Nuku'alofa, 17 June, 2017. Researchers, food scientists and marketing experts are working on a project that would see breadfruit, or ulu, become a major food export out of American Samoa.

Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has backed down on his refusal for the country to participate in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), but says he will not personally attend meetings until the "undue influence" of Australia and New Zealand is addressed.

Editor's Note: This article is taken from samoaobserver published on Sunday 19 April 2015. The content remains unchanged except for the title.

Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, is back on Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s hit list.

The differences over the push by Fiji to establish a new regional organization is someting not to consider seriously according to the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. Hon. Key refers to the endeavor by the Republic of Fiji to exclude New Zealand and Australia from Pacific Islands Forum as a joke.

Suva, Fiji, 11 April 2015

The new subcommittee set up by the Troika of past, current and future chairs of Pacific Islands Forum leaders includes a mix of civil society, business and public sector specialists, asserted Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat.

Nuku'alofa
4 April 2015

The question of whether the Kingdom of Tonga joins its neighbor the Republic of Fiji in forming a new regional organization was confirmed to the media by Tonga Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva during the visit of Australia's foreign minister, Julie Bishop, to the kingdom this week.

The issue was raised by Julie Bishop, when she met the new Prime Minister, Akilisi Pōhiva.

According to Pōhiva, there are many Tongans live in Australia and New Zealand the idea of supporting the position of Fiji seems imprudent. Tongans in Australia and New Zealand contribute significantly to country’s economy through remittances.

Fiji set up the Pacific Islands Development Forum after being suspended from the Forum in 2009 because the Fiji regime reneged on its promise made to Forum leaders that it would restore democracy by 2009.

After the suspension was lifted, Fiji said it would not rejoin the Forum unless Australia and New Zealand changed their status as members to that of a development partner.

Fiji’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Ratu Inoke Kubuabola visited Tonga in late January and the issue of a new regional organization for the Pacific was amongst the key issues discussed when he met Prime Minister Pōhiva.

Mr Pohiva says Tonga will continue to remain an independent sovereign state and continue to support New Zealand and Australia as members of the Forum.

27 March, 2015
Sendai, Japan

Supporting Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific - Forum Secretariat involvement at the 3rd World UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat recently attended the 3rd World UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. At the meeting, the focus of many Forum island countries has been on promoting disaster and climate resilient development.