At Pacific Urban Forum5 (PUF5), Pacific Island governments, non-government organisations and academic institutions were well represented with the geographic spread of representation and attendance numbers the highest yet. This briefing paper provides an overview of the prominent issues at the PUF5 and an analysis of future prospects for sustainable urban development in the region.

While much of the spotlight is on the impact of the BRI overseas, this paper takes a unique approach by discussing the start of an ambitious Pacific Island country (PIC) language-teaching program in China, and offering a brief case study of Samoan language teaching.

This special report draws together some analysis reflecting on developments in protection of civilians (PoC) in the context of UN peacekeeping over the last decade, with a particular focus on the role that member states have in shaping the future of PoC.

This paper argues that democracy promotion ought to be an essential component of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy — a strategy that is being promoted by the United States, Australia, Japan and, increasingly, India, albeit with national differences in approaches and emphasis.

India and Russia (as the Soviet Union) developed a mutually satisfactory relationship that may have fluctuated in enthusiasm but, which, since the exchange of visits to New Delhi and Moscow in 1955, has long prevailed, it being too valuable to let go.