PINA

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...

U.S Vice President Kamala Harris will address the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting on Wednesday. The Vice President will underscore the commitment of the United States to the Pacific Islands region and discuss opportunities to deepen U.S engagement in the region and areas to deliver concrete results for the people of the Pacific. She will also celebrate the longstanding bonds between...

Marshall Islands President David Kabua would have attended this week's first in-person meeting of Pacific Islands Forum leaders if members of his own government had not derailed an effort in February to undo legislatively-binding action to terminate the country's membership in the premier regional organisation. At a critical time in regional politics - with geopolitical manoeuvring by China and the...

By Nic Maclellan For Jean-Christophe Bouissou, Vice President of French Polynesia, the 51st Pacific Islands Forum is an opportunity to highlight the ongoing challenge of climate change for the five archipelagos of Maohi Nui. “A central focus of this week in Fiji is the climate risk and the impacts on the environment and biodiversity, as well as the impact on people’s...

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Monday renewed their commitment and reaffirmed the region's solidarity in advancing climate action and ocean conservation. This was conveyed this evening at the “Blue Pacific Leaders Oceans Panel,” with the theme, “Ocean Leadership, Innovation and Partnerships,” convened during the first day of the 51st Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in Suva. The discussions amongst the...