PACNEWS THREE, 23 OCTOBER 2026

PNG – INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE: THE GUARDIAN      PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

‘Cut the umbilical cord’: Bougainville’s bid to break away from Papua New Guinea faces reckoning

PORT MORESBY, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (THE GUARDIAN)—For decades, the distant island of Bougainville has fought for secession from Papua New Guinea, for a future as an independent nation of its own.

This week, that long-running aspiration faces further challenge, with PNG’s parliament slated to debate the ratification of Bougainville’s 2019 UN-sanctioned referendum, in which nearly 98 percent of Bougainvilleans voted for independence.

That referendum was a key element of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, which ended a 10-year long civil war estimated to have killed as many as 15,000 people.

Even as violence has reemerged around the controversial Panguna mine – a catalyst for the conflict, but now seen as critical to the island’s independent financial future – Bougainville’s government has insisted it will not be deterred from secession. It has committed to “self-government” from next year, and to breaking away from PNG, as a fully fledged independent nation, by 2030.

Sources in Port Moresby and Bougainville say they expect the independence referendum result to be rejected on the floor of the PNG parliament, given the threshold for ratification has been raised to three-quarters of all MPs, not the two-thirds usually required for constitutional amendments.

The autonomous island of Bougainville, PNG’s easternmost province and about 1,000km from the capital, is home to about 300,000 people, culturally and ethnically distinct from the rest of the PNG archipelago. It has for decades, sought to break free of rule by Port Moresby.

Port Moresby has long resisted acting on Bougainville’s post-conflict independence, anxious not to establish a precedent for the break-up of PNG’s vast and culturally diverse archipelago, or to lose a resource-rich and potentially lucrative province.

Bougainville’s attorney-general and vice-president, Ezekiel Masatt, said that the MP vote threshold was “crafted” by the PNG government to defeat the vote.“There is a national government strategy to poison the waters and make it impossible to come close to reach the voting threshold,” he said in a June statement.

Opinions in PNG’s parliament were divided ahead of the referendum vote.

Dr Allan Marat, chair of a bipartisan committee on Bougainville matters, told parliament last month that the island had met all the conditions outlined in the 2001 peace agreement and deserved its independence.

“It seems there is only one humane option for us members of this honourable house to do … to cut the umbilical cord connecting baby ‘Bougainville Independence’ to PNG,” he said.

Others are fiercely opposed. Former deputy prime minister Belden Namah, who served in the PNG army during the Bougainville conflict, said the question went beyond a political debate.

“It is an issue of national sovereignty, it is an issue of constitutional integrity, it is an issue of peace, unity, sacrifice and the future survival of Papua New Guinea as one nation,” he told the same parliamentary sitting.

In June this year, Bougainville’s president Ishmael Toroama presented his government’s “final position” on the island’s political future.

He said Bougainville would enter a stage of “self-government” from 1 September 2027, before declaring itself independent “separate from the state of PNG” in 2030.

Toroama said he did not want a return to violence or conflict with Port Moresby.

“Our objective has never been confrontation,” he said. 

“Our objective has always been reconciliation, partnership and a peaceful transition founded on law and mutual respect.”

The Bougainville government hopes the controversial Panguna gold and copper mine will fund independence. Carved from a mountain in the centre of the island, it was once one of the largest gold and copper mines in the world, and still has an estimated $60bn in unrealised reserves.

“We closed the mine because of oppression,” Toroama told the Guardian in an interview last year. “Today the mine is the key to our economic growth and settling all unresolved issues from the war.”

Multinational Rio Tinto and other international investors earned nearly $2bn from Panguna over 17 years of operation from 1972. But less than 1% of the mine’s profits went to Bougainvilleans, whose homes and lands were destroyed by it. The mine and surrounding river deltas remain dangerously polluted. Rio Tinto has signed an MOU with the Bougainville government to address the ongoing environmental and human rights impacts of the dormant mine.

Disaffected landowners ran a sabotage campaign that forced Panguna’s closure in 1989. The PNG government responded by sending in police, then soldiers, to restore law and order. Bougainville was blockaded and the island descended into a brutal civil war – known as ‘the crisis’ – that ran for a decade.

Violence returned to the mine last month, when up to 30 men carrying high-powered rifles drove into the sprawling Panguna pit site and set fire to nearly 40 heavy haulage trucks, excavators and water tanks owned by the newly appointed contractor, India’s Lloyds Metals and Energy.

Toroama said violence would not intimidate his government from redeveloping the mine.

“We will not cower to terroristic acts of violence designed to cause disunity and distract us from our agenda of creating a socio-politically and economically viable Bougainville,” he said after the incident.

Oliver Nobetau, Pacific islands programme director at the Lowy Institute, an Australian thinktank, said it was well known across the island that “not everyone is on-side to reopen the mine”.

He said the incident, while relatively minor, had damaged the independence cause by affirming Port Moresby’s often-overstated concerns that Bougainville was not ready for independence, including that the island had not fully disarmed.

Nobetau said a “no” vote was looking increasingly likely in PNG’s parliament.

“My assessment is that it’s not going to spill over into actual conflict and fighting the way that people fear,” he said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of social tensions, a lot of political tensions, but I think eventually they’ll come back to the table to discuss how to move forward.”

Nobetau said the independence movement on Bougainville would not be deterred by resistance from Port Moresby.

“I think most likely they will try to go at it alone through the self-government model and then rolling out a three-year plan towards independence by 2030,” she said…..PACNEWS

KIR – DIPLOMACY: XINHUA                           PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Kiribati president reaffirms adherence to one-China policy

SYDNEY, 23 OCTOBER 2206 (XINHUA)— Kiribati President Taneti Maamau said in Tarawa on Thursday that his country firmly adheres to the one-China policy, expressing the hope that both sides will work together to further advance bilateral relations.

While receiving the credentials presented by Yao Fei, the newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Kiribati, in the capital, Maamau also thanked China for its selfless assistance to Kiribati.

Yao said that he is ready to work hand in hand with the Kiribati government and friends from all sectors of society to fully implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continuously deepen China-Kiribati friendly cooperation and better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Yao assumed his position in Kiribati on October….PACNEWS

B/VILLE – INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE: THE NATIONAL   PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Bougainville peace driven by independence offer: Tsiamalili

PORT MORESBY, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Armed factions on Bougainville came to the peace table because the Government offered independence as part of negotiations, says Bougainville Regional Member Peter Tsiamalili Jr.

He said this resulted in the Bougainville Peace Agreement signed in 2001 between the Government and Bougainville’s leaders.

He told Parliament during the debate on Bougainville’s political future that a compromise was reached, where independence and autonomy were constitutionally given as options.

“Bougainvilleans chose independence but the government gave a delayed referendum before making the choice formal,” he said.

He said the idea of self-determination went back to 1886, when Bougainville leaders mooted the idea of a referendum that could define their own destination.

“The 1989 civil unrest was just an ignition of what was already in the mindset of the people,” he said.

“I carry the aspirations of 1886 with the weight of lives lost on both sides. I stand as a proud Papua New Guinean but a loyal Bougainvillean.

“The journey of 1886, 1989 to 2001 has been jointly articulated into the peace agreement in the constitution.”

He said that during negotiations in 2001, there were discussions on whether Bougainville’s leaders carried the true aspirations of the people or were using independence as their bargaining tool.

“That is how the 15 years came into play, and for us to then determine if we were comfortable with the structure and the system of government that could speak to our needs,” he said.

“The government failed its constitutional duty through the Constitutional grant while Bougainville also failed to provide reports back to parliament.”

He said they were both duty-bound, and had come to the end where they had to make a decision for independence, which was given as a constitutional option.

“We had no standing orders that would cater for the referendum results to come in,” he said.

“The Government, in consultation with Bougainville House of Representative agreed that there will be a clear pathway to bring the referendum 2019 results to Parliament for deliberation.”

Tsiamalili said that he felt they were preempting the results….PACNEWS

PNG – INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE: THE NATIONAL       PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Balanced pathway urged in deciding Arob’s independence

PORT MORESBY, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The Papua New Guinea Government should look at a balanced pathway when deciding Bougainville’s independence issue by enhancement of its economy and not separation, says Usino-Bundi MP Vincent Kumura.

Kumura said it would lead to a threat of bargaining.

If Bougainville breaks away, it would not stop other resource-rich provinces like the Highlands to also break away, while others would remain poor as the nation fragmented and crumbled.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop said Bougainvilleans had made a decision on their political future that must be respected.

“The challenge is can we (government) change that? No, because from historical perspective before the referendum and even before independence in 1975, their intentions were already expressed,” he said.

“We have a situation that is unique because one part of our country that started in 1975 had decided that they don’t feel comfortable in this union that was put together by our founding fathers.

“Here in Parliament, we have leaders representing the region of Bougainville and some have become ministers of state and they’ve gone as far as deputy prime minister and at one stage governor-general.

“In the public there is no discrimination against the people of Bougainville but they have still made their decision that is not new, the onus is how are we going to hold them back and are we going to hold them back just because of sovereignty?” Parkop said.

Kumura put forward options that could be considered:

*TRANSFER more power to the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) on policing, resource management and taxation while the national government retained sovereignty over defence, currency, foreign affairs and borders;

*ABG must achieve a sustainable revenue base, funding at least half of its own budget for three consecutive years.

It funded only five to six per cent currently;

*THE Supreme Court should deliver an advisory opinion on the rectification process; and,

*NATIONWIDE consultation before the vote.

Kumura said Bougainville depended on the PNG economy, ABG’s 2024 estimate budget was K761.2 million (US$169.50 million) of which K50.7 million (US$11.29 million) was expected to be generated as internal revenue.

“Bougainville’s internal revenue accounted for 6.6 percent of the provincial budget, the remaining 93.4 per cent was injected by the national government.

“Prime Minister James Marape stated earlier that about 95 percent of its budget was reliant on external support, including funding from the PNG government and external donors, with five percent of its own generated budget.”

He added that Bougainville was entirely dependent on the national government for its survival. To grant independence to a territory that could not sustain itself would not be empowerment, it would be an act of reckless charity leading to economic collapse.

That was a future he would not support.

“The Panguna from 1972 to 1989 before its closure, produced about three million tonnes of copper and 9.3 million ounces of gold.

“It accounted for 44 percent of PNG’s total exports and 17 per cent of internal revenue.

“Bougainville at that time was considered the wealthiest province, with the second-highest per capita income in the country.

“It produced 14 per cent of PNG’s national income and half of its exports.

“From the mine’s profit between 1972 and 1989, about K1 billion (US$220 million) was given to the Government as tax.”

Parkop, based on the United Nations charter that recognises territorial sovereignty and integrity, said: “Of course, we can say that sovereignty is absolute but equally section 1.2 of the UN charter also announced the right to self-determination and to people of the world and it recognises in alienable right that it cannot be taken away,” he said.

“The purpose of the UN section is that it is created in order to prevent the world to enter into wars again and that is something that we must also think about,” he said…PACNEWS

FIJI – MARITIME SECURITY STRATEGY: ISLANDS BUSINESS    PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Australia backs Fiji’s maritime security

SUVA, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—Australia will provide Fiji with Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels to strengthen maritime surveillance and help detect drug trafficking and illegal fishing under the country’s new Integrated Maritime Security Strategy.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Roberts, announced the support alongside Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs Pio Tikoduadua, saying the two countries were working together to turn the strategy into action.

Roberts said Fiji needed to move beyond developing the strategy and focus on implementing it.

Tikoduadua said the announcement demonstrated the importance of practical cooperation in addressing maritime security challenges across the Pacific.

“Today is not just about talking,” he said.

“I emphasise that earlier during the launch that no nation can protect its oceans by itself. We all need each other, big and small.”

The Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels are 7.5 metres long and powered by solar, wind and wave energy. They can remain at sea for up to six months, providing extended surveillance capabilities.

Tikoduadua said the vessels would become Fiji’s sovereign assets and help authorities detect drug trafficking and illegal fishing.

He said the new capability would complement existing maritime security resources developed through cooperation with Australia.

Tikoduadua acknowledged Australia’s Pacific Patrol Boat Programme, including the Guardian-class patrol boats already in Fiji, as well as existing support involving the Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC).

He said the new vessels would provide a dedicated resource, primarily managed by the Maritime Essential Services Centre under the leadership of the Republic of the Fiji Navy.

Tikoduadua said maritime security was a shared challenge for Fiji and Australia, given their connection through the ocean.

He said the cooperation reflected the spirit of the Vuvale partnership, with both countries working together to address shared challenges, support each other and strengthen regional security.

The vessels will support Fiji’s efforts to implement its Integrated Maritime Security Strategy, which aims to strengthen coordination between government agencies and improve the country’s ability to monitor and respond to threats across its maritime zone….PACNEWS

PNG – INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE: THE NATIONAL       PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

No power to ratify B’ville referendum results: Namah

PORT MORESBY, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Papua New Guinea Parliament does not have the constitutional power to ratify the 2019 Bougainville referendum results, according to Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah.

In his third debate on the matter, Namah said Section 342 of the Constitution did not give Parliament the power of ratification; but only the referendum result be tabled in the House.

He said the problem was with Section 324 (2), which states “subject to the consultation referred to in Section 342 (1), the minister responsible for the Bougainville referendum shall take the results of the referendum in the National Parliament”.

Namah said: “(It) does not automatically authorise Parliament to take any decision on the referendum results. Nothing in this provision or in the peace agreement expressly authorises Parliament to take a vote or ratify the result of the referendum.

“Nothing at all. Nothing whatsoever.

“We have been making this assumption all these times.

“We have actually invented these unlawful actions for Parliament to take.

“My position is that the tabling of referendum results and the constitutional process for establishing an independent state are two different legal matters.

“The Constitution is the supreme law of our country.

“Parliament must support it and not act beyond it.”

He urged Parliament to exercise its powers within the limits of Constitution, adding that it was limited by Section Two which provides for the area of Papua New Guinea.

“Section 2 (2) of our Constitution declares Papua New Guinea’s sovereignty over its territory and its natural resources is and shall remain absolute subject to the international legal obligations accepted in accordance with the Constitution,” he added.

“Bougainville forms part of the constitutional territory of Papua New Guinea.

“Consequently, any process that would result in its separation and establishment as an independent sovereign state raises fundamental questions about the continued application of Section 2 of our Constitution.” He called on MPs to exercise caution during their debates and warned that the future implications of their vote could affect future generations.

“Parliament must not confuse the authority to consider the referendum result with an unrestricted authority to alter the constitutional foundation of our nation,” he said.

Namah said to ratify the referendum vote would automatically redraw the boundaries of PNG and would therefore contravene Section 2 of the Constitution…..PACNEWS

PAC – DIPLOMACY: ISLANDS BUSINESS         PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Pacific leaders say ocean protection must put Indigenous authority first

NADI, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—Pacific conservation efforts will fail to endure unless Indigenous communities help decide how ocean projects are designed, governed and funded, Dr Winifereti Nainoca said, warning that outside proposals can miss local priorities and leave communities with projects they did not ask for.

“Do not come with a proposal already done,” said Nainoca, a Fijian conservation specialist, urging organisations to consult communities and capture their needs before projects begin.

She described seeing machines supplied to a community that wanted improved boreholes instead.

Nainoca urged funders to “co-design, co-implement, co-end, and then you leave,” saying local communities would carry on when a project made sense to them. She also warned against tokenistic engagement.

Justin Mohamed, Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People, said Indigenous partnership and leadership should guide the Pacific’s ocean and climate work.

He said customary authority and Indigenous knowledge must be recognised and Indigenous peoples and local communities empowered as partners in design, governance and delivery.

Mohamed cited Australia’s Indigenous Ranger Programme as an example of Indigenous-led conservation, saying traditional owners govern and manage sea-country protected areas.

He said 19 such areas protect more than 9.3 million hectares of Australia’s marine and coastal environments.

In Fiji, traditional and community leadership is also tied to restoration and livelihoods. A traditional leader described planting 20 hectares of mangroves across four villages and restoring 26 hectares of forest, while identifying a need for revenue streams for community forest-carbon projects.

Alumita Talei Sekinairai, a University of the South Pacific PhD student, presented a draft framework linking traditional and international ocean governance.

She said Pacific Ocean governance begins with relationships among people, ancestors, the Vanua and the ocean, and proposed bringing customary authority, traditional ecological knowledge, community participation, science, finance and technology together.

Acting British High Commissioner to Fiji Steph Lysaght called for plain language about climate risks, saying “resilience” can obscure consequences such as lost homes, livelihoods and lives.

He said listening to communities was essential to understanding what needed to be done….PACNEWS

SAMOA – PEACEKEEPING: TALAMUA MEDIA PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Five Samoa Police officers deployed on UN Peacekeeping mission

APIA, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (TALAMUA MEDIA)—Five more Samoan police officers have been recruited under the United Nations peacekeeping mission overseas.

The team will be led by Inspector Faamatala Vaalele-Tuvale and includes Senior Sergeant Faafetai Opeta Auvaa, Sergeant Faatonu Leava, Corporal Saisirita Uelese Tufuga and Constable Pulemau Vito Utai.

Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga is urging the team to serve with dignity and to uphold Samoa’s reputation through their conduct and professionalism.

“While you are deployed overseas, behave in a way that upholds the good reputation of Samoa,” he said.

Leiataua acknowledged the sacrifices the officers and their families would make during their time apart, reminding them that their deployment represents a greater commitment to serving their organisation while proudly representing Samoa abroad.

He also stressed the importance of respecting the laws, cultures and traditions of their host nation.

Leiataua reminded the officers to maintain the high standards of professionalism expected of United Nations peacekeepers throughout their service.

“Support one another, remain disciplined in the face of challenges and draw strength from the support and sacrifices of your family and loved ones who will be left behind” Leiataua said.

He urged them to draw strength from the support and sacrifices of the family members and loved ones they would leave behind.

Samoa has participated in United Nations peacekeeping for 26 years, since signing an agreement with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in February 2000 and deploying its first police officers to East Timor in June 2000….PACNEWS

FIJI – PASSPORT: PACNEWS                                                                                               PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Fiji passport ranks 97th globally, opens 78 destinations

SUVA, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)– Fijian passport holders can access 78 overseas destinations without obtaining a traditional visa in advance, but Fiji ranks 97th globally and 11th among 14 countries in Oceania, according to the latest Passport Reports index.

The ranking, updated on 18 October, gives Fiji a mobility score of 78, equivalent to access to 39.4 percent of the 198 foreign destinations assessed.

The score includes 49 destinations offering visa-free entry, 24 allowing visas on arrival or comparable facilitated-entry arrangements, and five accessible through electronic travel authorisation.

Visas are required for the remaining 120 destinations.

China, Ireland and South Korea are among the destinations listed as visa-free for Fijian passport holders, while Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States require visas.

Some destinations counted as visa-free still require arrival cards or other entry procedures. Malaysia and Singapore, for example, have arrival-card requirements and 30-day provisions, while the Seychelles is listed under electronic travel authorisation, with tourist registration and a 90-day period.

Some destinations offering visas on arrival also provide electronic visa options, which are classified separately from visa-free travel.

Fiji ranks 11th among 14 passports in Oceania. It is also ranked 30th among 56 Commonwealth members, 32nd among 60 countries where English is an official language, and 32nd among 40 parliamentary republics.

The index places Fiji 92nd among 159 World Trade Organization members and 48th among 132 Group of 77 countries.

These rankings compare Fiji with countries in specific groups and do not change its overall global position.

Separately, Fiji ranks 53rd among 199 countries in Passport Reports’ welcoming-country ranking, which measures entry access for foreign passport holders travelling to Fiji.

The ranking differs from the passport mobility index, which measures where Fijian citizens can travel.

The distinction is reflected in travel requirements between Fiji and other countries. British passport holders can enter Fiji visa-free, while Fijian citizens require visas to visit the United Kingdom.

Passport Reports also calculates a hypothetical scenario in which Fijian passport holders receive visa-free access to all 29 Schengen destinations.

Under that scenario, Fiji’s mobility score would increase from 78 to 107, while its visa-free destination count would rise from 49 to 78.

Recalculating the rankings under the platform’s methodology would move Fiji from 97th to a hypothetical 77th place globally, ahead of Moldova and behind Tonga.

The calculation assumes that rankings for the other 198 passports remain unchanged. It does not represent an actual change in European visa policy.

Passport Reports assesses 199 passports using a common set of criteria covering visa-free entry, visas on arrival and comparable facilitated-entry arrangements, and electronic travel authorisation.

Passports are ranked first by their total mobility score. Where scores are tied, the index compares visa-free access, electronic travel authorisation access and visa-on-arrival access, in that order.

Passports with identical figures across all four measures receive the same ranking.

The platform says its methodology is designed to make comparisons consistent and transparent, although rankings can differ between passport indices because of variations in how entry arrangements are classified and scores are calculated…. PACNEWS

PAC – DEFENCE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES        PACNEWS 3: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Military buildup oversight office ends mission on Guam, CNMI amid mixed signals about Marines’ relocation

SAIPAN/HAGATNA, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —The Guam Programme Management Office, which oversaw military infrastructure development in the Marianas, has capped its mission amid the Pentagon’s vague plans for implementing the Marines’ relocation from Okinawa to Guam.

The programme office, a unit attached to the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, managed military projects, environmental tasks and other military buildup-linked activities on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands under the Pacific Command’s Defence Policy Review Initiative.

“GPMO translated high-level bilateral policy into tangible infrastructure across Guam and CNMI,” Captain Brent Paul, Navfac Pacific’s vice commander, said on 14 October ceremony marking the official termination of the programme office’s mission.

“Its people did not simply manage construction; they helped engineer a lasting strategic capability for the joint force.”

Navfac said the program office’s functions have transitioned to permanent entities within Navfac Pacific, Navfac Marianas and Marine Corps commands.

The programme office spearheaded the planning, environmental compliance, stakeholder coordination and infrastructure delivery for an extensive portfolio of facilities supporting the U.S Marine Corps posture in the Marianas.

The office oversaw the development of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, which was commissioned in January 2024. It also managed the Mason Live-Fire Training Range Complex project and infrastructure at Andersen Air Force Base and waterfront facilities at Naval Base Guam.

Camp Blaz was built to accommodate the Marines, who were to be relocated from Okinawa to Guam as part of Washington’s 2006 agreement with Japan. The troop realignment plan was revised in 2012 to scale back the Marines’ deployment, cutting the number from 9,000 to 5,000.

Under the original plan, the Marines’ transfer was scheduled to be completed by 2014.

Construction delays, local opposition and regional security concerns have pushed the timeline back, with officials estimating it may take another decade to complete the transition.

In December 2024, the Navy began deploying a vanguard of 100 troops to assess the needs at Camp Blaz and support the activation of the marine base.

However, there have been no follow-up arrivals since the 2024 deployment.

During a visit to Guam in October 2025, Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao said the U.S Department of the Navy is “constantly reevaluating” its posture regarding the Marines’ relocation.

In a report released in February this year, a U.S foreign policy think tank urged Washington to renegotiate the relocation agreement with Japan, recommending that the 5,000 Marines be kept in Okinawa.

The Atlantic Council pointed out that the initiative weakens U.S deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, which faces growing threats from China.

The Government Accountability Office, in its November 2025 report, noted that the Pacific Deterrence Initiative had not received any supplemental or dedicated appropriations from Congress.

“Officials from the military services said that without supplemental appropriations, PDI is implemented primarily as an accounting tool for congressional reporting and is not used to prioritise resources or programs in the Indo-Pacific,” the report says.

Citing U.S Army Pacific officials, GAO said the military buildup on Guam was still in the early stages of infrastructure development.

According to Navfac, the programme office—previously known as Joint Hua Programme Office—“helped establish the infrastructure foundation for MCBCB” and “supported training-range development, aviation and logistics infrastructure, ordnance storage, embarkation capabilities, medical facilities and amphibious-support infrastructure.”

Florence Ching, the office’s former director, noted the programme’s scale and complexity, which require coordination among federal, military, and government of Japan agencies, as well as local and community stakeholders, while operating across Guam and CNMI.

“The programme’s accomplishments reflect years of disciplined planning, engineering expertise and close coordination among partners,” Ching said.

Garret Fong, former programme manager, said the programme office “created a legacy of engineering rigor, integrity and respect for the Guam community.”….PACNEWS

PACNEWS BIZ

PAC – FISHERIES: FFA                                   PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 23 Oct 2026

FFA Members advance fisheries investment priorities ahead of MOC22

HONIARA, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (FFA)—The East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) is advancing efforts to increase the economic benefits Pacific countries receive from their tuna resources, with FFA Members and regional partners meeting this week at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Headquarters in Honiara to discuss the key outcomes and progress made in implementing ENBi.

The 8th ENBi Working Group Meeting opened a series of technical discussions ahead of the 22nd Management Options Consultation (MOC22), which will bring FFA Members together from 26 – 29 October to consult on regional tuna fisheries management priorities.

Opening the ENBi meeting, FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop said the region’s achievements in sustainable tuna fisheries management must translate into greater economic returns, investment and employment opportunities for Pacific countries and their people.

Our success in conserving our tuna resources must increasingly be matched by our success in generating greater economic value for our Pacific economies,” Pakop said.

He highlighted recent decisions by FFA Ministers, including approval of the ENBi Implementation Strategy, progress towards operationalising the Regional Fisheries Development Fund (RFDF), and recognition of Members’ national initiatives.

“These decisions provide us with a clear mandate. Our responsibility now is to turn that political commitment into practical action and measurable economic outcomes,” he said.

The meeting is reviewing progress against the ENBi workplan, budget and resourcing, national developments across Members, and arrangements for establishing the RFDF. Members are also considering the Terms of Reference for the Project Steering Committee responsible for establishing the fund, alongside proposals for an ENBi Technical Working Group.

The RFDF is intended to support fisheries development and encourage investment, helping Pacific Island countries participate more actively across the tuna value chain, including processing and other value-adding activities.

Pakop stressed the importance of coordinated implementation, strong regional partnerships and greater private-sector participation in creating these opportunities. Collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC) supports the scientific evidence, economic analysis and modelling needed to inform investment decisions. 

An agreement with the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO) clarifies respective roles in implementing the ENBi Strategy, while work is progressing on a Letter of Intent with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to strengthen regional coordination, including cooperation on the RFDF.

He encouraged Members to use the Working Group to share experiences, address implementation challenges and strengthen collaboration, including across sectors at the national level. These priorities are also reflected in FFA’s Strategic Plan 2026–2031, which places greater emphasis on fisheries economic development, value addition and maximising economic returns to Members.

The Director-General also paid tribute to the late Dr Chris Reid, FFA’s former Director of Fisheries Development, who passed away last week after more than 25 years of service to the Agency.

Dr Reid played an important leadership role in guiding ENBi since its establishment in 2023, drawing on his expertise in fisheries economics, development policy and regional cooperation to advance the initiative. 

Pakop acknowledged his significant contribution and extended condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, encouraging participants to continue the work he helped shape.

The ENBi meeting is the first of several technical engagements scheduled ahead of MOC22. These include an Implementation Plan Workshop on 20 October, the 14th South Pacific Albacore Meeting (SPA14), an Electronic Monitoring Workshop on 21 October, and the Bigeye Management Procedure Workshop on 23 October.

The meetings provide opportunities for Members and regional partners to progress fisheries development and management priorities, exchange technical information and prepare for discussions at MOC22.

MOC22, scheduled for 26–29 October at FFA Headquarters in Honiara, will focus on regional tuna fisheries management priorities and coordinated positions ahead of upcoming regional and international fisheries management negotiations. The Special Forum Official Committee (FOC) Officials meeting will take place on Friday 30 October 2026.

Through these engagements, FFA continues to support its Members in strengthening regional cooperation, sustainably managing Pacific tuna resources and ensuring these resources deliver lasting economic and social benefits for Pacific communities….PACNEWS

PAC – FISHERIES: FFA                                   PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Fish inspectors see export processing first-hand at Golden Ocean

SUVA, 23 OCTOBER 2206 (FFA)—Competent Authority Officers from six Pacific countries visited Golden Ocean’s processing plant in Walu Bay, Suva last Saturday, as part of a two-week training programme to strengthen their knowledge of fish safety, quality and export requirements.

The visit was part of a series of field visits to fresh and frozen fish processing facilities and landing sites, giving officers the opportunity to see how the requirements covered in the classroom are applied in practice. At Golden Ocean, they observed how fish was received, processed and packed for export.

The participants spent the morning at the plant, observing how fish was processed and packaged for export and learning more about what happens between the fish being landed and the finished product being shipped to overseas markets.

Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Market Access Specialist Ratu Jope Tamani, who is leading the training, said the visit gave participants an opportunity to see different types of fishing and processing operations, some of which they may not have encountered before.

“What we are trying to do is get the participants to see the different scale and scope of fisheries,” he said.

“Some have looked at purse seine fisheries but have never seen longline operations. Others have seen canneries but have not seen fresh and frozen loin processing.”

For the officers, seeing the process first-hand helped put their inspection responsibilities into perspective.

For Patrick Lanui of the Marshall Islands Competent Authority, the visit was a good learning experience.

“The training has been good. Some of the things covered were a refresher for me, but there were also new things I learned that I can take back and share with our team. The visit to the processing plant was particularly useful because we could see how things are done in practice. I can also share what I’ve learned with our new colleague and help him understand the inspection process.”

For Leighanne Yakip Lambea from the PNG National Fisheries Authority, the visit offered a new perspective on fish processing.

“In Papua New Guinea, we mostly deal with canneries, so this was my first time visiting a fresh fish processing facility. It was good to see how the fish was received, graded, weighed and packed for export. The visit gave me a better understanding of how the process works in practice and the different types of fish being handled,” she said.

Kutimeti Peleti, a Fisheries Officer with the Competent Authority Unit in Tuvalu said, “The field visit gave me a better understanding of how fish processing plants operate. Tuvalu does not have this type of facility, but what I saw has given me ideas to take back and discuss with my senior management. I hope that one day Tuvalu can also have a processing plant of its own, just as other Pacific countries have done.”

Lolokula Batirerega, representing Fiji’s Competent Authority, said officers were responsible for checking that fish was handled properly at every stage, from offloading at the wharf to transportation and processing.

“We inspect the workers and how they handle the fish, and we see that everything is handled hygienically and is compliant before we issue the health certificate,” she said.

She explained that officers regularly visit wharves and processing facilities to check that products meet the requirements of the markets they are being exported to.

Batirerega said the training was also important for her own team, including new recruits, as export requirements continue to change.

“It’s always best that the team is aware of the changes that are taking place,” she said.

Golden Ocean Plant Manager Mr Wang Lui welcomed the participants and the opportunity for them to see the plant’s operations first-hand.

He said maintaining fish quality was important for the company’s export markets, which include the United States, New Zealand and Europe.

The visit was part of the National Competent Authority Officer Training Programme, currently taking place in Suva from 12 – 23 October 2026. Around 15 officers – nine women and six men – are attending the training. They represent Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji.

The programme also covers the different purposes of health and catch certification. Health certification addresses applicable food safety and public health requirements, while catch certification relates to the legality of catches and efforts to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The training was organised by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) through the EU-funded Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership Programme (PEUMP II) ……PACNEWS

PAC – FISHERIES: PACNNEWS/FFA              PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 23 Oct 2026

FFA, Solomon Islands move to revive annual fisheries colloquium

HONIARA, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS/FFA)—The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Solomon Islands have agreed to revive their annual colloquium to strengthen engagement between the regional fisheries body and its host government.

The agreement was reached during a meeting on Tuesday this week between FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop and Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, George Hoa’au.

Both sides recognised the importance of regular dialogue to support FFA’s regional mandate and advance shared priorities.

Hoa’au highlighted the special relationship between Solomon Islands and FFA, which is headquartered in Honiara, and outlined the Government’s plans to strengthen its foreign service.

He said regional cooperation and engagement with regional institutions were important elements of the Government’s agenda.

Pakop briefed Hoa’au on FFA’s reform programme, which aims to improve the agency’s organisational effectiveness and service delivery to its members.

He also emphasised the value of restoring the annual colloquium to build on opportunities for closer engagement between FFA and the Solomon Islands Government.

The meeting reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to sustained dialogue and practical cooperation in support of FFA, Solomon Islands and wider Pacific priorities relating to oceans and fisheries…..PACNEWS

UN – PAID LEAVE: UN NEWS CENTRE           PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Mothers get nearly eight times more paid leave than fathers – and women pay the price

NEW YORK, 23 OCTOBER 2206 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—Mothers around the world get nearly eight times as much paid leave as fathers, leaving women to shoulder most of the care burden – at a cost to families, children and economies, according to new UN data published on Thursday.

On average, mothers receive 196 days of paid leave and fathers just 25, says the policy brief from gender equality agency UN Women and the World Bank Group.

In 66 of the 190 economies surveyed, fathers are guaranteed no paid leave at all. In half of the rest, they get less than two weeks.

Mothers are not universally protected either. In 61 economies, they get less than the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standard of 14 weeks, and in six they are guaranteed no paid leave whatsoever.

“Care sustains our families, societies and economies, yet women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of it,” said UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda.

The brief, From Parenthood Leave to Childcare Services, finds that the parenthood gap shapes family life long after parents return to work. 

When fathers take leave, they share more of the childcare and housework over the longer term – easing the burden on women, who on average spend 2.5 times more hours per day on unpaid care work than men. 

Paternity leave is also associated with higher earnings and employment for mothers, and more men taking leave could reduce the “motherhood penalty” face by their female co-workers. 

Children benefit too, with one analysis linking more responsible fathering to better cognitive functioning, language, emotion regulation and behaviour. 

Recent research shows that men increasingly want to be more involved in caregiving, and more than 64 per cent would support higher taxes to expand public care services. 

Caregiving rarely stops with children. Around one in four parents also care for older people, often with little or no support. 

“Closing the parenthood gap requires equitable parental and carers’ leave, alongside policies that enable and encourage fathers to take on their fair share of care, as well as the provision of social protection,” Gumbonzvanda said. 

Ahead of the International Day of Care and Support on 29 October, UN agencies are calling for care systems that challenge discriminatory gender norms, recognising men and boys as caregivers – and establish equal footing for all family members…. PACNEWS

PACNEWS DIGEST

The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS

Traditional journalism in the age of fakery

From the Publisher’s Desk by Mar-Vic Cagurangan

HAGATNA, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—Amid the uncontrollable surge of information online and the growing influence of social media, I heard it buzzing around: print is dying. Hashtags are the new headlines. 

Is this project a fool’s errand?

The mockery from doomsayers gave me nagging self-doubts 10 years ago. But then my generation couldn’t have gone extinct entirely. I decided I’d give it a shot anyway—even just to satisfy my curiosity and test the market.

So in October 2016, we launched the maiden issue of the Pacific Island Times, with Louella Losinio, Gerry Partido and Jan Furukawa on Guam, in collaboration with Palau’s Pacific Note led by Kambes Kesolei and Bernadette Carreon. We don’t have fat bank accounts; we don’t have investors backing our operations; we’re only equipped with the conviction that there was room for independent journalism, free of corporate control and political influence.

The Pacific Island Times/Pacific Note team is composed of veteran journalists whose goal is to fill the gaps in regional reporting, bridge the distance between the islands and understand who we are. We seek to give voice to our Pacific neighbors through long-form journalism, thorough research, opinions and news analysis. Our freelance journalists and columnists from Guam, the CNMI, the U.S and the Pacific island region don’t disappoint.

We have since established our brand and grown our readership despite the challenges facing any startup business. We’ve survived the Covid-19 pandemic, which left economic carcasses in its brutal wake.

The advertising revenues and donations we receive are reinvested in building our print and online content. We sincerely appreciate our supporters.

We are marking our 10th year. If you are reading the print edition, you are sifting through the paper because Gutenberg’s legacy endures. The printing press is still running. Marians Variety, the region’s longest-running newspaper, prints our paper.

But traditional journalism has come under unprecedented attack from generative AI technologies, the growing monsters that have pushed the resurgence of “fake news” rhetoric to a dystopian level. The evolution of deepfake technology has diluted public trust. It’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake.

Traditional  journalism is no longer the sole gatekeeper of information. Competition within the industry has given way to a united effort to protect the imperiled ecosystem of credible discourse. 

Unfortunately, contrived narratives that distort the truth outpace credible reporting. Orwell’s prescient “1984” has come to life.

AI-generated images and video clips create alternate realities. Regulation has failed to keep pace with rapidly exploding technology that recreates itself, leaving the human race vulnerable to malicious actors and exposed to sensationalised misinformation.

This is why I think traditional journalism matters more than ever; it’s the reliable light that shines in the dark. We subscribe to ethical standards. We uphold our moral and legal responsibilities to substantiate the information we report. We hold ourselves accountable. Credibility is our currency, despite shrinking advertising revenues that threaten our continued existence.

The Pacific Island Times, a member of the Pacific Island News Association (PINA), has built relationships with regional media outlets that seek to preserve free press and responsible reporting.

Common business sense requires us to critically examine our chances of further success and what we may be up against. We keep up with the times. Our online content is free to access. We believe truth shouldn’t have a price tag. 

Selling ads has not been easy, what with digital competition. But my indefatigable partner Jan Furukawa, our sales and marketing executive, has been managing to surmount the challenges. 

We are poigntantly warned that the world as we knew it is slipping out of existence, but our endurance is a testament to people’s preference for responsible reporting.

Some speculate about a sudden resurgence of print triggered by people’s need to occasionally delink and shut off from the noise of the online world. “The more digital our lives become, the more we are looking for balance—and the more we’re rediscovering the tactile and tangible benefits of print,” blogger Louella Fernandez writes.

The print readers still take pleasure in the texture of crisp paper and the smell of ink, a reminder that the stories are real, not a fleeting hashtag or a mere digital simulation of reality….PACNEWS

PACNEWS DIGEST

The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS

Virtually all coral reef ecosystems face high risk of collapse in 50 years – IUCN Red List of Ecosystems

GLAND/YEREVAN, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (IUCN)— Nearly every assessed shallow-water coral reef ecosystem on the planet faces an extremely high risk of collapse by 2075, with 96 percent being classified as Critically Endangered, the first global coral reef assessment under the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems revealed today. 

The analysis covers all coral reef ecosystems in warm, shallow waters, spanning 127 tropical and subtropical ecoregions, and encompassing 188,362 km2 of coral reefs globally. Alarmingly, it shows that the world’s largest and most biodiverse coral reef ecosystems – including those within the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Coral Triangle in the western Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and the Red Sea coral reefs – are all Critically Endangered, the highest level of threat. 

The assessment evaluates the risk of ecosystem collapse using historical observations, current conditions and future projections of ocean warming.  

Heat stress from climate change is the single most consistent threat driving coral reef decline worldwide. Ocean warming and marine heatwaves are causing mass bleaching events that trigger widespread coral mortality with increasing frequency. IPCC’s “middle-of-the-road” scenario, used in the assessment, projects 2.7°C of atmospheric warming by the end of the century, resulting in continued warming of ocean surface temperatures.

“Coral reefs are one of the clearest vital signs of the ocean’s health. They support a quarter of all marine species and serve as an early warning system for the state of the seas. Their decline is depriving countless species of the food, shelter and breeding grounds they depend on, while threatening the safety and livelihoods of coastal communities and undermining key economic sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture and coastal tourism,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.

“It is not too late to give coral reefs a chance to recover, but it requires decisive action to tackle climate change and halt further ocean warming. We know what is needed: ambitious emissions reductions, stronger protection and restoration efforts, and sustained investment in resilient coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.” 

A coral reef ecosystem collapses when it loses its defining features. Hard corals, which build the reef’s living and growing foundation on the ocean floor, almost disappear, and algae, rubble and sponges take over. This process turns a formerly thriving, complex ecosystem into an impoverished one. As a result, it can no longer support diverse marine life, affecting entire food webs, from tiny invertebrates, clams and sea cucumbers to reef fish, sea turtles, and large predators such as sharks and groupers.

The share of Critically Endangered coral reef ecosystems would be higher still, encompassing all assessed coral reefs, were it not for four out of the 127 ecoregions that remain Data Deficient, and the Western Galápagos Islands, already classified as Collapsed since the 1982-83 El Niño event. 

Critical window for action remains, but is narrowing rapidly

Despite serious pressure, coral reef ecosystems in most parts of the world are not yet lost. Based solely on observed changes over the past 50 years and excluding future climate projections, 24 percent would be Critically Endangered rather than 96 percent. This gap highlights a crucial opportunity: ambitious climate action combined with targeted conservation measures can still make a difference.

“The risk of coral reef collapse is escalating, but this must be a wake-up call rather than a cause for despair. Coral reefs have shown a remarkable ability to bounce back from devastating bleaching events. Pockets of surviving, resilient coral reefs can still remain in the future, so we must do everything within our reach to set them up for success”, said Dr Mishal Gudka, Research Director at CORDIO East Africa, research fellow at the University of Melbourne and scientific lead of the global IUCN Red List of Coral Reef Ecosystems assessment. 

“This assessment shows just how urgent and important cutting greenhouse gas emissions is. At the same time, national and local authorities must act. By keeping coastal waters clean and free from pollution and ensuring fishing is sustainable, they can give coral reefs and other ecosystems like seagrass meadows and mangroves the best chance of surviving”. 

In East Asia, where coral cover has shown notable historical resilience relative to other global ocean basins, 20% of coral reef ecosystems would be Critically Endangered based solely on observed changes over the past 50 years – well below the universal Critically Endangered status when future climate projections are included. The situation is comparable in the Northern Red Sea, where reefs have developed unusually strong thermal tolerance and would be classified as Vulnerable rather than Critically Endangered, based only on recent trends.

Across several regions, including East Asia, the Western Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and Brazil, overexploitation of key fish groups, such as parrotfish and grouper populations, is a major current threat. These herbivore and predator species help control competitive algae and balance the marine food web, but depleted fish populations are disrupting the ecological balance of reef systems and undermining their ability to recover from heat stress, threatening 63% of coral reef ecosystems. Coastal development, pollution, overtourism, industrial development, aquaculture, more frequent storms, freshwater flooding, and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks are also significant threats driving reef degradation and ecological imbalances.

“Effective conservation can still make a real difference by easing local pressures, expanding marine protections and restoring key fish stocks. Protecting reefs and the benefits they provide is critical for people and biodiversity, as the drastic shift in global coral reef systems will impact millions of people who depend on coral reefs directly and indirectly”, said Emily Nicholson, IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Thematic Group Lead in the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (IUCN CEM).

Supporting science-driven conservation for coral reefs

The Global Red List of Coral Reef Ecosystems was coordinated by IUCN, IUCN CEM, the University of Melbourne and CORDIO East Africa, in partnership with regional nodes of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), bringing together more than 250 experts and covering reefs in more than 80 countries and territories. It draws on decades of monitoring data on coral distribution, degradation and ecological processes, combined with satellite records of sea-surface temperatures. 

“This landmark assessment is an important step towards understanding and protecting coral reef ecosystems, highlighting a critical 50-year window for conservation action. Continued monitoring, reliable data and regular assessments are essential to track changes, evaluate conservation efforts and guide future action. The MSC Foundation is proud to invest philanthropic resources in advancing the science that makes this possible,” said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation, a major funder of the assessment.

Alongside its coral reef ecosystem analysis, IUCN has recently reassessed the status of 892 reef-building coral species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, finding that 44% are threatened with extinction. The two assessments are complementary: one measures the risk of losing individual coral species, the other the risk of losing coral reefs as functioning ecosystems…. PACNEWS

PACNEWS DIGEST

The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS

Pacific practitioners strengthen regional collaboration through Kiwa learning workshop in Fiji

WAINUNU, 23 OCTOBER 2206 (SPC)—Representatives from Kiwa-supported projects across the Pacific gathered for a learning exchange workshop at the Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm in Wainunu Bua.  

The Capitalisation of Learning Exchange (CAPEX) Workshop organised by the Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) project, under the Pacific Community (SPC), brought together practitioners working across agriculture, forestry and conservation. 

Participants from Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia, including Fiji, took part in the three-day event.  

A key focus of the workshop was exploring how to implement nature-based solutions (NbS) sustainably and integrate them into everyday community practices, ensuring their benefits continue beyond the lifespan of project funding. 

Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening community ownership and encouraging the long-term adoption of sustainable practices, rather than relying solely on external project support. 

POLFN Project Manager, Fuatino Fatiaki, said the workshop aimed to bring together practitioners from different sectors to share experiences and identify sustainable actions that could contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

“I believe this event is one of those important mechanisms to bring together different practitioners from different areas for us to discuss what is happening in our communities and find solutions or ways that are going to help us achieve a lot of the nature-based solutions that we are trying to promote,” said Fatiaki.  

With the event hosted at the Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm (OLF), the workshop featured farm observations, group discussions and practical activities allowing participants to explore organic and agroecological farming practices and reflect on how these approaches could be applied within their own communities. 

Mudrenicagi OLF Advisor, Karen Mills, said the gathering was a unique opportunity for practitioners working on similar environmental challenges across different parts of the Pacific to connect and learn from one another. 

“The Kiwa Initiative is all about climate adaptation through nature-based solutions. So, it’s a rare time for us to all meet face to face and share our knowledge with players who are doing the same kind of work but in different regions. 

“Some are focusing on forests, farming or oceans but altogether we are all working towards solving some of our climate challenges that we have here in the Pacific,” she said.  

The workshop also focused specifically on market access and livelihood opportunities, with participants exploring how nature-based solutions could contribute to improving household incomes, strengthening local economies and creating lasting benefits for communities across the Pacific. 

Representative of the Conservation Society from the Federated States of Micronesia, Yomalinda Pablo Alfons, said the exchange offered valuable insights into the different environmental challenges and approaches being discussed. 

“Overall, it’s a new experience and I’m glad to be a part of it. In addition to that every topic is discussed in detail in each session. I was very impressed, especially learning about the different situations in other places compared to back home,” said Alfons. 

Looking beyond the workshop, Fatiaki said it was important to turn shared knowledge into practical action and maintain collaboration among participating projects.  

“We hope that the knowledge and experiences shared during this workshop will go beyond these three days and translate into meaningful actions within our communities.  

“It is important that participants take what they have learned, adapt it to their local contexts and continue working together to strengthen nature-based solutions and build climate resilience across the Pacific,” said Fatiaki. 

The three-day exchange highlighted the importance of bringing Pacific communities and project partners together to learn from one another.  

This work is part of the Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) project under the KIWA Initiative, managed by the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) initiative at SPC. The KIWA initiative is funded by the European Union, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)….PACNEWS

Media contacts:  Venina Rakautoga: Communications Assistant, Land Resources Division, Pacific Community (SPC), veninat@spc.int

PACNEWS SPORT

FIJI – RUGBY: ANZ                                  PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 23 Oct 2026

ANZ extends partnership with Fijian Drua through to 2028

SUVA, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (ANZ)— ANZ has reaffirmed its support for the Fijian Drua, signing a new sponsorship agreement that will continue the partnership through to the end of the 2028 Super Rugby season.

A ceremonial signing of the agreement was held at ANZ House in Suva today, with ANZ Fiji Country Head Sohaib Mahmood and Fijian Drua Chief Executive Officer Jeff Miller coming together to mark the continuation of the partnership.

ANZ has supported the Fijian Drua since its inception and is the Official Bank and sponsor of both the men’s and women’s teams. The partnership has included financial sponsorship, community initiatives and financial wellbeing programs for players.

Mahmood said ANZ was proud to continue its relationship with the Drua.

“Today’s signing is an opportunity to celebrate a partnership that ANZ is incredibly proud of.

We’ve supported the Fijian Drua since the beginning, and we’re delighted to continue standing alongside the men’s and women’s teams as they enter their next chapter.

Rugby has a special place in Fiji. The Drua bring people together and represent teamwork, resilience and pride in our communities.”

Importantly, our partnership extends beyond the rugby field. It’s also about bringing our people, the Drua and the community together to create a positive impact.”

Fijian Drua Chief Executive Officer Jeff Miller welcomed the continuation of the partnership.

“We’re delighted to continue this incredible journey with ANZ, who have been with us since year one. This is a testament to ANZ’s commitment to Fiji and Drua fans, many of whom are ANZ’s customers. We are grateful for your faith and trust in the Fijian Drua and our purpose.

ANZ has a longstanding commitment to Fiji and the wider Pacific, with its community investment including financial education programs, partnerships and employee volunteering.

We look forward to working with ANZ to advance their financial literacy programmes and brand objectives in Fiji and everywhere the Fijian Drua play.”

Mahmood said continuing the Drua partnership reflected ANZ’s commitment to Fiji.

“The Drua have created something very special for Fiji, and we’re excited about what the next chapter will bring. We’re proud that ANZ will continue to be part of that journey,” he said…. PACNEWS