Pacific Islands News Roundup – Feb. 9-15, 2024

Political Leadership, Regionalism, Peace and Security

• US Senate fails to add Compact funds to aid package (PACNEWS)

• American Samoa delegation to lobby for Pacific Islands Forum membership (Samoa News)

• Pacific leaders urge open discussion on AUKUS to preserve nuclear-free region (RNZ)

• New Caledonia pro-France politicians welcome Marie Guévenoux as overseas delegate minister (RNZ)

• Solomon Islands’ pro-China leader pledges continued Australia balancing act (PACNEWS)

• Motion of no confidence in Papua New Guinea Prime Minister declared ‘matter of national importance’ (RNZ)

• Japan commits to deepening ties with Pacific, Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting preparations discussed (Fiji Times)

People-Centered Development

• Vanuatu finalizes national disability inclusive education policy (Vanuatu Daily Post)

• Hawaiʻi to expand housing services with Medicaid support (Hawaii Public Radio)

• Palau partners with Int’l Organization for Migration to develop first national migration policy (Island Times)

• Kiribati and New Zealand collaborate to improve healthcare outcomes for i-Kiribati people (RNZ)

• Pacific Island diplomats advocate for increased university access in Australia (Islands Business)

• Proposal aims to secure additional seats for Solomon Islands women in politics (RNZ)

Climate Change and Disasters, Ocean and Environment

• Japan Foreign Minister assures Pacific nations of ALPS treated water discharge compliance (PACNEWS)

• Nature Conservancy addresses criticisms over Palau marine reserve (Island Times)

• Pacific and Caribbean states propose groundbreaking shipping emissions levy (RNZ)

• Delayed Tuvalu election result highlights climate impacts (PACNEWS)

• Lahaina fire death toll rises to 101 as police identify remains (Civil Beat)

• Launch of Pacific Regional One Maritime Framework development and funding announcement (SPC)

Resources and Economic Development, Technology and Connectivity

• Japan pledges ¥2.4 billion grant aid to Samoa for university infrastructure enhancement (PACNEWS)

• Fiji and European Union collaborate to explore commercial kava exports (Fiji Times)

• Northern Mariana Islands official asserts Chinese tourism market’s broad economic benefits (Saipan Tribune)

• Fiji begins nationwide consultations for new national development plan (Fiji Times)

• Vanuatu allocates VT14.8 billion for infrastructure development in 2024 budget (Vanuatu Daily Post)

• Australia provides Tonga Power with state-of-the-art generator for enhanced reliability (Matangi Tonga)

• Cook Islands Prime Minister permits Starlink import and use amid customs fee concerns (Cook Islands News)

Announcement

Calling all voices passionate about the Pacific Islands!

Join our inaugural issue of Visions & Voices as we delve into the theme ‘Tides of Change in the Pacific Islands.’ Share your 800 to 1,200-word submission on any topic relevant to the Pacific Islands region by March 31, 2024.

“As we invite submissions to Visions & Voices, we recognize the urgent need to facilitate communication on issues relevant to the Pacific Islands,” said Dr. Mary Hattori, Director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center. “In the vast sea of media, this publication aims to serve as a beacon, illuminating stories and voices vital to our region.”

Learn more: pireport.org/submissions

The Pacific Islands Report (PIR) is a collaborative project of the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center and the Center for Pacific Islands Studies (CPIS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

This non-exhaustive news roundup is organized with the thematic areas of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its implementation plan.

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