PINA

The health of the world’s ocean and the planet continue to suffer as a result of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures. This remark was made by Pacific Ocean Commissioner and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General, Henry Puna at the opening of the Pacific Ocean Alliance (POA) meeting in Suva this week with the theme, ‘Accelerating Blue Pacific Ocean action for...

The Pacific nation of Tuvalu has launched a longshot bid to head the Commonwealth and put climate action firmly on the world’s agenda – and it wants Australia’s backing. Tuvalu will put forward its candidate to be the next Commonwealth secretary-general at CHOGM in Rwanda on 24 June . CHOGM is the meeting of Commonwealth heads of government, who will also...

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti On the eve of the first Pacific Women Leaders meeting, Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar has revealed how she deals with sexism in parliament. “I have always spoken out to my male MPs about sexist comments in our focus party discussion, personal space, and that it does not do them good to...

By Samantha Magick “I think that big dark, dark cloud that has been hanging over the Pacific has evaporated from this meeting.” That was Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) President, David Panuelo’ s comments after Micronesian members of the Pacific Islands Forum agreed to remain in the important regional group after meeting in Suva Tuesday. “We’re happy that the family stays together”...

Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama opened the new Samoan High Commission at Clarke Street in Suva Tuesday. “Your new High Commission shows how serious Samoa is about building its friendship with #Fiji and ramping up its regional engagement,” Prime Minister Bainimarama said. “Fiji is the Pacific hub of trade, travel, telecommunications, and finance, and our capital is the one-stop-shop for all...

Australia's new Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said his government is keen to revamp its relationship with the Pacific, but not as a result of China's activity in the region. The new government has been criticised for a reactionary approach to Pacific foreign policy, with Minister Penny Wong visiting the region shortly after China's Foreign Minister began his tour of the...

The formal negotiations on the tuna treaty are underway says U.S Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau, Mark Lambert. The treaty is viewed as a model of international and fishery cooperation. Lambert who was on a two-day tour of Fiji, said the tuna treaty represents an ongoing agreement between the United States and Pacific island countries including Fiji. He...

A Framework on the Blue Economy, touted as a way forward, by the Pacific Regional Non- Governmental Organisations Alliance (PRNGO) was launched at the Nukubuco Sand Bank during a prayer Vigil to mark the beginning of the Oceans week. The Pacific Islands Association of NGOS (PIANGO), Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), World Wide Fund...

Pacific leaders are aware that the region is being used as a strategic space for power-plays by powerful countries like China, Australia and the United States. The narrative amongst global leaders is that the region has nothing to gain in the process however, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown believes regional leaders know what’s going on and are in full...

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has denied New Zealand is asleep at the wheel as China continues its push into the Pacific. New Zealand has been a significant presence in the region for years and will continue to be one, the prime minister told Breakfast on Tuesday morning. Ardern said Australia, New Zealand and Japan had the biggest aid and development spend...