PINA

The recently concluded White House summit that fortified the alliance between Washington and Pacific island nations has powered up the Pacific Islands Forum into becoming an influential bloc, according to American Samoa’s delegate to the U.S Congress. “With America adopting a 'whole-of-government' approach to the Pacific, it is only fitting that the island governments adopt a ‘whole-of-region’ approach to its...

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has revealed his hopes for financial support to tackle climate change following the signing of a new partnership deal with Australia. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has signed the Oa Tumanava partnership deal with the Pacific nation as a pledge of Australia’s support towards its neighbour. “This partnership is a really important step, we have...

By Akansha Narayan in Suva Award-winning University of the South Pacific student journalist Sera Tikotikoivatu-Sefeti says Pacific voices on the climate fight need to be amplified for big nations to notice and be accountable for their actions. The final-year student recently won the top prize in the tertiary level journalism students category at the 2022 Vision Pasifika Media Award with...

The city lights of Seoul bear an extra sparkle for the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) as they anticipate the election of Fijian medical doctor and ONOC President Robin Mitchell as the permanent President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) later this week. While Dr Mitchell has acted on the position since 2018, the current XXVI (26th) ANOC...

Fiji's Attorney-General and Minister responsible for Elections Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has reassured Fijians that the “2022 General Election will be held in the not too distant future”. While signing the terms of reference for the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) with Australia, Indonesia and India Tuesday, he said the independent international observer group would be in the country to observe the polls...

The formation of Vanuatu's new Government is in the works, after a pact signing between 31 candidates of the snap election who have secured seats in their respective constituencies, according to unofficial results. But Vanua'aku Pati (VP), Rural Development Party (RDP), Iauko Group (IG) and National United Party (NUP) are not party to the agreement which was signed last night...

The Cook Islands Government has announced its support for the candidacy of Dr Lara Manarangi-Trott for the position of Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The announcement, made by Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum Tepaeru Herrmann was made after the conclusion of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting on 13 July 2022 in...

Samoa Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi are officially suspended from Parliament for a record two years. The House voted 29 – 19 in a secret ballot to uphold the Privileges and Ethics Committee Report to suspend the Human Rights Protection Party MPs. The suspension was effective immediately. Tuilaepa and Lealailepule were...

Tonga's Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, Tuesday welcomed Defence Ministers and senior delegates from the region to discuss Pacific security challenges and build collective Pacific responses. Attending the seventh South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM), to be held 18-19 October, in Nuku'alofa, are delegates from Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, as well as observer nations...

The Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) will provide FJD$117 million (US$58.5 million) in financing to support the restoration and upgrade of key roads and bridges in Fiji. Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Australia's Charge d'affaires John Williams and Fiji Roads Authority CEO, Kamal Prasad participated in the signing ceremony Tuesday. This financing package includes a FJD$24 million (US$12 million) grant...