PINA

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor After 16 years of the FijiFirst Government rule in Fiji, the country will have a new Prime Minister who will lead a three party coalition. Former Prime Minister and leader of the People’s Alliance Party (PAP), Sitiveni Rabuka is expected to be sworn in as the country’s sixth elected Prime Minister when Parliament convenes 14 days...

The UN chief said on Monday he was determined to make 2023 “a year for peace” and a “year for action”, highlighting the need for practical solutions to a raft of pressing problems facing all regions of the world. “We owe it to people to find solutions, to fight back, and to act”, said Secretary-General António Guterres. “At times, discreetly...

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Monday highlighted bilateral relations with small island States of the Pacific Ocean. On Twitter, Rodriguez celebrated the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands, a nation which Cuba has outstanding relations with based on friendship, cooperation and solidarity. He added Cuba is presently celebrating two decades of diplomatic relations with...

The three former Samoa Opposition MPs, who resigned from Human Rights Political Party (HRPP) last month, will go to court arguing the unconstitutionality of the 2019 Electoral Amendment Act that now stops them from becoming Independent MPs. Former Cabinet Minister, Tuuu Anasii Leota of Siumu and Ale Vena Ale of Faleata 4 resigned on 4 November claiming breach of their...

Fiji should know by later today who will be forming the next government. Social Democratic Liberal Party’s (SODELPA) representative Viliame Gavoka has confirmed this to the media as the countdown to the 2pm Management Board meeting continues. The top most hierarchy from FijiFirst and The People’s Alliance are expected to be part of the last-minute presentation teams who will front the...

Japan is standing its ground over the planned discharge of treated radioactive waste from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean in 2023 despite strong opposition from Pacific leaders. The country said in April that the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) would discharge more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water in stages after treatment and dilution, starting around spring 2023. The contaminated...

By Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC and Dr Nazia Mintz Habib FRSA, Founder of the Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development. At COP27 there was a multitude of competing interests and voices that sought the world's attention. But one thing that became clear was the chorus of small and often vulnerable states demanding justice now and at scale to address...

The UN Biodiversity Conference, COP15, concluded early on Monday in Montreal, Canada, with a landmark agreement to protect 30 percent of the planet’s lands, coastal areas and inland waters by the end of the decade. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework also aims to cut food waste in half. COP15 was originally set to be held in Kunming, China, in October 2020...

The kingmaker in Fiji's general election, the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA, is split over who it should align with to form a new government. Party leader Viliame Gavoka said they had received proposals from the incumbent FijiFirst and the bloc of the People's Alliance (PA) and the National Federation Party (NFP). The Sodelpa management board met on Monday, but after...

Six women have been elected into Fijian Parliament for the next four years. Four Members of Parliament have served before while two will be entering the august house for the first time. People’s Alliance Deputy Leader Lynda Tabuya, National Federation Party Vice President Lenora Qereqeretabua and former ministers Rosy Akbar and Premila Kumar are the returning MPs while NFP’s Sashi Kiran...