PINA

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong The shocking exit of Kiribati from the Pacific Islands Forum’s membership was “not an ideal situation”, Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has said. In an interview with the Samoa Observer in Fiji, after the news broke that Kiribati had pulled the plug on its membership, the Samoan Prime Minister said when she...

The U.S has announced a major step-up in its engagement with the Pacific region, including the establishment of new embassies in Kiribati and Tonga, in moves that will be seen as attempts to counter China’s growing influence in the region. The U.S vice-president, Kamala Harris, made the announcement on Tuesday, as Pacific leaders gathered in Suva, Fiji for the Pacific...

The leader of Vanuatu, pushing to take climate change to the international court, said the slow pace of international negotiations over emissions reduction was "totally out of step" with the impact Pacific islands are seeing. Leaders from 15 nations are meeting in Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum, where they are discussing how to gather more international support and funding...

By Pita Ligaiula As the Pacific emerge from the grip of COVID-19 our region remain in a state of turmoil, says Fijian Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. In his opening remarks at the 51st Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue with Associate Members and Forum Observers in Suva Tuesday, Voreqe Bainimarama said many countries continue to deal with...

Kiribati’s decision to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum on the eve of the event was an extreme move driven by pressure from China, the Micronesian nation’s opposition leader says. Tessie Lambourne, a former top diplomat who was elected to Kiribati’s parliament in 2020, said she was “shocked and extremely disappointed” by the government’s move to withdraw from the Pacific...

The region is stronger together says Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Penny Wong. Wong made the comments following Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue with associate members and forum observers today. She said a lot of discussions have taken place about the Pacific Island Forum unity. The Foreign Minister says the position the Australian government has consistently taken is that they were seeking...

By Samantha Magick As Pacific leaders meet in Suva to discuss deepening regionalism through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, USP, the region’s university continues to suffer the impacts of continued funding constraints. The Pro Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific says “students are hurting” as the conflict between the Fiji government and USP continues over leadership...

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the first investment from the recently boosted $1.3 billion (US$793 million) climate aid fund, a contribution of $10 million (US$6.1 million) to the conservation of Pacific crop seeds impacted by climate change. $10 million US$6.1 million) will be allocated to the Fiji based Centre for Pacific...

By Pita Ligaiula United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres has commended the strong, united voice of the Pacific on climate change. Addressing the Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue with Associate Members and Forum Observers virtually, Guterres said it has made the world pay attention. “Now we need climate action that matches the urgency of the crisis, especially from the G20, who account...

With the biggest regional event in years in town, there’s a buzz on the streets of the Fijian capital that hasn’t been felt since Covid slammed international borders shut in 2020. The 51st Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting might be off to a somewhat rocky start with the withdrawal of member state Kiribati, but Suva is booked solid as hundreds...