PINA

There is a 50:50 chance of average global temperature reaching 1.5 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels in the next five years, and the likelihood is increasing with time, according to a new report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), published on Tuesday in Geneva. The Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update also reveals a 93 percent likelihood of at least...

China has defended its Solomon Islands security pact in a formal response to a meeting last week with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, declaring it is a “direct stakeholder” in the security of the South Pacific. China’s Foreign Ministry said an official from its Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs spoke with a DFAT official via video...

OP-ED by Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean With every breath we take, we are connected to the ocean. The ocean gives us oxygen, provides us with food and livelihoods. It stabilises our climate, absorbing most of the heat trapped in the Earth’s system. Billions of humans, animals and plants rely on a healthy ocean. But...

The tuna that 'feeds the world' was acknowledged in a week of activities celebrating the Pacific Tuna which contributes a third of the world's tuna supply. Kicking off on UN World Tuna Day, a joint social media initiative from Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and The Pacific Community (SPC), Teen Tuna Tok, saw the voices of the Pacific's young...

The Chinese and Russian militaries have been banned from attending a major military trade show in Sydney, as concerns heighten about the recently signed security agreement between China and Solomon Islands. Royal Australian Navy chief, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, decided not to invite Chinese officials to the Indo-Pacific 2022 International Maritime Exposition because of the country’s trade strikes against Australia...

Papua New Guinea Supreme Court will hear an application by opposition leader Belden Namah on whether Parliament’s decision to create 13 new electorates as per the report and recommendations of the Electoral Boundaries Commission can be stayed pending a full Supreme Court interpretation at a later date. The application seeking interim stay orders will be heard next Wednesday, 18 May. The...

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...