PINA

Solomon Islands has reiterated concerns over plans by Japan to discharge nuclear treated water into the ocean and its impact on the health of the ocean. Solomon Islands welcomed discussion between Pacific Islands Forum leaders, the region’s Independent panel of scientists, the Japanese Government, experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the science of the proposal to determine...

Former Tongan Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu'ionetoa has passed away at the weekend. He had been receiving medical assistance in the United States. Tonga's Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Paula Ma'u, confirmed the death to RNZ Pacific. An official government statement will be released soon. Tu'ionetoa was 71 and is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was the country's 17th Prime...

The world must step back from the brink of climate disaster to save the people of the Pacific from obliteration, the prime minister of Samoa has urged. On the eve of a landmark report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which is expected to deliver a scientific “final warning” on the climate emergency, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Samoa’s prime minister,...

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Port Vila  An ambitious and historical call to action for a fossil fuel free Pacific was endorsed Friday in Port Vila – demanding a phase out of fossil fuel production from major economies that continue to produce coal, oil and gas. The Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific...

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Port Vila The fight for a fossil fuel free Pacific will not be without its detractors and opposition – but Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is optimistic it can be achieved if Pacific countries stay the course. Henry Puna was in Port Vila last week when six Forum Island Countries – Fiji,...

Fiji's Assistant Minister in the office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna last week contributed to discussions at the 2nd Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on Pathways for the Global Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels, where Government Ministers and officials heard from other Pacific leaders and civil society organisations (CSOs) about a global goal to limit average temperature rise to...

The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has approved US$1.7 million funding for recovery efforts in Vanuatu following twin Category-4 cyclones Judy and Kevin earlier this month. The funding, the Vanuatu Government have confirmed, will specifically support three key areas - food security, water and sanitation hygiene (WASH), and emergency shelter, targeted at the most vulnerable and most affected populations...

New research has found that most of the Commonwealth’s coastal and island states have mainstreamed ocean-based actions into their national climate commitments. The Commonwealth Secretariat commissioned a study of its 49 member countries that border the sea (out of a total 56) to find out how ocean activity had been integrated in their Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs) – the five-yearly...

Brad Thorn was left smiling through gritted teeth after the sloppy Queensland Reds defied another fast Fijian Drua finish to hang on for a 27-24 Super Rugby Pacific win in Brisbane. The Reds led 24-3 midway through the second half on Sunday, but in a replay of last season's Suncorp Stadium clash, had to withstand a late Drua flurry and...

A heavy dose of lineout power has carried the Brumbies to a fourth straight Super Rugby Pacific win, seeing off Moana Pasifika in an entertaining, back-and-forth affair in Canberra. They were down 14-3 inside 10 minutes and couldn't shake off Moana until deep in the second half, winning 62-36 thanks to four tries off the back of their set piece. Flanker...