PINA

Australia's increased target on climate change action is set to be welcomed when leaders meet at the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, according to the federal minister for the region. Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said the federal government's new climate target had been well supported by nations in the region and a sign of improved ties amid growing tensions in...

Formal outcomes from the Forum Foreign Ministers, held in Suva on Friday have been released with key collective decisions including a declaration that the Pacific is facing a Climate Emergency that threatens the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of its people and ecosystems. Spearheaded by Vanuatu, Foreign Ministers also endorsed a recommendation for Forum Leaders to call on the UN General...

The key diplomatic body in the Pacific has been dealt a devastating blow on the eve of its first in-person meeting since the pandemic, as Kiribati announced it would be withdrawing from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Pacific has become a site of intense geostrategic competition, as a result of increased interest from China, and Kiribati’s withdrawal will weaken...

Papua New Guinea caretaker Prime Minister James Marape becomes the first candidate to be declared in the 2022 National General Election. Marape was officially declared the Member-elect for the Tari-Pori Electorate Sunday, which he held for three consecutive terms since 2007. This will be his 4th consecutive term i the 11th National Parliament after the 2022 NGE. He polled 40,913 well above...

Vanuatu’s special envoy on climate change for the Pacific has told Australia to back his country’s push to tie climate change inaction to the International Court of Justice, escalating pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to act days before he meets with Pacific leaders in Suva. The ultimatum, delivered ahead of the first day of the Pacific Island Forum leaders’...

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong The Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna officially welcomed Pacific journalists on Sunday attending the Media Masterclass ahead of the 51st PIF Leaders' Meeting in Fiji. Held at the Holiday Inn hotel in Suva Fiji, the media were brief ahead of the public launch of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue...

By Nic Maclellan As leaders gather in Suva for the 51st Pacific Islands Forum, island nations are also gearing up for the next round of global climate negotiations, to be held in November in Egypt. This week’s Forum summit in Fiji will consider a proposal from Australia, to co-host a Conference of the Parties to the Paris Agreement on...

Like all families, we sometimes go through a rough patch but our strength lies in our resolve to work together as one Blue Pacific Continent. This was highlighted by Minister for Commerce and Trade, Faiyaz Koya in his opening remarks as the chair of the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suva today. He said the implementation of the Suva Agreement, which...

The invitation from Australia and New Zealand for Pacific Island nations to be part of a joint bid to host a future UN climate summit is welcomed, but firm commitments are required, including backing the Vanuatu government-led campaign for an ICJ advisory opinion on the human rights impacts of climate change says Greenpeace Australia Pacific. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese...

By Anna Powles, Massey University and Joanne Wallis, University of Adelaide in Palmerston North Amid global political turbulence, the Pacific is a region whose influence is sought by the world’s powers. Regional coordination is as important as ever. Regional security in the Pacific Islands is in flux, with change fuelled by a trio of dominant drivers. As global economic powerhouses...