Anna Powles
@AnnaPowles
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Associate Professor @CDSSMassey l Pacific security, defence & geopolitics
Aotearoa New Zealand
Joined November 2013
Yesterday I declined to be on a panel on Pacific security issues because the fellow panellists were all non-Pacific Islanders. This perpetuates the privileging of ideas. I suggested they come back to me if they achieved panel parity. This is the Pacific version of the #manel.
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The draft security cooperation agreement between China and Solomon Islands has been linked on social media and raises a lot of questions (and concerns). (photos of agreement in this and below tweet) 1/6
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US Indo Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell meets with Solomon Islands opposition leader Mathew Wale in Honiara today to discuss democracy strengthening initiatives in Solomons and the region.
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Kia Kaha Tonga!!.Sky Tower lights in solidarity for Tonga.The Sky Tower will tonight turn red and white, the colours of the Tongan flag, to stand in solidarity with Tonga and all of those who have been affected by the eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai and the Tsunami
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Over the past week two conferences have been held which have focussed on great power competition in the Pacific Islands. One in China. The other in Australia. The total number of Pacific speakers across both conferences? Two. There is absolutely ZERO excuse for this.
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Striking gender imbalance on both sides of the table at the U.S. - Fiji talks today in Nadi. Thought the U.S. delegation would at least make an attempt at gender equality given Biden’s commitments plus executive order less than a month ago to WPS.
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For the folks who got upset by @WhittakersNZ Miraka Kirīmi, there’s a block of chocolate for you too.
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So very sad to hear the news we have lost Prof Brij Lal today, a mentor and friend to so many of us in Pacific studies and a shining beacon of democracy, intellect and integrity.
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Some quick observations on the Treaty:.1. The Tuvaluan perspective on the treaty has been largely absent from media reporting / analysis so far. It is clear that there was little to zero public consultation (contrary to Tuvalu PM's claim). This matters hugely.
The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty has been signed in Rarotonga at the #PIFLM52. The Tuvaluan concept of fale pili translates to ‘my neighbour’. Of particular interest is 'Article 4: Cooperation for security and stability.' 1/ 🧵
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The Pacific’s dance card is looking pretty full with 🇨🇳 Foriegn Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming visit to Fiji, Solomons (to sign the security deal), Papua New Guinea (election security deal?), Vanuatu (runway deal) and possibly Kiribati (🐠 + 🛫 deal?).
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Several members of the West Papua Liberation Army have been killed by Indonesia's military in the past few days as more villages were hit by aerial fire.
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Six Pacific countries vote against UNGA resolution. Not surprisingly, the usual alignments are driving Pacific voting patterns at the UN (ie COFA states with U.S.; friends to all; Christian states). 🇫🇯 Fiji.🇲🇭 Marshall Islands.🇫🇲 Micronesia.🇳🇷 Nauru .🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea.🇹🇴 Tonga.
BREAKING: UN General Assembly ADOPTS resolution on “protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” on the ongoing Gaza crisis. FOR: 120.AGAINST: 14 .ABSTAIN: 45. LIVE COVERAGE.
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The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty has been signed in Rarotonga at the #PIFLM52. The Tuvaluan concept of fale pili translates to ‘my neighbour’. Of particular interest is 'Article 4: Cooperation for security and stability.' 1/ 🧵
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Having lived thru long periods where food & water was scarce due to violence or no imports, can I just say, everyone please calm the f*** down. I know this is scary but we are OK. Be smart, sensible & kind. And whoever bought all the Whittaker’s at my local supermarket, NOT COOL.
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@manjusrii Or. we could recognise and acknowledge that it was actually Pacific states who determined the outcome of the proposed communique. That's the real story and where the credit lies.
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🇳🇿New Zealand Navy Chief David Proctor: “Here in the Pacific, we are challenged by an increasingly coercive state, one that is challenging the international rules-based system and one that is demonstrating behaviours that are, prima facie, inappropriate”.
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Nauru is the latest Pacific country to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. The Nauru government has said that the switch is “in the best interests” of the country. This has implications which go beyond the bilateral relationship between Nauru and China and extend.
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I’ve been contacted a lot by media since the terrorist attack in #Christchurch so here’s some advice:(1) check your ‘expert’ & make sure you are speaking to someone who is actually an expert (not me);(2) if you are contacted by media & this isn’t your area, check your motivations
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Statement by Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States on the Establishment of the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) | The White House
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Happy Independence Day, Solomon Islands🇸🇧 !! Photo: Point Cruz, Honiara, 2004
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Fiji has joined the Indo Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity as the 14th founding member. This is pretty significant.
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So thrilled my friend and colleague Professor Steve Ratuva, Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, has been awarded the University of Canterbury Research Medal - notably he is the first winner of Pacific descent. @UCNZ
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With Parliament due to sit in Honiara (and the existing security concerns which led to a RPNGC deployment to Solomons) it will be interesting to see whether the agreement is raised by the Opposition. 2/6
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PM @jacindaardern to visit Tokelau, the first visit since @HelenClarkNZ in 2004, to discuss priorities on climate change, health, education and culture. #PacificReset Excellent to see our women PMs willing to make the ocean voyage from Samoa to Tokelau.
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@benmackey Sadly, this is not astonishing and @JudithCollinsMP speaking out in support of the CMDR is highly appropriate. Most women in leadership positions or public roles deal with this type of deep-rooted misogyny. It is time-consuming and exhausting.
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This matters across all issues but for those of us working on Pacific security issues, we need to be extra vigilant.There is a contest of ideas which privileges a particular dominant security narrative & I have deep concerns that the Pacific will be a casualty in this debate.
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Thank you to @barbaradreaver for breaking this sad story on Kiribati’s withdrawal from @ForumSEC . So much work has been done behind the scenes to try and prevent this from happening.
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**It's important to state the authenticity of this document still needs to be verified.If it is authentic, it is deeply concerning.If it isn't authentic, it still provides some interesting insights into how geopolitical dynamics are playing out domestically in Solomon Islands.**.
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Article 1 refs China's "own needs". What are these needs (strategic interests?) and what if they cut across Solomon Islands' interests or the interests of Solomon Islands' key partners such as Australia or PNG? 4/6.
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“Perhaps a legacy I leave that I am proud of is that when I first came here people used to say to me you work for an institution that is controlled by Australia because that is who puts the money in,” . Now Aus/NZ make up 49% of budget, island states 51%,
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Out today 👉@JoanneEWallis and my special report on how Australia, NZ and U.S can partner better with the Pacific and each other. This report is an output from our ARC project examining how the Australia-New Zealand alliance operates in the Pacific Islands and why it endures.
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨. In 'Smooth sailing? Australia, New Zealand and the United States partnering in–and with–the Pacific islands,' @JoanneEWallis and @AnnaPowles call on 🇦🇺, 🇳🇿 and the 🇺🇸 to help create an ASEAN-style forum for Pacific island nations. 📕:
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Meanwhile in PNG…Mandarin lessons for PNGDF and defence officials began yesterday (they all look much cheerier than I remember Mandarin classes being in Beijing). Some important signalling that should be heeded.
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@jonathan_pryke @LowyInstitute @danielflitton Incredibly disappointed to read this article. It infantalises Pacific leaders, wrongly dismisses the concerns of individual countries and willfully ignores the Forum's successes. I am not sure I understand its purpose other than to demonstrate utter disdain towards the Pacific.
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Article 1 states China may, according to its own needs & with the consent of the SIG make ship visits to, carry out logistical replenishment in, & have stopover and transition in Solomons. This suggests logistics/supplies will be available in Solomons to support PLAN. A base? 5/6.
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Article 1 refers to police, armed police, and military as well as “other law enforcement and armed forces”. What is the distinction betwen police and armed police? Is this a ref to PAP? Who are the other law enforcement and armed forces? What are the "other tasks"? 3/6.
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Factsheet on the U.S. Partnership with PNG: in addition to the Defence Cooperation Agreement; 2+2 strategic dialogue; extra US$45 million in new programming (dependent on Congressional notification); HADR support including training, exercises & potential HA/DR warehousing; 1/.
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Article 5 of the security cooperation agreement refers to "confidentiality" and raises questions about the degree to which the parties will seek to control public information = controlling the political narrative. END 6/6.
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Wonderful photos from 🇼🇸Samoa with PMs Mata’afa and Ardern celebrating 🇼🇸60th anniversary.
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Even amongst vuvale, manners and appropriate behaviour matter not least during a meeting of such significance. Would the Australian PM eat and drink his way through a meeting with the QUAD, ASEAN, G-20? This sends a pretty poor message to the Pacific.
Question from Samoan journalist about PM Scott Morrison at opening of #PIF2021 leaders’ virtual meeting. Link to stream: #auspol.#Pacific
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NZ govt to discuss vaccine rollout in Pacific: “. so that we can see similar levels of protection provided in the Pacific at the same time as we might be seeing that in New Zealand," said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
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This is quite a response from the Chinese Embassy in Suva to the claims made in the 60 Minutes report.
Slander in Paradise: Diplomat of Chinese Embassy in Fiji Unmasking #60MinutesAustralia 's Dirty Tactics to Control the Public Opinion.（1/2）. @sun_fiji @fijitimes @FBC_News @fijivillage @FijiOneNews @FijiliveNews @maitvfiji
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This is AWESOME news. Steve Ratuva, Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at Canterbury University, to lead a $4.5 million MFAT funded project on climate change in partnership with the University of the South Pacific.
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"Fiji attaches great value on its bilateral relations with the People’s Republic of China and based on its policy of non-interference has withdrawn Fiji’s vote. "
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I am so thrilled @barbaradreaver has been recognised for her incredible work in New Zealand and the Pacific. Today she was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities today.
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"Is it just me or is it not more than a little odd that coverage of current events in New Caledonia/Kanaky is dominated by the inconvenience of tourists and rescue flights out of the Pacific paradise." AUT Chancellor Rob Campbell
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Adrian Orr, Governor of the New Zealand Reserve Bank, calls on NZ banks to make supporting Pacific Island countries and their economies "a strategic priority" stating "now is the time for New Zealand banks to act with courage to keep providing banking services. to the Pacific. ".
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"Cook Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, Tonga, are all very interested and bullish on mining. countries like Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu. are saying we just don't have enough science right now to make informed decisions about going forward with ocean mining. ”
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@KTeaiwa: “Islanders are infantilized by foreign govts, development experts, missionaries, tourists & researchers”. ”The China-US-Australia tug of war is frustrating when it removes the voices & agencies of Pacific leaders & communities. ”
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Dame Meg is on 🔥”If we divide into our sub-regions, and then get played off by geostrategic interests, our own interests as a collective will be severely undermined. And that's the way I look at it.” Latest from @carreondet.
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This isn’t the 1st time I’ve done this. When I’ve contacted organisers to raise my concerns, I’ve heard the usual excuses used for the lack of gender times I’ve made strategic choices to participate & used the opportunity to publicly highlight the issue.
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Cook Islands Prime Minister Brown has proposed a trilateral defence and security co-operation arrangement between the Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Australia. In addition to the Cook Islands defence and security arrangements with New Zealand, he said “Such a trilateral.
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On the PNG-US security agreements, PNG PM Marape states that Section 206 provisions of PNG's Constitution and the Visiting (Foreign) Force Act 1975, were used to propose an agreement to enable the Pentagon to deal directly with Murray Barracks. Marape cites domestic drivers. 1/.
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🇼🇸PM Fiame Mata’afe confirms her government will scrap the USD100 million Vaiusu port deal with China. This is a helpful but misunderstood example of how geopolitics converges with local politics.
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The cyclone season has officially started in the Pacific. In the event of a cyclone, RNZ Pacific will run a 24-hour analogue short-wave service (for individual short-wave listeners to receive RNZ Pacific directly).
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For folks in Suva this Wednesday, this looks like a fantastic event (very sad to be missing it). Register here:
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This is quite extraordinary in a day of extraordinary things. FSM Pres Panuelo refers directly to the "constitutional and political crisis" in Samoa & states that "it is imperative that we show our friends—especially during their darkest hours—that we stand with them." 1/3.
@vaiala The Federated States of Micronesia Recognizes the Legitimacy of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa:
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“The Pacific islands may be smaller states demographically and geographically, but the sea in which they sit covers one-third of the planet’s surface area. Pacific leadership on climate change is necessary and inevitable.” Brilliant piece by @KTeaiwa.
Excerpt of my climate change essay from @AusForeign in today’s @smh Kam rabwa to Linda Uan, Pelenise Alofa, Polly Stupples, John Cox & @wtmpacific for support involving this research. Happy 40th anniversary to #Kiribati @ANUmedia @ANUasiapacific @ANU_CHL
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🇳🇷Nauru's diplomatic switch from Taiwan🇹🇼 to China🇨🇳 has resulted in a lot of hot takes this week (including some excellent ones). The focus has largely been on the regional / geopolltical implications and the transactional drivers. Both lens are narrow at best. I have been
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New Zealand is sending three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew, and two NZ Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a command element to support the Australian Defence Force efforts in tackling the Australian fires. #AustralianFires
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Aotearoa New Zealand 🇳🇿moves early to congratulate the new coalition in 🇫🇯sending a strong signal about upholding the democratic process.
Congratulations to PA-NFP-SODELPA/ Sitiveni Rabuka on forming a coalition to lead the 🇫🇯 people. 🇳🇿 looks forward to working together to continue strengthening our warm relationship #duavata #mahitahi #kotahitanga.
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Huge thanks to Prof Steve Ratuva for sharing his article on the Falepili Union Treaty this morning. An important read (even if you don't agree - especially if you don't agree) because it reflects broader opinion in the Pacific. @ucpacstudies
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Of interest to those following the Tuvalu - Australia Falepili Union, the new government led by Prime Minister Feleti Teo has stated it supports the broad principles and objectives; acknowledges the absence of transparency and consultations; and intends to work with Australia.
Pleased to share the government's statement of priorities. Of particular interest to our partners in the region is the reaffirmation of our relations with Taiwan and our position on the Falepili Treaty with Australia.
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It's important to state the authenticity of this document still needs to be verified.If it is authentic, it is deeply concerning.If it isn't authentic, it still provides some interesting insights into how geopolitical dynamics are playing out domestically in Solomon Islands.
The draft security cooperation agreement between China and Solomon Islands has been linked on social media and raises a lot of questions (and concerns). (photos of agreement in this and below tweet) 1/6
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Readout of US Indo Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell visit to Solomon Islands. A quick 🧵
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Former Tuvalu🇹🇻 Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga on Australian diplomacy towards Tuvalu and the Pacific more broadly. An uncomfortable read for some in Canberra but an important one as Sopoaga's sentiments are echoed by many around the region.
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Six cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Pacific so far - the first three in French Polynesia and, last night, three more were confirmed in Guam.
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Vinaka vaka levu to Fiji 🇫🇯 Ministry of Foreign Affairs for hosting a series of incredibly rich talanoa this week on regional security and architecture including with the heavy weights of civil society and academia in Fiji.
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JOB! The Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies is seeking a motivated Project Manager/Fellow to manage the Pacific Climate Crisis Project. Bonus: work with one of my favourite Pacific scholars, Prof Steve Ratuva!
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@jacindaardern @PeeniHenare @AupitoWSio_MP Statement from NZ FM @NanaiaMahuta outlining NZ assistance to Tonga incl. a P3 Orion on standby to provide aerial surveillance as soon as atmospheric conditions allow; an initial NZ$500,000 (PM emphasised this was only an initial amount with more to come).
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Looking forward to speaking on this panel next Wednesday Feb 24, 2021, 11:30 AM NZDT.
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Beautiful piece by @JosiahT_NZ . I wasn't aware that following the Christchurch earthquakes, "the people of Tonga organised one of, if not the largest per-capita fundraisings for Christchurch’s rebuild, donating $705,000." Humbling.
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Incredible two days spent at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop in Copenhagen on systemic legal and policy challenges of mercenaries and related actors in contemporary armed conflict: Beyond the Wagner Group. Really pleased to share research with @JLSousaSantos on mercenaries
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Hawke summed it up in this one unfortunate sentence: “If New Zealand is thinking ahead and well into the future, that's a matter for them.” via @smh.
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This photo reflects the enormous challenge of ensuring that women’s voices and perspectives on security in the Pacific are incorporated in mainstream regional and national security thinking. @sharonfiji.
I was pleased to officially open the inaugural Joint Heads of Pacific Security event tonight, where regional security leaders are collaborating to find Pacific solutions for Pacific issues. Thanks for having me #PacTogether #JHoPS19 #PacGovSec 🇦🇺🇨🇰🇫🇲🇹🇴🇰🇮🇳🇨🇳🇿🇵🇬 🇫🇯🇵🇼🇼🇸🇸🇧🇹🇱🇹🇻🇻🇺
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New Zealand’s Ministry for Pacific Peoples have collated Covid-19 Coronavirus advice from the Ministry of Health & WHO to deliver translations in Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands, Niuean, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, Kiribati, Rotuman & Fijian. @AupitoWSio_MP
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Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Marape appeals to Solomon Islanders to respect the rule of law: “Solomon Islands has always been a beacon of hope for us in Melanesia…so I ask for peaceful democratic dialogue to any issues of discontent.”
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"I find it so offensive that all of a sudden the region that we all come from is defined by people who are great military powers, who have no consideration for the peoples in the region, or our governments in the Pacific, and the lack of deep consultations.” 2/.
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We urgently need a "Pacific Reset" within Aotearoa New Zealand's universities. A new study by Sereana Naepi finds finds that only five Pasifika professors and deans are employed at New Zealand universities. The article is open source so please read it:
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From the New Zealand High Commission - Solomon Islands Facebook page: . This week, we deployed election observers across Solomon Islands to observe the election. 🇸🇧🗳. Election observers have been invited by the government of Solomon Islands and play an important role in
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Prof Steve Ratuva & I are delighted to be hosting the third Track 1.5 Pacific Security Dialogue today. On the agenda are 3 of the big issues in the region: maritime security, climate change and transnational crime. Our thanks to all those joining us from across the Pacific!
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Grateful to @CANZPS @Georgetown & @CPISUH @uhmanoa for bringing together this panel on what’s next for Pacific regionalism with speakers Amb. Zackios, US Amb McCann, Jerry Finin (Cornell) & myself. With 500+ registered & 50+ qns, shows how much interest there is in the Pacific!
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Australia's Pacific Policing Initiative has been endorsed at #PIFLM53. It includes: up to 4 regional police training CoEs (locations TBC); the deployable Pacific Police Support Group; the PPI Policing Development Coordination Hub based in Brisbane. 1/2
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Taboi Awi Yoto, Papua New Guinea’s Western Province Governor, responds strongly to the visit by Australian officials in wake of signing the MOU with China to build an industrial fisheries park on Daru Island. @JLSousaSantos
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In case Fiji, for example, offers to assist the Australian effort, the Aus-Solomon Islands Bilateral Security Treaty states: "Australia, with the consent of Solomon Islands, may invite third states to contribute to a Visiting Contingent for a Deployment."
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New Zealand’s PM and FM have moved quickly to congratulate Samoa’s new PM.
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Pleased to contribute some comments to @stephendziedzic 's article on an internal Tongan Government analysis of Australia and NZ's response to China-Solomon security pact. Timing of the leak not surprising given Canberra's concerns about the recent visit by the Chinese police.
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Key points from🇨🇳 FM Wang Yi press conf. in 🇸🇧 : security cooperation = maintaining social stability, police capacity building, addressing security governance deficit; it's transparent, not imposed, targeted against third party, and its not about a military base. 1/3.
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For students of Pacific interventions (and there are still some of us around) the evolution - or devolution - of the region's crisis management architecture is one to watch closely. #PIFLM53.
Australia's Pacific Policing Initiative has been endorsed at #PIFLM53. It includes: up to 4 regional police training CoEs (locations TBC); the deployable Pacific Police Support Group; the PPI Policing Development Coordination Hub based in Brisbane. 1/2
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New Zealand's military is preparing for an influx of Pacific fishing vessels migrating to its waters due to the climate crisis.
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For those interested, here is the link to the “What’s Next for Pacific Regionalism” event recording:
Grateful to @CANZPS @Georgetown & @CPISUH @uhmanoa for bringing together this panel on what’s next for Pacific regionalism with speakers Amb. Zackios, US Amb McCann, Jerry Finin (Cornell) & myself. With 500+ registered & 50+ qns, shows how much interest there is in the Pacific!
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Curious timing by the Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands less than 12 days out from the national elections (and in Malaita too).
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Some thoughts on how the Pacific is responding to #COVID19 and the need for collective action by @JLSousaSantos and I. Thanks to @east_asia_forum for the opportunity. @HelenClarkNZ @LauraClarkeUK @ColinTukuitonga @mhopkinsfco @JCurrNZ @Cameron_Diver.
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