PINA

Four Micronesian leaders skipped the Pacific Island Forum's 51st virtual session last Friday, in a continuing protest over the organisation's refusal to assign the leadership post to the subregion. Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama's official apology proved not convincing enough to break the impasse and appease the Micronesian leaders. The Micronesian nations-- Palau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and...

Fiji has recorded 657 new cases of COVID-19 and three new deaths Sunday, increasing the total number of cases in the Pacific nation to 36,909 since the outbreak in April. Permanent secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said 256 cases are from the Western division and 401 cases are from the Central division in Vitilevu, Fiji's main island. On Saturday, Fiji...

Tokelau will roll-out the second dose of its Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination programme on Tuesday. It follows the successful administration of the first inoculations on 20 July 2021. “Tokelau has vaccinated 99% of her population against COVID-19 in the first round of vaccinations and the leadership are very proud of that achievement,” stated the Ulu o Tokelau, Kelihiano Kalolo. The programme is mandatory...

Over 23,641 people have received the second dose of the COVID-19 Astra-Zeneca vaccine in Tonga, since the second roll out programme started on 24 June in Nuku'alofa. CEO for the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale Akau'ola confirmed that 23,641 people had now been fully vaccinated. This is around 82% of the 28,841 people who had received their first dose of the...

The University of the South Pacific (USP) has formally announced the re-appointment of Professor Pal Ahluwalia as its Vice-Chancellor and President. He will resume on Monday, 09 August 2021 for a 3-year term. He will be based at the USP Samoa Campus. Professor Ahluwalia was re-selected to this position by the USP Council. The USP Council had agreed to offer Professor...

The Fijian government will purchase a piece of land and help build a house for Fiji 7s captain Jerry Tuwai. This has been confirmed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Tuwai will be recognised for his achievements as he is the only player to have won two Olympic gold medals, won the Hong Kong 7s titles for five years in a row...

Pacific Ministers have identified dealing with the immediate impacts of Covid-19 and the longer term threats of climate change on offshore fisheries as key areas to address, at the 18th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial (FFCMin18) meeting, which concluded yesterday. New FFCMin18 Chair, Fiji Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau said getting the industry, which is a key contributor to local economies,...

The Government of Vanuatu and non-government stakeholders recently undertook a scoping study on establishing a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in the country. The scoping mission was carried out from 31 May – 04 June 2021 on Tafea Province, 19 – 23 April 2021 on Sanma Province and 03 – 07 May 2021 on Malampa Province – the three largest...

Operation Island Chief, a Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency-led surveillance operation covering 18.4 million square kilometres, came to a successful closure Friday. FFA Director Fisheries Operations, Allan Rahari said that despite the 10-day Operation covering a substantial area it was bolstered by local knowledge and expertise. “Island Chief, one of four operations conducted annually, is a massive operation that covers the...

Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama used his inaugural speech as the new chair of the Pacific Islands Forum to offer an apology to the Micronesian members of the Pacific grouping who were angered by the way the Forum rejected their nominee for the Forum Secretary General job. “I offer you my deepest apology,” said Bainimarama at the handover ceremony done...