A network of coral reef scientists have announced that the world is currently experiencing its fourth global coral bleaching event, the second to hit reefs in the past ten years. The announcement, made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), yesterday, comes at a time when coral reefs are facing a number of threats to their survival.
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Results for Pacific Islands
Wednesday 17 April 2024
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Annapolis-MD, USA

Monday 15 April 2024
Manila, Philippines
The right to good health for all people is more important than ever. Countries in the Western Pacific need to accelerate action towards universal health coverage, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on World Health Day in April. By 2048, an estimated 21 million people in the Western Pacific are expected to die each year from NCDs, accounting for nine out of 10 deaths in the region. Nearly one in four children over the age of 5 years and nearly two in five adults in the Western Pacific are now overweight or obese.
Thursday 11 April 2024
Canberra, Australia
New evidence of one of the first cities in the Pacific shows they were established much earlier than previously thought, according to research from The Australian National University (ANU). The study used aerial laser scanning to map archaeological sites on the island of Tongatapu in Tonga. “Earth structures were being constructed in Tongatapu around AD 300 -- 700 years earlier than previously thought,” said the Lead author, PhD scholar Phillip Parton.
Thursday 11 April 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Henry Puna, said China's security offering for the upcoming 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting to be held in Tonga from 26 - 30 August, this year, is not an issue for the Pacific. “This issue is a lot more complicated," he said, while warning the Pacific not be hindered by the “outsiders’ geo-political games”. [updated 12 April]

Thursday 11 April 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga will host the the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meetings from 26 - 30 August, 2024 in Nuku'alofa, with the theme "Transformative Resilient Pasifiki; Build Better Now." Last night, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala unveiled the Government's chosen theme and logo at a special launch event attended by the Forum Secretary General Mr Henry Puna, at the Fa'onelua Convention Center, in Nuku'alofa.

Sunday 31 March 2024
Longoteme, Tongatapu
The Commonwealth Secretary General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland KC attended Easter Sunday mass in the Kauvai Parish of the village of Longoteme, Tongatapu, this morning, where Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Bishop of Tonga, conducted the service.
Saturday 30 March 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Commonwealth Secretary General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, arrived in Tongatapu today, on her first visit to Tonga, leading a Commonwealth team to discuss future initiatives and key challenges in the region, including the effects of climate change, maritime security and national debt distress.

Thursday 21 March 2024
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Honiara, Solomon Islands
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) today, 21 March, launched a major upgrade and development to their monitoring and surveillance efforts, with two new systems built for vessel registrations and Port State Measures. The e-PSM system is a critical tool in the fight against Ilegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) in the Western and Central Pacific. Tonga is the first country to implement the e-PSM which allows efficient data exchange.

Monday 11 March 2024
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Suva, Fiji
A tribute to a renowned Tongan writer and Pacific scholar, the late Epeli Hau’ofa, was held by the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies, at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Fiji, with the launch of a new book, titled ‘Remembering Epeli Hau’ofa His Life and Legacy’ on 7 March.

Monday 4 March 2024
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Manila, Philippines
There is a need for Western Pacific countries to maintain high coverage of measles vaccination and to increase surveillance of cases at international borders, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala urged, citing a 255% increase of measles cases from 2022 to 2023 in Western Pacific countries. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases on earth, spreading easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.

Thursday 29 February 2024
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Pictairn Islands
Airborne marine surveillance by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in the south Pacific is helping to protect a UK Blue Belt marine conservation programme, which prohibits all forms of commercial fishing and mining in special areas.

Monday 26 February 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Pacific Community (SPC) has appointed Elsie Fukofuka as its Regional Director, Polynesia, stationed at its Regional Office in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, as from 23 February 2024.

Thursday 22 February 2024
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Corruption is threatening the economic development of nations in the Pacific. To prevent it, requires community awareness, integrity-building, action and inter-agency collaboration, said participants at a regional dialogue held in Vanuatu last week.
Thursday 8 February 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In Auckland today, Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon.Hu’akavameiliku held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Christopher Luxon, to discuss priority areas for cooperation and partnership, in climate change, cyber security, sports, health and education.

Monday 5 February 2024
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Yaren, Nauru
Miss Samoa, Moemoana Schwenke, was crowned Miss Pacific Islands 2024, on 3 February, in the Sports Centre of Nauru. Miss Samoa topped three categories and also won the People's Choice award.

Wednesday 24 January 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting Pacific Island Countries to build an equipped workforce to improve peoples’ access to secure, fast, and affordable internet connectivity in the region.

Wednesday 17 January 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Miss Heilala Sitita Va'enuku will represent Tonga at the upcoming Miss Pacific Islands Competition, that will be held in Nauru, from 28 January to 4 February.
Monday 15 January 2024
Auckland, New Zealand
Pacific researchers from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, are conducting a Pacific-led research project on the population dynamics of the Pacific region with its 13 million population, with regards to climate change as the single greatest threat facing the Pacific.
Friday 12 January 2024
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Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
A state of emergency has been declared in Papua New Guinea by Prime Minister James Marape, after at least 16 people died in violent riots on Wednesday, that left shops and businesses burned and looted.

Friday 5 January 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A well-known Fiji entrepreneur, Mr. Yanktesh Permal (Y.P.) Reddy, O.B.E, chairman of the board and owner of the Tanoa Group, died in New Zealand on 4 January, at the age of 89 years.
