pacific

Summary ➣ Increasing measures taken around the region to protect environmental security ➣ Results uncertain following elections in Solomon Islands ➣ PNG discusses plans for a council on gun violence and control ➣ Progress and setbacks for LGBTQI+ communities Regionalism Pacific leaders travelled to Greece in April for the 9th Our Oceans Conference. The conference…

Summary ➣ Heavy rains, floods, landslides and earthquakes batter the region ➣ Pacific submissions to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate change responsibility ➣ Elections across the Pacific prompting changes to diplomatic relations and security arrangements ➣ Challenges for women in politics Climate Security  Lives have been lost in PNG after a series…

Papua New Guinea’s Health Minister declared that COVID-19 is “under control” despite case numbers continuing to climb, Hugh McClure writes COVID-19 case numbers have increased substantially in Fiji this fortnight. 1,206 cases have been identified to date and five deaths recorded. On Wednesday 16 June, the country reported its highest daily case numbers on record,…

Papua New Guinea is reporting higher than expected vaccination numbers, whilst Fiji has announced it will be opening temporary hospitals to deal with the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, Hugh McClure writes. The COVID-19 situation in Fiji has escalated considerably this fortnight. 264 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days, bringing the country’s…

Lockdown restrictions are being lifted in parts of Fiji, while there are fears vaccines supplied to Papua New Guinea by Australia may expire before they are administered, Hugh McClure writes. The Suva-Nausori Corridor lockdown has been lifted this week, with the capital region again divided into two containment zones. The easing of restrictions came despite…