PINA

Despite pressure from China to do otherwise, Palau intends to continue diplomatic relations with Taiwan, said Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. He noted, however, that the number of countries with a similar policy toward Taiwan has dropped from 30 to 14 since Taiwan and Palau established diplomatic relations in 1999. “(The drop in the number of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies) is concerning...

The prime minister of the Solomon Islands complained on Friday that his country had been subjected to "a barrage of unwarranted and misplaced criticisms, misinformation and intimidation" since formalising diplomatic relations with China in 2019. In an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Manasseh Sogavare said the Solomons had been “unfairly targeted” and “vilified” in the...

The president of the Pacific island state of Micronesia denounced at the United Nations last Thursday Japan's decision to discharge what he called nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the Pacific Ocean. In an address to the UN General Assembly in New York, David Panuelo said Micronesia had the "gravest concern" about Japan’s decision to release...

Nauru's president Lionel Aingimea is among the members of parliament who have been re-elected in the weekend poll. However,  results show that two former presidents, Baron Waqa and Ludwig Scotty, failed to win any of the 19 seats at stake. Marcus Stephen, another former president, also retained his seat. In the Yaren constituency, the two seats were won by women, Charmaine Scotty...

The Marshall Islands halted key negotiations with the U.S on Friday over ongoing grievances relating to nuclear testing dating back 70 years on the atolls in the heart of the Pacific. Discussions planned for this weekend to renew the terms of the Compact of Free Association -- a key international agreement between the U.S, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau...

Denmark has become the first fully-fledged country to pledge funds to developing countries specifically for “tab og skader”, which translates to “loss and damage”. The Nordic nation committed 100 million DKK (US$13m) to build resilience and help climate victims recover during a ministerial meeting on the sideline of the UN General Assembly in New York last Tuesday. While the amount pledged...

Pacific Islands Forum Members received a fifth virtual briefing from the Government of Japan on 20 September 2022 regarding its plan to release over a million tonnes of radioactively contaminated cooling water from its Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean in early March/April 2023. This is expected to take at least 40 years. The briefing session is part...

The Fijian Drua will mount its second Super Rugby Pacific campaign with six home games locked in for Fiji in 2023. Coming to Fiji next year are 2022 champions Crusaders, 2022 finalists Blues, Melbourne Rebels, Queensland Reds, Moana Pasifika & Hurricanes. The Drua will host the Waratahs in Melbourne during the Super Round, which was announced last week. For its away...

The Australian Prime Minister’s XIII Men’s side proved far too strong in the end, but had to work hard at times for a 64-14 victory over their Papua New Guinea counterparts on Sunday night. Matt Burton and Selwyn Cobbo both scored doubles in a game which saw 10 different members of the Australian PM's XIII Men score tries. While they couldn't...

New Zealand have won the OFC U-19 Championship 2022 after a 3-0 win over Fiji at Stade Pater in Papeete, Tahiti. A brace from Oliver Colloty and a long-range strike from Jay Herdman secured the Junior All Whites their eighth title despite Fiji’s brave effort. New Zealand have won the last five OFC U-19 Championships they have entered. The only blemish...