Mosquito-borne diseases become climate reality in warming Pacific
Climate change forecasters have warned for years that the warmer and wetter world created by the climate crisis will drive a surge in mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever.
Experts say that in the Pacific Islands, such predictions are now becoming a reality.
The regional development organisation, the Pacific Community, says between 2012 and 2021, its Pacific island members...
As growth returns to the Pacific, debt and inflation remain concerns
New World Bank report series provides economic deep dive into Pacific economies
After nearly three years of economic contraction, Pacific economies can anticipate a return to growth this calendar year despite ongoing challenges, according to the World Bank.
While the recovery is expected to continue, fiscal balances, debt sustainability, and inflation will remain a concern. Pacific nations will need to consider...
Worry, frustration as UN tries to finally agree high seas treaty
UN member states have much work to do to finally agree a treaty to protect the high seas before scheduled negotiations close in five days, participants and observers say.
After 15 years of formal and informal talks, delegates have been meeting in New York since 20 February for the third “final” negotiating round in less than a year.
“There was progress...
No leader from outside for the Fiji Police Force : Home Affairs Minister
Fiji's Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua has revealed his plans for the Fiji Police, and one of them is for it to be led by its own people.
Tikoduadua said he wants the Force to be blue and not to be mistaken for any other force in government.
The Minister said the Fiji Police Force is not the military.
He said...
PACER Plus an opportunity for regenerative development, trade, and investment in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has taken a major step to boost its economy and improve the livelihood of its people by ratifying the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus.
PACER Plus, a unique development-centered trade and investment agreement between eight Pacific Island Countries and Australia and New Zealand, aims to reduce barriers to trade and investment, and promote economic development and...
Japan’s ‘transparency’ eases concerns over nuclear wastewater release into the Pacific Ocean
Japan’s “transparency” over its plan to release treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean this year has helped ease the region’s concerns over the discharge, the Pacific Islands Forum says.
Tokyo intends to release more than 1 million tonnes of water from the crippled Fukushima plant this year.
The Pacific’s latest response follows the leaders’ retreat in Fiji last week which...
WHO: Nations step closer to global guidelines on pandemics, disease outbreaks
Governments agreed on a way forward to update disease outbreak regulations ahead of meetings to draft new global guidelines for tackling pandemics, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday.
The two processes are complementary, guided by the imperative of making the world safer from communicable diseases and ensuring equitable responses to public health threats, said Ashley Bloomfield, former Director-General...
The Pacific: An ocean of opportunity
By Sarah Stubbings, ANZ Regional Executive, Pacific
ANZ has been in the Pacific for more than 142 years. The region is an important part of ANZ’s international network and the bank plays a key role helping to position the Pacific region for future growth.
Since starting my role as Regional Executive for the Pacific in August last year, I have been...
Seremaia Bai and Seruvakula to assist Flying Fijians coach Raiwalui
Three former Flying Fijians players will assist new Head Coach Simon Raiwalui for the Rugby World Cup in France this year.
Raiwalui announced his assistant coaches in a press conference at Rugby House Monday.
The Flying Fijians coach has roped in Seremaia Bai, former national prop Graham Dewes, and Senirusi Seruvakula as assistant coaches.
Also included is Fijian Drua assistant coach Brad...
Filipo Tarakinikini to be Fiji’s next PRUN in New York
By Pita Ligaiula
Former military spokesman retired Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini will be Fiji's next Permanent Representative to the United Nations (PRUN) in New York.
He will replace Ambassador Satyendra Prasad who was appointed to the position in 2018.
PACNEWS has been told by senior foreign ministry official that Tarakinikini has accepted the offer by Prime Minister and foreign Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to...