PINA

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa took a strong stance on elevating kava's economic potential at the CHOGM side event last week, declaring the plant as the Pacific's “Green Gold” and lauding its importance to Pacific livelihoods, culture, and trade. “Kava is unique to our Pacific region,” Waqa said, emphasising its deep-rooted cultural significance and vital economic contribution to...

France has been criticised for the “alarming” death toll in New Caledonia during recent protests and its “cold shower” approach to decolonisation by experts of the UN Human Rights Committee. The UN committee met last week in Geneva for France’s five-yearly human rights review with a focus on its Pacific territory, after peaceful protests over electoral changes turned violent leaving...

The Commonwealth Heads of Government(CHOGM) has adopted the Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression and the Role of the Media in Good Governance at their summit meeting in Apia, Samoa. These Principles highlight the importance of freedom of expression and media freedom to democracy. They state that Commonwealth governments ‘should consider repealing or amending laws which unduly restrict the right...

In a boost for Pacific Islands such as Tuvalu under threat from rising seas, Commonwealth nations agreed on Saturday that a nation's maritime boundaries should remain fixed even if climate change causes small island states to be submerged. The 56 countries with roots in Britain's empire issued the Commonwealth's first Ocean Declaration at the end of a summit of the...

New Zealand congratulated Kiribati's Taneti Maamau after the pro-China president was elected on Saturday to a third term in charge of the low-lying Pacific island nation. According to the New Zealand High Commission in Kiribati, Maamau received 20,676 votes, equating to about 55 percent support at the polls, to head off nearest challenger Kaotitaaake Kokoria, who received about 42 percent...

Papua New Guinea dropped the bombshell by announcing it will not attend the upcoming 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (UNFCCC COP29) this year. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced it at the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small State (CMMSS) in Apia, Samoa, last week. Tkatchenko said; “Papua New Guinea is making this stand for the...

A Kanak leader from the Protestant Church of Kanaky New Caledonia, attending a Pacific solidarity forum in Aotearoa, says connecting with Pacific activists has given him the chance to feel hope again after months of riots in the French territory. Reverend Billy Wetewea told RNZ Pacific on the sidelines of Te Hui Oranga o te Moana nui a Kiwa, a...

In a demonstration of regional solidarity at the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), Colombia, the “One Pacific - One People, One Ocean” side event showcased innovative conservation initiatives aimed at addressing biodiversity loss in the Pacific region. Hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) on 26 October...

Commonwealth leaders convened in Samoa on the final day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Saturday and announced Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the incoming Commonwealth Secretary-General. This pivotal decision marks another milestone for women in leadership as Botchwey steps into a role currently held by Patricia Scotland, the first woman to serve as Secretary-General since her election in...

In a landmark moment for rugby in the Pacific region, the Solomon Islands Government in partnership with Oceania Rugby and the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation is proud to announce that the 2024 Oceania Rugby 7s will be hosted in Honiara on 07 - 08 December. This is the first time that the region's premiere rugby tournament will be held...