PINA

By Elenoa Dimaira There have been contrasting opinions regarding the need to enhance the presence of observers on longline fishing boats at the 20th meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The meeting which ends Friday, have seen proposals to reduce or eliminate observer coverage, much to the disappointment of civil society groups like WWF...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE As the conclusion of COP28 in Dubai draws near, Wayne King, the chief climate negotiator for the Cook Islands, provided an overview on Monday of the ongoing state of the negotiations. King spoke about the UAE version of Talanoa—the ‘Majilis’ with all Ministers and heads of delegation. The discussions focus around the key outcomes...

While the world’s biggest polluters dominate the headlines this week at the UN climate summit with an array of sensationalist pledges and announcements, designed mainly to distract us all from a lack of real climate action, one of the biggest scandals of all is taking place right under our noses. The great global land grab. AKA carbon markets. COP28 is awash...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE The Director General of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Dr Tupou-Roosen, has highlighted the critical role of Tuna in Pacific fisheries and food security at the COP28 negotiation in Dubai. "When we think about fisheries, we recognise how vital it is for the region and the world – it provides food for the...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai Palau’s climate change negotiator and Chair of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) Xavier Matsutaro, Sunday offered a frank assessment of the ongoing COP28 negotiations as the conference approaches its final days in Dubai. Matsutaro described the current atmosphere as both interesting and busy. He also highlighted the fluidity of proceedings. “It's been an interesting...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna Saturday emphasised the importance of the 1.5-degree goal in the Paris Agreement, describing it as a “critical threshold” in Pacific fight for survival. Puna reiterated the concerns voiced by Pacific Leaders and highlighted key initiatives aimed at securing a sustainable future for the Pacific region. “I stand before you today...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE In a panel discussion at COP28 Saturday, Pacific Ministers emphasised their priorities and the urgency of addressing critical issues such as climate change adaptation, Loss and Damage and climate finance. The panel featured Chris Bowen, Australian Climate Change Minister; Mona Ainu’u, Niue Minister for Natural Resources; Simon Watts, New Zealand Minister for Climate...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE The climate envoy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Tina Stege,Saturday expressed grave concerns about attempts by certain countries to weaken the emphasis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the ongoing COP28 climate change negotiations in Dubai. Tina Stege, representing the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), emphasised the significance...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE As COP28 in Dubai moving towards its conclusion next week, negotiators are in a critical phase, scrambling to secure key agreements before the deadline. In an update on the state of play from the Pacific Islands Forum Programme Adviser for Resilient Development Finance, Karlos Lee Moresi, provided insights into the ongoing discussions, focusing...

Opinion piece by former Fiji's Ambassador to the UN, Satyendra Prasad at COP28 in Dubai COP 28 has entered its crucial business end - where the World leaders must agree to the pathway forward. Pacific's leaders cannot afford to be sidetracked by the many announcements and the festive nature of this COP. None of the announcements such as operationalisation of Loss...