PINA

The United States will soon announce plans to better battle illegal fishing in the Pacific, U.S Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said on Monday, as part of increased U.S engagement with the region to counter China's growing influence. Several countries in the Indo-Pacific region chafe at China's vast fishing fleet. They say its vessels often violate their exclusive economic zones and...

By Wesley Morgan Late last year, more than 100 former diplomats and officials called for a new Australian foreign policy — with climate action at the centre — to help cement Australia’s future in a world rapidly shifting to net-zero emissions. Failure to act on climate change, they argued, would erode our national interests and international influence. Australia’s allies, partners...

Labor has flagged an increase in aid to south-east Asia while ramping up its attack on Scott Morrison by accusing him of “bullying” behaviour that undermines Australia’s relationships with Pacific island countries. The opposition has promised to increase foreign aid to the Pacific by $525m (US$365 million) over four years. Labor says the money would be additional funding and not...

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has responded to a leaked draft MoU between China and the Solomon Islands outlining how they will further deepen ties including cooperation on building wharves and ship yards. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia is “very aware” of Beijing's ambitions in the Pacific after a draft agreement between China and the Solomon Islands on further...

New Caledonia's pro-independence FLNKS movement and five other small nationalist parties have agreed that they will only discuss the territory's accession to full sovereignty in talks planned with France. The joint position was adopted at the weekend at the Congress of the FLNKS and then a meeting involving other pro-independence parties - their first since last December's independence referendum. Just over...

The Fijian Media Association (FMA) does not endorse any report it has not participated in, but agrees with certain statements within the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report particularly on the threat of legislation such as the Media Industry Development Authority (MIDA) Act to criminalise and impose heavy fines on media organisations or editors. While we are under various pressures the...

Fijiana 15s side will host a test match against Canada in preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup but a date is yet to be confirmed. Coach Senirusi Seruvakula confirms that talks are already underway to have the game in Fiji which would give them more game time. “There’s a test match haven’t been confirmed, playing against Canada when we come...

The Oceania Continent of the Olympic Movement made commitments under five thematic areas at the Olympic Solidarity Forum which was part of pre-workshops of the ONOC 42nd Annual General Assembly (AGA) last week. The Olympic Solidarity Forum was one of several pre-AGA workshops held prior to the Annual General Assembly and its outcomes were tabled for endorsement at the AGA. The...

The Nauru Olympic Committee (NOC) has paid tribute to Papua New Guinean official Karo Lelai, who is set to step down as chair of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) Athletes' Commission. The former chair of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission was elected as chair of the equivalent body within ONOC in 2018. Lelai has also chaired the...

Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Matthew Wale says the foreign minister’s visit to Suva on an ‘explain tour’ of the China security treaty is a disgrace. Wale said the intention and purpose of the tour to explain the pros and cons of the security agreement has contradicted their argument that the matter is a sovereign issue and regional friends should not...