Posted inPacific News

Remember, we voted them into power: PIANGO chief

By Viliame Tawanakoro in Nadi  NADI, 08 OCTOBER 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) —Pacific civil society must have a stronger role in climate negotiations and in planning for disasters and community relocation, Emeline Siale Ilolahia, executive director of the Pacific Islands Association (PIANGO), said in remarks to leaders and negotiators.  “Civic space in a difficult environment is […]

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Pacific Civil Society Demands a Permanent Seat at Forum Table 

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — Pacific civil society organizations are demanding a permanent place in the Pacific Islands Forum’s decision-making processes, saying they should no longer be treated as invited guests or outsiders who are consulted only after regional priorities have been set. Ridep Okada Techitong, president of Belau Offshore Fisheries Inc. and a […]

Posted inPacific News

Deep Sea Mining could leave countries liable: Civil Society warns Pacific Leaders

By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau  KOROR, 31 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)—Pacific civil society organisations are maintaining their call for a ban on deep sea mining, warning Pacific leaders that seabed extraction could expose countries to major legal, financial and environmental liabilities.  The warning was made during a civil society interview at the Pacific Media Workshop […]

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Pacific Civil Society calls for Ocean protection, demilitarisation and regional control

SUVA, 20 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)—Pacific civil society and regional leaders have called for stronger Pacific control over decisions affecting the ocean, rejecting deep-sea mining and warning against growing militarisation, economic exploitation and external pressures on the region.  The call was made at the inaugural State of the Pacific Ocean Convening (SOTPOC) in Suva, where Pacific […]

Posted inPacific News

An ocean of peace cannot be mined into existence, church leader says

SUVA, 20 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—A Pacific hurch leader has warned that deep-sea mining would violate the region’s cultural and spiritual ties to the ocean, arguing that it should be subject to a moratorium or precautionary pause.  General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), Reverend James Bhagwan, said the issue was not just […]

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