In this bulletin:
PAC – HEALTH/CLIMATE CHANGE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
WHO warns Pacific Health systems face growing climate and funding pressures
By Pita Ligaiula
MANILA, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)— Pacific Island countries are facing growing pressure on their health systems from climate change, workforce shortages and limited funding, with seven Pacific countries yet to include health in their national climate plans, says World Health Organisation (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Director Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala.
Addressing the 77th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila, Dr Piukala said countries had made progress in health services but continued to face longstanding problems alongside emerging threats.
“Climate change is reshaping how diseases spread, placing additional pressures on our health systems, and displacing communities,” Dr Piukala said.
He said climate-related risks were adding to the burden on health services already dealing with noncommunicable diseases, ageing populations, workforce shortages and competing demands on limited national budgets.
“Seven of them are Pacific island countries which are among the most vulnerable to climate-related risks,” he said, referring to the 10 countries in the Western Pacific Region that have yet to include health in their climate planning.
Dr Piukala said climate resilience had become a central part of WHO’s work, with support underway to help Pacific countries strengthen health facilities and prepare for climate-related emergencies.
Fiji and Kiribati are receiving support through a partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA) to strengthen climate resilience across their health systems. Similar work is underway in Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu through a WHO and United Nations Development Programme project funded by the Global Environment Facility.
A climate-risk assessment tool, CLEARPLUS, first piloted in Malaysia, is also being used in Fiji’s outer-island clinics.
Dr Piukala said the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) accreditation of WHO would provide countries with a direct channel to seek climate financing for resilient hospitals and early-warning systems.
“Resilience requires financing,” he said.
The WHO report also highlighted gaps in access to essential health services across the region.
The Western Pacific’s universal health coverage index rose from 63 in 2000 to 81 in 2023, meaning four in five people can access essential health services. However, the index ranged from 32 in Papua New Guinea to 89 in Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Piukala said people in remote, rural and island communities often had less access to health services than those in urban areas.
Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are also using WHO platforms to improve health workforce data and planning.
Immunisation remains another major concern. About 1.7 million children in the Western Pacific received no vaccines in 2025, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
Dr Piukala urged governments to invest in sustainable national vaccination programmes, warning that countries could no longer rely heavily on donor support.
He said the region could become the first WHO region to eliminate measles if countries acted urgently and achieved at least 90 percent vaccination coverage among all children by 2029.
Noncommunicable diseases account for almost 90 percent of deaths across the Western Pacific, while hypertension control rates remain below 10 percent in some Pacific countries and areas.
WHO has set a goal of providing treatment to an additional 100 million people with hypertension across the region by 2030.
Dr Piukala also highlighted progress in health emergency preparedness. The average time taken to notify WHO of a public health event has fallen from 20 days in 2023 to 48 hours, allowing threats to be identified more quickly.
WHO also supported responses to the Pacific’s largest dengue outbreak in decades, affecting Samoa, Tokelau and other Pacific island countries, as well as responses to vaccine-derived polio events in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Laos.
Looking ahead, Dr Piukala said digital health and artificial intelligence could improve services, particularly for overstretched health workforces, but countries would need to ensure the technology was used safely and equitably.
In Solomon Islands, health workers are piloting an AI-enabled tool that converts photographs of paper-based forms into digital data.
“The question is no longer whether AI will affect health and health systems,” Dr Piukala said. “It is whether we will manage it responsibly and ensure that its benefits reach everyone.”
He said countries across the Western Pacific needed to strengthen cooperation, close gaps in health services and prepare for future challenges.
“No country has all the answers. Neither does WHO,” Dr Piukala said. “But every one of us has something to contribute, something to teach, and something to learn,” he said…..PACNEWS
PAC – COASTAL FLOOD DAMAGE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
ADB warns Pacific, Asia coastal flood damage could top US$172 billion by 2050
By Pita Ligaiula
MANILA, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Coastal flood damage across Asia and the Pacific could rise to between US$172 billion and US$199 billion annually by 2050 without stronger adaptation measures, threatening millions of people, livelihoods and critical infrastructure, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warns.
The ADB’s Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2026 says annual coastal flood damage, estimated at about US$27 billion today, could increase to between US$519 billion and US$739 billion by 2100 if countries fail to invest in resilience.
More than 400 million people across ADB developing member countries with coastlines live within 10 kilometres of the sea, while coastal areas generate about US$7 trillion in economic activity annually.
The report says rising sea levels, coastal flooding and shoreline erosion pose growing risks to ports, fisheries, tourism, food security and communities, with small island developing states particularly vulnerable to the impacts.
“Coastal risks and economic damages are rising rapidly,” the report says, warning that the costs of inaction will increase as development and settlement continue in exposed areas.
Between 1985 and 2015, coastal settlements across the region grew by 66.8 percent, while settlements exposed to flooding increased by 92.3 percent.
The report projects sea levels could rise by 20 to 35 centimetres by 2050 across much of the region, increasing to about 50 to 80 centimetres by 2100 under an intermediate emissions pathway. Under a high-emissions scenario, sea-level rise could approach one metre in some locations.
More than 30 million people could be affected by coastal flooding each year by 2050 under high-emissions scenarios, rising to more than 100 million by 2100.
The ADB says the consequences extend beyond damage to buildings and infrastructure, affecting nutrition, health, livelihoods, cultural identity and the natural systems that protect coastlines.
For Pacific island countries, damage to coral reefs and fisheries can have particularly severe consequences because communities depend on them for food, income and coastal protection.
The report identifies women, poorer households and communities heavily dependent on the ocean as facing greater risks, often with fewer resources to prepare for disasters or recover from losses.
It estimates that 124,000 women in the Pacific could be pushed into food insecurity by 2030 due to climate-related factors, compared with 102,000 men.
The ADB says investing in coastal protection could significantly reduce future losses.
Annual investment of US$9 billion to US$19 billion in coastal protection could avoid between US$178 billion and US$360 billion in annual flood damage, delivering benefits of up to 20 times the investment cost.
However, the report stresses that there is no single solution for every coastline. Governments must assess local risks and development needs, with options including strengthening infrastructure, restoring natural barriers, adapting buildings and services, raising land and, where necessary, planned relocation.
Financing remains a major challenge.
The report estimates coastal resilience needs across the region at about US$20 billion annually, equivalent to around one percent of gross domestic product. For small island developing states, adaptation needs could amount to between 2.4 and 3.9 percent of GDP.
International public adaptation finance to coastal economies in the region increased from about US$5 billion in 2015 to an average of US$11.4 billion annually in 2022 and 2023. However, the report says current funding remains below estimated needs.
It calls for stronger public financial management, more concessional finance, improved disaster risk financing and greater mobilisation of private investment where appropriate.
The report urges governments to integrate coastal risks into national development and investment planning, strengthen institutions and coordination, and maintain long-term community ownership of resilience programmes.
“Coastal resilience isn’t about holding back development,” the report says. “It is about making smart choices now so coastal communities can adapt and thrive.”….PACNEWS
NZ – DIPLOMACY/POLITICS: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
‘Serious questions to answer’: Labour slams Luxon over Israel’s Pacific Islands Forum move
WELLINGTON, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has “serious questions to answer” over Israel becoming a partner of the region’s main political decision-making institution, Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson says.
Israel has joined the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as a development partner, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced in a statement on Wednesday.
A number of Pacific governments have been forging closer ties with Israel’s government at the same time that its standing in the international community has dropped to a new low.
The Israeli government has been widely accused of violating international law with its devastating military attack on Gaza and attacks on four other Middle Eastern countries over the past two years.
Luxon stated earlier this month that his Israel counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he came to New Zealand, after the International Criminal Court’s recent decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in his cabinet.
He said Israel’s entry to the PIF ecosystem was ultimately a decision for the Forum, but noted its partnership status would be “lower tier”.
The New Zealand leader attended the meeting in Palau last month when PIF leaders decided to recognise Israel as a new partner.
ACT leader David Seymour extended “a warm Pacific welcome” to Israel after it was accepted as a partner state.
“Another democratic country in the Pacific Islands Forum is a good thing – possibly a bit geographically challenged. But then we’ve had Britain try and join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, so it seems geography is no barrier these days.”
However, Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Vanushi Walters said if her party were in government, it would have opposed Israel’s inclusion in the PIF.
“Christopher Luxon has said that he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New Zealand,” she said.
“He has serious questions to answer on how this situation has come about and what steps New Zealand took to object.”
New Zealand has issued a travel ban targeting some Israeli leaders. But in terms of who from Israel would be attending the PIF summit in New Zealand next year, Luxon said it was more on an official level, rather than leader level.
Tel Aviv has stepped up its diplomatic focus on the Pacific over the last few years, gaining support from a number of Pacific countries in the process.
With its new PIF status, Israel will be obliged to engage actively with the region on development priorities in the areas such as water management, desalination, agriculture and climate change adaptation.
“Israel will participate in the Forum’s Sectoral Partnership Stream, enabling focused cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
It also referred to a more wide-ranging agreement between Israel and the PIF that would set out key goals, and a mechanism to measure their progress.
The PIF Secretariat itself has not issued a formal statement.
In recent times, three Pacific countries have announced they would open embassies in Jerusalem: Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Naoero and other Pacific nations are considering following suit.
They are among just a handful of countries that recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, as it remains a disputed territory between Israelis and Palestinians.
Samoan government released a statement highlighting Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa (La’auli) Leuatea Schmidt’s reflections from his past visit. La’auli wants to open the embassy as soon as possible and they are looking forward to it.
“The Prime Minister spoke about some of his greatest memories in Israel and one is when he was walking through the old city and seeing an abundance of fruits used to make juice which he said was amazing,” the Samoan government said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sione Tekiteki, a former PIF advisor and now law lecturer at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), told RNZ’s Midday Report that Israel was seeking to use the Pacific as a means of legitimising itself – using the affection it has won in the region.
“They are obviously tied. The strategic aspect here is gaining formal recognition through the Forum, which elevates it’s status beyond bilateral relationships,” he said.
They are among just a handful of countries that recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, as it remains a disputed territory between Israelis and Palestinians.
Samoa’s government released a statement highlighting Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt’s reflections from his past visit to Jerusalem.
“He wants to open the Embassy as soon as possible and they are looking forward to it,” the statement read.
“The Prime Minister spoke about some of his greatest memories in Israel and one is when he was walking through the old city and seeing an abundance of fruits used to make juice which he said was amazing.”
In June, Fiji hammered out an agreement for Israel to open an embassy in Suva, which would service nine Pacific countries.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who is subject to multiple complaints at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to Gaza, landed in Fiji last June, and was welcomed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka – who himself was deployed in the Golan Heights in his military days.
Rabuka, while sharing a kava bowl with Sa’ar, told him “We will always be with you.”
Most recently, Naoero opened a Jerusalem embassy within days of withdrawing from the ICC. Its government boasted about its record of voting in tow with Israel at the United Nations.
Most recently, Naoero opened a Jerusalem embassy within days of withdrawing from the ICC, a move applauded by the Trump administration.
The Naoero government press office has not responded to questions on whether this decision had to do with active ICC charges laid against Israeli leaders.
Tekiteki said in the decision to grant membership – made in Palau at last month’s PIF leaders summit – partners were considered in their totality, “as opposed to having specific conversations around specific countries”.
The nature of Israel’s diplomacy in the region has been described by Israel officials as a “sharing of expertise”, rather than a traditional aid relationship.
Israeli firms have established themselves in several Pacific countries, and Pacific nationals are provided opportunities to travel to Israel to study and work.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel told RNZ Pacific last year that they do not measure their friendship with the region by the amount spend on aid – which is relatively minor.
“Israel is not a major economical power that has a lot of money to spend, especially during times of war,” she said, adding that Israel had no plans to increase support in monetary terms.
“It’s not about the amount of money that we can invest but the quality and the things and how it affects the people.”
Haskel visited Papua New Guinea and Fiji a year ago. Her country agreed to provide for cybersecurity services in Fiji, with representatives from defence contractor Elbit, also part of her visiting delegation.
On the same trip, Haskel suggested that Fiji could deploy army personnel to the Gaza strip, where it is currently carrying out a devastating long-term military campaign against Palestinians.
This came before a formal request by the United States to Fiji in December for troops to join a UN-authorized International Stabilisation Force in Gaza – which Fiji has given no formal response to.
As for PIF itself, Tekiteki says New Zealand, as next year’s hosts, will have to make some hard decisions around Israel’s participation.
“Israel is a sectoral partner… it is still unclear whether, moving forward, sectoral partners would be invited into the PIF leaders meeting, or whether those dialogues would be held at ministerial leave,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DEEP SEA MINING: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
Earthjustice seeks to halt auction of 31M acres of seabed around American Samoa
HONOLULU, 22 OCTOBER 2206 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—A legal environmental group has sued the U.S. government in a bid to stop the Trump administration from pushing through with the 19 November auction of 31 million acres of mineral-rich seabed surrounding American Samoa.
Earthjustice petitioned the federal court in Hawaii for injunctive relief following the Marine Minerals Administration’s issuance of the final notice of lease sale for potential deep-sea mining exploration in a section of the waters off the U.S territory.
The U.S government will lease two areas, each for a 20-year term, at a minimum bonus bid of US$3 million to map American Samoa’s outer continental shelf lands.
“Critical minerals are no longer just commodities; they are a vital strategic asset in global competition, essential for reaching our energy efficiency goals, strengthening our national defence and securing domestic supply chains,” said Mike Olsen, acting MMA director.
The areas targeted for exploration are rich in nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which are used to build batteries, electronics, and other products.
Earthjustice, however, challenged the MMA’s legal authority to sell mineral leases off American Samoa.
Suing on behalf of Faleula o le Manu‘atele, Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa and Conservation Council for Hawaii, Earthjustice argued that the Samoan leaders who ceded lands and waters to the United States signed two treaties that protect Samoan control over the territory’s assets.
Earthjustice cited the Instruments of Cession, which “secured the promise that the federal government would pay fair consideration for the use of ‘land, or any other thing’ in American Samoa.”
The 1929 Ratification Act “ratified that promise,” stipulating that the U.S public land laws “shall not apply to American Samoa,” the nonprofit legal group said.
“Congress has never passed a ‘special law’ authorizing mineral leasing of submerged public lands surrounding American Samoa,” the lawsuit states.
This was the second lawsuit Earthjustice filed against the proposed lease sale.
In August, the group sued the National Marine Fisheries Service for approving MMA’s “finding of no significant impact” without complying with the requirements under the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws.
The federal agency emphasised that a winning bid and a lease do not grant immediate permission to harvest deep-sea minerals; they only authorise preliminary activities such as mapping.
MMA said the lease award will be followed by a multi-stage post-auction regulatory process prior to physical exploration, testing or full-scale commercial harvesting.
“MMA recognises the ocean floor surrounding American Samoa carries cultural, economic and environmental significance, requiring that the pursuit of national security and energy readiness is balanced with rigorous environmental stewardship,” Olsen added.
Olsen assured American Samoa that as MAA evaluates potential deep-sea resources, its priority remains guided by science, environmental review and meaningful engagement with the people and leadership of the territory.
The MMA’s environmental assessment report dated 14 October said the proposed exploration “is not expected to constitute an irretrievable and irreversible commitment of resources, since the leases considered do not authorise any mining operations.”
The report said that marine cultural resources are unlikely to be found in the deepwater action area.
However, MMA said that existing federal historic preservation and environmental laws and regulations would reduce the magnitude of overall impacts on any cultural resources present in the lease areas.
In his official response to MMA’s proposed lease sale, American Samoa Governor Nikolau Pula asked the U.S government for equitable federal-territorial revenue sharing from commercial operations.
While saying it supports the governor’s recommendation, MMA said it is not currently authorized by law to offer revenue sharing.
“MMA notes the submission of H.R. 10318 by representative King-Hinds that recognises the importance of revenue sharing in Pacific territories,” the agency said.
MMA said it is working with the Department of the Interior leadership, lawmakers and relevant stakeholders to ensure American Samoa receives a fair share of revenues generated from offshore mineral leasing associated with the territory.
Chris Eaton, Earthjustice attorney, said the lawsuit seeks to “protect the Samoan lands and waters that hold histories, feed families, and shelter sacred beings before deep-sea mining causes irreversible destruction.”
“The more steps the Trump administration takes to breathe air into this speculative industry, the more that we question whether the Trump administration is making any effort to follow the laws,” he said.
Jonee Peters, executive director of the Conservation Council for Hawaii, noted that the seabed around American Samoa and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument is home to marine biodiversity, including endemic and endangered species.
“This type of extractive industry will destroy marine habitats, disrupt carbon sinks, and displace marine life, food sources and the cultural identity of this area,” Peters said. “It will cause a chain reaction of devastating effects across the Pacific region by altering cross migrations, loss of species and underwater pollution,” said Peters…..PACNEWS
VAN – POLITICS: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
Vanuatu warns of illegal action over ‘second republic’ movement
PORT VILA, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)—- The Vanuatu Government has warned that anyone involved in a reported attempt to establish a so-called “second republic” on Gaua Island could face prosecution, saying any move to create a separate government or raise an unauthorised flag is unconstitutional and illegal.
The Government said it was seriously concerned about reports from Gaua Island in Torba Province of a group claiming to represent a “second republic” and allegedly raising a new flag.
“Vanuatu is a single, sovereign, united and indivisible Republic as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu,” the statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said.
The Government warned that any attempt to establish a separate republic or government, or to raise a flag other than the national flag in a way that undermines national unity, would have no legal effect.
It said the reported actions could constitute serious offences under Vanuatu law, including sedition and other offences against public order under the Penal Code Act.
The Office of the Prime Minister said those responsible would face the full force of the law.
The Government also called on chiefs, church leaders and youth leaders in Torba Province and elsewhere in Vanuatu not to participate in, support or facilitate the reported activities.
It urged chiefs to ensure their names, nakamals and communities were not used for unlawful purposes, describing them as custodians of peace and unity.
The Vanuatu Police Force has been instructed to monitor the situation closely and investigate any unlawful activity, the statement said.
The Government said it remained committed to addressing development concerns in Torba and other provinces through lawful channels.
“Vanuatu’s unity, sovereignty and Constitution are non-negotiable,” it said.
The statement did not provide further details about the group or identify those allegedly involved in the reported movement…..PACNEWS
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
Tikoduadua assures public on Fiji election security
SUVA, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—“We support the Police and the Electoral Commission to make sure that the elections are conducted fairly and freely. That is our role, and that will always remain our role.”
That was the message from Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua as he spoke about security for Fiji’s two polls — the 09 December referendum and the General Election.
Asked whether the public should be worried, Tikoduadua said: “Absolutely not.”
He said he was speaking as the minister responsible for national security.
“Elections will occur at a time specified during the term of this Parliament,” he said.
Tikoduadua said Parliament’s term ends on 24 December.
The Prime Minister decides the election date after Parliament is prorogued.
He said the General Election would be held by early February 2027.
He urged people not to speak against the timing, saying the focus should be on the constitutional process.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has asked the Electoral Commission to suspend general election campaigning until after the referendum writ is returned.
In September, Tikoduadua praised the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) for helping maintain stability and democracy since the 2022 election.
He said the RFMF would remain in a supporting role.
Key dates
*November 9: Referendum writ expected to be issued
*December 9: National referendum
*December 14: Results expected
*Early February 2027: General election due …. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: TAIWAN TODAY PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
Taiwan expands Pacific ties through leadership programme
TAIPEI, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)— Taiwan is strengthening engagement with Pacific countries through a leadership programme bringing together 20 emerging leaders from nine Pacific nations for training in regional security, public health, governance and cultural ties.
The 2026 Pacific Islands Leadership Program with Taiwan opened in Taipei City on Monday this week, with Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) saying the initiative reflects its commitment to expanding partnerships across the region.
Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu said more than 200 young people had participated in the programme since it was launched in 2013 through a partnership between MOFA and the Hawaii-based East-West Centre.
This year’s programme includes 20 participants from nine Pacific countries, alongside three representatives from Taiwan’s Indigenous communities.
During the nearly month-long programme, participants will examine international relations, regional security, public health cooperation and Austronesian culture.
The programme also includes visits to major medical and research institutions and Indigenous villages in eastern Taiwan.
Wu highlighted Taiwan’s historical and cultural connections with the Pacific, saying Taiwan was part of the Pacific region and not China.
He highlighted the Indigenous peoples of Taiwan, who have inhabited the island for thousands of years, and their shared Austronesian heritage with communities across the Pacific.
Similarities in languages, festivals, tattoo traditions and weaving techniques reflect those cultural links, he said.
Wu said Taiwan and Pacific partners faced shared challenges, including geopolitical tensions and climate change, and called for stronger cooperation in good governance, sustainable development, medical care and health.
Matthew Cenzer, acting deputy director of the American Institute in Taiwan, acknowledged the work of MOFA and the East-West Centre in building a network of Pacific leaders.
He encouraged participants to strengthen collaboration among their own countries, Taiwan and the United States.
The programme is intended to provide participants with opportunities to exchange knowledge, build regional networks and deepen understanding of Taiwan and its engagement with Pacific island countries…..PACNEWS
NZ – VISA FREEZE/POLITICS: PMN PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
Visa-free travel and wage freezes spark fresh split in Pacific candidates debate
WELLINGTON/AUCKLAND, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (PMN)—Pacific candidates have locked horns over border access, overstayer amnesties, and minimum wage freezes in an election debate exposing sharp splits over how to protect Pacific workers and families.
With undecided voters dropping to 10 percent in the latest 1News Verian poll, the Pacific Media Network’s (PMN) Pacific Vote 2026 Debate showcased the high-stakes battle for Pasifika votes as Labour (27 percent) and the Greens (16 percent) scramble to hold off a surging right-leaning coalition led by National (32 percent) ahead of election day.
During the political panel hosted by Pacific Mornings, Labour’s Jenny Salesa reaffirmed her party’s commitment to a signature visa-free waiver for Pacific Island Forum countries, saying that over 60 other nations already enjoy visa-free entry into Aotearoa New Zealand.
“The system is already there. So it’s just a matter of making sure that our Pacific countries can also be within that system,” Salesa said.
Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono strongly backed visa-free access, highlighting the heartbreak of families blocked at the border during family emergencies.
“I’ve heard stories of people coming here, wanting to go to funerals, and then being stopped at the border because they’ve got to jump through a whole lot of hoops,” he said.
“That’s not acceptable. These are our relations, these are our neighbours.”
The push for open borders mirrors widespread community demand across the diaspora. Recent findings from the PMN News-Horizon Research Pacific Issues Election Survey show overwhelming support for regional mobility with 78 percent of respondents supporting visa-free travel or visa waivers for Pacific Islands Forum nationals visiting New Zealand.
ACT candidate Henrietta Devoe said her party would support a targeted one-year trial for Sāmoa first before considering other Pacific nations. But she took a hard line on immigration enforcement, drawing a direct comparison to overseas policy.
“If you’re going to come here to this beautiful country from anywhere and if you’re going to overstay or break the rules, then you should be deported,” Devoe said. “Just like Anu Schwarzenegger said when he migrated to America.”
Former Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro (NZ First) rejected calls to treat immigration with quick-fix measures, pushing instead for a structured amnesty for current overstayers alongside systemic fixes to the Pacific quota system.
“Let’s tidy this up. Let’s make sure there’s an amnesty, be able to bring them in to then correct the process over two years so they can be legit,” Ngaro said.
This call for regularisation is strongly backed by the public. The PMN Horizon poll found that 71 percent of Pacific voters favour a formal pathway to residency or amnesty for long-term overstayers who are actively working and contributing to local communities.
Ngaro also urged a strategic shift to recruit directly from the Pacific region for skilled sectors rather than relying heavily on workers from elsewhere.
“Our people are more than just the RSE workers picking grapes and apples… Actually, they can be getting years of engineering, owning their own businesses, SMEs. That’s where we need to get to,” he said.
The ideological split between political partners lands at a pivotal moment in the campaign, with Tuesday’s 1News Verian poll showing National surging four points to 32 percent while ACT climbed to 11 percent and NZ First dipped to eight percent, leaving both major political blocs locked in a tight race for power ahead of advance voting.
On jobs and economic security, the panel split sharply over ACT’s policy to freeze the minimum wage for three years and lower the youth training wage to 60 percent.
Devoe defended the stance, arguing lower starting costs encourage businesses to take a chance on inexperienced young workers.
“This is an opportunity for people to say, hey, I don’t have experience. I’ll get in here. An employer is willing to take that risk to bring you on for like a lower cost and therefore give you some experience on your feet,” she said.
The clash over incomes hits at the very top priority for voters. According to the PMN Horizon survey, 64 percent of Pacific households cite the cost of living and stagnant wages as their single biggest concern with more than half reporting that their weekly income is failing to keep pace with basic household expenses.
Tuiono slammed ACT’s proposal, warning that suppressed wages drive young talent overseas. “We invest in them, get their skills… pay them rubbish wages and then wonder why they leave.”
National’s Angee Nicholas highlighted the government’s target to create 220,000 jobs over four years while reducing reliance on JobSeeker support, aiming to get 50,000 people off benefits by 2030.
But job security remains a major anxiety for families, with the PMN-Horizon survey showing that nearly 60 percent of Pacific families worry about job security or youth unemployment in their immediate households under current economic conditions.
Offering an alternative path, The Opportunity Party’s Romeo Tevaga called for long-term economic stability through innovation, small business incubators, and 21st-century technology to drive high-wage growth for Pacific youth.
Tevaga’s pitch comes as the 1News Verian poll confirms Opportunity remains firmly on track to enter Parliament for the first time, holding seven percent support and cementing its role as a potential kingmaker in government formation.
Advance voting opens on Monday, 26 October, ahead of election day on Saturday, 07 November…..PACNEWS
FIJI – MARITIME SECURITY STRATEGY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Thu 22 Oct 2026
Fiji launches maritime security strategy, first in the Pacific
SUVA, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—The Fiji’s Maritime Security Strategy 2026-2035, the first of its kind in the Pacific, was launched Wednesday.
Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua said agencies could not tackle modern maritime crime under “outdated laws and fragmented authorities”.
The strategy aims to improve coordination across Government, strengthen maritime domain awareness and clarify legal powers at sea.
Tikoduadua said Fiji’s exclusive economic zone covered more than 1.28 million square kilometres, while 96 percent of the country’s trade moved by sea.
He identified drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal fishing, cyber threats and climate change as key threats. “Criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated and agile,” he said.
Tikoduadua said maritime powers legislation, which had already been endorsed by Parliament, would form part of the reforms.
He also stressed that security measures must not come at the expense of people’s rights, freedoms and dignity.
The strategy was developed with support from the United Kingdom’s Integrated Security Fund, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and King’s College London.
UK Integrated Security Fund Pacific head Peter Thomas said work on the strategy began with discussions two years ago.
“The next challenge is turning that direction into coordinated and sustained action,” he said.
UNDP Effective Governance team leader Rustam Pulatov said discussions began in 2024.
“Maritime security cannot rest on the duties of any single ministry or agency,” he said. Thomas said more than 1,000 Boatmaster licences had been awarded to community members.
Another 120 officers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Navy, Fiji Police Force and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service had also received training…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – VOCATION EDUCATION: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 22 Oct 2026
FSM seeks to revitalise vocational education through World Bank-funded programme
POHNPEI, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is piloting a World Bank-funded programme aimed at revitalising the nation’s vocational education to help build a skilled workforce and create job opportunities for young Micronesians.
President Wesley Simina led the 14 October opening of the FSM’s Skills Certification
Unit at the College Micronesia in Pohnpei, officially launching the Skills and Employability Enhancement project.
The Skills Certification Unit, which establishes a national mechanism to assess and recognise occupational skills, began the pilot implementation, with the first round of testing scheduled from 19 -23 October.
The first batch comprises 45 college graduates across five occupational areas: computer repair and support, residential electrical work, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, consumer electronics servicing and telecommunications.
According to a statement from the FSM government, “the initiative provides eligible candidates with a pathway to demonstrate their competencies against established standards, supporting employment opportunities and helping employers identify qualified workers.”
According to the World Bank’s abstract, the project aims to expand employment search assistance services in the FSM.
“Over the next five years, the SEE project will provide financial and technical support to Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap, with the goal of improving the accessibility, quality and relevance of vocational education, skills training and employability opportunities for the nation’s youth,” the World Bank said.
Simina highlighted the initiative as one of several programs aimed at supporting employment opportunities for young people and citizens across the FSM.
In a May 2026 report, the U.S Government Accountability Office noted that the FSM’s population has dropped sharply over the past decade as thousands of residents leave for better jobs, education and health care abroad, creating labor shortages in the nation.
The report found that the FSM’s population fell 26 percent between the 2010 and 2023 censuses, dropping from 102,843 to 75,817.
“Few jobs are available in the outer islands, and full-time opportunities are usually limited to teacher or health-assistant positions,” states the GAO report.
In his remarks during the project’s launch, Simina underscored the importance of helping citizens gain the skills and qualifications needed to enter the workforce and advance in their careers.
The FSM government said the new program provides a pathway for skills certification that can help link qualified workers with employers.
“Continued engagement with the private sector will help ensure that certification supports workforce needs and national development priorities.” the FSM government said.
The initiative is being implemented through collaboration among the National Department of Education, the FSM Department of Resources and Development and College of Micronesia-FSM.
Two additional pilot testing rounds are planned before the project concludes in June 2027. Additional certification areas planned include tourism and hospitality, agriculture, bookkeeping and skilled construction….PACNEWS
KIRIBATI – BANK CHIEF: ANZ PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 22 Oct 2026
ANZ appoints Edwin Shankar Country Head Kiribati
SUVA, 22 OCTOBER 2206 (ANZ)—ANZ has announced the appointment of Edwin Shankar as Country Head Kiribati, subject to the relevant regulatory approvals.
Shankar is expected to commence in early December and will report to Sucharu Tandon, ANZ Country Head Vanuatu.
Shankar is currently Director Diversified Industries with ANZ Papua New Guinea. He has more than 20 years of banking experience across Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Australia and the wider Pacific.
ANZ Regional Executive Pacific Sarah Stubbings said Shankar’s regional, customer and leadership experience would serve him well in the role.
“Edwin understands Pacific markets and the importance of strong relationships with customers, government and regulators. He is also an experienced people leader who will build on the strong foundations established by outgoing Country Head Greg Edwards and the Kiribati team.
“Kiribati is an important market for ANZ and an integral part of our Pacific network. As the country’s only commercial bank, we understand our responsibility to provide safe, reliable and accessible banking services, and to support individuals, businesses, government and the broader economy.
“Our commitment to Kiribati remains firm. With our new purpose-built branch and head office in Banraeaba, we have an even stronger platform to serve our customers and community. At the same time, we are continuing to invest in our people, expand digital access and support economic participation and financial inclusion.”
Earlier in his career, Mr Shankar was Head of Treasury and Trade in Solomon Islands and held money market, balance sheet and foreign exchange roles in Fiji. He holds an MBA Global with Distinction from James Cook University.
Shankar said, “It is a privilege to be appointed Country Head Kiribati. I look forward to meeting our customers, colleagues and stakeholders, and to building on the work Greg and the team have done.”
Stubbings also thanked Greg Edwards for his leadership since 2019.
“Greg has led ANZ Kiribati with care, resilience and commitment. He has been a great custodian of the business and has helped ensure continuity of banking services through a period of significant change. I thank him for his service to our customers, colleagues and stakeholders.”
Shankar will undertake a structured handover to support continuity for customers, colleagues and stakeholders, with business as usual throughout the transition…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Pacific Islands work to protect coral reefs in face of daunting outlook ahead
YEREVAN, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (SPREP)—For our Pacific Islands, also known as Large Ocean Island States, the forecast ahead for our coral reefs is grim. Coral reefs around the world are in decline and the time in which they have to recover before the next bleaching event, is getting shorter.
Healthy coral reefs absorb around 97 percent of incoming wave energy, helping to dissipate waves before they come on shore. For Solomon Islands, with more than 80 percent of its population living in rural coastal areas, WorldFish has estimated that Solomon Islanders consume around 73 kilos of fish and other aquatic foods per person per year.
Solomon Islands is part of the Coral Triangle, the global centre of marine biodiversity, together with Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea.
“Our reefs support around 500 coral species, more than 1,000 fish species, and an extraordinary diversity of other marine life,” said Rosalie Masu of Wildflire Conservation Society Solomon Islands.
“This richness is a blessing, and it comes with a responsibility to sustain it.”
Masu presented during the “From Global Ambition to National Action: Perspectives from Coral Reefs Nations” event at the Ocean Pavilion during the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity now underway in Yerevan, Armenia.
The event brings together over 1996 governments, stakeholders, NGO’s, indigenous groups and the private sector from 19 to 30 October to negotiate a way forward to halt, and reverse, the loss of biodiversity across the planet.
“Reefs support local markets, tourism, and community economies and they are cultural and knowledge systems too. Customary marine tenure, clan histories, sacred sites, and traditional ecological knowledge connect people to particular places. Through tambu areas, harvesting rules, and customary leadership, communities have long exercised stewardship over marine resources,” said Masu.
“Yet these systems face growing pressures from unsustainable fishing, land-use change, sedimentation, pollution, coastal development, and climate change. When reefs decline, the consequences reach directly into households.”
The Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2025 Report launched in August this year paints a daunting challenge ahead when it comes to caring for Pacific reefs.
Four global coral bleaching events have been recorded since 1998, each associated with a 6.5–9.9 percent relative loss of global hard coral cover.
There was a 8.9 percent decline between 2023 and 2024 which was the largest single-year loss on record, with the fourth global bleaching event not yet fully captured. The recovery intervals for these coral reefs are shrinking from approximately 10 years to 5–6 years in many regions, with no return to reference-period cover at any point since 2010.
The projected frequency of global bleaching events suggests global hard coral cover will continue to decline.
The Pacific is home to 25 – 27 percent of the world’s reefs.
“This makes our Coral reefs the heart of the Blue Pacific. They support our food systems, economies, cultures, and biodiversity, while also protecting our coastal communities,” said Ambassador Amena Yauvoli, Director of Biodiversity Conservation of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Ambassador Yauvoli also presented during the “From Global Ambition to National Action: Perspectives from Coral Reefs Nations” event.
“To address and respond to these challenges, our Members through a shared commitment adopted the 10-year Pacific Coral Reef Action Plan in 2021. It is the Pacific’s own roadmap for coral reefs, developed by the region, for the region.”
Coastal fishing village Solomon Islands
The Pacific Coral Reef Action Plan focuses on the region’s coral-reef conservation and management around four priorities over the next ten years. Those are conservation of habitats and biodiversity, sustainable fisheries and food security, resilience and adaptation to climate change, and sustainable tourism.
A key feature of the plan is its translation from a document on a shelf, to taking action for nature across the Pacific to protect coral reefs.
Through the EU Pacific BioScapes Programme it is taking ridge-to-reef action across 11 Pacific Island countries, from a regional assessment of coral reef capacity and needs to mangrove and coral restoration.
The AFD Pacific Ocean Initiative is protecting coastal and marine ecosystems across 18 countries and territories, strengthening national and local monitoring, and using eDNA to find and map resilient reefs and how they connect.
A partnership between SPREP, the Government of Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science is equipping countries that have requested with ReefCloud monitoring and reporting tools, online monitoring courses, train-the-trainer programs and a scientific writing workshop for the Pacific providing a space for Pacific scientific authors.
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Resilient Reefs Pasifika project is scaling up action and funding through Pacific hubs and a coral reef accelerator, and its Reef Seeding Initiative recently launched in Palau will be looking at large scale restoration of reefs with climate-resilient corals.
The SPREP Executive Board also endorsed the Pacific Year of the Coral Reef, 2028 and 2029 to align with the International Coral Reef Initiative’s fourth International Year of the Reef in 2028.
“Over the next year we will develop a Program of Work with our Members to plan out what they would like to implement and celebrate as part of the Pacific Year of the Reef,” said Ambassador Yauvoli.
“We welcome our partners here today to be part of this 2-year celebration.”
Solomon Islands is nearing completion of its National Plan of Action for Coral Reef Conservation, Management and Restoration, supported through the GEF-7 Coral Reef Rescue Project. This is one aspect of national work underway to protect its coral reefs, of which Masu recommends that communities must remain at the centre of decisions.
National ambition must connect with customary ownership, local knowledge, and community priorities. Communities must be given the opportunities to lead and shape management arrangements and understand how proposed measures will affect their lives,” said Masu as she stressed that the blessing of extraordinary biodiversity comes with shared responsibility.
“Participation must include women, young people, and others whose voices may be less visible. Communication must also work both ways: information should reach communities, and community perspectives should influence national decisions.”
The “From Global Ambition to National Action: Perspectives from Coral Reefs Nations” event was held on 22 October at the Ocean Pavilion during CBD COP17 in Yerevan Armenia.
CBD COP17 is taking place from 19 to 30 October 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
Western Pacific countries show strong interest in working together on access to essential medicines
MANILA, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (WHO PACIFIC) — Health ministers and senior delegates from across the Western Pacific Region, home to nearly 2.2 billion people, have expressed strong support for exploring voluntary regional collaboration to improve access to safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable health products.
This was the key outcome of a ministerial roundtable at the seventy-seventh session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, the regional governing body.
Convened at the request of the Philippines and facilitated by the Division of Health Systems and Services at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, the roundtable explored how countries could work together to respond to mounting challenges affecting access to medicines and other critical health supplies.
Latest WHO estimates show that nearly 600 million people in the Region, or 27 percent of the population, faced financial hardship from health spending, with cost of medicines a major driver of out-of-pocket spending. Geopolitical and economic crises are adding pressure on supply chains and health budgets, making access to medicines harder to sustain.
“Access to safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable medicines is fundamental to universal health coverage,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, while addressing the gathering.
“Strong national pharmaceutical systems must remain the foundation. But some problems cannot be solved by countries acting alone. WHO stands ready to support Member States in analysing the options, learning from other regions, and developing solutions that reinforce national systems and reflect the realities of the Western Pacific region.”
The Director-General pointed to Africa’s regulatory harmonisation efforts and the African Medicines Agency as examples of what countries can achieve together. The Pan American Health Organisation, the WHO Regional Office for the Americas, shared lessons from over 40 years of rich experience with its Regional Revolving Funds.
The WHO Regional Office for Europe, which also covers Central Asia, described how collaboration among countries and stakeholders can improve access to medicines, highlighting regional initiatives and lessons from its Novel Medicines Platform.
WHO outlined five areas where regional collaboration could complement national efforts:
1) stockpiling rare and critical products such as antidotes and antitoxins;
2) cooperation through regulatory reliance and recognition;
3) sharing intelligence to better deal with shortages and supply security;
4) aggregating demand and building collaborative procurement; and
5) collective action to help emergency preparedness.
Member States agreed that any collaboration should be country-led, voluntary, and complementary to national systems and existing mechanisms. They stressed the role of strong national regulatory systems in ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of health products.
Several countries called for better demand forecasting and market transparency. Japan, for example, asked for clarity on the scope of proposed regional collaborations, and for the roles of partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to be considered. Many saw subregional groupings, including and particularly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as a practical basis for taking collaboration forward.
ASEAN member countries also pointed to existing initiatives on drug, vaccine and diagnostic security and self-reliance, including ASEAN Drug Security and Self-Reliance, ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance and ASEAN Diagnostics Security and Self-Reliance, which could offer lessons for improving market transparency and procurement.
Five regulatory authorities in the Region (Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore) are WHO Listed Authorities, recognised for meeting international standards. Singapore and Indonesia highlighted that regulatory cooperation could reduce duplication of regulatory work, facilitate more timely access to new and life-saving medicines, and make markets more attractive to manufacturers. Australia, which works across both the ASEAN and Pacific subregions, offered to share lessons from regulatory partnerships.
Malaysia proposed a pooled procurement pilot, starting with a few essential medicines for which countries share clear needs. The Marshall Islands and Papua New Guinea welcomed the idea and offered to be pilot sites, saying it was time to move from discussion to action. Palau, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu also voiced support, with Samoa speaking for many in calling for an equitable voice for Pacific island countries and areas.
“I am so encouraged by the collegiality and candour displayed by our Member States on this timely topic,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
“Countries have issued a strong call to action, requesting WHO to chart a concrete plan with clear milestones. It’s clear that we need to demonstrate measurable progress that benefits the region, especially for countries that currently face significant constraints in accessing the medicines and other commodities they need.”
“While the roundtable was exploratory, it showed growing interest in practical and voluntary approaches to shared challenges,” said Lluis Vinyals Torres, Director of the Division of Health Systems and Services at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific.
“WHO will continue working with Member States through further technical analysis and consultation, taking into account country needs and existing mechanisms, to move from ad hoc responses to planned arrangements. Working together reflects the multilateral approach to health that WHO in the Western Pacific promotes for over a quarter of the world population,” said Vinyals Torres…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
New Zealand’s Climate Report Tests Its Pacific Leadership
Wellington’s latest environmental assessment highlights the growing economic risks of climate change, raising questions about whether government policy can keep pace.
By Olya K-Mehri
WELLINGTON, 22 OCTOBER 2026 (THE DIPLOMAT)—New Zealand’s latest climate assessment presents a challenge that extends beyond environmental protection, raising questions about whether the country can translate growing evidence of climate change into policies that protect its economy and strengthen its standing in the Pacific.
Published 07 October, “Our Atmosphere and Climate 2026” documents rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and mounting pressure on infrastructure, ecosystems and communities. New Zealand’s annual average temperature has risen 1.36 degrees Celsius since records began in 1909, while seven of its 10 warmest years occurred between 2016 and 2025. Concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide also reached record highs in 2025.
The report’s significance lies in what these trends mean for government policy. New Zealand must reduce emissions while preparing for climate impacts that are already occurring. How effectively it manages that balance will affect not only its economic resilience but also its credibility as a partner to Pacific island countries confronting similar challenges.
The government’s accompanying publication, “Our Atmosphere and Climate 2026: The Stories Behind the Numbers,” examines how communities and organisations are responding to climate-related risks. Read alongside the government’s “Second Emissions Reduction Plan for 2026–30,” the publications highlight the gap policymakers must bridge between documenting environmental change, reducing emissions, and preparing for its consequences.
Efforts to reduce emissions must be balanced against the economic importance of key industries and the livelihoods of those who depend on them. Agriculture accounted for 53 percent of New Zealand’s gross greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, according to the assessment, while remaining central to its export economy. Reducing agricultural emissions therefore presents difficult choices involving competitiveness, rural livelihoods, and the pace of economic transition.
Climate impacts add to those economic pressures. Drought and changing rainfall patterns threaten agricultural production, while flooding and landslides can damage roads, disrupt supply chains, and increase infrastructure costs. Coastal hazards create additional risks for homes and communities. The extent of the damage will depend partly on how effectively the government incorporates climate projections into land-use planning, infrastructure investment, and public spending.
The emissions reduction plan addresses the government’s approach to cutting emissions. But reducing emissions does not eliminate the need to adapt to further climate change. New Zealand must also decide which infrastructure to protect, where new development is appropriate, and how to distribute the costs of preparing for future hazards.
These decisions have consequences beyond its borders, as across the Pacific, rising seas, coastal erosion, and extreme weather threaten communities, infrastructure, and freshwater resources. Many island countries have limited financial capacity to respond, despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions.
New Zealand has a direct interest in the region’s resilience through its economic, social, and security relationships with Pacific countries. Supporting adaptation, disaster preparedness, and resilient infrastructure can strengthen those relationships. But effective cooperation requires more than emergency assistance after disasters; it depends on sustained investment and respect for the priorities of Pacific governments and communities.
New Zealand’s domestic response will also shape its regional credibility. Wellington cannot control global emissions or eliminate every climate risk, but it can demonstrate that environmental evidence informs its own infrastructure decisions, economic planning, and emissions policies. A disconnect between international commitments and domestic implementation would weaken the force of its regional advocacy.
The new publications provide a foundation for that work, not proof that it is already being done effectively. The companion report’s case studies may offer practical lessons, but their broader value depends on whether those lessons influence government decisions. Similarly, an emissions reduction plan must be judged by implementation and outcomes, not simply by the existence of published targets.
New Zealand’s latest climate assessment therefore presents a test of governance as much as an environmental warning. The government has consolidated evidence of a changing climate and published a plan for reducing emissions. The next step is to ensure that those efforts translate into practical adaptation, more resilient infrastructure and sustained cooperation across the Pacific.
For Wellington, the stakes are clear: its ability to manage climate risks at home will help determine the strength of its economy and the credibility of its leadership in a region where climate change is already a defining concern….PACNEWS