PINA

More than 200 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel have completed a successful deployment to assist with Solomon Islands' general election, and provide other support to the island nation. The NZDF personnel were part of a Joint Task Force sent on behalf of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with a primary role of helping deliver polling...

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has boldly declared that the state of the republic “is strong and getting stronger” and that Palau is headed “in the right direction.” Speaking before lawmakers, ranking officials, dignitaries, and the diplomatic corps in the Senate chamber of the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK), Whipps highlighted the 30th anniversary this year of the republic’s independence and...

Delegates from 14 Pacific countries advocating their national and regional priorities at the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, are running on adrenalin, and a lot of strong coffee, in Ottawa, Canada. With very little sleep from the late night finishes at...

As officials and negotiators sift through the revised draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) has reiterated that the instrument must take into account the special circumstances of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The point was raised by Samoa, as the Chair of AOSIS,...

A Coalition Agreement was signed by leaders of four political parties on Saturday to form the next government in Solomon Islands. The four political parties consist of the three parties that make up the Coalition for Accountability Reform and Empowerment (CARE) and Solomon Islands United Party (SIUP). The agreement was signed by the SIUP wing leader Peter Kenilorea, SIDP wing leader...

Pacific Island and Timor-Leste nationals will be able to register for Australia's new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) programme from 03 June 2024, providing new opportunities for Pacific and Timorese nationals to live, work and study in Australia. The programme will enable up to 3,000 citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year. This...

The plastics treaty needs to include legally binding obligations that cover the full lifecycle of plastics including addressing legacy plastic already in the marine environment. The point was raised by Samoa, as the Chair of AOSIS, during contact group discussions on the revised zero draft of the plastics treaty on Day 4 of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating...

The Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF) provides a platform for the review of recent climate, while also looking ahead, detailing information on likely temperature, rainfall and oceanic conditions for the upcoming three to six months in the Pacific region. The exchange and use of climate information developed during the fourteenth session of the PICOF can be used by National...

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration between the two parties. Grounded in key regional blueprints – UNDP Pacific’s Multi-Country Programme Document 2023-2027, the Forum Secretariat’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and its Implementation Plan (2023-2030) – the agreement...

The NSW Waratahs have claimed their fifth Super Rugby Women's title with a 50-14 win over the Fijian Drua at Ballymore. Winger Desiree Miller finished the game with a hat-trick as they built an early lead in the first half. The defending champion Drua kept themselves in the game with tries on either side of the break before the class of...