PINA

In a significant move toward promoting peace and halting conflicts, most leaders across the Pacific have agreed to sign a concept paper aimed at accelerating peace-building actions. Speaking during Radio Fiji One’s Na Noda Paraiminisita programme, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasised the urgency for Pacific Island leaders to collaborate in addressing pressing issues such as escalating freight costs and the...

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million (US$10 million) in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and intensively with partners who share our values and our...

China believes the AUKUS pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States reveals a tactical cold war mentality. The Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, Zhou Jian, highlighted this when asked about claims that these superpowers might include Japan in the AUKUS pact. Ambassador Jian said China believes the partnership will create instability and labelled it as a group vying for...

By Bethanie Harriman The Marape-Rosso Government in Papua New Guinea is determined to take "decisive action" and get to the root cause of issues surrounding the Government's payroll system, that led to the riots in the capital city, Port Moresby on 10 January this year. The recurring payroll failure that impacted the Defence Force personnel's remuneration was the main agenda of...

By Anouk Ride Solomon Islanders are set to vote on 17 April in an election that has significance within and beyond the country’s borders. It is the first chance for them to vote on policy directions that the coalition led by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has taken and may change or consolidate his power. Since Sogavare was elected by his parliamentary...

There is no interference of Fiji Government on who will be named the new Flying Fijians head coach. This was confirmed by Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru following their meeting with World Rugby officials two weeks ago. One of the two World Rugby representatives included former Flying Fijians head coach and now World Rugby’s High Performance Pathways and Player...

Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto’a was guest of honour at the Wednesday countdown launch of the theme, logo and 26- 30 August dates for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga. The live-streamed event featured scene-setting remarks from Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna before Crown Prince Tupouto’a unveiled the 53rd PIFLM theme, dates and logo. Tonga's Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi...

Engagement, advocacy and visibility were the three objectives for the visit by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat team in Papua New Guinea last week, led by deputy secretary general, Esala Nayasi. Through workshops and bilateral meetings with different government officials, ministries and other relevant partners at the Central Government Office in Port Moresby, discussions surrounded firstly, the 2050 Strategy for...

The UNESCO general director, Audrey Azoulay, opened the Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, urging societies to include sea protection classes in the world's education and guaranteeing the preservation of sealife. “We have to maximise all efforts to educate on conscience about oceans, and we must reinforce education on them, as we have a long path to follow,” Azoulay said on...

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC), is hosting its first ever Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Forum at the FFA Conference Centre in Honiara this week. Over three days, 9 – 11 April, the forum will facilitate discussions among over 60 leaders and representatives from FFA and SPC Members, civil societies organisation,...