Islands Business partners

21/08/2025

📣🔎 🌎𝐉𝐎𝐁 𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘📣🔎 🌎

New Zealand’s MFAT, in partnership with Tokelau, aims to improve inter-atoll maritime services for Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu.

A Technical Project Manager is needed to lead the design, procurement, and delivery of a new vessel, delivering safer, more reliable and accessible transport. The role provides lifecycle oversight and advises on schedules, fares, and maintenance for a sustainable, community-focused service. The project is contracted to MFAT and reports to a Project Oversight Committee.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 5:00pm (NZ Time) on Tuesday, 2nd September 2025

For more details and to apply, please visit https://t.ly/3ClRE

(Help us spread the word by sharing this job opportunity with your network! Your referral could be the perfect fit. Thank you for helping us reach as many potential applicants as possible.)

18/08/2025

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄!

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐔𝐒𝐏 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐄𝐊 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

With a deep commitment to indigenous knowledge and ocean conservation, Salanieta Kotolelei has completed the requirements for her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at The University of the South Pacific (USP) with groundbreaking research on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).

Her thesis titled “Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) as an Indicator for Recovering Keystone Species,” draws on the wisdom of 18 Fijian communities, documenting vital fishing practices, local languages, and intergenerational exchanges to safeguard this cultural and ecological heritage for future generations.

The study promotes the use of local languages and intergenerational knowledge exchange to ensure this vital information is not lost.

Her academic path began at USP with the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), attaining a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching.

She further enhanced her scientific background with a Master’s in Fisheries Sciences from Kagoshima University in Japan.

In 2023, she was a recipient of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Scholarship, undertaking her Doctrate with SAGEONS.

“This journey started for me at a very young age with stories from my elders, grandparents, and parents,” she said.

“With my background in environmental studies, I saw an opportunity to use what I learned at USP to do something meaningful for my people and to create a guiding light to help future generations maneuver through the challenges we face today.”

Read more: https://shorturl.at/tX1CO

06/08/2025

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚

More at https://t.ly/rj-tQ

06/08/2025

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦: 𝐏𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐚’𝐬 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞

Just outside of the hustle-and-bustle of Nadi town is Nasiro farm, maintained and nurtured by Poasa Katonivere, a resident who lives in the nearby village of Nakavu. Poasa is a member of Rainbow Pride Foundation (RPF), a Fiji-based organisation that works to protect and promote the rights of LGBTQ+ peoples.

In a country like Fiji, the organisation has its work cut out for it – dealing with predominant homophobic attitudes, discriminatory practices, and hate crimes affecting its members. This, coupled with limited access to funding and an increasing set of problems impacting much of its membership, has made it increasingly difficult to achieve its mission. But, as with many other NGOs, the work goes on. And nowhere is this more visible than in Poasa’s ‘PRIDE’ farm.

“I started this farm with seven other members from Rainbow Pride Foundation,” he shares. “We built it together, right here in Nakavu. But over time, people moved on, and now it’s just me.”

With limited funds, farming equipment, and resources – Poasa is only able to hire help occasionally, stretching every dollar to ensure he is able to get the work done.

“So, if I have FJ$100, I’ll recruit five people to help me, and I’ll give each of them FJ$20,” he says proudly. “I provide lunch for them. I dive for ‘kai’ (freshwater mussels), I cook cassava.

“I make lunch for them to eat so that they’re happy about the work they do. That’s my thinking – that in doing these things for them, the next time I ask, they’ll be eager to help. That’s why I do that.”

Weaving through the rows of cassava, interspersed with chili and eggplant, it’s clear that the soil is incredibly fertile. Yet, despite this, Poasa says it was never utilised.

Read more at https://shorturl.at/Lk1iP

04/08/2025

𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄

𝐀𝐍𝐙 𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 & 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬

ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards (FETA) is pleased to announce concurrent with the season launch, registration and applications are now open for the 2025 awards.

Speaking at the launch event held at Coffee Hub in Nadi, FETA Chair Debra Sadranu announced that registrations and submissions are now open for a three-month application period, closing on 18 October 2025. She encouraged all applicants to submit their entries on time, as no extensions will be granted.

Sadranu also urged applicants to take careful note of the eligibility requirements for each category.

“The assessment process and criteria of each award category is designed to support entries from applicants across the entire spectrum of the tourism industry to ensure maximum opportunity for all tourism operators to participate in the awards," said Sadranu. “Additionally, year on year, we re-invest in the upgrade of the application portal to ensure the submission process is as convenient and accessible as possible to our applicants.”

Read more at https://shorturl.at/dULsS

30/07/2025

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄!

𝐔𝐒𝐏’𝐬 𝐈𝐂𝐓 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The University of the South Pacific (USP) has received an extension to full professional accreditation for its Bachelor of Networks and Security and Bachelor of Software Engineering programmes by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) through to 2028.

ACS is the official accrediting body for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) degree programmes in Australia and is aligned with international standards. As a signatory to the Seoul Accord, ACS also ensures that accredited programmes meet globally benchmarked criteria for computing education and professional practice.

Offered by USP’s School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics (STEMP), this is a significant milestone that reflects USP’s commitment to delivering internationally recognised and industry-aligned qualifications in the field of ICT.

This achievement also opens further pathways for USP graduates to pursue international employment opportunities, advanced study and professional certification.

STEMP Head of School, Professor Bibhya Sharma, welcomed the accreditation and commended the tireless efforts and dedication of staff from the Computing Science and Information Systems (CS/IS) discipline and the internal Accreditation team.

“The accreditation ensures our students are not only learning relevant and high-quality content, but are also positioned to compete and succeed on the global stage,” he said.

Read more at https://shorturl.at/hlXNY

29/07/2025

24/07/2025

As the slight drizzle kissed the vast green of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs) on Fiji’s capital of Suva, the reins of the largest regional bloc in Oceania—the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)—was handed over in traditional Melanesian style.

It was as if nature understood the significance of what was to transpire, and, like the profound connection Melanesians have with their vanua (land), the rara (grounds), welcomingly soaked in the blessings of a new chapter that gradually unfolded.

The ceremony displayed the robust culture that identifies with Melanesians – drenched villagers of Kalokolevu, along with staff of the iTaukei Affairs Ministry, remained seated in true Fijian tradition, somewhat oblivious to the cold, on a wooden platform, performing the traditional welcome protocols of the I Qaloqalovi, I Vakamamamaca and I Sevusevu for the MSG family.

Then, in a reciprocal act and show of deep appreciation and acknowledgement, reinforcing the spirit of unity and solidarity, Vanuatu gifted taro and pigs to Fiji and each MSG Member state, signifying cultural significance and close wantok ties among the membership.

The mantle of leadership in the form of a spearhead was handed over from the Outgoing Chair and Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Jotham Napat, right back into the hands of the Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, who congruently led the island nation into the MSG almost three decades ago.

It was a ceremony befitting esteemed leaders, uniquely called to serve the region – each bringing to the fold their collective strengths, experiences, and sound wisdom. It re-emphasised the solidarity of the MSG as an organisation, not only to the region but also to the international community as well.

As if history was repeating itself and in the words of Prime Minister Napat, it was a scene that was both “symbolic and historic that Fiji, under the leadership of Hon. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, assumes the Chairmanship.”

Read more at https://shorturl.at/hBexq

23/07/2025

“𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒌𝒖𝒌.”
𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅.
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒖𝒔,
𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒕,
𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒌𝒖𝒌 — 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒌𝒖𝒌 —
𝒘𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔.
𝑾𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒕𝒐𝒌 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒔
𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆.

The opening stanza of the powerful poem from Naomi Woyengu—Director of the Hauskuk Initiative, at the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction—embodies the resilience of Pacific Women reclaiming the narrative of their leadership.

Hauskuk Initiative is one of 13 partners of the Shifting the Power Coalition, actively working to reaffirm and lift diverse Pacific women’s leadership within local humanitarian mechanisms, weaving in traditional and scientific knowledge.

Through the Pacific Owned Women-led Early Warning and Resilience (POWER) Systems programme, young women-led organisations like Hauskuk Initiative are working to strengthen community-based, women-led early warning and response systems that empower women, young women, and women with disabilities in rural Madang communities within Papua New Guinea to receive, understand, and act upon critical information regarding disasters and climate-related challenges.

Read more at https://t.ly/JJAkC

22/07/2025

Trade Mark Cautionary Notice for TITO’S in Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau

More at https://t.ly/rj-tQ

19/07/2025

❤️

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐈𝐂𝐉 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

After six long years of relentless advocacy, the much-anticipated International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (ICJAO) on Climate Change is set to be released on July 23rd, marking a historic moment for the Pacific and the global climate justice movement.

For Vanuatu’s Minister of Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, the journey began with a letter – one that would spark a movement across oceans and generations.

“It has been a long process. I remember when I was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the group from Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change came to see me. They had already issued the letters to all Pacific governments. I was very happy to receive them and happy to take their passionate call, coming from the heart of the Pacific Island countries’ youth,” Regenvanu said.

That passionate call was quickly taken up by Pacific leaders. The letter was elevated to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) foreign ministers’ meeting in Suva, and later, to the Leaders Summit in Tuvalu in August 2019. That pivotal decision formally initiated the Pacific’s push toward securing the ICJAO.

Read more: https://t.ly/wZ1IZ