PINA

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila Pacific economies are still struggling to recover from the burdens brought forth by COVID19 and record positive economic growth, says Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau. In his remark at the opening of the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in Port Vila, Kalsakau said the risk of climate change to island economies is threatening...

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila The critical role of the Ministry of Finance in the climate change agenda has been highlighted at the Forum Economic Officials Meeting (FEOM) this week. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Climate Change Finance adviser, Exsley Taloiburi says it's important to recognise that the Ministries of Finance and the Ministers of Finance, have a key role...

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says geo-strategic competition is intensifying and playing out in our region and if not handled carefully, could easily create disunity and conflict among our people and communities. Puna made the statement at the opening of the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) currently underway in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Puna emphasised the...

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila There is a great need to upskill Pacific workers to enable them to enter the Australian market, according to Pacific Trade & Investment Commissioner to Australia, Caleb Jarvis. “In Australia, we need workers and Pacific countries are well placed to provide workers. “I think we need to upskill Pacific Islanders more to go and do...

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga Wednesday unseated three Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament, after they were unsuccessful in their appeals against bribery convictions in the lead up the November 2021 General Election. They are Poasi Tei (former Deputy Prime Minister/Tongatapu 6 People's Representative), Tatafu Moeaki (former Finance Minister/Tongatapu 4 Representative and Sangster Saulala (former Minister of Internal Affairs and...

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila With the high rise in fuel prices across the region due to the Russian war in Ukraine, the Pacific can be a leader in carbon trading. That's the view of Pacific Trade & Investment Commissioner to Australia, Caleb Jarvis who told journalists in Port Vila on the side-lines of the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM)...

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has submitted its application to become a technical observer at the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM). This was revealed by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Climate Change Finance adviser, Exsley Taloiburi during a media briefing with regional journalists covering FEMM. "There are clear benefits of having key funding mechanisms such as...

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila Fiji is leading the charge in the Pacific in exporting kava to the Australian market. Last year, Australia launched phase2 of its Kava Pilot programme, where exporters from the Pacific can now export an unlimited amount of kava to Australia for commercial purposes. The Kava Pilot Phase 2 ends Australia’s kava ban imposed over a...

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila “The socio-economic fallout of the pandemic, a complex geopolitical environment and the enduring threat of climate change and climate induced disasters – what has been declared by our Leaders as a climate emergency continues to drive and shape our strategic policy considerations for the region, says Forum deputy secretary general Dr Filimon Manoni. Speaking...

By Pita Ligaiula in Port Vila Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna has issued a challenge to the Pacific media to be bold in their reporting on issues affecting the region. Speaking at the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum Ministers Meeting (FEMM) Media workshop Tuesday, Puna encourage local journalists in Vanuatu and the region to be bold. “Be bold...