News Roundup

Pacific Islands News Roundup – Jan. 24–30, 2025 

Political Leadership, Regionalism, Peace and Security

  • Tonga’s PM takes charge as Pacific Islands Forum chair (Tonga Independent) 
  • NZ-Kiribati fallout: Kiribati govt minister says ‘impacts to be felt by the people’ (RNZ) 
  • Fiji’s PM highlights growing Fiji-China ties (FBC News) 
  • China and Sāmoa sign visa-free travel deal (PMN) 
  • Solomon Islands-China mutual visa exemption strengthens relations to new level (Sunday Isles/PR)
  • Nauru and China take diplomatic relations ‘to new heights’ since Taiwan switch – Nauru foreign affairs minister (RNZ) 
  • Fiji, Kiribati strengthen ties (FBC News) 
  • Federated States of Micronesia, India strengthen bilateral ties (Pacific Island Times) 
  • New Caledonia: Pro-independence groups eye talks with France (PMN)
  • 2025 Vanuatu official election results: Solitary woman elected to 52-member parliament (RNZ) 
  • Tonga’s PM names new cabinet lineup (Talanoa ‘o Tonga) 
  • Reshuffle and new associate ministerial roles for Niue PM’s cabinet (TV Niue) 
  • FSM Embassy issues urgent advisory for citizens in the US amid new immigration policies (The New Atoll) 
  • Deportation of Fijians from the US monitored (FBC News) 
  • Pacific central to compete with China for Trump (Post-Courier) 

People-Centered Development 

  • Reviving Indigenous foodways to combat health issues in the Pacific (Islands Business) 
  • AI integration in education must ensure ‘cultural sensitivity’, says USP head (RNZ) 
  • Survey shows better mental health services needed in the Pacific (RNZ) 
  • Solomon Islands takes ownership of new China-funded medical facility (In-Depth Solomons) 
  • Online learning to advance education and help schools overcome earthquake challenges (Vanuatu Daily Post) 
  • Niucare policy structure, requirements to be revisited: PNG PM (The National) 
  • Parents and teachers concerned at teacher shortage in Niue, with school term starting next week (TV Niue) 
  • Niue’s PM to global diaspora: ‘Niue is your home’ (PMN) 
  • Fiji braces for impact as US cuts World Health Organization ties (FBC News) 
  • Guam education leaders weigh in on Trump’s education plans (KUAM) 

Climate Change and Disasters, Ocean and Environment

  • International Mining Code: Exploration missions multiply in the Pacific (TNTV) 
  • Samoa and NZ discuss compensation over Manawanui sinking (RNZ) 
  • Huge marine sanctuary established by Marshall Islands (Marshall Islands Journal) 
  • Solomon Islands set to host Honiara Summit on SDG 14.4 (Tavuli News/PR) 
  • Vanuatu attorney general condemns Trump’s Paris climate treaty exit as ‘troubling precedent’ (Vanuatu Daily Post/Benar News)
  • CNMI environmental champions criticize Trump’s Paris withdrawal (RNZ) 
  • Trump’s climate retreat will cost US influence in Pacific (The National) 
  • Climate change and China will define US relations with Pacific Islands under Trump, security experts say (Island Times) 
  • American Samoa EPA now enforcing polystyrene foam container ban (Samoa News) 

Resources and Economic Development, Technology and Connectivity

  • NZ apologizes to Pacific nations over RSE policy changes (Talanoa ‘o Tonga) 
  • USAID projects now in limbo (Tavuli News) 
  • Solomon Islands PALM deployments off to a strong start in 2025 (Sunday Isles) 
  • Vanuatu’s earthquake recovery efforts rely entirely on foreign aid (VBTC) 
  • Guam Lt. Gov. on struggling tourism: ‘Even our consumers have changed’ (Guam PDN) 
  • PNG Investment Promotion Authority transfers powers to Bougainville govt (PNG Facts) 
  • Papua New Guinea faces looming electricity crisis, report warns (PNG Facts) 
  • Australian airlines now dominate Vanuatu’s skies, so why does its government want to reboot Air Vanuatu? (ABC Australia) 
  • Subsea cables land in Fiji (FBC News)
  • Solomon Islands copra industry boosts economy with record $100 million contribution (SIBC) 

Latest Content from the Pacific Islands Report

Call for Submissions: Visions & Voices Quarterly Publication

The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) invites students, scholars, researchers, and professionals to submit work to Visions & Voices, a quarterly publication dedicated to the Pacific Islands region.

Submissions of essays, articles, commentaries, and concise pieces that pertain to the Pacific Islands are welcomed.

Next Deadline: March 31

For detailed submission guidelines, visit: www.pireport.org/submissions

The Pacific Islands Report (PIR) is a 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, featuring open-access information, is organized with the thematic areas of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its implementation plan.

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