Results for Pacific Islands

Researchers have calculated that the 2022 explosive eruption of Tonga's Hunga volcano emitted almost 19 million tonnes of sulfur dioxide, but because the eruption started at least 400 m below sea level, most of the sulfur was erupted into the ocean. The submarine explosions injected an unprecedented amount of seawater into the atmosphere, while sulfur and other volcanic products went into the sea. The researchers say this raises questions about the impact on marine life, and that the long-term effects of seawater on the atmosphere are also unclear.

A high-level advocacy mission to the United States this week, is led by Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke, and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General. Baron Waqa, who are seeking to secure capitalisation pledges for the new Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).

“The global and regional development landscape is evolving very fast, and the only way we can navigate this successfully is if we stay united as a region,” said the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke, while attending the PIF Troika this week, in Nadi, Fiji. Leaders will discuss a range of regional priorities.

New Zealand and Tonga are exploring opportunities to strengthen their bilateral relationship and enhance diplomatic and development cooperation. New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, along with a cross-party delegation, met today, 11 April, in Nuku'alofa with Tonga's PM, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke, and the Tongan Cabinet to discuss these opportunities. Peters earlier met Tonga's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala.

Forty years ago, in 1985, the people of Rongelap Atoll in the central Pacific were forced to evacuate their radioactive home after enduring years of health impacts from the US nuclear weapons tests in the Marshall Islands. Yesterday, the community came together in Mejatto to light candles, to sing and remember the terrors of the nuclear testing in the Pacific and their displacement from their home.

Australia and Tonga have agreed to an AUD85 million (TOP125 million) budget support program over the next four years to support a stronger economy and national budget. “This is the largest investment in our partnership’s history,” stated a joint announcement yesterday, on the margins of the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in Nuku'alofa.

Around 26 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) medics have improved their skills for responding to the range of injuries that might be expected from a destructive weather event striking in the Pacific. The exercise was recently held in Santoft Forest near Whanganui, in New Zealand.

A gun and 600 rounds of ammunition were seized from the Tongan ferry MV Malau in Suva, Fiji Police confirmed this morning. The Fiji Times reported today that a Fiji Navy ship, RFNS Timo, had intercepted the ferry MV Malau and escorted it to Suva Harbour yesterday. The Tongan operator told Matangi Tonga today that the ship is free and is currently undergoing maintenance in Fiji.

The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) has received a first capitalisation contribution of 417,000,000 Japanese Yen, approximately USD$3 million, from the Government of Japan. The PRF is the first international financial institution to be collectively owned by Pacific Islands Forum member governments, dedicated to providing small-scale grant financing for Pacific communities. It will be headquartered in Tonga.