A push for the development of political parties in democratic societies in the Pacific by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was the focus of a dialogue held this week in Momi Bay, Fiji where over 40 representatives from the Pacific region attended, including Tonga. UNDP's Bakhodir Burkhanov said political parties need to be “more than just a temporary vehicle for the promotion of the interests of one political leader or a small group”.
You are here
Results for Pacific Islands
Thursday 21 September 2017
Premium content
Momi Bay, Fiji
Premium content
Friday 15 September 2017
Premium content
Brussels Belgium
Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing as well as environment degradation are some of the severe challenges the fishing sector is facing, especially in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) region, further hurting their economies, particularly in their efforts to cut poverty and sustain growth.
Premium content
Thursday 14 September 2017
Premium content
Santiago, Chile
Marine life in the Easter Island (Rapa Nui) waters, especially endemic species, should start thriving after the Chilean government declared it a marine protected area on 11 September. The protected area, one of the largest in the world, is around 740,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of Chile.
Premium content
Tuesday 12 September 2017
Premium content
Apia, Samoa
An agreement to achieve universal health coverage and address non-communicable diseases in the Pacific region was signed by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Pacific Community (SPC) on 8 September in Apia, Samoa.
Premium content
Wednesday 6 September 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Chief Justices from the Pacific Islands are in Nuku'alofa this week, attending a workshop to strengthen judiciaries in the Pacific. The focus on judicial leadership is part of an Initiative funded by the New Zealand Government.
Premium content
Friday 1 September 2017
Premium content
Suva, Fiji
‘The Beginning of Life’ a documentary focused on giving children the best possible start to life and reinforcing the proverb "it takes a village to raise a child", screened for the first time in the Pacific region on August 30, in Suva, Fiji.
Premium content
Thursday 31 August 2017
Nadi, Fiji
Tongan scientist, Siosiua Halavatau, is encouraging farmers to be “soil smart” when cultivating crops; to not overplough the land and to avoid using fertilizers and thereby play their part in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. By Finau Fonua
Tuesday 29 August 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Legal officers who draft legislation for governments in the Pacific region, met in Tonga last week, 23-24 August to share expertise and to reinforce knowledge of legislative procedures.
Premium content
Tuesday 29 August 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Climate change impacts are evident everywhere in the Pacific, where many communities are on the front line of its damaging impacts, said Australia’s Ambassador for Environment Patrick Suckling, who is visiting the Pacific region.
Premium content
Wednesday 23 August 2017
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ordinary Tongan passports are in short supply due to unexpected increase in demand, which is causing delays in issuing some passports. Non-urgent applicants have been told the new stock is not expected until October.
Premium content
Monday 21 August 2017
Premium content
Honiara, Solomon Islands
As the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac) draws to an end in 2018, two regional organizations will continue the work of this Australian Government-funded initiative. By Linny Folau.
Premium content
Monday 21 August 2017
Premium content
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Moving closer to the vulnerable Asia Pacific region –where more intense tropical storms are hitting the islands, the World Meteorological Organization opens its new office in Singapore today. By Linny Folau
Premium content
Tuesday 15 August 2017
Premium content
Manila, Philippines
Rising temperatures caused by climate change would be catastrophic for countries in Asia and the Pacific by the end of the century - unless countries work to mitigate it, says a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released last month. Crops yields in the Pacific region will be in decline by 2050. By 2100, “all coral reef systems in the subregion will collapse due to mass coral bleaching if global warming increases by 4 degrees Celsius”.
Premium content
Tuesday 15 August 2017
Honiara, Solomon Islands
In the Pacific region many of the natural disasters experienced are related to water and climate, Hon. Samuel Manetoali told the opening meeting of the Pacific Meteorological Council on August 14 in the Solomon Islands, saying "We are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change... and climate variability". By Linny Folau in Honiara.
Friday 11 August 2017
Premium content
Noumea, New Caledonia
The Pacific region will soon benefit from a new Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science after an agreement was made by Pacific Island countries and territories at the Pacific Community’s (SPC) governing body conference, held in Noumea, New Caledonia late last month.
Premium content
Friday 11 August 2017
Premium content
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Pacific journalists are in Honiara this week for a Pacific Islands Media and Meteorological Services Training in preparation for two important regional climate and weather meetings next week.
Premium content
Thursday 10 August 2017
Premium content
Hagatna, Guam
The Governor of Guam, Eddie Baza Calvo, yesterday dismissed statements made by the North Korean military threatening to attack Guam with long range missiles. The threat was made by a North Korean Army Spokesman on Wednesday only hours after "fire and fury" threats were made by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Premium content
Wednesday 9 August 2017
Premium content
Suva, Fiji
Identifying opportunities the blue economy offers to Pacific Islands, so that they can sustainably manage and conserve their ocean resources to benefit their economies and people will be the focus at the first high level Pacific Blue Economy Conference to be held on 23-24 August 2017, in Suva, Fiji.
Premium content
Wednesday 2 August 2017
Premium content
French authorities from New Caledonia intercepted the yacht L'Alfina off Tongan waters on July 27, seizing what is said to be the largest-ever drugs haul in the South Pacific, according to French media reports today.
Premium content
Monday 31 July 2017
Premium content
Apia, Samoa
Finding the best areas to generate solar power in Pacific Island countries is now possible with a new free tool, Global Solar Atlas, facilitated by the World Bank, and launched today, 31 July, at the Pacific Power Association (PPA) Conference in Apia, Samoa. At the click of a button, the application will help investors and policymakers identify potential sites for this renewable energy.
Premium contentPages
Tonga weather forecast from yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the NRK. See also Fua'amotu Weather Forecasting Center, Tonga, for latest local weather bulletin.