PINA

Australia has increased its investments in maritime initiatives in Pacific Island countries. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong during the Pacific Islands (PIF) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiji Friday announced that Australia will invest around AUD$18.5 million (US$12.15 million) towards the construction of a Pacific-owned oceans and fisheries research vessel. Minister Wong announced that this is a top priority for the Pacific...

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jrs’ nominating petition for re-election was filed on Monday 05 August at Palau Election Commission. Since Whipps is currently off-island, his petition was filed by his family and supporters on his behalf. “In signing the petition, we vow our strong support and belief in our President Surangel Whipps, Jr.to continue to lead our country for another four...

As Papua New Guinea prepares for a historic visit from Pope Francis in September 2024, incumbent Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has hinted that the event could extend beyond PNG's borders, potentially involving leaders from across the Pacific. Speaking on the upcoming visit, Brown shared, “I do recall that the Prime Minister of Papua...

Incumbent Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed that a high-level Troika delegation will visit New Caledonia before the end of August. The mission, which has received strong support from French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to assess the escalating situation on the ground and promote dialogue in the politically sensitive French territory. “I can confirm...

The Pacific Islands Forum is set to welcome Guam and American Samoa as Associate Members, following a strong recommendation from the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting Friday. Incumbent Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed that the applications, which were submitted by the Lieutenant Governors of both territories, have gained widespread support and will now be forwarded to...

The Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers have made significant strides in advancing key regional initiatives, setting the stage for important Leaders Meeting at the end of this month. Incumbent Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown outlined the ministers’ decisions, emphasising the importance of their work on the 2050 Strategy, the Pacific Resilience Facility, and the Pacific Policing...

Foreign Ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum gathered in Suva, Fiji, Friday to address important regional issues in time for their scheduled Forum Leaders meeting in Tonga later this month. Incumbent Forum Chair and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown told Te Ao Māori news about the discussions around the disposal of Fukushima’s wastewater. Brown said water monitoring in...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is set to visit China from Monday until 21 August the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday, welcoming the chance for the two nations to build strategic ties. The news follows March reports that Fiji agreed to maintain a policing co-operation deal with China that fanned concern in Australia, against the backdrop of a long...

Lakapi Samoa is trying to secure much-needed funding to keep operations normal and has revised the national 15s tournament to sustain it. The Chief Executive Officer for Lakapi Samoa Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai said Lakapi Samoa is engaging with the government, sponsors, and stakeholders for support. “Lakapi Samoa has been engaging over the last six months with an external commercial entity on...

Eileen Cikamatana was in tears and her coach Paul Coffa is reconsidering retirement after she fell short of their lofty Olympic weightlifting goals. Coffa had confidently predicted the 24-year-old would win a medal, but the Fijian-born Cikamatana underperformed in the clean and jerk and finished fourth. Norwegian Solfrid Koanda won gold on Sunday in the 81kg class with an Olympic record...