A project of the East-West Center and the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

News Roundup

Pacific Islands News Roundup – Mar. 22-28, 2024

Political Leadership, Regionalism, Peace and Security

  • Tonga PM allegedly resigns from defense role amid tensions with King (Islands Business)
  • ‘Help us help ourselves’ PNG urges partnership for free and open Indo-Pacific (Post-Courier)
  • Vanuatu and Australia forge deeper ties, strengthening bilateral relations (Daily Post)
  • Australia-Tuvalu pact back on track for ratification (PACNEWS)
  • Japan conducts first-ever cybersecurity exercise with Pacific island countries (PACNEWS)
  • Commonwealth SG to visit Samoa and Tonga ahead of CHOGM, PIFLM (PACNEWS)
  • US Deputy Secretary of State meets with PIF Secretary General, Cook Islands PM (PACNEWS)

People-Centered Development

  • New Zealand to send Defence Force to Solomon Islands ahead of election (RNZ)
  • Marshall Islands commences public review of COFA amid nuclear legacy concerns (RNZ)
  • Call for $10 minimum wage to address high cost of living in Cook Islands (Cook Islands News)
  • Surfing program empowers people with disabilities, offers therapeutic benefits (Civil Beat)
  • Women drive job creation in Samoa, contributing to economic growth (Samoa Observer)
  • Fiji prepares draft policy on food and nutrition security to tackle health challenges (Fiji One News)
  • US federal assistance extends to COFA residents, implementation status unclear (HPR)
  • Indigenous communities lead climate change fight out of necessity, forum highlights (Fiji Village)

Climate Change and Disasters, Ocean and Environment

  • Cook Islands temperature hits 32.9°C  as marine heatwave persists (Cook Islands Times)
  • US Pacific Islands fishermen voice alarm over policies threatening livelihoods (Islands Business)
  • Samoa suffers unprecedented heatwave, residents cautioned (Samoa Observer)
  • Death toll in PNG from 6.9 magnitude earthquake rises to three (RNZ)
  • American Samoa official raises concerns over expanding Chinese fishing presence (Samoa News)
  • Fiji braces for severe weather amid ongoing flood concerns (RNZ)
  • Micronesia launches groundbreaking coastal fisheries project with Kiwa Initiative (SPC)
  • Consultations in Samoa shape Pacific loss and damage response project (SPREP)
  • Tuvalu progresses development of National Adaptation Plan (SPREP)
  • ICJ receives written submissions for climate justice advisory opinion (PICAN)
  • Pacific leaders urged to hold Japan accountable for Fukushima nuclear waste at PALM10 (PACNEWS)

Resources and Economic Development, Technology and Connectivity

  • Solomon Islanders in PALM scheme contribute $247 million to home economy in 2023 (IDS)
  • Samoa approves Starlink satellite services for enhanced internet access (Samoa Observer)
  • Fiji requires $4.5 billion investment in water infrastructure for climate adaptation (Fiji One News)
  • United Airlines introduces new Tokyo-Saipan flight schedule (Marianas Variety)
  • Maui mayor proposes $1.7 billion budget for fire recovery and development (Civil Beat)
  • PNG tourism surged in 2023, yielding $120 million in visitor revenue (PNG Loop)
  • Guam, CNMI leaders advocate for affordable inter-island air travel (KUAM News)
  • Republic of Korea allocates $10 million in development assistance to Fiji (Fiji Village)
  • Australia backs Samoa Tourism Authority marketing efforts with WST$1.8 million grant (Talamua)

Announcement – 3 Days Left!

Calling all voices passionate about the Pacific Islands!

Join our inaugural issue of Visions & Voices as we delve into the theme ‘Tides of Change in the Pacific Islands.’ Share your 800 to 1,200-word submission on any topic relevant to the Pacific Islands region by March 31, 2024.

“As we invite submissions to Visions & Voices, we recognize the urgent need to facilitate communication on issues relevant to the Pacific Islands,” said Dr. Mary Hattori, Director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center. “In the vast sea of media, this publication aims to illuminate stories and voices vital to our region.”

Learn more: pireport.org/submissions

The Pacific Islands Report (PIR) is a collaborative project of the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center and the Center for Pacific Islands Studies (CPIS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

This non-exhaustive news roundup is organized with the thematic areas of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its implementation plan.

Subscribe to get our news roundups delivered to your email inbox and explore our archives at pireport.org. We value your feedback.