PINA

The Solomon Islands Government has rebuffed the call made by opposition leader Matthew Wale’s to re-direct resources dedicated to preparing for the 2023 Pacific Games. In a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Government insisted that the competition will be a "major economic booster" which cannot be "disturbed". For that reason, the Games and COVID-19 are...

As Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum nations, I condemn the disturbing display of the Russian Federation’s military aggression against the innocent people and independent state of Ukraine. We have observed from afar the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Russia’s blatant disregard for international law. Our Blue Pacific and global community relies on the...

As far away tensions on the edge of Europe between the world's great powers draws focus from the destabilising of Indo-Pacific regional security, the government is moving to assure Australia's neighbours that its investment in shared security and economic growth will not wane under the Coalition. ACT senator and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja will tell...

The President of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, says the autonomous Papua New Guinea region needs a strong constitution guaranteeing the civil rights of the people. The Constitution Planning Commission, which is comprised of people from different walks of life from thoughout Bougainville, is about to begin its work. They will travel around the region soliciting the people's views on what should be...

Billions of people are suffering from the effects of climate change — and the window to deal with the problem is closing, a landmark report will conclude Monday The paper, by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is the most devastating official assessment so far of the effects of global warming. Talks last night overran, with international officials and...

Pacific leaders have added their voices to a global call for universal vaccination, as world leaders gathered at the United Nations today to call for fair and equitable COVID-19 vaccination distribution on a worldwide scale. The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair in New York, Ambassador Satyendra Prasad spoke on behalf of the PIF group at the “Galvanising Momentum for Universal...

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has conveyed to the Russian Federation that diplomatic relations between the two countries have been severed. The FSM will only entertain renewing diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation when Moscow demonstrates actionable commitments to peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity. “The people and government of the FSM stand in solidarity with the...

The Cook Islands join with others in condemning Russia’s unprovoked invasion of the Ukraine. “We call on Russia to end the hostilities and violations of the international rule of law. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ukraine and her people at this time. It is our hope Russia will heed calls to cease military operations in the Ukraine and withdraw...

The invasion of Ukraine is likely to have a significant impact on the Pacific, warns a senior USP academic. Last Thursday, Russia commenced a massive invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Although geographically removed from the conflict the Pacific nations should be concerned about the negative effect this war will have on multilateralism says Sandra Tarte, an Associate Professor at the University of...

When the Ha’atafu beach resort was levelled by the tsunami that hit Tonga last month, it was the third time that the family-run business had been completely destroyed by a natural disaster. In 1982, the resort was wiped out by Cyclone Isaac and 11 years later by Cyclone Kina. Back then, the resort was run by Australian Steve Burling and his...