Fiji chairs ACP Group Ministerial Meeting at WTO M13
Fiji had the honour of chairing the African, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) Group Ministerial Meeting on the eve of the 13th World Trade Organisation - WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communication, Manoa Kamikamica, as Chair of the meeting, facilitated discussions on the ACP’s interests and priorities...
Feleti Teo elected unopposed as Tuvalu’s new Prime Minister
Feleti Teo secured the position of Tuvalu’ new Prime Minister without facing any opposition Monday.
He was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu after the 2024 general election in January.
Tuvalu MP Simon Kofe took to Twitter to announce the unprecedented development, expressing congratulations to Feleti Teo.
Kofe highlighted that it marked the first instance in Tuvalu's history where a Prime Minister...
Regional tuna expert sounds caution in developing seabed mining
By Richard Naidu
Leading Pacific tuna industry expert, Dr Transform Aqorau, has drawn from the region’s experiences with its massive tuna fisheries industry to sound caution in the development of the “next frontier” of deep seabed mining.
Speaking at the Fiji National University in Suva last week, Dr Aqorau said while the potential for economic benefits from seabed minerals is...
Pacific Groups join global call for WTO to target big fishing fleets
Pacific civil society groups have joined others from around the world in an open letter calling on trade negotiators at this week's World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial to ensure that any outcome on fisheries subsidies targets those fleets most responsible for overfishing, protects small-scale fishers and doesn't stop small-island stated from developing their own fishing fleets.
The WTO Ministeral starts...
Deepening the Partnership between the Pacific Islands and the IMF
Op-ed by Bo Li and Marshall Mills
Pacific Island countries are renowned the world over for their unique geography, populations, cultures, and way of life. This uniqueness presents myriad opportunities to boost growth and wellbeing. It also exposes these countries to distinctive challenges. For the past three decades, the IMF has been engaged in the Pacific Islands region on...
Bring vote of no confidence motion in May: PNG PM Marape
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says the Opposition is more than welcome to attempt a vote of no confidence (VONC) against him when Parliament resumes in May.
Parliament rose Thursday and adjourned to May, acting speaker Koni Iguan said the motion of no confidence against Marape did not qualify to be listed on the notice paper.
Marape denied that...
Pacific Ocean Commissioner urges collective action for Ocean Conservation
Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni has highlighted the significance of the OACPS as a vital partner for Pacific countries, stressing the importance of effective implementation of the Samoa Agreement.
He emphasised the critical global issues facing the Pacific region: climate change and the ocean.
“The Samoa Agreement and the Pacific Protocol underscore common interests and priorities with our region, particularly...
Pacific ACP prepares for WTO Ministerial Conference amid global uncertainty
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna has highlighted the Pacific's important role in the success of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva in 2022, in his address to the Pacific ACP WTO Trade Minister Meeting this week.
He acknowledged the delivery of the Geneva package, including the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and commended the efforts of the ministers,...
PNG vote of no confidence not entertained
The Papua New Guinea Parliamentary Private Business Committee (PBC) has denied the notice of the motion of the Vote-of-No-Confidence (VONC).
In advising Parliament, Acting Speaker Koni Iguan said, “The PBC deliberated on the motion Wednesday at 12:30pm at the Speaker’s lounge after the notice was given by the 14 February.”
“The committee is of the view that this motion will not...
Vanuatu referendum seeks to instill stability after revolving-door governments
An upcoming referendum in Vanuatu to outlaw political-party hopping by legislators has sparked lively debate in the Pacific island country, which has faced three changes of government in the past year.
Dissatisfaction with political instability and a fast-rising cost of living is widespread in the archipelago nation of more than 300,000 people. But there are also concerns that outlawing changes...