PINA

The dramatic plunge in global tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic is having far-reaching and devastating effects, particularly for Small States. During a Commonwealth Tourism Seminar, the Commonwealth Secretariat proposed the development of a global 'Tourism Action Plan' to help spur a much-needed recovery. Tourism is the economic lifeblood for many Commonwealth Small States, in particular Small Island Developing States (SIDS)...

The apex predators show preferences for certain individuals and avoid others, according to new research on sharks in Fiji By Tom Vierus They reach 3.5 metres long, weigh more than 200kg and are an apex predator. But even apex predators need friends. And, according to new research, bull sharks may be capable of making them. A recently published study from Fiji...

Samoa caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said they will appeal part of this weeks’ court ruling especially the orders to convene Parliament within seven days of the ruling. Tuilaepa has also said that the judiciary was over-reaching its powers and that one arm of government should not be “Hitler like” and asserting its authority over another. He remains defiant in...

Vanuatu leader of Opposition, Ralph Regenvanu, has registered a complaint with the police in Port Vila on alleged conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The complaint was against Prime Minister Bob Loughman, Deputy Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, the Leader of Government Business, Anatole Hymak, Government Whip, Kenneth Natapei, Speaker of Parliament, Seule Simon, Members of Parliament that had their...

Papua New Guinea Health Minister Jelta Wong has advised that a charter flight from India was denied entry into PNG due to concerns over the high possibility of passengers carrying the highly contagious Delta mutation of COVID-19. He said correct procedures were not followed and the Government will continue protecting PNG from the escalating COVID-19 risk. “The spread of the highly...

An enduring partnership between Fiji and New Zealand is the foundation for achieving shared goals and aspirations in areas such as resilient health care, peace and security, climate change and disaster resilience, economic reform, and joint advocacy on Pacific priorities. This was reiterated in a meeting between Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Prime Minister Bainimarama...

On 30 June, the Asian Development Bank Board (ADB) generally endorsed its Pacific Approach 2021-2025, the blueprint for future activities in 12 of ADB's 14 developing member countries in the Pacific. In this Q&A, Leah Gutierrez, Director General of ADB's Pacific Regional Department, outlines the key priorities in the Pacific Approach for 2021-2025, the impact of COVID-19 on the region...

Pacific Regional Civil Society groups today accused DeepGreen, a venture capitalist company, as the real beneficiary of the Nauru Government's decision to trigger the start of a process which could lead to potential widespread seabed mining in 2 years' time. The trigger, a clause within a 1994 Agreement on implementing Part XI of UNCLOS allows sponsor states such as Nauru...

By Rae Bainteiti Rakentai, Rabi Island On 29-30 May 2021, I made my first visit to Rakentai for a scoping exercise. Rakentai is about an hour boat ride from my village, Uma. This trip was in response to the request made by the village committee, funded and facilitated by the Rabi Council of Leaders. I had just returned from Auckland, NZ...

Fiji has reported 431 cases of COVID-19 and three deaths related to COVID-19 Thursday. Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said these new cases are from the Central and Western Divisions. "Today we reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths. The first death was a 74 yr old male who was brought to FEMAT in acute respiratory distress. The second death was...