PINA

The Papua New Guinea Opposition has criticised the James Marape Government’s proposed amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution, describing it as a calculated move to consolidate power by restricting the Motion of Vote of No Confidence (VoNC). Hiri Koiari MP Keith Iduhu expressed strong opposition to the amendment, which was tabled in Parliament by Justice Minister Pila Niningi. Iduhu pointed...

New Caledonia's largest pro-independence party, the Union Calédonienne (UC), on Thursday unveiled the main outcome of its Congress last weekend, including its plans for the French Pacific territory's political future. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday in Nouméa, the party's newly elected executive bureau, now headed by Emmanuel Tjibaou, debriefed the media about the main resolutions made during its...

By Lusi Banuve How did it get so bad right under our noses? That’s the question many in Fiji are struggling with, as the country reels from an illicit drugs epidemic many thought could only happen in heavily populated urban centres in bigger countries. But a drug many thought could only be afforded by a few wealthy hedonistic locals, has...

Political stability, climate change and the cost-of-living loom as the biggest issues when Vanuatu goes to the polls in January. Voters in the Melanesian archipelago will know their election date as soon as Friday, following political manoeuvring that led to another snap poll. An election wasn't due until 2026, but under the request of under-pressure Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, who faced...

A whooping cough outbreak has been declared by the Samoa Ministry of Health (MOH) following a significant increase in reported cases at the main hospital at Moto'otua. The ministry made the declaration on Thursday. Six confirmed whooping cough cases have been reported to the Ministry of Health. The confirmed cases fall within an age range of three weeks to 40 years, with...

A new bill introduced by U.S rep Ed Case, Democratic party -Hawaii, and 11 other Congressional colleagues proposed to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific nations via engagement with civil society organisations, refining overall communications strategies, promoting free media and supporting workforce development. “Successive administrations and Congresses have recognized that no region is more consequential to the future of our country than...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has commended Members of Parliament from both sides of the House for voting unanimously in support of the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2024 as it made its passage through Parliament Thursday. The bill was passed 84-0, surpassing the required 60 ‘Absolute Majority’ votes needed for its passing into law. Prime Minister Marape called it “a monumental,...

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have reaffirmed their position that the future plastics treaty must include clear obligations to provide adequate, predictable, sustainable, and timely financial resources for SIDS and other developing countries. The issue was discussed at a side event hosted at the Rethinking Plastic Life expo during the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on an...

The voice of a Pacific Islands woman rings loud and clear from the front table at the Plastic Treaty Negotiations as a Co-Chair leading a Contact Group on one of the most challenging negotiation issues – Finance and Means of Implementation. Gwen Sisior of Palau, has taken the centre stage as a Co-Chair, helping to navigate the negotiation sessions of...

Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Chair Erana Aliklik of Nauru fisheries, reaffirmed FFA’s commitment at the opening of the WCPFC21 Thursday in Suva, to ensure the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are at the forefront of discussions on sustainable fisheries management. Aliklik highlighted FFA's priorities before the WCPFC that include: *Emphasis on recognising and addressing the special requirements of SIDS...