PINA

The region’s premier political body the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two regional organisation. The signing between Forum Secretary General Henry Puna and PINA Vice-President Robert Iroga was held at the Forum Secretariat in Suva. Forum Secretary General Henry Puna said the signing of the MOU...

Kainantu MP William Hagahuno Sunday abandoned his United Resources Party in the Papua New Guinea Government coalition and crossed the floor to the Opposition, saying he could no longer be part of the Government. Kainantu MP William Hagahuno says his decision to resign from the Government was based “on my own conscience”. “Like many of my colleagues, I would like to...

There’s nothing to prove that Colonel Penioni Naliva was involved in a number of human rights violations, says Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF), Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai. Maj-Gen Kalouniwai said these were just allegations. His comments come after there was a public outcry of the appointment of Colonel Naliva as deputy commander of the Australian...

In a landmark event, Solomon Islands has seen the official launch of the Right to Information (RTI) initiative. The project is a collaborative effort between the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Strengthening Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability in Pacific Island Countries – supported by the Government of the United Kingdom. Access to...

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by the Samoa Speaker of the House on the reinstatement of two Opposition members, the Samoa Observer can reveal. On Monday, Justice Blanchard, Justice Young, and Justice Nelson delivered the verdict. The cross-appeal of the first and second respondents was granted, affirming that the Assembly's decision on 18 October, 2022, to suspend the...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape is set to enhance the long-standing relationship between PNG and Australia during his visit this week. As a guest of the Australian Government, his visit will begin on 07 February and will consist of a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at reinforcing bilateral ties. Accompanied by a high-level delegation including former politicians Sir Yano...

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters is heading on a whistle-stop tour of Polynesia this week — hard on the heels of his visit to Australia that resulted in stronger security and defence ties with our Tasman neighbour. He’ll have some reassuring to do in his bilateral meetings with Pacific leaders after New Zealand came out supportive of Australia’s AUKUS...

The U.S has urged Papua New Guinea to turn down China’s offer of a security pact, increasing pressure on the prime minister of Australia’s nearest neighbour as he prepares to address parliament in Canberra this week. The Chinese government last year tried to encompass 10 Pacific Island nations in a single, region-wide security treaty but was rebuffed and now seeks...

Taiwan's top representative to Australia has declared he's “quite confident” that Tuvalu won't follow Nauru's lead and switch diplomatic recognition to China, despite Beijing's attempts to “lure” politicians in the Pacific Island country. China's ruling party remains intent on diplomatically isolating Taiwan and has intensified efforts to convince the dozen countries which maintain official relations with Taipei to recognise the...

Japan is scheduled to host a meeting of leaders from Pacific island countries and territories for three days from 16 July to discuss cooperation on issues amid the deteriorating global security environment, the government said Friday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular press conference that the summit in Tokyo would be an opportunity to reiterate the free...