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Solomon Islands Independent MP, Peter Kenilorea Jr has been awarded the inaugural Senator Kimberly Kitching Award for Courage in Defence of Democracy, an international honour recognising parliamentarians who champion democratic values and human rights. The award was presented on 8 November in Brussels, Belgium, during a global gathering of the…
Just like Papua New Guinea’s planned NRL team, a new Brisbane-backed Solomon Islands soccer club could become an unlikely arena in Australia’s geopolitical rivalry with China. By Cameron Atfield/The Sydney Morning Herald Somewhere in a remote mountain village, or perhaps on the dusty streets of Honiara, a youngster is kicking…
by Niuone Eliuta* The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a vital platform for regional cooperation, has long been a space where Pacific nations address shared challenges like climate change, economic development and cultural preservation. However, recent actions by China to undermine Taiwan’s participation — at previous Forum meetings, including the 2024…
by Georgina Maka’a Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says a decision on whether Taiwan will participate in this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders summit will be announced soon. Solomon Islands will host the summit, which will bring leaders from across the Pacific to Honiara, on September 8 to 12. “Cabinet…
by Georgina Maka’a Five Years of Hope, Now Disappointment Five years ago, a wave of optimism swept through Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. People gathered at street corners, market areas, and in villages, buzzing with anticipation about a transformative program backed by one of the world’s superpowers. The Strengthening Competitiveness,…
Australia’s Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy, is in Solomon Islands to strengthen the enduring partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands. On his first day in Honiara, Minister Conroy held warm and productive discussions with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Communication and Aviation Frederick…
Canberra, Australia (AAP) –Â Australia has played down a US Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact, despite concerns about the future of the nuclear submarine component of the deal. Under the AUD$368 billion agreement, Australia will acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new…
Residents of small Pacific island nations rely on tuna for local jobs and foreign fishing fees, which fund education, healthcare, roads and more. Amid climate change, fishermen have been working harder to catch fewer fish and it’s getting worse. by Nathan Eagle  Deputy editor for Civil BeatHonolulu, Hawai’i Adrian Wickham is worried. …
by Pita Ligaiula of PACNEWS in Taipei Taiwan’s deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu has warned that China’s growing influence in the Pacific is undermining democratic values and distorting regional relationships. Speaking to PACNEWS during a working lunch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Taipei, Wu said Taiwan wants to be…
by Ben McKay of AAP Australia and other development partners are moving to cover gaps across the Pacific as the United States under Donald Trump retreats from foreign aid. Top of mind for Australia is gender equality and protecting reproductive rights, dealt a major blow through an early order from…
