PINA

Fiji's deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica has told the European Union (EU) that it needs to revise its tax blacklisting approach and to show solidarity and understanding in these challenging times. Kamikamica said Fiji is confident in the EU’s role and our economic policies will be one of partnership, in areas such as taxes, investment and...

By Blake Johnson and Lucy Albiston Media freedom is an essential pillar of democracy. In Pacific island countries, this pillar is under threat from financial and capacity constraints. Democratic partners—which believe in the importance of a strong, independent media—must do more to support journalism and media in the Pacific to protect the integrity of independent thought and defend against information...

For French Polynesia's newly elected president Moetai Brotherson not independence from France but continued assistance to the victims of the flooding two weeks ago is the most urgent challenge for his incoming government. Brotherson told Tahiti Nui TV shortly after his election that apart from those affected in Tahiti, help would have to be given to people in the Tuamotus...

A public holiday is likely to be declared in Port Moresby on Monday next week when United States President Joe Biden arrives for his three-hour stop-over, says Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. Marape has written to Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae requesting the public holiday “so that schools, government offices and business houses in the city will be closed”. Biden...

By Elenoa Dimaira The 5th Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers meeting has recommended the establishment of a Pacific Energy Commissioner for a Just and Equitable Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific. Chairperson of the meeting and Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ralph Regenvanu said the Pacific Energy Commissioner would negotiate and advocate energy issues on behalf of...

Pacific Island leaders criticised rich countries on Monday for not doing enough to control climate change despite being responsible for much of the problem, and for making money off of loans provided to vulnerable nations to mitigate the effects. Leaders and representatives from Pacific Island nations demanded at a UN climate change conference in Bangkok that the world make more...

The U.S and Micronesia have agreed to renew a key strategic pact, U.S presidential envoy Joseph Yun said, adding he hopes for similar progress with Palau, as the U.S shores up support among Pacific island nations to counter competition from China. Yun said on Monday that the Compact of Free Association agreement (COFA) with Micronesia would be signed on 22...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says the Indian Government has helped to meet the cost for all 18 leaders in the Pacific region to meet in Port Moresby next week. Marape said: “Eighteen Pacific leaders will be here. The Indian Government has paid for their tickets.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to attend the third Forum for...

The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape should have recalled Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and sacked him immediately, PNG MP Sir Julius Chan said. “He should not stand down and wait around for a while until things quieten down and then get back in,” the former prime minister and current New Ireland governor said. Sir Julius was commenting on Tkatchenko’s...

All gold produced in the country must be sold to the Bank of Papua New Guinea to be refined into bullion, says Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. He said during the launching of the PNG National Gold Bullion Policy in Port Moresby on Friday that the Government would establish a competent domestic gold bullion programme to refine high-grade...