Archive News & Announcements - 2023

    Keep up to date with the latest news from COP28 as it relates to Pacific Island countries (latest stories at the top): Pacific campaigners not happy with COP28 deal RNZ International Pacific climate leaders have criticised the new COP28 deal, which calls on countries to 'move away' from the use of fossil fuels but does not use 'phase out' language Faith communities committed to climate action at UN talks RNZ International Secretary general of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Reverend James Bhagwan, said his organisation has been fighting for climate finance alongside a phase-out of fossil fuels. 'Buffet of dead rats':Backlash against COP28 draft agreement RNZ International The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) said they were "greatly concerned" and "feel our voices are not being heard" at the UN climate talks. COP28 'will not be credible' if countries can't 'phase out fossil fuels', Marshall Islands warns  RNZ International Marshall Islands Natural Resources and Commerce Minister John Silk told the global communithy that the poeple of the Marshall Islands will not go silently to their "watery graves". Helping the Pacific financially is a great start – but Australia must act on the root cause of the climate crisis The Conversation Wesley Morgan responds to Australia's pledge of $150M to climate finance for vulnerable Pacific countries COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace Full text of the Declaration developed by the COP28n Presidency, signed by 74 countries and 43 organisations. COP28: Pacific leaders launch "Blue Prosperity" initiative in Dubai  RNZ International Pacific leaders launched their "bold vision" which they hope will "create transformational partnerships" for a prosperous region on Sunday. Forum SG Puna bullish on COP28 opportunities  RNZ International Pacific Islands Forum secretary general Henry Puna said from Dubai Sunday that he is encouraging the dozens of Pacific representatives at COP28 to remain optimistic that a good result is achievable from the two-week summit. Regenvanu plans to cement phase out of fossil fuels at COP28 ABC Pacific Vanuatu's climate change minister, Ralph Regenvanu, says his aim at this week's climate meeting, COP 28, is to cement an ambitious phase out of fossil fuels. COP28 climate summit just approved a 'loss and damage' fund. What does this mean? The Conversation Matt McDonald writes that while the COP28 announcement is welcome, there is a lot that needs clarifying about this fund. COP28 disaster fund 'significant' but not good enough - Pacific climate group RNZ International The Pacific Islands Climate Action Network says while the Loss and Damage Fund deal reached at the COP28summit in Dubai is significant, it does not go far enough. Pacific delegates arrive in Dubai for COP 28 ABC Pacific Pacific climate activists will be pushing for global leaders to focus on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.

    Former PM of Tuvalu, Enele Sopoaga, has written that the people of Tuvalu were never consulted about the Australia-Tuvalu falepili initiative nor was it ever raised in Parliament. It is not a climate change response. It is ceding Tuvalu sovereignty to Australia. It reverses Tuvalu political status to that of 45 years ago. Read more from RNZ International Pacific News. In another story, Enele Sopoaga vows to says he will scrap the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty if elected to lead government in the upcoming election. Read more from RNZ International Pacific News. Australia has responded to criticism of the agreement by saying it allows both parties to achieve 'shared interests'. Read more from RNZ International Pacific News. Image: Prehistorik/shutterstock.com

  Daisaku Ikeda, the Founder of Toda Peace Institute passed away on November 15, 2023 at the age of 95. He was the long-time spiritual leader of the lay Buddhist organization, Soka Gakkai International which has 12 million members in 192 countries and territories worldwide. President Ikeda travelled to more than 50 countries to engage in dialogue with well-known figures, including then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and then-Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev. These visits to Moscow and Beijing were path-breaking during the Cold War and  paved the way for the normalisation of bilateral ties between China and Japan in 1972. It was these experiences that forged his strong belief in the transformative power of deep listening and dialogue. President Ikeda founded the Toda Peace Institute in honour of his mentor, Josei Toda, who was a firm believer in the need to abolish nuclear weapons and made a historic declaration calling for its elimination in 1957 in front of 50,000 Japanese youth. President Ikeda was also a prolific writer and published a number of books based on his dialogues with intellectuals such as British historian Arnold Toynbee, Joseph Rotblat, Elise Boulding and many others. He will be much missed by all of us and his passing will inspire the Toda Peace Institute to redouble efforts to ensure that his legacy for peace is realised. President Ikeda is survived by his wife, Kaneko, and sons Hiromasa and Takahiro.                

  A documentary narrated by Hollywood actor Jason Momoa delving into the pressing issue of deep sea mining attracted Pacific leaders on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands forum. But it has received varying responses, from 'unbalanced" to "deeply moving". Read the full story from RNZ International's Pacific News.   Image: Tunatura/istock                

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a new pact with Tuvalu, allowing residents facing displacement from climate change the ability to resettle in Australia. Read the full story on Radio New Zealand International /Pacific News. Read a response from Taukiei Kitara and Carol Farbotko, Tuvaluan citizens and researchers.