State visit to China- strengthening the Cook Islands’ global partnerships: Foreign Ministry
Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown will undertake a State visit to China from 10 – 14 February, reinforcing the Cook Islands’ commitment to diversified international partnerships that support national development.
At the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Prime Minister Brown will be joined by the Tukaka Ama, Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs &...
Wenda rejects Jakarta’s dialogue offer: “West Papua is not another Aceh”
West Papua’s struggle for self-determination is not up for negotiation, says Benny Wenda, the Interim President of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), rejecting any dialogue with Indonesia unless independence is on the table.
“Dialogue with Indonesia is not the answer for West Papua,” Wenda said in a statement. “We are a colonised nation, not a province of...
Fiji reaffirms strong bilateral relations with the U.S
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka met with U.S Congressman and Chair of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus Ed Case in Washington Wednesday, reaffirming Fiji's strong and enduring partnership with the United States of America.
The meeting highlighted key areas of cooperation including climate change, security, and sustainable economic growth and development.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Rabuka acknowledged the longstanding cooperation...
Too early to confirm party affiliation: Vanuatu MP Bohn
Vanuatu Progressive Development Party (VPDP) President and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Epi constituency, Robert Murray Bohn, said it is too early to confirm his party affiliation.
MP Bohn conveyed this to the Vanuatu Daily Post when asked about his party affiliation during negotiations to form the government of the next legislature.
His statement about it being “too early” to...
Solomon Islands, Australia and PNG work on new visa system
Immigration officers from Solomon Islands, Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are in Honiara to advance the next phase of the new Solomon Islands Border Management System (BMS).
This followed the announcement by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles MP, during his visit to Honiara in May 2024.
The teams from Solomon Islands, Australia and PNG came together to support development...
The Deepening Friendship and Partnership between Kiribati and Australia
By Ruth Cross Kwansing, Kiribati Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs
Last week, our nation welcomed Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. While the visit was exciting for all of Kiribati, it was particularly significant for me. As a newly appointed Cabinet Minister, I was tasked during our Cabinet meeting led by Minister in Charge Alexander Teabo, with...
Bougainville general election dates announced
Bougainville Speaker of the House of Representatives Simon Pentanu, has announced the official dates of the 2025 Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) General Election Wednesday.
Pentanu said he would be issuing the writs for the 2025 ABG General Election of the Bougainville House of Representatives on Monday 07 July 2025 as Speaker in accordance with Section 107 of the Bougainville Constitution.
He...
New Zealand chides Cook Islands for ‘lack of transparency’
New Zealand criticised its close Pacific partner the Cook Islands on Wednesday for showing a “lack of transparency”, following reports that it is about to sign a cooperation deal with China.
Wellington raised its concerns ahead of a reported state visit to China by the prime minister of the self-governing South Pacific nation, which has a population of about 17,000.
The...
Landmark dialogue to bolster Australia-India cooperation with Island States
A first-of-its-kind dialogue, the Fiji Dialogue, will be held this Friday, 07 February 2025 in Suva, Fiji, focusing on enhancing the security of island nations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Hosted by leading think tank the Australia India Institute and in partnership with The University of the South Pacific (USP), the Fiji Dialogue will tackle the most pressing issues...
Forum Officials meet ahead of the Korea -Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Senior officials from Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member countries are in the Republic of Korea this week for the 2025 Korea-Pacific Islands Inter-Sessional Meeting.
The meeting will review the achievements of the last Leaders Summit held in 2023, consider progress on implementation and prepare for the 6th Korea – Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting later this year.
The Foreign Ministerial Meeting...