PINA

One of the Pacific’s top leaders has endorsed Australia’s newly inked security treaty with Vanuatu, warning that the Pacific “family” has to make sure outside forces do not come in and disrupt the peace and stability of our region. Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) President David Panuelo, who played an instrumental role in thwarting China’s bid for a Pacific-wide security...

Youth representatives from Pacific islands attending the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Montreal Canada this week, have issued a challenge to world leaders present. “Please take the time to come and visit our Pacific countries so you will know what we are talking about. Sitting here and talking about the issue is...

The French government says it won't organise another referendum in New Caledonia during the president's current five-year term. A year ago, then-overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu said he planned to have a vote on a new statute for New Caledonia by June 2023. This was after last December's third independence referendum rejected the option of full sovereignty. The vote concluded the decolonisation process...

Pacific leaders are developing a new warning system, not against hurricanes, tsunamis or even erupting volcanoes but rather the looming departure of vital tuna from their territorial waters in the years to come. That so-called “advanced warning system” is part of a larger, US$70 million proposal currently moving through the United Nations to help Pacific Island countries better react to...

People’s Alliance Party (PAP) Leader Sitiveni Rabuka says the 2022 General Elections provided a perfect opportunity for the people of Fiji to have a civilised revolution against the Bainimarama Government which he claims had not delivered to people’s expectations. “The fact that there were a lot of complaints during the campaign means that the people who complained and voted had...

Fijian politician Savenaca Narube says the Fiji 2022 General Election is a day of victory for democracy, law and order and fairness that will herald in a new destiny for the country. Speaking to PACNEWS today, the Unity Fiji Party leader is optimistic about the results of the polls, anticipating 22 seats in Parliament after the official results are released...

National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad says they will monitor the counting process of the 2022 General Election to ensure the results are credible. “We will monitor the counting and the tallying process, and the final result to ensure it is transparent so that we feel confident that what comes out at the end of the day is credible,” Prasad...

An hour before the close of polling in Fiji, the country’s President has appealed to voters to turn up in large numbers and make their vote count. His plea to the nation echoes the polling update result at 4pm from the Fiji Elections Office which recorded a low voter turn-out of just 285,845 votes cast from 7.30am to 4pm –...

More than 1000 additional Fiji police officers have been deployed around country for the 2022 General Election. Fijian Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho said the Force was now well positioned for the main polling day for elections. “Approximately 1500 extra police officers deployed today specifically to assist the Fijian Elections Office (FEO),” Brigadier-General Qiliho said. He has also reminded members of the...

The Pacific Islands is joining forces with Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada in an initiative that brings together vulnerable communities and states to call for climate action at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). In the margins of the IMO’s 79th Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting on Tuesday in London, the two groups represented by John Kautave of Tonga and...