PINA

The U.S Department of State provided US$1 million to The HALO Trust (HALO) to launch a comprehensive unexploded ordnance (UXO) project in Solomon Islands beginning 01 January, 2023. This project will address UXO priorities and enhance explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capacity with the Ministry of National Police and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. This project is part of President Biden’s...

11 years after the Fukushima disaster, Japan is working hard to overcome challenges posed by its water. Since the Tohoku tsunami of 11 March 2011, Japan has been decommissioning and decontaminating the nuclear power plant, which is expected to take 30 to 40 years. Now, the plant must urgently empty its water tanks. Euronews spoke to Kimoto Takahiro, the Deputy Site Superintendent...

Pacific leaders are developing a new warning system, not against hurricanes, tsunamis or even erupting volcanoes but rather the looming departure of vital tuna from their territorial waters in the years to come. That so-called “advanced warning system” is part of a larger, US$70 million proposal currently moving through the United Nations to help Pacific Island countries better react to...

Democracy and the rule of law in Fiji are key U.S. interests amid growing concerns about China’s regional engagement Analysis by Camilla Pohle-Anderson Fiji has become an integral part of the United States’ reengagement in the Pacific in recent years, including a visit to Suva from U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken in February. Although Fiji is a small country by...

Fiji's military has been called in to help Fiji police maintain law and order situation in the country, amidst growing concerns of racial tension against minority groups. This was confirmed by Fiji Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho in response to the political climate facing the country after the general election. “As more information and reports are received by the Fiji Police Force...

“It’s about time we bring this to the Pacific,” said Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., of Australia’s plan to host COP31 (Conference of the Parties on Climate Change) in 2026. Australia had expressed its intent to bid to host COP31 in 2026. It hopes to co-host the event with Pacific Island countries. President Whipps confirmed that he was approached at...

Papua New Guinea is on the cusp of voting in our first female Governor General (GG) after nominations for the post lapsed on Tuesday afternoon. In the running are only three familiar names. Former PNG High Commissioner to UK and Cabinet Secretary Winnie Kiap is up against two male nominees, the incumbent Sir Bob Dadae and lawyer and National Alliance(NA) stalwart...

Election observer MP Todd McClay says he believes Fiji's election was fair and that the country must now democratically decide the composition of the next government. For the first time since the return of democracy in Fiji in 2014, Voreqe Bainimarama's Fiji First Party has failed to secure the majority of seats in Parliament. A New Zealand delegation has been in...

Fiji's Opposition Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) Leader Viliame Gavoka says he will step down from his position. He said according to the party’s constitution, he has 30 days to finalise his report and then vacate his seat. Gavoka will remain as SODELPA’s leader until January next year. “The spirit of the constitution is that I vacate the seat and I want...

Samoa Cabinet has appointed the Attorney General and Chief Executive Officers for the Ministry of Justice & Courts Administration and the Samoa Qualifications Authority. Su’a Hellene Wallwork-Lamb continues as Attorney General following her interim appointment to replace the former Attorney General who was dismissed in September 2021 having lost the trust and confidence of the Government. The 48-year old had served...