Digitising heritage: Tuvalu preserves history online as rising seas threaten existence
Tuvalu is among nations digitising heritage in the face of climate impacts, but there are concerns around cost, access and control. RINA CHANDRAN and MD TAHMID ZAMI, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports…
Tuvalu politician who stood in rising sea wants changes to Australia migration treaty
Sydney, AustraliaReuters The Tuvalu politician who stood knee-deep in water to focus the world’s attention on the threat of rising seas to his Pacific atoll nation says a climate migration treaty with Australia should be revised after next month’s national election. Then-Foreign Minister Simon Kofe said “we are sinking” in a 2021 video speech to […]
Australia signs climate, migration and security pact with Pacific’s Tuvalu
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday signed a bilateral agreement with Tuvalu, aimed at countering China’s influence in the Pacific and protecting the tiny island nation from climate change. The agreement, which Albanese said made Australia Tuvalu’s “partner of choice”, covers climate change, security and human mobility. “The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili union will […]
Major UN powers question Pacific islanders’ call for nuclear legacy help
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters Nuclear powers have criticized an effort led by the Marshall Islands at the United Nations to seek help on dealing with the consequences of nuclear testing, sources following the talks involving countries including the United States, Britain, Russia, India and China told Reuters. Pacific islanders, who are particularly threatened by rising sea levels […]
Distress signal prompts UN concern after Tonga volcanic eruption
Sydney, Australia/Wellington, New ZealandReuters A distress signal has been detected in an isolated, low-lying group of islands in the Tonga archipelago following Saturday’s massive volcanic eruption and tsunami, the United Nations said, prompting particular concern for its inhabitants. Initial reports suggested no mass casualties on the main island of Togatapu, but two people were reported […]
US ambassador to Solomons warns of aid that goes to “one bank account”
Sydney, Australia Reuters The US ambassador to the Solomon Islands has warned Pacific Islands against “aid that benefits one person, one party and one bank account” – remarks that come after the Solomons were beset with riots last month blamed in part on discontent with China. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was accused last week […]
Australia urged to offer migration safety valve as climate pressures Pacific
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation As climate change drives more disasters and displacement in the Pacific islands, Australia should relax its immigration policies to allow easier movement of people that would shore up regional security and support its economy, researchers said. Allowing threatened islanders more opportunities to live and work in Australia, when necessary, could save […]
Christian women leaders make “historic” visit to the Australian Parliament to advocate for Pacific Islander women and children
Forty Australian Christian women leaders made an historic visit to Canberra on Wednesday to meet with politicians to discuss issues including violence against women and children in Pacific island nations. The delegation, which included representatives from the Baptist, Anglican, Catholic, Uniting and Seventh Day Adventist churches as well as the Australian Christian Churches, Hillsong, The […]
Pacific Islands leaders agree on climate plan – with loopholes
Funafuti, TuvaluReuters Pacific Islands leaders failed to agree on tough new climate change commitments at an annual summit on Thursday, agreeing instead to endorse a plan that allows them to opt out of specific measures they opposed. Some leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum had hoped all 18 members would commit to policies that limit […]
A “matter of justice” that wealthy nations support those affected by climate change, says interfaith statement represented to COP23
Frances Namoumou, from the Pacific Conference of Churches, reader of the Interfaith Statement to COP23. PICTURE: © Marcelo Schneider/WCC “There is no time to lose” in addressing climate change and it is a “matter of justice” that wealthy nations should provide financial and other support to those income poor, vulnerable countries, such as Pacific island […]