Economy

The Pressing Need for Resilient, Equitable, Safe, and Sustainable Decentralized Wastewater Solutions for the Pacific Islands

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Islands around the world face unique water and wastewater management challenges that are made more complex and dynamic in a changing climate. In Hawaii, the task of converting more than 83,000 cesspools by 2050 will require collaborative and innovative approaches that will meet policy mandates; effectively address engineering challenges; empower communities and make them more resilient; and safeguard natural resources and local economies. With funding from the National Science Foundation, the authors are engaging in a four-pronged approach to develop and promote decentralized wastewater solutions that can be scaled across Hawaii and replicated in the unique contexts of islands in other regions.

India’s Independent Pivot to the Pacific Reimagines Old Ties

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“India’s Independent Pivot to the Pacific Reimagines Old Ties” contemplates India’s historical and contemporary position in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with the Pacific Islands. As India seeks to expand its presence and diplomatic footprint through Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy, leveraging old and new forums for dialogue and cooperation will be to India’s advantage as it builds relationships in the Pacific.

Government Engagement: The Next Chapter in PNG’s Financial Inclusion Story

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In Papua New Guinea Financial Inclusion is fast becoming an important development challenge as its economy transforms itself from a largely agrarian subsistence based economy to a more monetised modern economy. The Bank of Papua New Guinea through the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) has been at the forefront of an effort to bridge the divide between the “banked and the unbanked” population of PNG, said to be about 70-80% of the total population. Aided by reforms and innovation, the financial inclusion story of PNG has been a remarkable one. However, for financial inclusion to make a lasting impact on the lives of Papua New Guineans, the government needs to come in and support its expansion into the provinces and districts where the bulk of Papua New Guineans 9 million plus population resides. In this piece we take a look at the efforts that is currently underway in PNG to aid this cause.