PINA

The FijiFirst has described the upcoming General Election as a ‘watershed.’ Party General Secretary, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said this election will be a turning point as the old way of thinking is fighting with the new way of thinking. He said the thinking that FijiFirst represents includes, economic empowerment for everybody, protecting the iTaukei land yet having economic empowerment, and empowering those...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says it is “very important” to maintain the current relationship with the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, as many expect the “republic” debate to re-emerge after Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. “This might seem outdated to some who say it is of history but in this modern world, belonging to a family of nations...

The president of the Marshall Islands on Tuesday welcomed what he called progress towards a new association agreement with the United States, but said it is vital to better address the legacy of U.S nuclear testing and climate change. David Kabua made the remarks at the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he also appealed more broadly...

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi hailed the relations between China and Solomon Islands during a meeting on Tuesday with Jeremiah Manele, foreign minister of the Pacific island country. The meeting was arranged on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Wang told Manele that under the guidance of the heads of state...

The Kiribati opposition is planning to take its concerns over the actions of the government directly to the people. Opposition MP and Kiribati's founding president, Sir Ieremia Tabai, said that last week they were thwarted in their efforts to have a motion of no confidence debated before parliament went into recess. This follows the government trying to deport High Court judge...

Fiji is committed to transforming its education system and revolutionise learning for the benefit of all Fijian children. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama at the three-day “Transforming Education Summit”, said that Fiji had embarked on an education revolution a decade ago, through sweeping policies and concerted investments to improve the access and quality of education in the country. The Prime Minister was...

At the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) at the UN Headquarters in New York this week, Fiji expressed its foreign policy priorities, along with the Blue Pacific. The UNGA77 Side-Event on “Ocean Nations – An Indo-Pacific Islands Dialogue” convened by the Carnegie and Sasakawa Foundation, featured Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Satyendra...

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has called on support from global partners to the Pacific to support the Forum Leaders endorsement of the Vanuatu initiative seeking an advisory opinion on the rights of present and future generations againt the adverse impact of climate change. The Vanuatu initiative has been fully endorsed by the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific...

Pacific leaders attending the 77th United Nations General Assembly for the first time since 2019 have met in a special event hosted by the Prime Minster of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, as Chair of the Pacific Islands Developing States, PSIDS. In a speech at the PSIDS welcome reception, PM Mata'afa thanked Portugal for EUR50,000(US$49,000) to support the 2023 work programme...

South Korea plans to host an inaugural summit with Pacific island nations next year as Seoul seeks to expand its diplomatic influence in the region, the prime minister's office said Tuesday. The plan was approved at a Cabinet meeting presided by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the office said. Holding summit talks with leaders of Pacific island nations is aimed at “promoting...