International
-
Fiji-Kuwait Ties Boosted as New Ambassador Presents Credentials
Fiji broadens its diplomatic footprint in the Gulf as a new ambassador presents credentials to Kuwait, signaling a renewed push for closer ties. The budding partnership hints at joint opportunities in trade, investment, and sustainable development across several sectors.
-
MCC Arrives in Fiji to Map a Bold Development Compact
An international development delegation arrived in Fiji for a week of high-level talks on a potential development compact. The discussions aim to pinpoint constraints to growth and lay the groundwork for initiatives that could boost education, healthcare, and local jobs for Fiji’s communities.
-
China-Fiji 50th Anniversary: Commemorative Envelope Signals Deepening Ties
Celebrating 50 years of China-Fiji ties, a commemorative envelope blends cultural symbols from both nations, foreshadowing renewed cooperation. With a major five-year plan on the horizon, officials emphasize people-first policies and a shared path to prosperity.
-
Hong Kong Election at a Crossroads Amid Tragedy and Patriot Vetting
Hong Kong faces a pivotal vote as the city remains in mourning after a devastating fire and swept up in investigations. With candidates limited by a patriot-only framework, this election unfolds under intense scrutiny and a high-stakes mood.
-
Suva Volunteers Unite for International Volunteer Day Beach Cleanup
On International Volunteer Day, volunteers from local and international groups gathered in Suva for a day of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and hands-on service. From energizing morning sessions to a coastal cleanup, the event underscored Fiji’s vibrant volunteer spirit and the power of collective action.
-
WCPFC seals new South Pacific Albacore management measure promising stability for fleets and markets
After years of bargaining, a new management approach for South Pacific albacore promises stability for fleets, coastal communities, and global markets. The coming year will test how the agreement is turned into practical steps through 2026. The outcome could redefine livelihoods across the Pacific and beyond.
-
Fijian Flying Circus Set for 2026 New Zealand Tour
Fiji’s Fijian Flying Circus is set to ignite New Zealand stages in 2026, blending contemporary dance, circus artistry, and Pacific storytelling. Supported by NZ cultural partners, the troupe will headline two major festivals, marking a bold new chapter for Fijian artists and Pacific exchange.
-
China Expands Belt and Road Cooperation with Fiji Ahead of 50th Anniversary
China signals a renewed Belt and Road partnership with Fiji, pairing large-scale infrastructure with targeted, community-focused programs. A mix of green energy, climate resilience, and smart farming tech points to a future designed around Fiji’s development priorities.
-
Pacific Frustration Grows as COP31 Hosting Shifts Away from Australia
Diplomatic tensions rise as hosting plans for a pivotal climate summit shift, leaving Pacific voices seeking louder action. Australia’s bid is paused, with Turkey stepping in, while critics dismiss the COP process as a “talk fest” that rarely delivers on accountability. The move signals bigger questions about climate leadership and justice in the region.
-
Turkey to Host COP31 2026 as Australia Withdraws Bid
Australia’s bid to host COP31 ends with an unexpected pivot as Turkey takes the helm, sparking scrutiny of the diplomacy, finances, and regional climate priorities involved. A high-stakes moment that reshapes the path for Pacific-focused climate talks.
-
COP30: Stiell Urges Turning Climate Pledges into Real-World Action
Momentum from COP30 is being urged to translate into real-world gains. Leaders emphasize turning ambition into action—driving clean energy, jobs, and more resilient communities—before the costs of delay rise.
-
COP31 in Turkey: Can Pacific Voices Shape the Climate Talks?
COP31 shifts to Turkey with Australia taking the negotiating lead, raising questions about Pacific leadership, credibility, and the race to 1.5°C. As Pacific nations push for ocean-focused climate action and Indigenous knowledge to shape the agenda, the coming pre-COP dynamics could redefine regional cooperation and survival in a warming world.
-
Tuvalu Presses Australia for Real Climate Leadership After COP31 Setback
Tuvalu is calling for genuine climate leadership from Australia as Pacific nations watch a turning point unfold in global talks. A bold decarbonization plan highlights the tension between fossil fuel interests and a sustainable future, signaling a pivotal moment for the region’s resilience.
-
ICJ Declares Climate Action a Legal Obligation at COP30
At COP30, a landmark ICJ advisory opinion reframes climate action as a legal obligation, setting a new bar for accountability and reparations. Vulnerable nations push for binding measures—from fossil fuel phase-outs to a global fund for loss and damage—urging that talk must become action. Will this moment finally translate into real-world change?
-
Pacific Delegates Stand Firm on 1.5°C at COP30 Amid Ocean Push
Disruption at COP30 couldn’t dim the Pacific’s resolve. Delegates push a non-negotiable 1.5°C target while elevating ocean priorities, steering a bold course toward climate justice and stronger regional advocacy.
-
COP30 Countdown: Islands Urge Urgent Climate Finance to Protect the 1.5°C Target
At COP30, Palau’s climate minister delivers a sobering warning: time is running out for frontline island nations as the 1.5°C goal and promised funding hang in the balance. The message frames the summit as a defining moment for communities battered by storms and eroding reefs. A powerful call for science‑based action and real multilateral commitment…
-
Guam, CNMI Seek 120-Day Extension to Study Deep-Sea Mining Near the Marianas
Guam and CNMI leaders push for a longer, more thorough review of a plan to open deep-sea areas near the Marianas to mining. They warn of potential environmental, cultural, and cross‑island impacts and call for broad scientific input before any decisions are made.
-
Markets Force WCPFC Toward Transparent Pacific Tuna Rules
Growing market pressure from major retailers is reshaping how Pacific tuna is managed, pushing for transparent systems and stronger accountability as regional talks unfold.
-
High-Seas Transshipment Ban Could Redefine Pacific Tuna Governance
Transparency gaps in distant-water fishing are shaping the fate of South Pacific tuna. A push to ban high-seas transshipment could push operations into coastal zones, delivering tighter oversight and broader benefits to local communities.
-
Lorin Robert: The Quiet Architect of Pacific Fisheries Governance
Remembering Lorin Robert, a longtime FSM diplomat whose four-decade career shaped Pacific fisheries governance and regional cooperation. This tribute highlights his quiet leadership and enduring impact on conservation and dialogue across the Pacific.
-
Albacore at a Tipping Point: Will WCPFC Save the $1B Pacific Market?
Manila hosts a pivotal moment for the billion-dollar South Pacific albacore fishery, as officials weigh a modern harvest framework to replace aging rules. With MSC certification and premium markets on the line, experts warn that inaction could ripple through Pacific economies and sustainability-minded consumers.
-
One in Three Women Face Violence: A Global Call to Action
One in three women will experience violence in her lifetime, a stark reminder that this crisis knows no borders. A fresh call for urgent action outlines steps to reform laws, empower women, and safeguard rights, challenging us to turn promises into real safety and equality. It’s a powerful reminder that progress depends on all of…
-
WCPFC 2025 Budget Under Strain as Member Contributions Lag
Financial strains loom as almost a third of WCPFC member contributions remain unpaid for 2025. With critical monitoring, stock assessments, and compliance work at stake, growing voluntary support is stepping in—yet it can’t replace core funding.
-
Papua New Guinea and Federated States of Micronesia Forge Maritime Boundary Treaty
Papua New Guinea and the Federated States of Micronesia have ratified a landmark maritime boundary treaty, establishing defined rights to explore and manage shared sea resources. The accord signals a new era of cooperation and sustainable use of living and non-living resources across their adjoining waters.
-
Manila Meeting Under Scrutiny: Can the WCPFC Deliver on Harvest Strategies?
As Manila hosts a pivotal WCPFC gathering, observers warn that delays on science-based harvest strategies could spark a credibility crisis for the regional fisheries regulator. Obstruction and accountability questions threaten to derail progress on tuna conservation, with implications for the global supply.
-
Pacific Tuna Under Scrutiny: Will On-Water Monitoring Redefine the Supply Chain?
A leading conservation group is pressing a regional fisheries forum to speed up on-water monitoring for tuna fleets, arguing that credible data is essential to protect stocks and ensure transparent seafood. The plan highlights electronic monitoring, expanded longline oversight, and stronger seabird and FAD rules, backed by new funding for AI-powered analysis of monitoring footage.…
-
Manila Summit Eyes South Pacific Albacore Harvest Strategy
Manila hosts a turning point for the Pacific tuna industry as negotiators push a long-awaited harvest strategy for South Pacific albacore. The move could stabilize a multibillion-dollar economy and the communities that rely on longline fisheries, even as rising costs and global competition threaten momentum. The outcome could reshape how the region manages its most…
-
ICJ Climate Ruling Sparks Indigenous-Led Pacific Justice Movement
From Pacific shores to The Hague, Indigenous knowledge is becoming a legal beacon for climate justice. A landmark ICJ ruling and a Right Livelihood Award spotlight a growing movement to protect land, sea, and culture—driven by communities fighting for their futures. How could this redefine accountability in a warming world?
-
Marshall Islands urges WCPFC22 for bold reforms to protect SIDS tuna lifelines
At a pivotal regional fisheries forum, the Marshall Islands pushes for reforms it says are vital to its security, economy, and future survival—centered on tuna resources and the livelihoods of Pacific island nations. As negotiators weigh monitoring, transshipment rules, and science-based harvest strategies, the outcome could reshape the region’s economic lifelines and sovereignty.
-
CNMI Calls for SIDS Inclusion in South Pacific Albacore Talks at WCPFC22
CNMI delivers a bold, time-sensitive call for action on South Pacific albacore, stressing inclusive decision-making for Small Island Developing States. Rooted in cultural stewardship and a vision of sustained collaboration, it hints at a future where Pacific fisheries thrive for generations.