The Pacific Fusion Centre is a new Pacific regional body aiming to critically analyse the pressing security issues facing the Pacific Islands and better inform decision-making to reduce threats and vulnerabilities. Can the Pacific Fusion Centre make a difference in a crowded regional space where there are calls to review and rethink regional architecture?

In this inaugural episode of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Change Makers Podcast, Dr Meg Keen, Director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, speaks with James Movick, the Director of the Pacific Fusion Centre and a senior diplomat with more than 40 years of experience in the Pacific, including heading up the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. We also gain the insights of Anna Naupa, the Associate Director of the Centre who has a great depth of experience in intergovernmental agencies around the region.

The Pacific Fusion Centre is a new Pacific regional body aiming to critically analyse the pressing security issues facing the Pacific Islands and better inform decision-making to reduce threats and vulnerabilities. Can the Pacific Fusion Centre make a difference in a crowded regional space where there are calls to review and rethink regional architecture?
In this inaugural episode of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Change Makers Podcast, Dr Meg Keen, Director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, speaks with James Movick, the Director of the Pacific Fusion Centre and a senior diplomat with more than 40 years of experience in the Pacific, including heading up the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. We also gain the insights of Anna Naupa, the Associate Director of the Centre who has a great depth of experience in intergovernmental agencies around the region.

Listen to episodes of the Aus-PNG Network Leadership Series, where we interview emerging and established community leaders about Papua New Guinea’s pressing issues.

We’ll be speaking with aspiring women politicians, young professionals, athletes, artists, musicians, journalists, and many other inspiring individuals about how they are striving to affect positive change in Papua New Guinea.

Listen to episodes of the <a href="https://auspng.lowyinstitute.org">Aus-PNG Network</a> Leadership Series, where we interview emerging and established community leaders about Papua New Guinea’s pressing issues.
We’ll be speaking with aspiring women politicians, young professionals, athletes, artists, musicians, journalists, and many other inspiring individuals about how they are striving to affect positive change in Papua New Guinea.

Pacific Change Makers

The Lowy Institute is a leading international think tank that looks at the world from Australia’s perspective.

This channel aggregates audio from across all of our event and podcast channels.

The Lowy Institute is a leading international think tank that looks at the world from Australia’s perspective.
This channel aggregates audio from across all of our event and podcast channels.

Lowy Institute

Pacific Fusion Centre: Breaking new ground in a contested Pacific?

In this episode of the Pacific Change Makers, the Director of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Program, Dr Meg Keen, speaks with Dr Anouk Ride from the Australian National University about the upcoming Solomon Islands’ election and its implications for stability and democracy in the region. Anouk draws on over 15 years living in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara and her extensive experience analysing peace, stability and community resilience in the Pacific.   

Solomon Islands elections can coincide with political and civil instability as competing power factions jostle for dominance. “Whether democracy itself survives this vote, and also the years after” is a concern for Dr Anouk Ride.

This election is particularly significant for the country and the global community. All will be watching to see if the current Prime Minister Sogavare returns and continues to draw closer to China. But more than geopolitics is at stake. The country is facing increasing economic pressures and tensions between the capital and provinces.

On 17 April, 50 members of parliament will head to the capital to select the next Prime Minister. Money and personal interests intertwine in the process to select a new national leader. All hope for a peaceful outcome but that is not guaranteed. As Anouk points out there are several flashpoints over the next six months, and any could trigger unrest if not well managed. 

Join us as we explore what is shaping the processes and issues in this election, and its implications for security and democracy.

In this episode of the Pacific Change Makers, the Director of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Program, Dr Meg Keen, speaks with Dr Anouk Ride from the Australian National University about the upcoming Solomon Islands’ election and its implications for stability and democracy in the region. Anouk draws on over 15 years living in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara and her extensive experience analysing peace, stability and community resilience in the Pacific.   
Solomon Islands elections can coincide with political and civil instability as competing power factions jostle for dominance. “Whether democracy itself survives this vote, and also the years after” is a concern for Dr Anouk Ride.
This election is particularly significant for the country and the global community. All will be watching to see if the current Prime Minister Sogavare returns and continues to draw closer to China. But more than geopolitics is at stake. The country is facing increasing economic pressures and tensions between the capital and provinces.
On 17 April, 50 members of parliament will head to the capital to select the next Prime Minister. Money and personal interests intertwine in the process to select a new national leader. All hope for a peaceful outcome but that is not guaranteed. As Anouk points out there are several flashpoints over the next six months, and any could trigger unrest if not well managed. 
Join us as we explore what is shaping the processes and issues in this election, and its implications for security and democracy.

Pacific Change Makers: Solomon Islands - Democracy in the balance?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/01e13863-b3cd-4275-9315-aef400615e3a/clips/e5728fe4-b10b-4606-86e6-b1480030210e/transcript

The Lowy Institute’s latest episode of Pacific Change Makers introduces a fresh and dynamic voice in Pacific affairs – Oliver Nobetau, the new FDC Pacific Fellow from Papua New Guinea.

Oliver’s journey is as unique as it is inspiring. Born in Germany to a diplomatic family, with roots in both Bougainville and West New Britain, he brings a rich blend of international exposure and local understanding.

Oliver’s involvement in key climate initiatives and significant security arrangements in Papua New Guinea, including the PNG-Australia Bilateral Security Agreement, offers listeners a window into the complex yet pivotal challenges facing the Pacific today.

Oliver remembers flying into Honiara, Solomon Islands, on a six-seater plane alongside senior government officials in the immediate aftermath of the November 2021 unrest, “I remember vividly…there was smoke blowing in the air when we landed. There was nobody on the runway…so we just had to land and figure out where to park the plane.”

One of the most poignant moments in the conversation is Oliver’s reflection on the personal impact of climate change: “The environment is constantly changing... swimming creeks are drying up, the fruit trees you would enjoy as a kid are no longer bearing the same.” This personal connection to environmental changes underscores the urgency of addressing climate challenge in the Pacific.

As Oliver embarks on his year with the Lowy Institute, his focus on research around climate-induced migration and PNG’s social and security landscape promises to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the field.

Tune in to this episode of Pacific Change Makers for personal reflections from Oliver Nobetau, FDC Pacific Research Fellow and one of PNG’s emerging leaders, on witnessing the January unrest in Port Moresby, meeting the PNG Prime Minister, and working on some of the most impactful and high-profile regional security issues in the Pacific today.

The Lowy Institute’s latest episode of Pacific Change Makers introduces a fresh and dynamic voice in Pacific affairs – <a href="https://www.lowyinstitute.org/people/experts/bio/oliver-nobetau">Oliver Nobetau</a>, the new FDC Pacific Fellow from Papua New Guinea.
Oliver’s journey is as unique as it is inspiring. Born in Germany to a diplomatic family, with roots in both Bougainville and West New Britain, he brings a rich blend of international exposure and local understanding.
Oliver’s involvement in key climate initiatives and significant security arrangements in Papua New Guinea, including the PNG-Australia Bilateral Security Agreement, offers listeners a window into the complex yet pivotal challenges facing the Pacific today.
Oliver remembers flying into Honiara, Solomon Islands, on a six-seater plane alongside senior government officials in the immediate aftermath of the November 2021 unrest, “I remember vividly…there was smoke blowing in the air when we landed. There was nobody on the runway…so we just had to land and figure out where to park the plane.”
One of the most poignant moments in the conversation is Oliver’s reflection on the personal impact of climate change: “The environment is constantly changing... swimming creeks are drying up, the fruit trees you would enjoy as a kid are no longer bearing the same.” This personal connection to environmental changes underscores the urgency of addressing climate challenge in the Pacific.
As Oliver embarks on his year with the Lowy Institute, his focus on research around climate-induced migration and PNG’s social and security landscape promises to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the field.
Tune in to this episode of Pacific Change Makers for personal reflections from Oliver Nobetau, FDC Pacific Research Fellow and one of PNG’s emerging leaders, on witnessing the January unrest in Port Moresby, meeting the PNG Prime Minister, and working on some of the most impactful and high-profile regional security issues in the Pacific today.

Pacific Change Makers: Introducing Oliver Nobetau the Lowy Institute’s new FDC Pacific Research Fellow

In this episode of Pacific Change Makers, Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Program Dr Jess Collins speaks with Dame Annette King about her role as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Australia.

At the end of last year and with just a few weeks left in the role, Dame Annette sat down with Dr Collins in Canberra to reflect on her five-year term as High Commissioner to Australia — a post she considers one of New Zealand’s most important.

As Dame Annette notes, “Australia and New Zealand — there are no two closer countries on the planet.”

They discussed Dame Anette’s priorities for the Trans-Tasman arrangement, building the family-like relationship with Australia, the Australia–Tuvalu deal, New Zealand’s unique and strong relationship with the Pacific, and her country’s relationship with China amid growing tensions in the region.

In a wide-ranging discussion, they also touched on the Lowy Institute Poll, the war in Ukraine, New Zealand movies, cheese pies, and sport.

Dame Annette King commenced duties as the New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia in December 2018 and concluded her assignment in December 2023.

Prior to taking up this position, she served as Deputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 2008 to 2011 and from 2014 until 2017.

She was a Senior Cabinet Minister in the Fourth and Fifth Labour Governments of New Zealand and was the MP for the Rongotai electorate in Wellington from 1996 to 2017. Dame Annette is New Zealand’s longest-serving female MP, with 30 years in parliament. Her portfolios included Health, Police, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Employment and States Services.

Pacific Change Makers is a podcast from the Lowy Institute: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/

Twitter:
@LowyInstitute
@DrJessCollins
@annettecanberra

In this episode of Pacific Change Makers, Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Program Dr Jess Collins speaks with Dame Annette King about her role as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Australia.
At the end of last year and with just a few weeks left in the role, Dame Annette sat down with Dr Collins in Canberra to reflect on her five-year term as High Commissioner to Australia — a post she considers one of New Zealand’s most important.
As Dame Annette notes, “Australia and New Zealand — there are no two closer countries on the planet.”
They discussed Dame Anette’s priorities for the Trans-Tasman arrangement, building the family-like relationship with Australia, the Australia–Tuvalu deal, New Zealand’s unique and strong relationship with the Pacific, and her country’s relationship with China amid growing tensions in the region.
In a wide-ranging discussion, they also touched on the Lowy Institute Poll, the war in Ukraine, New Zealand movies, cheese pies, and sport.
Dame Annette King commenced duties as the New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia in December 2018 and concluded her assignment in December 2023.
Prior to taking up this position, she served as Deputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 2008 to 2011 and from 2014 until 2017.
She was a Senior Cabinet Minister in the Fourth and Fifth Labour Governments of New Zealand and was the MP for the Rongotai electorate in Wellington from 1996 to 2017. Dame Annette is New Zealand’s longest-serving female MP, with 30 years in parliament. Her portfolios included Health, Police, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Employment and States Services.
Pacific Change Makers is a podcast from the Lowy Institute: <a href="https://www.lowyinstitute.org/">https://www.lowyinstitute.org/</a>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/LowyInstitute/status/1734111775610524077/photo/1">@LowyInstitute</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJessCollins">@DrJessCollins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/annettecanberra?lang=en">@annettecanberra</a>

Pacific Fusion Centre: Breaking new ground in a contested Pacific?

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