Features

Expanded Production and Value Addition to Food Exports

Expanded Production and Value Addition to Food Exports

Agriculture is a big deal for the 707,000 inhabitants of Solomon Islands, a collection of six major islands and hundreds of smaller isles sticking out of the South Pacific Ocean.
Honourable Simon Kofe (L), Minister for Justice, Communication, and Foreign Affairs, Tuvalu, and the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Mr. Henry Puna with youth leaders.

Pacific Youth Determined to Make Policy Impact on Good Governance and Anti-corruption

The University of the South Pacific Students’ Association (USPSA) launched the inaugurated regional Youth Advisory Board on Governance in the presence of the Honourable Simon Kofe, Minister for Justice, Communication, and Foreign Affairs, Tuvalu, and the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Mr. Henry Puna.
A UNDP project in Cape Verde.

How Effective is the UN’s Development Support?

Halfway into the 2030 Agenda, with progress on several Sustainable Development Goals stalling, is a good moment to ask about the effectiveness of the UN’s development support.
The Manager of the Pacific Climate Change Centre, Ms Ofa Maasi-Kaisamy, said the ability to relate information and findings from the latest science reports to members of the community is a vital part of the PCCC’s work.

Simplifying Climate Change Information For Communities A Key Pacific Priority

The Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) is working with eight Pacific countries to enhance and integrate knowledge brokerage on climate change into aspects of the work they are doing in their communities.
In January 2023, Rabuka terminated Fiji’s policing MOU with China. He stated there was no need for Chinese state security personnel to continue working in the Fiji Police Force.

Fiji’s Geopolitical Tilt

The diplomatic spat surrounding China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu’s visit to Suva in April 2023 captured shifting geostrategic developments in Fiji.
 "I miss my children a lot, but I am thankful for this sacrifice I'm making because it's for my children's future. That's the reason we are here in Australia. To help our families back at home," she added.

Hospitality Workers Gain a New Perspective on the Industry

Australia's Red Centre is a vastly different environment to the blue waters of the Pacific, but one group of Fijians has embraced the change – moving to the outback to learn new skills and earn an income working at one of Australia’s most iconic locations.   
Surveys indicate that the countries in the Pacific region have some of the highest rates of domestic and family violence in the world. To address this, countries have progressively introduced family protection legislation from 2008 onwards, which provides the basis for a protection order regime.

Are Family Protection Orders Helping to Prevent Domestic and Family Violence in the Pacific Region?

First introduced in high-income countries, restraining or protection orders aim to prevent further domestic and family violence by imposing civil court orders, that if breached result in a criminal penalty.
The Action Plan 2022-2024 includes both internal and external domain strategies to strengthen gender and social mainstreaming mechanisms, increase the representation of minority groups, and systematize gender and social inclusion training and capacity building.

Electoral Commission Launches GESI Policy to Enhance Inclusive Electoral Processes

As part of International Women’s Day, the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission launched the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy 2022-2024 and its Action Plan. The GESI policy aims to uphold the government’s commitment to enhance gender equality and social inclusion in elections.
Women’s Networks Building Home Grown Resilience

Women’s Networks Building Home Grown Resilience

Rural women, and in particular women with disabilities, face multiple barriers and risks to their livelihoods and towards ensuring food security for themselves and their families.
Grace Fekau giving visitors fresh cocoa beans to try from the Amazing Grace Cocoa trees.

From Kokoa Farming to Agritourism

Almost two decades ago Grace Fekau, a cocoa farmer from Makira, turned to her small kokoa farm to support her family after losing her husband.