PINA

Australia recognises the importance of reopening of travel to Fiji but borders between the two countries will only open “when it is safe to do so”, Australian ambassador John Feakes said. He said the COVID-19 pandemic was the biggest challenge to the reopening of borders. The Fiji Times had asked Feakes on progress of discussions around a travel bubble between Australia...

By Neena Bhandari The UK Space Agency’s International Partnership Programme (IPP) Commonsensing is led by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) through its Operational Satellite Applications programme (UNOSAT), which is working with selected partners including the Commonwealth Secretariat, to improve resilience to the effects of climate change in Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Vineil Narayan, Climate Finance...

Ministers from around the Pacific Friday gathered virtually to participate in a ‘Talanoa’ to discuss some of the pertinent key priority issues bearing direct impact on responsive and pragmatic actions for a resilient Blue Pacific. The talanoa was conducted through three focus panels with Ocean being the overarching theme – Ocean and Climate Change, Ocean and Pollution, and Ocean and...

‘Protektem yu, famili, komuniti mo fiuja blong Vanuatu’ is a familiar jingle resounding through households in Vanuatu on TV and radio as well as emphasised through the new COVID-19 vaccine communication products launched on 07 September. The Vanuatu Ministry of Health, together with UNICEF and Wan Smolbag Theatre group and with funding support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), launched...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says the Government has not made any commitment to the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) that independence will be the final outcome. He said this when presenting an update of the Bougainville Peace Process to Parliament. But this is in contrast to comments and commitments made by Marape and his Government at the consultations in...

The University of the South Pacific(USP) has produced a record $34.2 million (US$16 .4 million) surplus in the last financial year when millions of taxpayers money have been wasted in the past due to misuse and mismanagement in the institution, says chancellor and Nauru President Lionel Aingimea. Aingimea told the Nauru parliament the regional university has implemented reforms so past...

The Solomon Islands are days away from stepping onto the world stage once again, as the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021 kicks off in Lithuania. The side, known as the Kurukuru, earned the right to represent Oceania at the event by beating New Zealand on penalties in the final of the OFC Futsal Nations Cup in 2019. The Kurukuru play their...

The UK is resisting a call by campaigners to postpone critical UN climate talks, promising extra measures to address concerns about safety and inclusiveness in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Climate Action Network (CAN), a global alliance of more than 1,500 climate and environmental campaign groups, urged organisers to postpone the Cop26 summit scheduled for 31 October to 12...

Recognised seasonal employer (RSE) workers from the Pacific Islands will be able to return to New Zealand next month, the Government has announced - but only if they've been vaccinated against COVID-19. The return of RSE workers from Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu will start up again in October, and is the first stage of one-way quarantine-free travel to New Zealand...

A first group of 160 workers have left Solomon Islands Thursday to work in Queensland, Australia under the Seasonal Work Programme (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS). A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Labour Mobility Unit said they have been working very hard to ensure Solomon Islanders participate in the labour mobility programme,to...