Regional
Pacific Islands Forum leaders agree on Waqa for secretary general role
Friday 10 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna will vacate the Pacific Islands Forum secretary general role at the end of his first term next year, after regional leaders agreed to hand over the role to controversial ex-Nauru president Baron Waqa.
2050 Strategy will not sit on a shelf to gather dust: PM Brown
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has reiterated the call for support from Leaders and Heads of Regional Agencies in the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Vote for peace: Message to Forum leaders
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
The message is clear, “Condemn the killing of displaced Palestinians and God’s innocent children in Gaza- Promote World Peace PLEASE”.
Aitutaki receives Pacific leaders with warm welcome
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Pacific Islands Forum
Aitutaki received the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in heart-warming island style, gifting each of them with a unique Cook Islands hand stitched tivaivai during their welcoming ceremony.
Nauru President walks out, skips Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Retreat on Aitutaki
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
The simmering tensions among Pacific Islands Forum leaders over the appointment of the next Secretary-General has resurfaced as Nauru’s president abruptly departed the plenary meeting and declined to participate in the leaders retreat on Aitutaki.
Pacific Leaders endorse Samoa Agreement ahead of signing
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have expressed their unwavering support for the signing of the Samoa Agreement, scheduled to take place in Apia next week.
Punanga Nui Market: A symbol of endurance, resilience, and hope
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Pacific Islands Forum
The Punanga Nui Market has been recognised as a symbol of endurance, resilience, and hope. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, who also chairs the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, highlighted the market’s significance, which he likened to the Pacific Partnerships for Prosperity.
Cook Islands and Fiji sign MoU for development cooperation
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Fiji, National, Pacific Islands Forum, Regional
Healthcare, law, and skilled labour shortages have been recognised as critical areas for regional cooperation.
PM Brown calls for unity and partnership at Forum opening ceremony
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
The unique sound of traditional drums thundered through Te Are Karioi, marking the opening ceremony of the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting on Monday night.
Funding challenges discussed at Smaller Island States meet
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
Prime Minister Mark Brown highlighted the challenges faced by the Cook Islands in applying for funding or accessing funding through borrowing due to the country’s high-income status.
Micronesian leaders hold firm on Waqa’s nomination for SG role
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, National, Nauru, Pacific Islands Forum, Palau, Regional
Micronesian leaders maintain their support for the nomination of controversial former Nauru president Baron Waqa as the next Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Forum Opinion: Pacific needs powerful voice against superpower dominance
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Editorials, National, Opinion, Pacific Islands Forum
The Pacific Islands Forum chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, is emerging as one of the more powerful Pacific leaders’ voices in projecting the region’s concerns and priorities to the world, writes Dr Shailendra Bahadur Singh.
Cook Islands, PM Brown put on a show for Pacific Leaders
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting got off to a colourful start with a proud display of vibrant Cook Islands culture and tradition at the National Auditorium on Monday night.
PM Brown receives financial support from PNG and China on behalf of Smaller Island States
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
Prime Minister Mark Brown, the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIFS), yesterday announced financial contributions from the governments of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and China to support the priorities of the Smaller Island States.
Commercial value of seabed minerals must be shared proportionately: UNGA President
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
The commercial value of seabed minerals must be shared proportionately with the country from which they are taken from, says Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly.
Fiji and PNG leaders appointed Special Envoys to West Papua
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape and Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka have been appointed as Special Envoys to address issues surrounding West Papua.
Fiji Airways inaugural charter flight lands at Rarotonga airport with nine Pacific leaders
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum, Tourism
The inaugural Fiji Airways charter flight from Nadi to Rarotonga touched down at Rarotonga International Airport at midnight on Sunday, with nine Pacific leaders and their delegations arriving for the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
‘It’s quite an opportunity for the island’: Aitutaki gears up for Forum Leaders visit
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Outer Islands, Pacific Islands Forum
Aitutaki is gearing up to host Pacific Island leaders taking part in the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga.
Cook Islands, PM Brown put on a show for Pacific Leaders
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting got off to a colourful start with a proud display of vibrant Cook Islands culture and tradition at the National Auditorium on Monday night.
Polynesian bloc calls for halt to Fukushima wastewater release
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
The Polynesian bloc will call for a pause in the discharge of treated radioactive water by Japan from its damaged Fukushima power plant at the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting this week.
