PINA

Partnerships and implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent (2050 Strategy), as well as the preparations for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) in Tokyo this July, are on the agenda for the 5th Japan-Pacific Foreign Ministerial meeting in Suva on 12 February. The Ministerial Interim Meeting is to follow-up on previous PALM commitments and to...

U.S Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Pacific Partnership Act, H.R. 7159, and is welcoming passage Tuesday in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, would bolster U.S engagement with the Pacific Islands region, an issue which Congresswoman Amata highlights often. Speaking in support of the bill in committee, Congresswoman Amata...

Papua New Guinea must become a strong nation and stand on its own two feet, its prime minister said in a historic address to federal parliament. James Marape on Thursday became the first Pacific leader to address a joint sitting, lauding the close bonds between the near neighbours and thanking Australian governments and investors for their economic support. “Papua New Guinea...

By Sam Sachdeva With a common citizenship and currency, closely related native languages, and formal relations dating back over 120 years, there is much that binds the Cook Islands and New Zealand closely together. Yet in recent years, the small Pacific nation has increasingly sought to move out from the shadow of the Realm of New Zealand. Sporadic talk about securing fully...

A new NRL player forum has been established in response to the growing influence of Māori and Pasifika athletes, who the NRL says make up over 45 percent of players in the elite men’s competition and over 48 per cent of women competing in the NRLW. The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) launched Māori and Pasifika player advisory body, the...

The Albanese Government is bolstering rugby league player development in Papua New Guinea with further assistance for high-performance pathways and the participation of the PNG Hunters team in the Hostplus Cup. The assistance, under the PacificAus Sports program, continues the Government’s partnership with the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) as well as its support for the development of elite PNG rugby...

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape has urged Australia to not “give up” on his country during an historic address to the federal parliament. On Thursday morning, Marape became the first Pacific leader to address the joint sitting of both houses, with MPs and Senators packing into the lower house to listen. The prime minister dwelt heavily on...

Tackling the impacts of climate change is a key focus for New Zealand, with a total of $16.5 million (US$10 million) to go to the Cook Islands to help fight the crisis. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters made the announcement in the Cook Islands this morning, where he and Pacific People’s Minister Dr Shane Reti are...

Papua New Guinea’s National Media Development Policy is going through the Social, Law and Order Sector Heads vetting and clearance process before it is presented to Papua New Guinea Cabinet for endorsement. Information and Communications Technology Minister Timothy Masiu said this when refuting claims by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill that journalists would be jailed if found to be misreporting. Masiu said:...

Following extensive consultations and careful deliberation, the Fiji Cabinet has given the green light to establish the medicinal cannabis industry in the country. A Taskforce was established in August 2023 to carry out national and community consultations on the proposal. It was also mandated to oversee the feasibility of this industry and assess the laws required for this emerging market. The Taskforce...