Pacific Islands News Roundup – August 29 – September 4, 2025 

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HRC60: Key issues on agenda of the September 2025 session

The UN Human Rights Council will hold its 60th regular session at Palais des Nations in Geneva from 8 September to 8 October 2025. Stay up-to-date: Follow @ISHRglobal and #HRC60 on X and @ishr.ch on BlueSky, and look out for our Human Rights...

Best NYE destinations: Where to be when the clock strikes midnight

Branded Content by Cosmic Press Let’s be honest, New Year’s Eve isn’t just another night. It’s the global permission slip to dream big, dance harder, and toast to fresh starts. If you’re itching to swap your usual countdown routine for something...

UN top slavery expert concerned with treatment of PALM scheme workers in Australia

The United Nations top slavery expert is calling on the Australian Government to do more to protect the rights of Pacific seasonal workers in the country. Special Rapporteur on slavery Professor Tomoya Obokata travelled to Australia last November...

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting: 17 Leaders to Attend in Honiara

By Alfred Pagepitu All 18 member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) have registered their delegations for the upcoming 54th Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele confirmed in a media press conference...

Punching above its weight, Pacific pushes for ship polluters to pay

By Robert Iroga in London Punching above our weight has been the statement echoed in London this week to describe the tiny Pacific’s bold push against some of the global heavyweights to have polluters (ship) pay-up for their pollution. This...

Economic and Security Review Group director: 'There are serious national security concerns with Chinese battery dominance'

Joseph Cella, Director, Michigan-China Economic and Security Review Group | FacebookJoseph Cella, Director, Michigan-China Economic and Security Review Group | Facebook Joseph Cella, Director of the Michigan-China Economic and Security Review...

Take Control of Your Cash Flow: Proven Strategies for AR Leaders

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The European Union invests EUR 9 million in Climate information services in the Pacific

A five-year EUR 9 million(US$10.2 million) project aimed at strengthening the production, availability, delivery and application of science-based information, supporting decision-makers was today launched at the Pacific Climate Change Centre in...

4 places where today and tomorrow exist side by side

In 2011, the nation of Samoa, located in Polynesia roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, shifted its position on the International Date Line for economic reasons, skipping December 30 entirely. As a result, Samoa and its neighbour...

RSE workers’ accommodation a constraint to scheme, says Fiji government official

In 2024/2025, there were 177 employers in the scheme employing about 17,000 workers across areas like horticulture and viticulture. Pacific partners commit to supporting returnees Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga remained the largest labour source nations...

Accommodation for RSE workers a 'critical constraint' to scheme, says Fiji government official

Pacific leaders are highlighting challenges their workers are facing while working in Aotearoa before returning home - and New Zealand's role to support them. Hundreds gathered in Wellington for the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Conference,...

SI Parliament charts course for regional unity at historic PPC

The Solomon Islands parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker of Parliament Hon. Patteson John Oti, took part in the 5th Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group (PIPG) Conference held at the InterContinental Hotel in Natadola, Fiji last week. The...

The capitalist climate crisis: Sea levels rise past the point of return

As the global impact of climate change intensifies, we are experiencing the ironic situation where sea levels are rising dangerously while, at the same time, large portions of the earth are experiencing increased heatwaves, worsening droughts and...

To graduate, or not to graduate till 2032: LDC graduation of Bangladesh

The issue has again been raised and is now being discussed. The issue is nothing other than the graduation of Bangladesh from a least developed country (LDC) to a developing country. The discussion is now moving around the question whether the...

PM Rabuka’s Visit Adds New Momentum to India-Fiji Relations

India and Fiji’s bilateral relations are deeply rooted in shared history, cultural ties, and a strong diaspora presence. Overlapping strategic concerns, shared economic interests, and efforts to integrate with the Indo-Pacific economic...

Kazakhstan’s Legacy, Global Voices Mark International Day Against Nuclear Tests

ASTANA — Aug. 29, designated as the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, carries special weight in Kazakhstan, where the Soviet Union once detonated more than 450 bombs at the Semipalatinsk test site. Born from Kazakhstan’s initiative at the...

Uto ni Yalo arrives in Lata

The Uto ni Yalo voyaging canoe, with a regional crew from Oceania finally arrived in Lata, Santa Cruz, Temotu Province this morning, Sunday 31st August 2025. The team left Fiji about eight days ago bound for Honiara ahead of the Pacific Island...

Pacific leaders’ endorsement for ICJ advisory opinion bid must spur global groundswell

The support from Pacific leaders for an advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is welcomed and must begin a global groundswell of support ahead of the UN General Assembly in September, The Civil Society...

The LDC graduation conundrum

The least developed countries (LDCs) have been struggling to graduate to developing nations for years. But at the same time, these countries fear losing preferential trade, exports, and employment. So, they hesitate and step back even after...