Region | Papua New Guinea and the Pacific

View of hte Pacific with the words

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Our Pacific Outlook blog features expert commentary and informed analysis on the latest Pacific news and affairs.

Pacific Islands Forum 2023: Navigating challenges and priorities in the region

TESS NEWTON CAIN  |  Leaders of Pacific nations convened in Cook Islands from 6-10 November for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a crucial… Read More

Pacific Outlook Bulletin | 22 November

TESS NEWTON CAIN  |  Pacific Games underway Honiara lit up on Sunday as the 17th edition of the Pacific Games got underway. It… Read More

Post-referendum: Charting Bougainville’s independence vote

IAN KEMISH AM  |  In the aftermath of the 2019 referendum, where Bougainvilleans strongly favoured independence, Papua New Guinea’s parliament is poised to vote… Read More

Cooperation and capabilities: Pacific-led regionalism in the age of great power competition | Part 2

SEAN JACOBS  |  While Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Western nations rely on shared values as a basis for a strong relationship, Beijing relies… Read More

Pacific Outlook Bulletin | 8 November

TESS NEWTON CAIN  |  Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting The leaders of the region are gathering in Rarotonga, Cook Islands for their 52nd… Read More

Shared values: Pacific-led regionalism in the age of great power competition | Part 1

SEAN JACOBS  |  Dame Meg Taylor has written a recent thoughtful analysis on threats to Pacific-led regionalism from Beijing and Washington DC’s renewed… Read More

Pacific Outlook Bulletin | 25 October

TESS NEWTON CAIN  |  Tropical Cyclone Lola heads for Vanuatu Hard on the heels of the prediction that this upcoming cyclone season will see… Read More

Maritime safety for lives and livelihoods: The multiplier effect of a well-connected Pacific

HEATHER WRATHALL | This article provides a comprehensive overview of the maritime safety needs of the Pacific region and its impact on various aspects of development, such as economic productivity, access to essential services, and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. It effectively highlights the challenges faced by maritime services and suggests Australia could partner with the Pacific to increase access to safe maritime transportation. Read More

Pacific Outlook Bulletin | 11 October

TESS NEWTON CAIN | A fortnighly summary of recent developments and news in the Pacific region. It covers various topics including the upcoming BRI Forum, Compact negotiations, Vanuatu's new Prime Minister, Pacific tourists caught in Israel violence, Forum Trade Ministers meeting in Fiji, and Tuvalu's new Constitution. Read More

Bigger moves, bigger expectations: Biden’s US-Pacific Island Forum Summit

SEAN JACOBS  |  An insightful analysis of the recent US-Pacific Island Forum Summit and highlights two important observations. The author effectively discusses the notable absence of the Solomon Islands Prime Minister due to his ties with Beijing and emphasises the need to balance Washington's security concerns with the development priorities of the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Read More