PINA

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFs) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing regional solidarity and supporting the priorities and interests of the Forum family. This was made known by the newly-appointed PIFs Secretary-General Baron Waqa while paying a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in his office yesterday. Waqa expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister for the opportunity...

New Zealand plans to invest $20.5 million (US$12.65 million) into a new, large-scale, renewable energy project in Niue, reducing the island nation's reliance on diesel. The project will bring Niue's renewable generation to 80 percent. New Zealand will also commit $2 million (US$1.23 million) to the Niue Ocean Wide Trust, which aims to develop a blue economy and ensure long-term ocean...

By Ilaitia Turagabeci Several villages located along the banks of the Sigatoka River on Fiji’s Coral Coast have expressed concerns regarding the impact of past dredging activities on the river's ecosystem. They report that the dredging, which occurred over two years and was intended for flood mitigation, may have impacted marine habitats and altered the riverbed. The No Levu – a...

Local Government Minister aware of concerns, assures that works on dump relocation and a paper to address waste management issue in Fiji begins. By INOKE RABONU The Vunato rubbish dump in Lautoka has long been a vital waste disposal site, but it has recently come under scrutiny for a hidden and dangerous threat: hazardous toxic gas emissions from frequent dump fires. Once...

A recent cyber-attack on Palau led to the release of 20,000 documents marked confidential onto the internet, Palau Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior told leaders at a regional summit in Guam Tuesday. Discussion on the second day of the 26th Micronesian Islands Forum(MIF) turned to the potential damage that hackers could inflict on small island governments and critical infrastructure,...

Christopher Luxon has kicked off his first Pacific visit as New Zealand Prime Minister to Niue, which has been celebrating its 50th anniversary of self-governance. Bilateral discussions between the leaders of both countries begin today Luxon said today: “I think the relationship is in good heart. “There's a lot more for us to do together, and it's a great opportunity for me...

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has welcomed Palau President Surangel Whipps Jnr to Tokyo ahead of the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders' Meeting (PALM 10). “I'm pleased to hold our third summit meeting,” Kishida said in a statement. “Japan aims to seamlessly strengthen our ‘kizuna’ and ‘tokubetsu’ relationship with Palau, built over a long history of exchange.” President Whipps responded, “It's an honour...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka Tuesday reaffirmed that the Coalition Government remains intact, solid and committed to serving the nation. He made this statement after meeting with the two deputy Prime Ministers Biman Prasad and Viliame Gavoka. “I acknowledge that the past week has been a test of our collective resolve as a Coalition, stemming from the determination of Parliamentary Emoluments...

BY INOKE RABONU In a stark warning highlighting the grave health risks posed by the Vunato rubbish dump, the Health Ministry has issued an urgent call for its relocation. In a statement issued in response to queries by the Fiji Sun, the ministry made an urgent call to the Ministry of Local Government to identify a new suitable waste disposal dumping...

World Rugby has published a landmark report looking at the projected impacts of climate change on the sport of rugby in an effort to raise awareness of the issue that is already affecting the game as whole. With the world heating up and likely heading towards a 1.5-degree increase in global average temperatures by 2026, the study demonstrates that consequences...