Results for Pacific Islands

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Pacific health advocate, Sir Collin Tukuitonga from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland has been made a Fellow by the International Science Council (ISC). Sir Collin joins over 100 Fellows from around the world, were appointed yesterday, 19 December. The Fellowship is the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual by the International Science Council (ISC).

At the Nature Plenary of the World Climate Action Summit, at COP28, on 2 December, Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku introduced, to world leaders, the region's ‘Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity’ initiative, to rejuvenate and protect the Blue Pacific Continent for future generations. Pacific leaders are making a direct appeal to global partners to actively join the Pacific to turn the tide for the benefit of the Pacific region and the planet.