In this bulletin:
PAC – DIPLOMACY/ PREPCOP: AAP PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Pacific head rebukes Australia’s focus on pre-COP costs
CANBERRA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (AAP)—The head of an influential Pacific nations group has taken a swipe at Australia’s fixation on attendance and cost of this month’s pre-COP event, while urging greater climate investment for the region.
Palau President Surangel Whipps, who became Pacific Islands Forum chair after hosting the region’s annual summit last month, has spent the week in Canberra on a bilateral visit.
The trip lands between the two central events of annual climate talks: the Fiji and Tuvalu-hosted pre-COP last week and next month’s COP31 in Turkey.
In the lead-up to pre-COP, Australia placed an emphasis on inviting leaders and ministers to the talks.
Not normally attended by such senior politicians, the goal was for the world to witness the impact of climate change on the globe’s most impacted region.
While most of the Pacific’s leaders partook in the summit, few outside the region did so.
In pointed remarks at the Australian National University, Whipps said criticism of the endeavour was short-sighted.
“Some have dismissed the gathering by counting the leaders who were absent … rather than recognising the significance of those who came,” he said.
“I read recently that all the big names were missing so let’s talk about size for a moment.
“Pacific states are custodians of nearly 20 percent of our Earth’s surface … an area larger than Russia, China, the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia, and India combined.
“There is nothing small about that.
“Humanity actually depends upon the blue Pacific for its food, climate stability and connectivity,” Whipps said.
He said Pacific island nations, often dismissed as small, ought to be redefined as ‘big ocean states’.
“It is true that some of the world’s largest industrialised nations and its largest emitters and polluters were not present at this pre-COP but the big ocean states were,” he said.
Tuvalu’s climate minister Maina Talia, also in Australia this week, said his country – the lowest-lying in the world – was delighted to play host.
“More than 30 ministers were there representing their countries … we’re very happy with the outcome of the pre-COP,” he told the ABC.
However, Dr Talia said he was “alarmed” by Australia’s continued expansion of fossil fuels, given the need rein in emissions to limit global warming.
“We want to see that they will put a stop to opening new coal mines and gasses because that will definitely impact the lives of those living in small low-lying atolls,” he said.
“We want to keep 1.5 (degrees) alive for us to stay in our own countries.”
Whipps, who met Anthony Albanese on Wednesday morning, said it was “a fair question” as to whether the pre-COP was worth the cost, estimated in the tens of millions.
“Here is how I would ask you to answer it: not by who was in the room, but by the result we collectively achieve at COP next month,” he said.
The Pacific has set four regional priorities for COP31: keeping 1.5 degrees within reach, accelerating the renewables transition, funding, and recognising ocean stewardship.
Australia and Turkey, hosting the larger summit from 09 November, are working towards support for the “Antalya Ocean Declaration”, underpinning that fourth goal.
Whipps is also eager to win funding towards the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) to fund the region’s renewables transition, climate adaptation and disaster mitigation.
Pledges from pre-COP to the region’s climate finance body only reached half of the initial US$500 million goal.
Speaking in Fiji, regional leaders including Albanese said this funding was central to the Pacific’s hopes from COP31.
“This is the moment to invest,” Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said.
“Your investment buys us time,” he said…. PACNEWS
PNG – REFERENDUM DEBATE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
PNG MPs given two days to debate Bougainville referendum results
BUKA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATONAL)—Bougainville Regional MP and leader of Government business Peter Tsiamalili Jr says MPs will be given two days to debate on the Bougainville referendum results.
He said Bougainville matters will be addressed then to allow this week to pay respects to the late Daulo MP Ekime Gorosahu who passed away on 30 September after an illness.
“Representing my three MPs of North, Central and South Bougainville, we offer our sincere condolences to the family of the late Gorosahu and the people of Daulo during their time of loss,” he said.
Tsiamalili highlighted that the matter of Bougainville would be brought before Parliament next week from 20 – 21 October where MPs would be given ample time to debate and decide on the political future of Bougainville.
A three-quarter majority, or 89 out of 118 votes, in Parliament is required to ratify the referendum results.
Tsiamalili said the week should give ample time for leaders to prepare ahead of their decisions concerning the future of Bougainville.
The National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs has indicated it will return the writ for the referendum next week, along with the joint consultation report and the Melanesian framework.
This will allow for debate to follow…..PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Fiji Coalition partner NFP wants Christianity removed as founding constitutional value
SUVA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—-Fiji Coalition partner the National Federation Party (NFP) wants Christianity removed as a founding constitutional value of the State, arguing that Fiji’s next Constitution must protect the rights and identities of all religious communities.
NFP president Parmod Chand said the party’s participation in Parliament’s Special Committee reviewing the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, and its support for the proposed changes, remained conditional on an extension of public consultation until mid-December and the adoption of key amendments.
The party’s Management Board resolved that Christianity could receive appropriate historical recognition in the Constitution’s preamble, but should not be entrenched as a founding constitutional value under Clause 1.
Chand said the proposed constitutional changes must reflect the informed consent of the people rather than the political convenience of those in power.
“The Constitution is the most important law of our nation. Its legitimacy must come from the people, not the political convenience of those in power,” he said in a statement.
The NFP’s position comes as debate continues over the proposed constitutional changes and the place of religion in Fiji’s national identity.
The party maintains that replacing the 2013 Constitution must not become another exercise in imposing constitutional arrangements on the people without adequate consultation.
Chand said the party was concerned that the Government’s proposed 19-day timetable included only 13 days for public consultation, two days for report writing and one day to finalise the report.
He said the party wanted the consultation period extended until mid-December, with the proposed Constitution translated into vernacular languages to allow wider public participation.
Beyond the question of religion, the NFP has outlined a series of proposed changes covering land ownership and tenancy rights, parliamentary representation, the Senate, children’s rights, constitutional immunity, civilian control of the military and the independence of constitutional offices.
The party is also calling for stronger protection of fundamental rights, greater transparency and accountability, electoral independence, anti-corruption reforms and stronger environmental safeguards.
Chand said these principles reflected positions the NFP had maintained for more than six decades and were intended to protect the rights, dignity and democratic future of all Fijians.
Party leader Professor Biman Prasad will continue representing the NFP on the parliamentary committee, with the party favouring dialogue and consensus rather than a walkout.
However, Chand stressed that participation in the process should not be interpreted as unconditional support for the Bill.
“The Constitution belongs to the people of Fiji. It must reflect their informed consent, protect their rights and endure long after the politicians of today have left office,” he said…..PACNEWS
TONGA – WEATHER WATCH/ELNINO: TALANOAOTONGA/ABC PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Tonga drought monitoring needs rethink, says former agricultural minister
NUKU’ALOFA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (TALANOAOTONGA/ABC) —-Tonga could have more time to protect livestock, crops and rural communities from drought if authorities measured soil moisture rather than relying primarily on atmospheric conditions, agricultural scientist Dr Siosiua Halavatau says.
The former agriculture minister says an earlier warning could have helped communities in Ha’apai respond before drought impacts became severe.
In an interview with ABC Pacific, Dr Halavatau said he surveyed communities in Ha’apai in August and found livestock losses were already affecting residents, with some potentially facing relocation.
“If we had followed the method we have been suggesting, that drought could have been declared a few weeks earlier,” he said.
Dr Halavatau argues that measuring moisture in the soil could help identify drought conditions earlier, giving authorities and communities more time to act before agricultural losses worsen.
Atmospheric conditions, including rainfall, are important indicators of drought. However, the approach he advocates would place greater emphasis on how much moisture remains available in the soil, which directly affects plants and agricultural production.
An earlier declaration could give farmers and livestock owners more time to protect their animals, manage water supplies and prepare for prolonged dry conditions.
The warning comes as Tonga faces a worsening drought outlook associated with El Niño.
Tonga Meteorological Services reported on 12 October that very dry conditions were likely across the country from October to December, raising concerns about continued pressure on agriculture and household water supplies.
Ha’apai is particularly vulnerable because prolonged dry weather can affect livestock, crops and communities that depend on rainwater.
The Government has already deployed drought relief supplies to Ha’apai, including water tanks and other essential assistance, following an earlier drought declaration.
Dr Halavatau’s comments raise questions about whether Tonga’s drought monitoring and declaration procedures provide sufficient warning for communities to prepare.
The available information does not establish whether authorities will adopt his proposed approach, how soil-moisture measurements would be incorporated into the existing system, or what resources would be required.
Those details matter because earlier detection is useful only if warnings lead to timely action.
For communities in Ha’apai, the priority is to ensure drought warnings translate into practical support before livestock, crops and household water supplies are seriously affected…..PACNEWS
FIJI – INTEL: PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Fiji to review national intelligence system with New Zealand support
SUVA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)— Fiji will review its national intelligence system to improve coordination between Government agencies and strengthen the country’s ability to assess emerging security threats.
Cabinet has endorsed proposed reforms to Fiji’s national intelligence architecture aimed at improving information sharing, clarifying agency responsibilities and strengthening national security decision-making.
The reforms seek to address fragmentation across Government agencies by establishing a coordinated and sustainable intelligence framework with clearly defined roles, responsibilities and reporting mechanisms.
A six-month partnership with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), funded by the New Zealand Government, will assess the existing intelligence structure and develop evidence-based options for reform.
The review will examine potential changes to intelligence functions, governance, workforce and operations, including the risks, benefits and requirements for implementing the proposed changes.
The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between agencies, improve intelligence assessments and establish a more coordinated approach to identifying and responding to emerging national security threats.
The reforms are also intended to ensure appropriate oversight and accountability as Fiji strengthens its national intelligence capabilities….PACNEWS
NIUE – DIASPORA SKILLS: PMN PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Niue govt looks to bring home skills of students studying in Aotearoa
AUCKLAND/ALOFI, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (PMN)—Niue wants to create more opportunities for its people studying in New Zealand to return home and put their skills to work, as the island looks to strengthen its health services and prepare for future workforce needs.
Niue’s Minister Kahealani Sariah Sinahemana Hekau says building links with Niuean students in New Zealand is a key focus of her first ministerial visit, alongside renewing health agreements that support people travelling overseas for medical care.
“On our end, we want to be ready to provide opportunities where they can come and work at home, whether it’s short term or long term,” Hekau told PMN Niue.
The former Miss South Pacific said she had met with the Auckland Students Association to discuss pathways for students from Niue and Niuean students raised in Aotearoa to explore employment or further study back home.
She hopes to build similar connections with Niuean students at other New Zealand universities and help them see how the knowledge and qualifications they gain could benefit their home country.
“Having that pathway, having that relationship where the future of Niue can see that they can make a positive contribution with the knowledge that they gain from university,” she said.
Her key responsibilities include Health, Education, Taoga Niue and Tourism. Health is another major focus of Hekau’s visit. Niue is looking to renew agreements with Penina Trust, which supports its medical referral scheme, and New Zealand Health for specialist services.
The arrangements support Niueans who need medical assistance in New Zealand and patients who require specialist care.
Hekau said renewing the agreements would help maintain services while giving both sides an opportunity to identify improvements. “I think first and foremost is to have that continuity because these agreements are up for renewal,” she said.
“So having them renewed would be useful in terms of continuing the services and also seeing where we might need to make improvements or where we might need to make adjustments.”
The minister also met with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ humanitarian services team to explore possible support for Niue, particularly in health and education.
She acknowledged the church’s work in Niue and across the Pacific, saying the discussions were part of efforts to build new partnerships around the island’s needs.
Tourism is another area of responsibility for Hekau. Niue is looking to attract visitors while protecting its culture and environment.
Niue Tourism’s Hayden Porter said efforts to promote the island to new markets were already generating interest, including in conferences and events.
“Seeing is believing as they say, and we had group bookings start to roll in before we even finished the trip which was fantastic to see,” Porter told Travel Today in June.
Hekau has also begun meeting community organisations like the Whangahau Niue Trust, ahead of Niue Language Week, which will be celebrated in Aotearoa next week.
She said Niuean communities overseas played an important role in keeping language and cultural connections alive while also creating opportunities for people to contribute to the island’s future.
A similar connection between returning home and contributing to Niue is reflected in the experience of Jordyn Vilipaama-Mokolei, a New Zealand-born Niuean university student who returned to the island in 2025 to help with a research project on cool roofs.
A Television Niue report said the project gave her an opportunity to contribute locally and learn from village communities and elders.
Niue is marking the 52nd anniversary of its Constitution this month and Hekau said the government had also put Niue Language Week on its calendar to show its support for the diaspora.
“Having the link with the Niuean communities in New Zealand and abroad is in our interest, because I think it brings many opportunities, many opportunities to share language or retain language,” she said.
Hekau said her visit was about building relationships with existing partners, making new connections and setting up a programme of work to follow up after she returns home.
She hopes annual visits to New Zealand could become part of that ongoing engagement, helping Niue maintain close ties with its constitutional partner and the many Niueans living abroad…..PACNEWS
AUST – NGOS: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Australia appoints Asia Foundation to deliver new civil society fund
CANBERRA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)— The Asia Foundation will work with regional civil society organisations to deliver Australia’s new Civil Society Partnership Fund, aimed at strengthening civic space across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
The announcement follows confirmation by Australia’s Minister for International Development, Dr Anne Aly, that The Asia Foundation will lead delivery of the fund in partnership with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and the Pacific Islands Association of Non-governmental Organisations (PIANGO).
The fund is a key commitment under the Australian Government’s international development policy. It will support civil society organisations to strengthen their institutions and networks, collaborate on shared priorities and have a greater voice in decisions affecting their communities.
The Asia Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Laurel Miller said civil society played an essential role in addressing local challenges and shaping the future of the two regions.
“We thank the Australian Government for entrusting us with this partnership. This Fund will support the leadership of civic actors across Southeast Asia and the Pacific with flexible, long-term funding that backs their priorities,” Miller said.
She said The Asia Foundation would draw on its regional relationships, understanding of complex local contexts and commitment to locally led approaches to help deliver the fund.
The foundation will work closely with ACFID, PIANGO and other regional partners to establish and implement the initiative.
The initial phase will focus on building partnerships and engaging with civil society organisations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific to guide the fund’s establishment and delivery……PACNEWS
NZ – DEFENCE: NZDF PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Every operational squadron flying as Royal New Zealand Air Force operations continue to pace
AUCKLAND, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (NZDF)—Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) squadrons have been delivering for the country during a busy operational period – across New Zealand, the Pacific and the near Asia-Pacific region.
“It’s been a great time for our Air Force,” said Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb.
“Every one of our operational squadrons has been flying in recent times in support of New Zealand and our partners, from the central North Island to the Pacific and across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said that over a four-day period, there were “personnel and aircraft on operations, exercises and providing contingency responses to help people in need across Niue, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Singapore, Australia and the United States as well as at home”.
“This highlights the breadth of work our people do on a daily basis and the importance of maintaining a well trained and equipped defence force to deliver both pre-planned and contingency operations 365 days of the year,” he said.
Recent activities have included crew from No. 5 Squadron flying the P-8A Poseidon on a search and rescue mission in the Pacific, successfully locating three Kiribati fishermen on a small boat to the east of Tarawa.
Aircraft pilot, Flight Lieutenant Stuart Glendinning, said the three men had not returned from fishing and had been located by the P-8A crew well over 160 nautical miles from shore, four days after the engine on their dinghy had failed.
“We remained on the scene after finding the men and coordinated a rescue by a vessel nearby,” Flight Lieutenant Glendinning said.
While this Pacific search and rescue was underway, crew from No. 3 Squadron with an NH90 Helicopter were conducting search and rescue training over the weekend, including winch familarisation, with New Zealand Police search and rescue personnel.
The training, involving 12 Police search and rescue members and over 2.5 flying hours, included winching personnel to a hut in the Ruahine Ranges, practising techniques used in emergencies.
Two other NH90s deployed over the weekend to Hawaii on two USAF C-17 aircraft recently exercising in NZ, to participate in exercises with Indo-Pacific Partners at the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Centre.
Other recent activities included personnel from No. 40 Squadron deploying a C-130J Hercules to deliver a Fire and Emergency New Zealand fire appliance to Niue to bolster response capability in the Pacific nation.
This aircraft had just returned from taking personnel and equipment between Fiji and Tuvalu for Pacific engagement ahead of COP31, the United Nations climate conference in Türkiye.
Another C-130J was also transporting Australian Defence Force soldiers from a multinational exercise in Papua New Guinea, supporting regional security cooperation.
No. 40 Squadron then started to fly New Zealand Defence Force personnel home from Penhryn in the Cook Islands, where personnel have been conducting construction and maintenance tasks, medical and dental outreach, and hydrographic surveying on Exercise Tropic Twilight.
Also in the Pacific, No. 42 Squadron personnel have been conducting maritime patrols on an MC-12K King Air in Vanuatu in support of a variety of Vanuatu Government departments and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, helping monitor and protect the region’s valuable fisheries resources.
Today, another P-8A will also support the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency conducting further patrols across the Pacific searching for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.
As well as this, a P-8A and personnel have joined Five Power Defence Arrangements partners on Ex Bersama Lima in Singapore, and No. 6 Squadron Seasprite helicopter crews, embarked on HMNZ Ships Te Mana and Aotearoa, have continued flying operations as part of Operation Crucible, a five-month regional presence deployment across the Asia-Pacific region.
“These missions reflect the breadth of what our people do every day: supporting those in need, contributing to regional security, strengthening partnerships, and protecting our shared Pacific interests,” Air Vice-Marshal Webb said.
“As always, it’s the strength of our talented people that make the operations possible. My thanks to all involved, including the maintainers, support staff and families for the work they do.”…PACNEWS
PNG – EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Thu 15 Oct 2026
PNG Cabinet ready to approve Emergency Management Authority
PORT MORESBY, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Papua New Guinea Cabinet is ready to approve the establishment of the National Emergency Management Authority (Nema), says Health and National Disaster Services Minister Dr Billy Joseph.
“Cabinet has approved the authority to be established and it is in the final stages,” Joseph told Parliament.
“We will bring it to Parliament to make sure that we have a fully established authority in the country.”
Joseph was responding to North Fly MP James Donald, who asked if the Government had any long-term measures in place to manage natural disasters.
Donald said the El Nino had affected people in Western, leaving many in urgent need of water and food.
He added that it was “embarrassing” to ask for help from the Australian High Commission to transport relief supplies to people in his district given the lack of Government support.
“Every year our people face the devastating effects of floods, landslides, earthquakes, king tides and cyclones,” Donald said.
“Yet, despite these recurring disasters, our national response continues to be largely reactive, rather than being proactive.
“Too often, assistance is delayed by funding processes, administrative arrangements and a lack of readily available resources, leaving communities without timely support.”
Joseph said the National Disaster Centre was working with all relevant authorities to manage the climate condition…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – MOBILE INTERNET ACCESS: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Pacific Islands face major mobile internet gap despite network coverage
KUALA LUMPUR, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Nearly two-thirds of people in the Pacific Islands remain without mobile internet access despite expanding network coverage, highlighting affordability and digital skills as major barriers to connectivity.
A new report by GSMA Intelligence, commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), estimates mobile internet usage in the Pacific Islands at just 36 percent, compared with 93 percent in East Asia.
The report, Closing the Mobile Connectivity Gap in Developing Asia Pacific, says 1.2 billion of the 4.3 billion people living across developing Asia and the Pacific remain offline, accounting for 46 percent of the world’s unconnected population.
Although 98 percent of the region’s population lives within reach of a 4G network, about 1.1 billion people who have access to broadband coverage are not using mobile internet.
The report identifies device affordability, limited digital skills, safety and security concerns, and a lack of relevant online content as key barriers preventing people from connecting.
The Pacific Islands face additional challenges in network coverage, with a coverage gap of 16 percent. The region also has a significant technology divide, with 59 percent of mobile internet users relying on 2G feature phones or 3G smartphones rather than 4G or 5G devices.
The report found that women across developing Asia and the Pacific are 12 percent less likely than men to use mobile internet, while people in rural areas are 25 percent less likely to connect than those in urban areas.
The gender gap is particularly pronounced in the Pacific Islands and South Asia, where women are more than 25 percent less likely to use mobile internet than men.
GSMA Chief Regulatory Officer and GSMA Foundation President John Giusti said closing the mobile internet usage gap was essential to development, with demonstrated benefits for poverty reduction, education, healthcare and economic growth.
He said progress would require policies that encouraged investment, alongside coordinated efforts to address the barriers preventing people from getting online.
The report warns that developing Asia and the Pacific could fall 18 percentage points short of the International Telecommunication Union’s 2030 universal connectivity target without additional investment.
It estimates that US$316 billion in investment will be needed across the region to meet the target. Of this, US$132 billion is expected to come from the private sector and consumers, leaving a funding gap of US$184 billion.
Governments and regulators will need to introduce investment-friendly policies and explore additional financing to improve device affordability, strengthen digital skills and expand network capacity.
Closing the 4G connectivity gap by 2030 could generate an estimated US$230 billion increase in gross domestic product across developing Asia and the Pacific, the report says.
Universal connectivity could also improve access to education and healthcare, reduce poverty, strengthen humanitarian assistance and lower carbon emissions.
The report calls for coordinated action by governments, regulators and private-sector operators to expand network infrastructure, make devices more affordable and improve digital skills to ensure more people can benefit from mobile internet access….PACNEWS
FIJI – AGRICULTURE: PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Fiji to develop national pineapple brand to boost exports
SUVA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji is developing a national pineapple brand and marketing strategy to expand export opportunities, with New Zealand identified as the priority market.
Cabinet has endorsed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand (PTI NZ) to strengthen the industry’s market access, product quality and export readiness.
Fiji’s pineapple production increased by 45.5 percent between 2023 and 2025, reaching 12,499.2 tonnes. However, exports totalled just 16.5 tonnes in 2025, highlighting the gap between domestic production and access to international markets.
Under the partnership, the Ministry and PTI NZ will jointly invest NZD115,000 (about FJD$147,530) in market research, national brand development, promotional campaigns, international trade events and industry capacity building.
The Fiji pineapple brand and its associated identity elements will remain the property of the Government of Fiji.
The initiative will also support improved production practices, quality standards, packaging and product traceability to help local growers and businesses meet export market requirements.
It will explore opportunities to develop value-added products, including pineapple juice and dried fruit, to diversify the industry’s offerings and increase the value of locally grown pineapples.
The partnership is expected to create new export opportunities, improve returns for farmers and encourage greater participation by women and young people in the pineapple industry.
It also aims to strengthen Fiji’s agricultural exports, support rural livelihoods and contribute to sustainable economic growth…..PACNEWS
FIJI – KAVA INDUSTRY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Yaqona Council to oversee operator registration under proposed Bill
LABASA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—The Fiji Yaqona Council will be responsible for registering yaqona operators according to prescribed criteria and determining registration fees for business licences, if any.
Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights chairperson Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure clarified the proposal during a consultation on the Yaqona (Kava) Bill 2026 at the Civic Centre in Labasa.
He said there was currently no structure outlining the proposed fees, as consultations continued with the Ministry of Agriculture also involved in the process.
When asked which operators would need to register, Vakalalabure said the Bill defined a yaqona operator as anyone engaged in cultivating, manufacturing, processing, packaging, offering for sale, importing or exporting yaqona or yaqona products.
“The demand for yaqona has increased in the local and overseas markets where the yaqona industry in Fiji is a major contributor to the national economy, next in line to the taro (dalo) and ginger industries,” Vakalalabure said.
He said yaqona was sold domestically and exported commercially, generating millions of dollars for the Fijian economy over time.
Speaking at the consultation, Vakalalabure said there was an urgent need for a proper legal framework to establish the Fiji Yaqona Council, which would manage, administer and support the growth of the yaqona industry in Fiji.
He also raised concerns about the false representation of yaqona exported for commercial purposes, saying this should be prohibited by law.
“The Bill seeks to ensure that trading of yaqona at a domestic level and international level, will be carried out according to appropriate standards and procedures,” he said.
When asked what specific changes were being considered following the public consultations, Vakalalabure said the information was confidential to the committee at this stage….PACNEWS
FIJI – CLIMATE CHANGE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 15 Oct 2026
Billions needed to climate-proof Fiji
SUVA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Fiji will need billions of dollars to strengthen its resilience to climate change, with the Government facing the challenge of financing critical infrastructure and adaptation projects without pushing public debt to unsustainable levels.
The World Bank Group’s recently released Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) estimates Fiji’s additional climate financing needs at between 4.8 percent and 7.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) annually from 2026 to 2050.
The report says traditional borrowing alone will not meet these needs, requiring a combination of international assistance, domestic fiscal reforms and private sector investment.
“This amounts to US$411million to US$647million (FJD$925m to FJD$1.456trillion) in each of the five years from 2026 to 2030 and US$326million to US$547million in each of the 20 years from 2031 to 2050,” the report states.
It says financing needs will be higher in the near term, driven largely by costly upgrades to existing infrastructure and efforts to reduce emissions in the energy and transport sectors.
The report estimates potential additional financing sources at an average of 3.1 percent of GDP annually, equivalent to about US$249million (FJD$560m), between 2026 and 2050 under both investment scenarios.
Much of this funding is expected to come from international public finance and potential revenue from higher duties on imported fuel.
“Carbon finance is likely to be relatively limited, however, there is an opportunity to further utilise green and blue bonds.”
The report also notes that the Government has limited fiscal space, highlighting the need to increase revenue or consolidate spending to support climate investment.
Green and blue bonds could help attract investors to climate-related projects, while concessional loans and donor grants would provide alternative funding sources.
The report also points to domestic reforms, including broadening the revenue base, phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and strengthening public financial management, as ways to create more room for climate spending.
Debt-for-climate swaps and risk-sharing facilities could further ease repayment pressures and free up resources for resilience projects.
Fiji’s financial sector could also help bridge the funding gap.
“Fiji’s financial sector is deep relative to SIDS (Small Island Developing States) peers and could help to close the climate financial gap.”
Financial sector assets totalled 269 percent of GDP in mid-2024, with commercial banks accounting for 41 percent and the Fiji National Provident Fund holding 29.8 percent.
“Channelling even a small share of financial sector assets to climate finance could go a long way to close the climate finance gap.”
The report emphasises the need to mobilise diverse funding sources while maintaining fiscal sustainability as Fiji prepares for escalating climate risks……PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Solomon Islands on track to becoming ‘Weather Ready’ with new Radar by end of 2026
HONIARA,15 OCTOBER 2026 (SPREP)—The Solomon Islands’ first weather radar is rising from the ground, with construction now well underway on a facility that will give the nation its own eyes on approaching storms for the first time.
Delivered under the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Programme, the project has moved firmly into its construction phase with the technical support of New Zealand MetService and key national stakeholders
Crews have completed the concrete foundation for the radar tower and are installing a dedicated solar power supply, ensuring the facility has power backup support and runs on clean, renewable energy; a design choice that keeps the radar operating reliably even when the wider power grid is under strain, as often happens during severe weather events.
The commissioning is planned before the end of the year, after which the radar will begin feeding live imagery into the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service’s (SIMS) forecasting and warning systems.
Weather radar transforms how a country sees and responds to severe weather. Rather than waiting for a storm to arrive, forecasters can track rain bands, thunderstorms and tropical cyclones in near real time: seeing where rain is falling, how heavy it is, and which way it is moving.
Director Alick Haruhiru of the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service said, “This radar is a milestone for our country. For the first time, our forecasters will be able to see severe weather as it develops and track it in real time – which means earlier warnings and better protection for our communities. It represents a real step change in what our service can deliver for the people of Solomon Islands.”
For communities, that translates into earlier, sharper warnings. As demonstrated by the region’s first WRP radar in Tonga, radar imagery can be made available to the public so people can see for themselves whether rain is coming and how intense it will be – giving families, farmers, fishers and emergency managers time to plan and prepare.
That lead time is critical in the Pacific.
People in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are around 15 times more likely to die from climate-related disasters than people elsewhere, according to the UN Environment Programme, a gap that better forecasting and early warnings are designed to close.
The radar also directly supports the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims for every person on Earth to be protected by early warning systems by 2027.
For Solomon Islands, an archipelago of nearly a thousand islands spread across vast distances, the benefits are practical and immediate.
The radar will lead to sharper, faster warnings for tropical cyclones, flash flooding and coastal inundation, strengthening the national Multi-Hazard Early Warning System, better-informed decisions for disaster managers, aviation, shipping, agriculture and fisheries and greater protection for lives and livelihoods on the front line of climate change.
The radar will be a resilient, self-sufficient facility, powered by solar energy and built to keep working when it is needed most.
The Solomon Islands radar is part of a coordinated regional effort to close long-standing gaps in weather monitoring across the Pacific.
WRP Programme Manager,’Ofa Fa’anunu, emphasised the importance of the radar for the Solomon Islands.
“The progress in Solomon Islands is exactly what Weather Ready Pacific was designed to deliver: Pacific-led investment that builds lasting national capability,” he said.
“Following Tonga and Vanuatu radar (the latter built through the Van-KIRAP project), and alongside Samoa, Solomon Islands is helping us weave together a connected radar network across the region, guided by the WRP Pacific Radar Strategy.”
Tonga led the way with the first radar delivered under WRP, launched in 2024. Vanuatu followed with a radar delivered through the Van-KIRAP project, feeding directly into its national disaster preparedness system. Samoa is now in the contracting stage with its radar supplier, and Solomon Islands joins this expanding network as construction advances toward commissioning by the end of this year.
These national projects sit within a single regional blueprint – the WRP Pacific Radar Strategy – which sets out a coordinated approach to building radar coverage across the region. The Strategy was endorsed at the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-8) in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, in September 2026…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Solomon Islands advances electric mobility with capacity building and national standards
HONIARA, 15 OCTOBER 2026 (GGGI)— Solomon Islands has taken another practical step towards low- and zero-emission transport, bringing together government, the private sector, civil society and development partners to strengthen national capacity and begin developing standards for electric vehicles and charging equipment.
The workshop was convened by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) under the project, Transformation to Low/Zero Emissions Transport Sector – Enabling Uptake of Electric Mobility in Solomon Islands. The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and executed by MECDM with technical support from GGGI.
Building on the project inception workshop held in March and the first Project Steering Committee meeting in May, the event marked a shift from project establishment to technical implementation.
Representatives participating through the Inter-Sectoral Coordination Platform strengthened their understanding of sustainable transport and electric mobility and began assessing existing technical, institutional and coordination capacities. The findings will help identify priority knowledge gaps and shape further training for the institutions responsible for guiding the transition.
The workshop also launched the process of developing minimum standards for electric vehicles (EVs) and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), together with the technical requirements and implementation tools needed to put those standards into practice.
The standards will help ensure that vehicles and chargers entering and operating in Solomon Islands are safe, reliable, compatible and suited to local conditions. They will also give government agencies a consistent basis for inspection, registration and installation while providing greater clarity for importers, investors, and consumers.
Director Climate Change MECDM, Thaddeus Siota, emphasised that electric mobility requires a coordinated system of support.
“Electric mobility is not simply about replacing conventional vehicles with electric vehicles. It requires the appropriate policies, standards, infrastructure, skills, institutions and systems to support its safe and effective development,” he said.
Electric mobility involves responsibilities across transport, energy, environment, infrastructure, trade, customs, finance, standards and urban planning. The workshop therefore brought these perspectives together at the outset, helping institutions clarify their roles and identify practical issues that the standards and future capacity-building activities must address.
The need for action is closely linked to Solomon Islands’ exposure to imported fuel. The country’s Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy estimates that land transport uses close to 60 million litres of diesel and 40 million litres of petrol each year – approximately 100 million litres of imported fuel to keep vehicles moving on the country’s roads.
GGGI Pacific Regional Director Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia said standards are among the first practical foundations needed to reduce this exposure over time and allow the electric mobility market to develop responsibly.
“People need to know that a vehicle is safe to drive and a charger is safe to use. Importers and investors need clear requirements. Government agencies need a consistent basis for inspection, registration, and installation. If we get these foundations right, we can give the market confidence to grow responsibly,” he said.
Electric vehicles displayed during the event connected the technical discussions with products already present in the Solomon Islands market. Participants were able to examine the vehicles and consider how international and regional experience should be adapted to the country’s roads, climate, electricity system, import markets, and institutional capacity.
The standards development process will continue through benchmarking, technical assessment, and stakeholder consultation. Inputs from government agencies, vehicle suppliers, electricity and charging stakeholders, technical service providers and other partners will be important in ensuring that the resulting requirements are both robust and practical to implement.
Through this work, Solomon Islands is building the institutional and regulatory foundations for a safer, more resilient and lower-emission transport system that can reduce dependence on imported petroleum over time and support the country’s climate and sustainable-development priorities…..PACNEWS
Global Green Growth Institute
Anant Jha – Program Manager – Pacific Regional Office
Kelly Vacala – Regional Communications and Knowledge Sharing Lead