Small Island States

Proposed mine in Australia would be catastrophic for Pacific

The proposed Carmichael mine in central Queensland would become the country's largest mine, and is supported by both the Queensland and Australian governments.

But there is opposition from indigenous and environmental groups, who say it would have devastating environmental consequences, including for the fragile Great Barrier Reef.

The co-ordinator of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, Krishneil Narayan, said his organisation was joining the opposition because it would affect the Pacific, too.

Smaller Islands group wants better Pacific air services

RNZ reports the group met yesterday at the beginning of the latest Pacific Forum summit in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Made up of the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau and Tuvalu, the group says the summit has to focus on improving air services.

It wants fair and equitable access to air services for their countries.

Smaller Island States Welcome the Federated States of Micronesia

As the meeting got underway, Prime Minister of Cook Islands and Chair of the Smaller Island States (SIS), the Honourable Henry Puna said “In the true Pacific Way, we wholeheartedly agreed to support and welcome FSM into the SIS family.”

President of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E Peter Christian was then led into the Chamber by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor.

Small Island States gather In Palau for Inaugural Meeting

Palau Minister of State Billy Kuartei said that this is the first meeting of the group outside of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting and the gathering here was the agreement made in Papua New Guinea last year.

"As small islands states they are the most vulnerable so as a group they want to consolidate their top priorities to present to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the world,” Kuartei stated.

The SIS group is composed of Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau and Tuvalu. These nations are also member of the PIF.