PINA

Late drama has unfolded in the Kiribati presidential election with one of the three candidates from the ruling party breaking away to form his own alliance, challenging incumbent president Taneti Mamau. Mamau had used his party's overwhelming majority after the election in August to block nominations for presidency from the opposition party. Voting is already underway with polls opening at 8am...

Following the mandate of Forum Leaders at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga in August, the high-level Forum Troika Plus Mission to New Caledonia will take place from 27-29 October. The mission is strictly observational in line with the request of the Government of New Caledonia and will follow the Terms of Reference, agreed by the French State,...

Two months after the electoral process began in Kiribati, voters return to the polls today to elect their Beretitenti or President. The parliament was chosen by the people in August, with the ruling Tobwaan Kiribati Party, or TKP, set to continue after its numbers were boosted by independents. There are three candidates for President: the man who has held the role...

Two significant tuna fisheries, Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) skipjack and North Pacific albacore, have achieved major milestones in sustainable fisheries management by successfully implementing rigorous harvest strategies that ensure the long-term health of these tuna stocks. Following the implementation of a robust and precautionary harvest strategy in December 2023, and the subsequent annual discussion between Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs)...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to take a leadership role on climate change at a Commonwealth summit that is splitting over who should pay to cut emissions, as Pacific leaders blame Australia for exporting coal and gas. Albanese said he wanted action on climate at the Commonwealth gathering in Samoa, saying it was an existential threat to Pacific...

Thursday 24 October 2024 will forever resonate in the hearts of the Moata'a community in Samoa. This was the day British monarch King Charles III was hailed the King of Taumeasina. After months of preparation, the close-knit village embraced the opportunity to express gratitude to King Charles and Queen Camilla. As the royal convoy arrived, untitled men and matai lined the road,...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted he wants to “look forward” rather than have “very long endless discussions about reparations on the past” in his first comments on the issue before the Commonwealth summit. The prime minister is under pressure to discuss reparatory justice with Commonwealth countries, most of which are former UK colonies, in Samoa this week. Speaking to...

The University of the South Pacific (USP) will be the regional hub for the King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP). This was launched on Thursday in the presence of King Charles III in Samoa. The KCFP is a pioneering and ambitious interdisciplinary initiative designed to create transformative, long-term impact across the Caribbean and Pacific regions. It will be delivered in partnership with the...

On the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, Thursday Commonwealth leaders gathered for a side event to unveil the Commonwealth Investment Action Plan. The plan aims to boost trade and investment across Commonwealth member states while enhancing the economic resilience of small and vulnerable nations. Hosted by David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary, the event was attended...

Fiji Bulikula coach Joe Rabele views tomorrow’s match against the Cook Islands Moana as a crucial step for the team as they aim for a spot in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. Rabele said despite majority of players meeting and training together for the first time on Monday, the team has quickly formed a strong sense of unity. He said...