Author: TMC Palau

Solomon Islands prime minister and outgoing Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) chair Matthew Wale has made a shock departure from the PIF leaders meeting, flying out of Palau just hours after arriving, in order to deal with a looming leadership challenge back home.Mr Wale’s political coalition was shaken yesterday after Solomon Islands Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga announced he had filed a no-confidence motion to topple Mr Wale, who has only been in the top job for three months.In his motion, Mr Maelanga accused Mr Wale of “repeatedly making decisions of matters of national importance without proper consultation with, or the…

The global fuel crisis affecting the cost of living in the Pacific is expected to be one of 28 key issues discussed at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Palau.In May this year, the Pacific Islands Forum endorsed the Regional Response Mechanism (PRM) under the Biketawa Declaration to protect the Pacific from the impacts of fuel, energy and supply chain disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.The Asian Development Bank (ADB) earlier this year warned that the fuel crisis could heavily affect Pacific countries, highlighting that they spend more than 10 per cent of their gross domestic…

RNZ’s Teuila Fuatai in Koror, PalauPIF flags at the Palau Cultural Center where the meetings will be held.Stefan ArmbrusterThe 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting officially kicks off Monday night in Koror, Palau. The runway leading in is already proving eventful, with at least one partner withdrawing its leader last-minute.For those who aren’t acclimatised, the mugginess of Koror’s 30 degree heat is stifling. After five minutes in the sun, you’re sweating and whatever you’re carrying feels a few kilos heavier. Finding relief, even if it’s momentary, quickly becomes a priority.The fury at which geopolitics is wrapped into this year’s Pacific…

JOINT FRAMEWORK: The event featured cooperative projects in smart agriculture and healthcare, digital resilience and low-carbon energy, the ministry said Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) attended the opening of the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit in Palau on Friday, highlighting Taiwan’s cooperation with Pacific allies and other countries.Lin attended at the invitation of Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr and toured the exhibition with Whipps, Palauan officials, and representatives from the US, Japan and Australia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.The exhibition detailed cooperative projects involving Taiwan, its Pacific allies and the three countries in fields including low-carbon energy, social…

PRAISE: ‘Taiwan is a reliable, like-minded and democratic partner that contributes significantly to prosperity … across the Pacific,’ the US Department of State said By Su Yong-yao / Staff reporter, with CNA The US backed Taiwan’s continued participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as Taiwan and associated countries sent senior delegations to the summit this week.The 55th PIF Leaders Meeting is being held from today to Friday in Koror, Palau, with presidents and high-level officials from Pacific nations including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, New Zealand, Australia and Fiji expected to attend.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) is leading…

With coalition relations increasingly fractious in the run-in to November 7’s election, a Pacific getaway might seem just the tonic to reinvigorate the relationship between Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters. Yet while the pair are jet-setting to Palau for the annual meeting of Pacific Islands Forum leaders this week, their schedules won’t allow for any bonding; the Foreign Minister departs the Micronesian nation the evening before the Prime Minister himself arrives, a function of their pressing domestic agendas as much as anything else. Nor will either have much time for relaxation while on the ground, given the suite of issues…

Anthony Albanese is heading to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting against the backdrop of Australia’s strategic ascendancy in the region.The prime minister has landed a string of deals underpinning Australia’s essential place in the Pacific, raising eyebrows among many.Papua New Guinea and Fiji are becoming Australia’s first new defence allies in more than 70 years, following the signing of the Ocean of Peace Alliance in Suva in July and a landmark agreement with PNG in late 2025. Port Moresby is getting an NRL side in a $600 million spend-up on rugby league across the region. An Australia-backed regional police…

Washington, Aug. 28 (CNA) The U.S. State Department said Friday it strongly supports Taiwan’s continued participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), calling Taiwan a reliable partner, as Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) visits Palau to attend events related to the 55th PIF Leaders Meeting.Speaking on background in an email, a State Department spokesperson said the United States “strongly supports Taiwan’s continued participation in the Pacific Islands Forum, where it has been a development partner for over three decades.””Taiwan is a reliable, like-minded, and democratic partner that contributes significantly to prosperity and economic development across the Pacific,” the spokesperson said.The…

Palau is growing so-called super corals that are more resistant to high water temperatures. The reefs of this small Pacific island nation have avoided the mass coral bleaching that has affected major reef systems, including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.The resilience of Palau’s reefsAccording to Al Jazeera English, Palau’s reefs have unusually high heat resistance. As average global temperatures continue to rise, the country is cultivating corals known as super corals.The 101 East program examines whether Palau’s experience can help protect the world’s coral reefs from climate change-driven destruction. To do so, journalists visited Palau and Australia.More current news is available…

Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) attended the opening of the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit in Palau on Friday, showcasing Taiwan’s cooperation with Pacific allies and like-minded countries.Lin attended at the invitation of Palauan President Surangel Whipps, Jr. and toured the exhibition with Whipps, Palauan officials and representatives from the United States, Japan and Australia, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Saturday.The exhibition presented cooperation projects involving Taiwan, its Pacific allies and the three countries in areas including low-carbon energy, social empowerment, smart agriculture, smart healthcare, digital resilience and infrastructure, according to MOFA.Visitors also viewed an immersive…