PINA

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE Concerns were raised about attempts by certain countries to weaken the emphasis on Small Island states (SIDS) at the COP28 climate change negotiation in Dubai. The issue revolves around the unique circumstances of SIDS and the fear that broader inclusion might weaken their concerns in global climate negotiations. Director General of the Secretariat...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai The Pacific Islands Forum Director of Programmes and Initiatives, Zarak Khan has provided an update on the progress of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), shedding light on the significant interest and support it has received during the climate summit at COP28 in Dubai. Khan acknowledged role played by the Cook Islands Prime Minister...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna has called for a full revamp of the format and structure of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP). Puna emphasised the urgent need to bring the voices of young individuals to the centre stage at global conferences and highlighting the marginalisation...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE As COP28 approaches its closing plenary next week, key stakeholders from the Pacific region weigh in on their priorities and expectations for the rest of the conference. Director General of SPREP, Sefanaia Nawadra said the single biggest issue for the Pacific still remains 1.5 to stay alive. “This is the bottom line. We...

By Sarah Stubbings, ANZ Regional Executive, Pacific ANZ’s presence in the Pacific dates back 143 years and our commitment to this vibrant region is illustrated by our 1,000-strong team. Our focus today is on our core markets — Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Timor Leste — each unique, yet all contributing to the rich tapestry...

At COP28, Pacific Islands State Leaders launched a bold new Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity initiative to safeguard and revitalise the Blue Pacific Continent. The Bezos Earth Fund applauds and endorses the Pacific Leaders' bold vision to protect and restore the region's extraordinary marine ecosystems. Today, the Earth Fund announced plans to provide up to US$100 million in grants to support...

A new implementation framework was launched Monday to facilitate coordinated action among the 56 Commonwealth countries, including Pacific member states, on land, biodiversity and climate challenges, directly impacting a quarter of the world’s land area. The Commonwealth Secretariat unveiled the Living Lands Charter Implementation Framework at a high-level event on 3 December 2023 in Dubai, organised alongside the United Nations...

An Opinion by Grace Ramo Solomon Islands is now caught in the vortex stirred by superpowers both in and outside the region. Dominant countries, like the United States, control a number of international authoritative media and independent think tanks to their advantage, enlarging the domestic social problems in Solomon Islands and interpreting the actions made by our government with a...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE The General Secretary for the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) Reverend James Bhagwan, has drawn attention to the challenges facing the Pacific Islands and their efforts to claim their priorities in the ongoing climate negotiations at COP28 in Dubai. When questioned about strategies for the Pacific to influence outcomes in the remaining...

By Pita Ligaiula at COP28 in Dubai, UAE Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has highlighted the nature of the 1.5°C target, emphasising the commitment required to uphold the 2015 Paris Agreement. The COP28 meeting in Dubai on Sunday witnessed a milestone side event when leaders from the U.S, India, China, Australia, and Pacific nations gathered...