PINA

By Catherine Wilson Parliamentary representation by women in Pacific Island countries remains stubbornly low at 8.4 percent. Yet women leaders across the region have been meeting every year for the past four decades to discuss goals and drive action to address gender inequality and the most pressing development challenges in the Pacific. One of the critical issues discussed at the 15th...

Fiji put in a dominant second-half performance to silence the Hanazono Rugby Stadium crowd and claim a record-stretching sixth Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title. Home hopes were raised when Japan centre Dylan Riley scored a brilliant solo try at the end of the first quarter of the final, but Fiji responded in emphatic fashion. Vuate Karawalevu (twice), Ponipate Loganimasi...

Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa has dismissed suggestions that the Forum’s latest communique is one of the least effective in its history, particularly due to the omission of a “climate crisis” declaration. Critics argue that this could hinder the region’s efforts to secure much-needed climate financing, but Waqa insists that the issue remains a top priority for Pacific leaders. “Accessing climate...

Fiji's Opposition MP Ketan Lal says he has continued to receive countless heartfelt messages from Fijians who are deeply saddened and disappointed by the recent statement by the Mercy Commission, on pardoning the leader of the 2000 Coup, George Speight. In a statement, Lal said this decision has reopened old wounds for those who suffered loss – whether it be...

A Papua New Guinean minister has delivered scathing criticism of Australia's aid programme, warning of funds being “wasted” as the Australian government outlines its plan for development assistance in PNG over the next five years. PNG's Minister for National Planning Ano Pala raised the issue of “boomerang aid” and development inefficiencies at an event in Port Moresby on Thursday night. The...

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has referred the matter against its Commissioner Barbara Malimali to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) for further assessment. Malimali, who is now the head of FICAC had a complaint filed against her for alleged abuse of office when she was the chair of the Electoral Commission of Fiji (ECF). This comes...

French police shot and killed two men in New Caledonia on Thursday, stoking tensions with pro-independence groups days ahead of a public holiday marking France’s annexation of the Pacific archipelago. The pro-independence FLNKS decried the deaths as “barbaric and humiliating methods” used by French police resulting in a “summary execution” and called for an independent investigation. The shootings bring the number...

Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, reaffirmed Australia's deep commitment to the Solomon Islands during his third visit to the country in two years. Speaking after a series of high-level meetings, Conroy highlighted Australia’s role as the Solomon Islands’ “number one economic development and security partner” and announced key initiatives to boost the nation’s security, infrastructure,...

The Commonwealth Secretariat has clarified media arrangements for accredited journalists for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). It is quite different from what the Samoan Government Media and Communication sub-committee had said earlier on. This is also the first time the Secretariat has said something about the issue hindering the freedom of the press. Leaders from the Commonwealth's 56 member...

Following four rounds of enthralling action, all eyes will be on Hanazono Rugby Stadium this Saturday as hosts Japan take on Fiji in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 final. Both teams head into the weekend in fine form, having won three out of three during the tournament so far and booked their place in the showpiece match...