PINA

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat officials were in Japan last week in a round of meetings aimed at deepening Japan’s longstanding dialogue partner relationship with the Forum. The mission follows on from a 07 May visit to the PIF Secretariat by Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yoshimasa Hayashi. “Japan continues to demonstrate its engagement and support to the Pacific in a range...

Delegates from some 184 countries gathered in Bali for the 2022 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction where they reviewed efforts to protect communities against a rising number of climate hazards and other catastrophes globally. The summit concluded with an outcome document entitled the Bali Agenda for Resilience, which aims to prevent the world from facing 1.5 disasters a day...

The battle for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title will go down to the final event after Australia defeated New Zealand with a golden-point victory to claim their first gold medal of the season in London. History was made as HSBC Player of the Final Henry Paterson ran in a hat-trick of tries to lead the Aussie Sevens to...

Moana Pasifika have claimed their maiden Australian scalp with a shock 32-22 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Brumbies in Auckland. The competition newcomers and cellar dwellers overcame the early dismissal of inspirational captain Sekope Kepu to power to just their second win of the season at Mt Smart Stadium. The deflating defeat, following the Chiefs' 35-34 win over Fijian Drua...

The Chiefs have clung to a rapidly diminishing lead to beat the Fijian Drua 35-24 in a thrilling match which allowed them to clinch a home quarter-final in Super Rugby Pacific. The last match of the Drua's inaugural season in Super Rugby was played in front of a packed house at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji's second city. Every inch...

Fiji will join the U.S-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework just days before China’s foreign minister lands in the country, giving the Biden administration a victory in its competition with Beijing over influence in the Pacific. Jake Sullivan, U.S national security adviser, welcomed the move by Fiji to become the first Pacific Island nation and 14th member of IPEF, a trade initiative...

New Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is lobbying Pacific Island nations not to sign up to a sweeping multilateral security, economic and cyber pact with China, warning regional disunity threatened stability and prosperity, Delivering her first major speech during a trip to Fiji just days after being sworn in, Senator Wong pledged the new government would listen to the needs...

New Zealand and its allies have failed to listen to “alarm bells” about China’s growing influence, and allowed a “vacuum” to develop in the Pacific, New Zealand’s former foreign minister Winston Peters has said. His comments come amid news that China hopes 10 Pacific countries will sign a wide-ranging draft deal covering security, trade and investment. The agreement would dramatically...

Fiji's Court of Appeal has dismissed Millemarin Investment Limited’s appeal to stop U.S authorities from seizing the Russian superyacht the Amadea. The vessel was taken into custody by local law enforcement when in berthed at the Lautoka Wharf last month. The Appeal Court has ruled that the decision made by the High Court is affirmed and the Amadea is to be...

Australia has announced that they will allow seasonal workers to bring their families with them to Australia and create a new pathway to 3,000 members of the Pacific family getting resident permanency per year. In a major announcement, new Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaking in Suva Thursday at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat stated that for generations Pacific islanders...