Solomon Islands tells Pacific islands it won’t sign White House summit declaration – note
Sydney, Australia/Washington DC, US Reuters The Solomon Islands has told Pacific nations invited to a White House meeting with President Joe Biden it won’t sign the summit declaration, according to a note seen by Reuters, prompting concern over the islands’ ties to China. Leaders from the Pacific Island Forum bloc have been invited to the […]
“Time is up”: Countries trapped in climate crisis raise alarm at UN
United NationsReuters Countries on the front lines of the climate crisis are fed up. During the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations this week, low-lying island nation Vanuatu stepped up a fight to get the world to focus on combating global warming by calling for a fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty. “The time […]
Updated: Australian aid agencies welcome increased COVID-19 support for neighbours but urge increased long term giving
Updated: 5:30pm Australian aid agencies and anti-poverty advocates have welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to set aside one-off support of almost $A305 million for the COVID-19 response and recovery in Pacific nations and Timor Leste as part of its Federal Budget but say the amount given to aid foreign nations doesn’t go far enough. Tim […]
China and Australia target Pacific with coronavirus aid; Australia starts putting limits on “draconian measures”
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Beijing has ramped up its diplomatic push into the Pacific, pledging coronavirus aid and medical advice, although its efforts are being impeded as islands close borders to stop the spread of the disease from hotspots including China. Chinese embassies have held cheque presentation ceremonies in multiple Pacific islands, after Beijing pledged to provide […]
In a bid to repair Pacific ties, Australia legislates greater recycling use
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australia will require government departments to use more recycled products, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as Canberra looks to repair ties with Pacific island nations despite a refusal to step up efforts on global warming. Morrison last year angered Pacific Island leaders when he declined to strengthen Canberra’s target for reducing […]