PINA

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...

A tiny Pacific nation that has felt the wrath of Beijing for its continuing ties to Taiwan is urging global leaders to also work closely with the democratic island that China claims as its own territory. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has restated his country's unwavering diplomatic recognition of Taiwan while hosting a bipartisan Australian parliamentary delegation led by Foreign...

By Robert Iroga in London Punching above our weight has been the statement echoed in London this week to describe the tiny Pacific’s bold push against some of the global heavyweights to have polluters (ship) pay-up for their pollution. This proposal is in addition to Pacific’s drive at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) ensuring its members decarbonise by 2050. The powerful...

Fiji's Basketball men’s team has secured a spot in the 2023 Pacific Games through a wild card entry. Fiji is among one of the eight teams that has been included alongside FIBA Micronesian cup champions Guam, Melanesian Cup winner New Caledonia, silver medallist Papua New Guinea, FIBA Polynesian Cup gold medallists, Tahiti and silver medallists, Tonga and host nation Solomon...

The people of Fiji wait with bated breath to see which way the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) will move – to form the new government after last Wednesday’s national election. SODELPA’s three winning candidates comprising Party leader Viliame Gavoka, Ifereimi Vasu and Aseri Radrodro – hold the balance of power to the 26 seats each to FijiFirst and the...

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna has congratulated the Fijian people for exercising their democratic right through 14 December General Election. “I have observed with close interest the conduct of the 2022 General Election in Fiji over the last few days and note the preliminary findings of the Multinational Observer Group last Friday and the declaration of the...

National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says the outcome of Fiji's 2022 General Election reflects the will of the people. Prasad highlighted this at a joint press conference with People’s Alliance Leader Sitiveni Rabuka, as they prepare for their next step. He acknowledged everyone that voted for the opposition parties. “We found that people were just great. They welcomed our candidates....