Author: TMC Palau

FIJI’S visiting delegation in Palau has met with members of the Fijian community in Koror to hear about their experiences, concerns and contributions to ties between the two countries. The meeting was held on the margins of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and brought together about 50 Fijian community members and 15 children. During the talanoa session, community members shared their views directly with Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Sakiasi Ditoka, and other senior government officials. Ditoka said Fiji’s relationship with Palau was strengthened not only through official engagement, but also through the presence and work…

Delivered by the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Plenary Session, President of Palau, H.E Surangel Whipps, JrNgarachamayong Cultural Center, Koror, Palau02 September 2026 Colleague Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum,Ladies and Gentlemen,Alii and welcome to our Plenary Session.Yesterday we had the opportunity to listen to our wider regional family –our CROP agencies, civil society and private sector, our Associate Members and Observers, and our international Partners.Those discussions provide important context for our deliberations today. The responsibility now rests with us as Leaders to provide political direction.We do so at a time when the environment around us is changing rapidly. One thing…

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced more financial assistance for New Caledonia to assist the financially-embattled French Pacific territory.The announcement follows a three-hour meeting with a bipartisan delegation led by New Caledonia’s President Milakulo Tukumuli this week.Lecornu said this was to serve as a lifebuoy to help New Caledonia overcome its most urgent challenges, including a near-collapse of the French territory’s pension scheme and medicare, which are both described as being on the verge of collapse.Its other aim was to help New Caledonia conclude its 2026 financial year (€11 million) and balance its 2027 budget (€50 million).A major part…

IN BRIEFAustralia will face challenges meeting Pacific Island security agreements based on climate change, experts warn.Vanuatu has criticised Australia’s approval of two coal and gas expansion projects during the Pacific Islands Forum.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s efforts to strengthen Pacific ties and influence the world at the United Nations could be compromised by Australia’s failure to meet climate change commitments, critics have warned.Albanese attended the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Palau this week, preparing for an Australian-organised climate meeting to be held in Fiji and Tuvalu next month. The event will take place ahead of the United Nations’ climate change conference,…

KOROR, Palau – The President of Palau on Sept 3 called for a “unified” Pacific response to July’s missile test by China on the final day of a summit clouded by alleged Beijing meddling.China gave only a handful of nations short notice before test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile in July, flexing its military might in a region where it has long sought to expand its reach.It sparked condemnation from multiple Pacific leaders, but the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum being held in Palau is yet to issue a formal response to the test.Palau, which invited its diplomatic ally Taiwan to attend…

Updated September 3, 2026 — 10:00pm,first published 1:34pmSaveYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.AAAKoror City, Palau: Pacific leaders were preparing to call for at least a day’s notice of future ballistic weapons tests in a rebuke of China’s recent surprise firing of a long-range missile as they concluded a key regional gathering in Palau.The tiny island nation of Nauru was expected to be the only holdout as 17 of the 18 Pacific Island Forum members united to demand more transparency after being taken aback by Beijing’s test-firing an intercontinental long-range…

SURANGEL WHIPPS JR, PRESIDENT OF PALAU: Good morning. We’ve got a beautiful sunny day. And I think first of all, we always thank God for the blessings that we have, and more importantly, the family that we have. We are one Pacific family. And this PIF starts out with building economies, life, action and unity. That’s our theme. And what a fitting place to be this morning, because this project is a demonstration of how we’re building economies, how we’re improving lives through partnership. We’re reducing energy costs, we’re helping families help the planet, and we’re making ourselves more secure.…

Taipei, Sept. 3 (CNA) Taiwan and its three diplomatic allies in the South Pacific — Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands — signed a joint statement Wednesday pledging to work more closely for the betterment of the region, as Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) concluded a visit to Palau to attend a major annual gathering of Pacific nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday.During the 30th Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue, Lin held talks with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine and Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo on strengthening Taiwan’s relations with the three…

Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu says the Australian Government is covering the costs of his participation in Palau, rejecting claims that Fijian taxpayers are funding his trip. Seruiratu said he is not in Palau as part of the Fiji Government delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Instead, he is attending in his capacity as the Pacific Envoy for the Oceans for COP31, where he is supporting efforts to elevate the ocean-climate nexus and promote Pacific priorities ahead of the UN climate conference. He said all costs associated with his participation are being covered by the Australian Government, and not…

KOROR, Palau (September 2, 2026) — “For Pacific Islands, coral reefs are the foundation of our cultures, livelihoods, and economies.” That message from Palau’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Steven Victor highlighted the urgency behind the launch of the Palau Reef Seeding Hub, a new initiative designed to accelerate climate-resilient coral restoration in Palau […]The post Palau launches first Pacific Reef Seeding Hub to strengthen coral resilience appeared first on Island Times News. Source link