Tuvalu is turning its attention to regional cooperation and homegrown solutions as global climate talks continue to stall, with Prime Minister Feleti Teo saying his country can no longer afford to wait while the seas keep rising. Ahead of next month’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara, Teo said Tuvalu would prioritise climate change, se...

Prime Minister Mark Brown met with Chinese Ambassador Dr Xiaolong Wang on the margins of the Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary of self-governance, underscoring the strength of the two countries’ nearly three-decade partnership. During the meeting, Ambassador Wang presented a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, recognising the signific...

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) foreign ministers have reaffirmed that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the security, livelihoods and wellbeing of Pacific peoples, throwing their full support behind Australia’s bid to host the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) as a “Pacific COP” in 2026. In a statement, ministers recalled the Bo...

A joint team comprising the National Safeguards Consultant at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, the Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC-KEI-TEDI) of the Land Maritime Connectivity Project, representatives from the Asian Development Bank, and contractor China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation conducted a site visit to the Kirakira W...

The Ninth Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers (PWWM) Meeting concluded on 26 August in Honiara, with ministers from 14 Pacific Island countries and territories committing to urgent action to strengthen water and sanitation across the region. The forum, held from 25–26 August, brought together ministers and senior representatives from American Samoa,...

Timber producers in Solomon Islands are stepping up their push for international certification, aiming to unlock high-value markets while safeguarding jobs and incomes for thousands of rural households. At the Solomon Islands Sawn Timber Knowledge Forum held in Honiara on 13 August, industry leaders, partners and government representatives celebrated p...

Fiji has embarked on its most comprehensive groundwater survey to date, aiming to strengthen water security and resilience on its largest island, Viti Levu. The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, in partnership with the Australian Government through Geoscience Australia, launched a national initiative that will use advanced airborne electromagnet...

Pacific nations Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu have joined forces with the Republic of Korea and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to launch a landmark regional initiative aimed at decarbonising maritime transport. The USD 9 million, five-year programme, officially launched at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva in August, will help the three island states...

Fiji and the Cook Islands have reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation following high-level talks in Suva last week between Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua and Cook Islands Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Tingika Elikana. The meeting underscored the warm friendship between the two Pacific neighbours and th...

Prime Minister James Marape has described the official visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as a “historic and defining moment” in bilateral relations, reaffirming a shared commitment to peace, prosperity and Pacific solidarity. The visit, from 4 to 6 August, marked a milestone in Papua New Guinea’s diplomatic history as Mr Luxon becam...

The Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Communications welcomes the United States’ decision to reduce the reciprocal tariff on Fijian-origin exports from 32 percent to 15 percent. This development follows sustained and principled engagement by Fiji with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (...

The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), representing 24 Pacific Island Customs administrations, has joined the Pacific E-commerce Alliance, as global digital trade reaches unprecedented levels. The partnership—approved during OCO’s annual conference in Guam—brings crucial Customs expertise to the alliance, which was coordinated by the Pacific Islands Foru...

The Government of Fiji and the Republic of India convened the Sixth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, cultural ties, socio-economic development and international cooperation. The consultations brought together senior officials from both governments to review current areas of coo...

Prime Minister James Marape has announced a landmark development in Papua New Guinea–United States relations, following a historic first-ever bilateral meeting at the White House between a sitting Papua New Guinean Prime Minister and a US Vice President. This milestone meeting, held during Prime Minister Marape’s official visit to Washington D.C., took...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands — Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has laid out a comprehensive development blueprint for the Solomon Islands under his newly formed Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), anchored on four core pillars: unity and stability, economic transformation, infrastructure development and human capital growth. Addressing ...

More than 350 human resources professionals in Port Moresby have received much-needed financial literacy training through a partnership led by PNGX Group Ltd, Comrade Trustees Services Ltd (CTSL) and the PNG Human Resources Institute (PNGHRI). The most recent session, held on Friday, 4 July, drew over 220 PNGHRI members from various industries. It foll...