PINA

The 30th Meeting of Officials of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has officially concluded after three days of deliberations. The Secretariat’s 26 Members – comprising of 21 Pacific island and five Metropolitan countries and territories – met virtually over the last three days to discuss strategic, programme and governance issues pertaining to the organisation, and approved...

The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) was recently granted observer status at this year’s Forum Economic Ministers Meeting 2021 (FEMM21) held in mid-July. PCRIC had applied for observership member status with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat earlier in May. At the FEMM21, the Forum Economic Ministers considered and endorsed the company’s application as an observer at future FEMMs. While participating...

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Japan have agreed on an initial mission schedule and other arrangements for the implementation of the Agency's multi-year review and monitoring of the safety of the planned treated water release at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Japan is expected to start discharging the treated water in 2023. In line with the commitment...

Fiji has recorded 179 new cases of COVID-19 and five new deaths Thursday, increasing the total number of cases in the Pacific nation to 48,502 and 531 deaths since the outbreak in April. Permanent secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said 87 cases are from the Western division, 90 cases are from the Central division in Vitilevu. Fiji's main island...

“The relentless demands we humans have placed on the Earth are driving more than a million species of plants and animals to the brink of extinction. This climate-fueled loss in biodiversity will be irreversible. Once these species are gone, they are gone. There is no turning back the clock.” These were the bold remarks by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama...

Nauru’s president has released part of a previously confidential investigation into mismanagement at the University of the South Pacific in defence of the institution’s vice-chancellor. Lionel Aingimea tabled part of what’s known as the BDO report in Nauru’s parliament and said it showed “clear violation of university rules, unethical conduct, and gross financial mismanagement by the previous administration”. Professor Pal Ahluwalia...

Sefanaia Nawadra is the new Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Announced at the 30th SPREP Meeting of Officials which concluded this afternoon,  Nawadra, a national of Fiji, will take over at the helm of the Pacific’s premiere organisation for the conservation of the environment from his predecessor, Kosi Latu, who has served as...

Kiribati will start opening its borders in January 2022. The announcement was made by Kiribati President Taneti Maamau when addressing the nation on Radio Kiribati. “Your government has decided that beginning next year, January 2022, Kiribati will open its borders resume travel,”, President Maamau announced. President Maamau urges the people of Kiribati who haven’t received their Covid-19 jabs to start getting theirs...

Further support for Fiji’s COVID-19 response has been announced by New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today. The package builds on previous tranches of assistance Aotearoa New Zealand has provided to Fiji. “Fiji remains in a very challenging position in their response to COVID-19 and our continued thoughts are with the Fijian people at this time,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “New Zealand is...

Three key documents were endorsed by SPREP Member countries and territories during the second day of the 30th Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Meeting of Officials. The documents were presented to the Members and observers by SPREP technical experts who had worked in collaboration with Member countries and partners to develop and approve the final versions of the...