PINA

By Pita Ligaiula in Lisbon, Portugal The Tongan government has joined other countries in the call for the adoption of the “Declaration for the enhancement of marine scientific knowledge, research capacity and transfer of marine technology to Small Islands Developing States (SIDS).” Speaking at the 2022 United Nations Conference in Lisbon, to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve...

By Pita Ligaiula in Lisbon, Portugal The Pacific nations of Palau and Fiji announced Monday their strong opposition to deep-sea mining and the launch of a 'new alliance' to prevent the destructive industry to go ahead. Palau President Surangel Whipps made the announcement at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) side-event, co-hosted by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition and the World Wildlife...

Some countries has been holding up a global agreement on protecting the world’s oceans because of their “egoism,” U.S Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday. Some countries — which he did not identify — won’t accept that the world’s oceans belong to everyone, he said. “International waters are ours,” Guterres insisted, referring to all the planet’s inhabitants. The UN chief was with senior...

Marine plastic pollution is a threat to Pacific Islands people. At the United Nations Ocean Conference 2022 in Lisbon Portugal, Pacific leaders have taken their concerns to the global stage, calling for collective action to protect our ocean. “In line with Sustainable Development Goal 14, our role and responsibility as ocean stewards is to protect our ocean from plastics and...

By Pita Ligaiula in Lisbon, Portugal The United Nations Secretary-General has declared an “ocean emergency” at the 2022 UN Oceans Conference co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya in Lisbon. Addressing delegates attending the conference Monday, António Guterres called for a new chapter of ocean action driven by science, technology and innovation. “Sadly, we have taken the ocean for granted, and today we face...

By Pita Ligaiula in Lisbon, Portugal Fiji’s Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum has announced big commitments at the UN Oceans conference currently underway in Portugal. Addressing the plenary at the opening of the UN Ocean conference Monday, Frank Bainimarama said Fiji has the will to put resources behind the most far-reaching transformation in its history. “We have already...

The Pacific Islands have taken to the global stage to call for more investment for Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. The ocean is at the heart of Pacific Island life. Alarmed by the multiple dire crises threatening our ocean, Pacific Islands are calling for improved international efforts at all levels to improve and sustain the health, productivity and...

The final eight teams vying for Oceania club football supremacy will soon learn their OFC Champions League 2022 group stage opposition through a draw confirmed for Thursday, 30 June. The draw will take place at 1.00 pm NZT at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland, New Zealand. OFC Competitions Director, Chris Kemp will conduct proceedings,...

Team Papua New Guinea ended the Mini Pacific Games with flying colours, topping the medals tally with a total of 80 medals in Saipan, Northern Marianas. They returned with 33 gold, 28 silver and 19 bronze. Not only did team PNG top the tally, weightlifting pair Dika Toua and Morea Baru were named among the outstanding athletes of the Games. Chef de...

Today at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 in Kigali Rwanda, leaders of the Commonwealth reappointed Secretary-General The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC for a further two years to complete the balance of her period in office. https://twitter.com/commonwealthsec/status/1540419295800344576?s=20&t=fgrwXrrzJ34bN-L_JqOl0Q Speaking after her reappointment Secretary-General The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC said: “It is deeply humbling to have been reappointed as Secretary-General of this...