PINA

Fiji was facing a debt issue before the COVID-19 pandemic and three tropical cyclones hit the country and made things worse, says the World Bank. “For a country as exposed to external shocks as Fiji, the pre-COVID debt level was already considered on the high side,” the World Bank said in its Fiji Public Expenditure review released Tuesday. The World Bank...

President Yoon Suk Yeol will host a summit with leaders from Pacific island nations in May to discuss ways to expand cooperation between Korea and the region, his office said Tuesday. The inaugural Korea-Pacific Islands Summit will be held in Seoul from 29-30 May with the participation of leaders from all 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum, an intergovernmental...

“New Zealand has been a steadfast friend of Fiji, providing assistance in times of need and supporting our development efforts. Fiji and New Zealand have a shared history and a common future, based on the principles of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation”. This was highlighted by Fiji deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica, at the welcome reception...

On the waterfront in Port Vila, Mark Philips runs an adventure tours business. He bought U Power Sea Adventures, which guides holidaymakers through the waters surrounding Vanuatu’s capital, in July last year and was excited about its prospects. Then in early March, Cyclone Judy hit and was swiftly followed by Cyclone Kevin. “Coming out of COVID, it was a bit of...

The Bilateral Service Cooperation Plan creates a formalised framework for many well-established work streams between the two armies, including sustained cooperation across strategic engagement, capability, training, readiness and common personnel issues. Chief of the New Zealand Army Major General John Boswell says it’s a significant step forward for the trans-Tasman strategic partnership, with a focus on improved interoperability. “As close neighbours...

Managing the civil service wage bill is becoming a massive challenge for Fiji. The World Bank’s Fiji Public Expenditure Report 2023 states this is despite the recent reduction in costs. It says that unwinding some of the recent measures to contain the wage bill, such as returning the Fiji National Provident Fund contribution rate to the pre-pandemic level will raise costs...

The Fund is providing important support but access remains a challenge. Australia re-joining could make the difference By Georgia Hammersley, Roland Rajah Global climate funds have faced much criticism for failing to deliver fast and flexibly enough to match the urgency of the climate crisis, especially for the world’s most climate vulnerable countries. In the Pacific, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) –...

Australian Sports Minister Anika Wells has vowed to deliver purpose-built infrastructure to ensure a "world-leading" environment in time for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane. Wells made the pledge during the opening day of the Step Up Oceania Conference in the Australian city which is set to hold the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) Annual General Assembly on Friday...

-Fijian Drua coach Mick Byrne is impressed with the level of physicality the side has shown in the past seven matches of the Super Rugby Pacific. “There’s been a lot of learning and I’m pleased with the physicality.” “We are clearing out the rucks better this year and working on our tackle tricks as well. We are getting our shoulders under...

Vanuatu is currently testing a ground-breaking application that looks to provide a solution to data collection challenges faced by Pacific Island countries, particularly on species and how they interact with climate and act as traditional knowledge indicators for climate. The Pacific Island nation is comprised of 80 islands stretched out over 1,300 kilometres across the central Pacific ocean. Travel to...