Pacific farmers revive traditional knowledge to cope with climate change

Drawing on traditional knowledge, Australian researchers are helping farmers adapt to the pressing challenges of climate change.

Regional literacy

Australia’s mobilisation of its ‘amplified middle power diplomacy’ has been a feature as of late, with new agreements signed with nations across the Pacific. But as these agreements come through, a new parliamentary committee report lays bare Australia’s slow death in understanding the region it belongs to.

When good neighbours become good friends

History tells us that good neighbourliness is the only approach capable of producing the durable regional relationships that Australia’s long-term security depends on.

The fight for the Pacific seabed

The Pacific seabed is no longer an empty space between nations, indeed it is becoming one of the most strategically crowded environments in the region.

The battle over Kiribati

China continues to woo Pacific island states to gain political and maritime dominance in the region, and Australia must do more to counteract its baleful influence, not least in Kiribati.

Boosting Pacific engagement

A greater emphasis on subnational diplomacy, particularly regional Australia’s links to the Pacific, presents a significant opportunity for Australia’s regional foreign policy.

Reforming the Pacific workers scheme

Australia’s Pacific worker scheme has drifted from its original intention of providing seasonal farm work for Pacific guest workers but some targeted reforms can put it back on track.

Supporting girls in the Pacific

A new report released by Plan International Australia urges the Federal Government to increase targeted aid investment for adolescent girls, warning that global aid cuts and a growing anti-rights backlash are placing gender equality in the Asia-Pacific great risk.

Here comes the sun

Pacific nations plan to progress from spending up to 25% of their GDP on fossil fuels to running on 100% renewables, but how will this ambitious target be achieved?

A Pacific reflection on “Women, Peace and Security”

Pacific women have always been navigators, charting paths through complexity, building coalitions and sustaining communities. Now, the WPS agenda must rise to meet their leadership.

Boosting Pacific food security

Australia can use our immense capability in agriculture and food production to help the Indo-Pacific become more self-reliant.

Australia’s tricky track record at the Pacific Islands Forum

Given the importance of ‘listening’ in Australian diplomacy with its Pacific ‘family,’ one would expect Australian leaders to behave respectfully at the Pacific Islands Forum, but their actions this year showed that true listening involves not just attendance, but also sensitivity, responsiveness, and accountability.