PINA

Hilda Heine, the president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, has warned relations with the U.S are “gradually being destroyed by party politics” as Congress delays approval of crucial funding for the Pacific nation. U.S lawmakers have not yet passed funding packages agreed in 2023 with the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), in a...

Samoa's Minister of Trade Negotiations, Leota Laki Lamositele, has addressed the WTO MC13 in Abu Dhabi, expressing the high expectations the Pacific nation has for the conference amid the challenging global scenario. “Our expectations for MC13 are high, as the world has not gotten any better since the conclusion of MC12 in June 2022,” stated Lamositele. He highlighted the persisting challenges,...

Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele, has expressed Solomon Islands' concerns and perspectives on various crucial aspects during the WTO 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) underway in Abu Dhabi. Manele also highlighted the challenges on the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. “Significant ground has been covered, and some tough decisions must be made if we are to have a meaningful outcome...

Tongan Minister for Trade and Economic Development of Tonga Viliami Uasike Latu, has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Tonga, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami. In his statement at the WTO13th Ministerial Conference(MC13) in Abu Dhabi, Tonga aligned itself with the Pacific Group, the Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific...

Papua New Guinea's Trade Minister Richard Maru Tuesday asserts the nation's position at the WTO 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi. Maru addressed concerns on Fisheries subsidies, saying “The Decision made in Paragraph 4 of the MC12 and the mandate is very clear, the need to have a comprehensive agreement that has disciplines on harmful subsidies that contribute to overcapacity...

Tuvalu's Prime Minister, Feleti Teo has named his cabinet lineup. Governor General Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, in the exercise of authority granted by sections 63, 64, and 68 of Tuvalu's constitution, and acting upon the advice of the Prime Minister, has appointed the following individuals to key ministerial positions: *Panapasa Nelesone assumes the role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance...

The U.S. government is conducting a policy review to determine whether it would endorse the U.S Pacific territories’ bids to gain membership seats in the Pacific Islands Forum. The Office of the Spokesperson for the Department of State noted that under the U.S Constitution and longstanding practice, the federal government has full responsibility to conduct the foreign relations of all...

The United Nations’ highest court on Monday wrapped up historic proceedings into the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of lands sought by Palestinians for a future state, with most voices at the hearing arguing against the Israeli government. Over six days, the International Court of Justice heard from an unprecedented number of countries and the majority argued Israel was violating...

Q&A with Natalia Patternot, Solomon Islands Head of Delegation to the WTO-MC13, Director of External Trade, Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. This is my third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation. When it comes to multilateral trade, it is so important with regards to providing predictability and transparency for our private sector, with trade rules...

A ministerial statement circulated by the six co-coordinators of the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP) — Australia, Barbados, China, Ecuador, Fiji and Morocco — Tuesday at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) outlines trade-related actions to address the environmental, health and economic impacts of plastics pollution. The statement proposes a series of actions to curb trade...