PINA

Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama says matters before the joint supervisory body (JSB) meeting on Friday in Port Moresby are matters that have been part of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) since 2005. “In the last 16 years, we have achieved only a fraction of our objectives to ensure the autonomous arrangement on Bougainville is practical through tangible development with the...

Tonga's deputy PM and a leading Noble, Lord Ma' afu, has died in Auckland Hospital. In a statement, the Tongan government said Lord Ma'afu passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 12 December. "His Lordship has held Ministerial office for four consecutive governments, with an exemplary and esteemed career in service to the Monarch and the Royal Household, as well...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined the BwebwerikiNET Ltd (BNL) and the Government of Kiribati today to celebrate the landing of a fiber optic cable which brings high-speed broadband one step closer for the Pacific nation. The event was witnessed by Kiribati President Taneti Mamau while Minister for Information, Communication, Transport, and Tourism Development Tekeeua Tarati delivered the keynote address....

By Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF Pacific Representative, and Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to the South Pacific School is an important time for children’s learning and development and, even during the pandemic, it is possible to attend school safely. We therefore welcome today’s announcement by the Hon. Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Premila Devi Kumar, that all children will...

Australia has partnered with Japan and the U.S to help improve internet access in three Pacific island nations in efforts to counter China’s influence in the region. The partnership will build a new undersea cable to give Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia faster and more reliable internet connections. Australia’s efforts to help build critical infrastructure in the Pacific...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide an US$80 million loan and the Government of New Zealand a US$21 million grant to help the Cook Islands' economy transition from recovery to sustainable, private sector-led growth. Through the Supporting Sustainable Recovery Programme, the funding will help the Government of the Cook Islands progress ongoing reforms to improve public financial management and...

By Nic Maclellan Provisional figures in the New Caledonia referendum on self-determination show an overwhelming No to independence. But this result only comes from the peaceful and disciplined response to the independence movement’s call for “non-participation” in Sunday’s vote. With 75,762 people voting No to independence, only 2,755 people voted Yes to the question “Do you want New Caledonia to...

Voters in the French island territory of New Caledonia chose overwhelmingly Sunday to stay part of France, in a referendum boycotted by pro-independence forces and closely watched around the South Pacific. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the result as a resounding confirmation of France’s role in the Indo-Pacific, and announced negotiations on the territory’s future status. Separatist activists expressed dismay,...

Samoa Speaker of Parliament, Papali’i Li’o Oloipola Tae’u Masipa’u is considering delaying the Swearing in of the two women appointed under Article 44 (1A), when parliament sits on Tuesday. In a press statement, the Speaker outlined his reasons as: *The Warrant of appointment of the two (2) women is being challenged in court as to the validity, as to whether it...

More than 53,000 people in the coastal areas and atolls have been displaced and affected by king tides in Papua New Guinea, the National Disaster Centre says. The Autonomous Bougainville Government has already allocated K937,200(US$265,871) to provide emergency food and medicine including logistics to the affected areas in the region while further assessment is carried out by National Disaster Centre...