Pacific Island countries to come together as one...

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) is set to release a "Safe Green Games" campaign with the Government Services Integration Committee (GSIC) prior to the country's hosting of the Pacific Games this year. Representatives from the two bodies met to discuss the initiative which is due to be officially launched by Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. GSIC chairman Bernard Bata'anisia...

The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands lodged new submissions at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)this week, calling for greatly increased and 1.5 commensurate levels of ambition, commitment to an equitable global transition and for shipping to agree to a high price on GHG. This is the largest and most ambitious carbon price call for any sector...

Talks between Japan and the Pacific are expected to continue as the clock ticks closer for the controversial planned discharge of treated but still radioactive water, into the Pacific Ocean, later this year. Overall, a promise from Japan in PALM9 to not release anything into the ocean which will harm human or ocean life, is being held high by the...

Vanuatu’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jotham Napat, said he is considering visiting Suva, Honiara and Port Moresby to personally get a “yes or no” answer on application by the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) for full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) before the MSG Summit in Port Vila later this year. The Minister spoke of his...

Fiji's Fisheries and Forestry Minister Kalaveti Vodo Ravu Tuesday opened a two-day workshop on 'Labour Standards on Fishing Vessels' for over 50 representatives from the Pacific. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade-funded programme will be jointly implemented by Forum Fisheries Agency(FFA), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation for Migration(IOM) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime...