GIFF JOHNSONThe five Micronesian leaders have drawn a line in the sand over their support of the nomination of Marshall Islands Ambassador Gerald Zackios to head the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Palau and the FSM have taken the lead, saying if the Forum does not support the Micronesia area nominee, they will consider pulling out […]
A high level dialogue between officials from the Marshall Islands and the United Nations happened in Majuro in mid-October, foreshadowing a major change in UN operations in the north Pacific.The dialogue was attended by members of Cabinet, Heads of Departments (HoD), and Heads and representatives of seven UN agencies. The dialogue opened with a prayer […]
The RMI government will spend $4.5 million on 78 new seawall projects over two fiscal years, President Hilda Heine announced. President Heine said the RMI government is continuing to rise to the challenge posed by climate change. “My government remains focused on addressing the negative impact of climate change to the Marshall Islands, both now […]
Flags began flying at half staff earlier this week to honor the late Iroojlaplap and President Imata Jabro Kabua, who died in Honolulu last month. A large crowd turned out Tuesday at Amata Kabua International Airport to greet the US Marines aircraft that transported Kabua’s family and his remains from Honolulu. He was transported directly […]
KELLY LORENNIJ The youth non-profit Jo-Jikum, which means “your home,” finally has a place to call home after years of working without a roof over the heads of its Earth Champions. Jo-Jikum Director Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner calls the NGO and its new headquarters a “labor of love” that has come a long way from its humble […]
GIFF JOHNSON The day after the Solomon Islands rocked the Pacific islands diplomatic world this week by switching ties from Taiwan to China, the Marshall Islands Nitijela (parliament) unanimously adopted a three-page resolution honoring over 20 years of RMI-Taiwan ties. After talking about a diplomatic switch for months, the Solomons on Monday became the first […]
Prior to her installment this week as the 26th Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP), President Hilda Heine and First Gentleman Tommy Kijiner, Jr. visited the USP Campus in Suva where she met USP Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the USP Council Winston Thompson, members of […]
KELLY LORENNIJ Among the important topics discussed by Pacific Island Forum leaders in Tuvalu last month was the issue of nuclear contamination in the region, a long-standing concern stated in previous Forum meetings and official communique statements, as well as health and security issues related to World War II wrecks and unexploded ordnance. This year […]
At the margin of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIFS) Leaders meeting last week in Tuvalu, President Hilda Heine met with Jerry Velasquez, Director of the Green Climate Fund’s Division of Mitigation and Adaptation. The meeting was to discuss the on-going GCF program, in particular the Water and Coastal Adaptation Program in the Marshall Islands. President […]
KELLY LORENNIJ The Micronesian region is transitioning to sustainable ocean transport for inter-island services, a move that is spearheaded by the Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport that is based in the University of the South Pacific in the Marshall Islands. The Center’s Michael Traut outlined the steps that are being taken to make this transition […]