PINA

By Lusi Banuve How did it get so bad right under our noses? That’s the question many in Fiji are struggling with, as the country reels from an illicit drugs epidemic many thought could only happen in heavily populated urban centres in bigger countries. But a drug many thought could only be afforded by a few wealthy hedonistic locals, has...

Political stability, climate change and the cost-of-living loom as the biggest issues when Vanuatu goes to the polls in January. Voters in the Melanesian archipelago will know their election date as soon as Friday, following political manoeuvring that led to another snap poll. An election wasn't due until 2026, but under the request of under-pressure Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, who faced...

A whooping cough outbreak has been declared by the Samoa Ministry of Health (MOH) following a significant increase in reported cases at the main hospital at Moto'otua. The ministry made the declaration on Thursday. Six confirmed whooping cough cases have been reported to the Ministry of Health. The confirmed cases fall within an age range of three weeks to 40 years, with...

A new bill introduced by U.S rep Ed Case, Democratic party -Hawaii, and 11 other Congressional colleagues proposed to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific nations via engagement with civil society organisations, refining overall communications strategies, promoting free media and supporting workforce development. “Successive administrations and Congresses have recognized that no region is more consequential to the future of our country than...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has commended Members of Parliament from both sides of the House for voting unanimously in support of the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2024 as it made its passage through Parliament Thursday. The bill was passed 84-0, surpassing the required 60 ‘Absolute Majority’ votes needed for its passing into law. Prime Minister Marape called it “a monumental,...

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have reaffirmed their position that the future plastics treaty must include clear obligations to provide adequate, predictable, sustainable, and timely financial resources for SIDS and other developing countries. The issue was discussed at a side event hosted at the Rethinking Plastic Life expo during the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on an...

The voice of a Pacific Islands woman rings loud and clear from the front table at the Plastic Treaty Negotiations as a Co-Chair leading a Contact Group on one of the most challenging negotiation issues – Finance and Means of Implementation. Gwen Sisior of Palau, has taken the centre stage as a Co-Chair, helping to navigate the negotiation sessions of...

Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Chair Erana Aliklik of Nauru fisheries, reaffirmed FFA’s commitment at the opening of the WCPFC21 Thursday in Suva, to ensure the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are at the forefront of discussions on sustainable fisheries management. Aliklik highlighted FFA's priorities before the WCPFC that include: *Emphasis on recognising and addressing the special requirements of SIDS...

Finance is often and always a thorny issue wherever multiple countries try to agree on anything. On the fourth day of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, in Busan Korea, money was a central focus for Contact Group 3. On the table...

Vanuatu becomes first country to ever lose EU visa-free access after golden passport scheme poses security threat. Commentary by Tess Newton Cain Earlier this month Vanuatu received a stinging rebuke from the European Parliament, becoming the first country ever to lose its visa-free access to the bloc’s Schengen area. In the explanatory note accompanying the European Parliament vote, rapporteur Paulo Cunha said...