Blog
Elizabeth Kopel - 25 Nov 2021
Why is Delta out of control in PNG?
The Papua New Guinea Government needs to take decisive action to stop the spread of COVID-19, Elizabeth Kopel writes. A recent Delta variant outbreak is having devastating impact on Papua New Guinea (PNG). Whilst governments around the globe have struggled to manage the variant, this outbreak has been made worse by low compliance with COVID-19…
Blog
Denise Fisher - 22 Nov 2021
New Caledonia’s thirty-year referendum process may fall at the final hurdle
France’s decision to maintain a December date for New Caledonia’s third independence referendum undermines the legitimacy of this decisive vote, Denise Fisher writes. France is going ahead with the 12 December 2021 date for New Caledonia’s final referendum vote, despite the opposition of the mainly Indigenous independence parties. This undermines the legitimacy of the final step in…
COVID-19 – the Pacific response: 19 November
Our fortnightly update on COVID-19 in the Pacific Fiji has taken the first step in reopening its international borders, and Papua New Guinea has seen a reduction in new official case numbers. Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s COVID-19 outbreak has improved slightly since the last update, with the country recording 812 cases in the past week,…
Blog
Kalafi Moala - 16 Nov 2021
Challenges for Tonga as Election Looms
As Tongans lose faith in the major parties, the country’s election will likely see a rise in new independent members of parliament, Kalafi Moala writes. Tonga goes to the polls on 18 November to elect 26 members of parliament. Seventeen ‘people’s representatives’ will be elected by over 60,000 registered voters, while nine ‘nobles’ representatives’ will…
Blog
Henry Ivarature - 10 Nov 2021
Tonga’s Drug Problem Draws Royal Attention
The Kingdom of Tonga’s drug crisis requires a strong national and regional response, Henry Ivarature writes. After months of news headlines, Tonga’s King Tupou VI recently addressed a national symposium on illicit drugs in early October. “Our beloved country is no longer free of drugs. This is not just a problem for the police… This is a…
Blog
Esther Nuria - 8 Nov 2021
Climate Change Threat to Livelihood is a National Concern
Climate change is a threat to the livelihood of village people living in coastal areas of Solomon Islands. Esther Nuria highlights one example locals say the government should take seriously. For the people of Walande, in Small Malaita, the present village built on the mainland is their fourth settlement since their ancestors settled there generations…