PINA

A key commitment from the WTO’s Fisheries Subsidies Agreement has now been made effective. Specifically, the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism envisioned in that Agreement is now operational and ready to accept donations to support developing and least-developed countries in implementing the WTO’s new agreement to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. The WTO Secretariat formally submitted its notification outlining how the Fund will...

Pacific island youth met with Australian and Pacific Island leaders at COP27 this week, to present their demands on decarbonisation, additional loss and damage commitments and accessible climate finance. Speaking to the new Australian Ambassador for climate change, Kristin Tilley, Pacific civil society representatives shared the Kioa Climate Emergency Declaration, a historic document drafted on the shores of Kioa Island...

The tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu is not just on the brink of sinking due to climate change-induced sea level rise. The island with a population of just over 11,000 people are grabbling with an extreme drought, which has forced the Government to declare a State of Public Emergency this week. The proclamation, signed by Tuvalu’s Governor General, Sir Tofinga Vaevalu...

The extreme heat from the climate crisis has killed more than 30 million of Palau’s beautiful, non-stinging jellyfish in its world-renowned Jellyfish Lake, robbing the Pacific country of one of their star tourism attractions, and impacting its economy. It is one of many impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, droughts and issues with food security, highlighted by Palau’s...

Covid-19 cases in Tuvalu have soared to 443, with 303 news cases recorded since Sunday. This is the first time the country has experienced a community outbreak of the virus. Last Wednesday, routine testing found two probable cases, which were later confirmed to be community transmission cases and the government declared a Covid-19 outbreak. Two people have been hospitalised. All health facilities in...

Analysis by Wesley Morgan is a research fellow at Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University As the COP27 climate talks got underway in Egypt this week, Australia’s climate and energy minister Chris Bowen announced it would bid to co-host the annual United Nations climate summit with Pacific Island nations in 2026. Playing host to the world’s climate negotiations could be...

Tahiti and Tonga have qualified for the Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games men's basketball tournament after securing first and second place, respectively, in the International Basketball Federation Polynesian Cup in Kaitaia in New Zealand. Tahiti pipped third-place finishers Samoa on the final day of the round-robin tournament 92-88 following a remarkable comeback to ensure they completed the tournament undefeated. Captain Ariirimarau...

World Archery Fiji Vice President Ajay Ballu will lead Team Fiji to next year’s Pacific Games. Ballu has been appointed by Team Fiji’s executive board as Chef de Mission to the Games where 530 athletes and officials are expected to represent the country across 24 sports in 14 days in Honiara, the Solomon Islands. His first Chef de Mission role was...

The Kingdom of Tonga has used the platform provided by the biggest global environment conference to highlight that the problems caused by the climate crisis for Pacific countries extends far beyond the most commonly felt impact of extreme and more frequent cyclones, storm surge and sea level rise. Speaking during the High Level Plenary of the 27th United Nations Framework...

Fijian Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Frank Bainimarama has welcomed New Zealand government's announcement to allocate NZ$20 million (US$11.9 million) for loss and damage. “The Pacific is proud to see New Zealand lead on loss and damage finance. “There's no adapting to the loss of islands and communities, and it's past time that developed nations stopped subsidising...