PINA

Leading figures from the world of Rugby Sevens have united to consider the future of the playing and fan experience as the Olympic sport springboards into a new Games cycle beyond what promises to be a ‘coming of age’ event at Paris 2024. With Olympic Rugby Sevens the sport’s biggest shop window on sport’s biggest stage, the Sevens Shape of...

Fiji Drua’s powerhouse centre, Iosefo Masi, emerged as the star of the show, clinching not one but two prestigious awards at the Fiji Airways Drua Awards ceremony in Nadi. The event, a beacon of glamour and recognition, honoured the outstanding achievements of the Fijian Drua, marking yet another milestone in the realm of Fijian rugby. This year’s ceremony marked a significant...

By Ilaitia Turagabeci As the sun rises over the Sigatoka River, Alipate Nainoca, a former lawman and headman of Laselase Village, offers a prayer for wisdom and protection for the river and its people. The environmental changes brought on by dredging and the looming threat of mining have caused distress in the community, prompting Nainoca to seek solace and guidance in his...

In a decisive address to the Special Committee on Decolonisation at the United Nations headquarters, Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), voiced serious concerns regarding the ongoing situation in Kanaky New Caledonia. His statement, representing Pacific faith and civil society, highlighted the deep frustrations felt across the Pacific regarding France's actions over the last...

The President of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Benny Wenda, has made a blunt assessment of the dire situation in West Papua. “For years, we’ve been telling the world that West Papuans are suffering from genocide and ecocide,” he said in a statement. “Over 500,000 of our people have been killed since Indonesia’s occupation began in the 1960s....

The National Executive Council (NEC)has promoted Commodore Philip Polewara to the rank of Rear Admiral and appointed him as the new Commander and Chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force(PNGDF). Another appointment was made where Colonel Larry Opa was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed as Deputy Chief of Defence Force. Prime Minister James Marape congratulated both...

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa has met with Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele in Honiara. The opportunities and challenges faced by the Solomon Islands was a focus of discussion, as Prime Minister Manele's new Government prepares for the launch of their 100 Days Programme. The importance of solidarity within the Blue Pacific Continent was also considered,...

Palau's new solar power plant, commissioned in June last year serves as a benchmark for other Pacific Island Countries to seek clean energy funding support through public private partnerships (PPPs). And, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is excited that another northern Pacific nation has signed up to consider PPP financing for renewable energy project. "ADB signed a mandate with the government...

By Dirk Wagener, UN Resident Coordinator to Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu Last week, we marked two key international days that are particularly close to the hearts and realities of Pacific Peoples - World Environment Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8). As custodians of the Pacific Ocean and the natural environments which surround it, Pacific Island...

Former Fijian Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum says the top executives of the FijiFirst Party have resigned. Former Prime Minister and FijiFirst Leader Voreqe Bainimarama is amongst those who have resigned from the party. Sayed Khaiyum claimed that following the voting on the Emoluments Committee Report by the 16 Members of FijiFirst there have been a lot of incidences. He claimed the...