Author: TMC Palau

CRRF was instrumental in recent buoy and pressure sensor deployments, including coordinating with the Palau National Weather Service and other local partners and vendors, receiving buoys and moorings at their facility, storage and transportation of the equipment, and using their time and vessel to safely deploy the buoy. The deployments would not have happened without the team at CRRF. This buoy provides wave height, direction, period, sea surface currents, sea surface temperature, and air temperature—valuable information for ocean monitoring, scientific research, weather and wave observations, and marine safety. The second Backyard Buoys Spotter was deployed in Palau. Located in the…

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — “Although we are many nations, we remain one ocean people.” That message from Grand Master Navigator Ali Haleyalur captures the central argument behind a declaration urging Pacific leaders to recognize traditional navigation as a living cultural heritage of the Blue Pacific continent and make its preservation a regional priority. […]The post Pacific Voyagers Seek Regional Recognition of Traditional Navigation as Living Heritage appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

A leading West Papua pro-independence group has questioned Indonesia’s assertion that a proposed visit by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua is on track.The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) is urging Indonesia to put its words into action on the proposed visit with a clear date, genuine access and meaningful engagement.This comes after Melanesian countries last week urged Jakarta to facilitate the long-requested visit or have Indonesia’s status as an associate member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group reviewed.A request for the visit was made by Pacific Islands Forum countries back in 2019, but it has…

The United States is stepping up its presence in the South Pacific with new funding and a reinforced diplomatic footprint, as its competition with China intensifies across the region.Yet the effectiveness of the push is tempered by Washington’s deep cuts to its main overseas aid agency, leaving doubts about the consistency of US commitment among Pacific leaders, according to analysts.The Pacific island nations are unlikely to frame their foreign relations as a simple choice between the two. Instead, they are expected to navigate the great power rivalries with a strategic flexibility consistent with their long-held practice of hedging, according to…

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — The haze hanging over Palau in recent weeks is an unusual sight in a country scientists describe as having some of the cleanest air on Earth — and new measurements are helping explain where the pollution came from. Haze covers the island of Koror, showing contrast against Ngetmeduch. Haze […]The post Palau’s Clean Air Tested as Haze Carries Smoke Across the Pacific  appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Sept. 7, 2026) — “With more fire incidents, resources are strained,” said Chief Jeff Eriich of the Division of Fire & Rescue, as Palau recorded 16 brush fires in August amid increasingly dry conditions linked to the severe El Niño. The growing number of fires is raising concerns among fire […]The post 16 Brush Fires in August Strain Palau’s Firefighting Resources Amid Severe Dry Weather appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

Joint forces with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, allies and partners concluded the tenth iteration of exercise Valiant Shield, June 18, 2024, following 12 days of multilateral operations in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, and at sea around the Mariana Island Range Complex. Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, led a joint contingent of more than 600 service members in Palau including elements of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the U.S. Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, the U.S. Air Force 27th Fighter Squadron, and the U.S. Navy’s Underwater…

By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — “They should not be asked to surrender their land or their future because others failed to cut their emissions.” That message from United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed resonated strongly in Palau on Aug. 31 as the United Nations launched its report on sea-level rise at the Palau International […]The post UN sea-level rise report launched in Palau, calls for urgent action, stronger climate finance  appeared first on Island Times News. Source link

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says the intensifying El Niño phase will bring exceptionally warm tropical Pacific Ocean conditions in the coming months.In its latest update, the WMO says El Niño is already causing disruption and devastation from droughts and floods in various parts of thre world including the Pacific, and is expected to peak towards the end of this year, with climate impacts continuing well into 2027.A number of Pacific countries have been experiencing severe drought conditions as a result of the weather pattern.Data released by the WMO shows a significant build up of smoke from Indonesian forest fires,…

Pacific leaders have taken a step towards changing how outside partners engage with the region.This comes as New Zealand will be in the spotlight when it hosts the next Leaders’ Forum in 2027.Leaders meeting in Palau last week agreed to place Forum partners into two partnership streams, with the new system due to be implemented from 2027 and reviewed after its first year.The change could reshape how dialogue partners and other outside countries engage with Pacific leaders, with the Forum saying regional priorities, leadership and voice must remain at the centre.Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, who chaired this year’s Forum,…