In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific faces ‘Polycrisis’ as Security pressures intensify — Forum report
2. PACIFIC — Pacific islands urged to pool traditional knowledge and diverse practices to provide climate security solutions
3. FIJI — PM Rabuka reaffirms Fiji–China ties, welcomes Beijing’s role in Pacific stability
4. FIJI — Fiji joins regional talks on the future of Pacific cities
5. NEW|CALE — Tributes pour in for Lionel Jospin, the ‘father’ of the Nouméa Accord
6. NZ — ‘Cost lives’: Principal warns Pacific and Māori students will suffer if nurse cuts go ahead
7. PACNEWS BIZ — ADB steps up engagement in Vanuatu
8. PACNEWS BIZ — New pico-hydro power stations bring Vanuatu closer to green energy goal
9. PACNEWS BIZ — What does the Jones Act waiver mean for Guam?
10. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Australia should firm up ties with Kiribati before China does
11. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Reaching the missed millions with simpler, smarter detection
PAC – SECURITY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Pacific faces ‘Polycrisis’ as Security pressures intensify — Forum report
By Pita Ligaiula
SUVA, 25 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Pacific region is entering a period of heightened and overlapping security risks, with climate change, geopolitical competition and transnational threats converging to test regional stability, according to the Pacific Security Outlook Report 2026.
The report warns that the region is confronting a “polycrisis” that is stretching national systems and regional cooperation mechanisms. It’s a comprehensive assessment of the evolving security landscape facing our Blue Pacific Continent.
“The convergence of these challenges is testing our collective resolve and capacity to uphold the commitments made under the Boe Declaration and to advance the vision of the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent,” Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa said in the report.
The report makes it clear that climate change continues to dominate the region’s security outlook.
“The Pacific continues to experience the worsening impacts of climate change, now widely recognised as the single greatest threat to our security, wellbeing, and prosperity,” he said.
Rising sea levels, stronger weather events and pressure on food and water systems are expected to drive insecurity across communities.
“Our communities face rising sea levels, intensifying weather events, and threats to food and water security, all of which demand enhanced regional coordination and resilience,” he said.
At the same time, climate finance gaps remain a major concern, with global funding commitments unlikely to meet Pacific needs in the short term.
“Global and regional flashpoints and shifting geopolitical dynamics are shaping the strategic environment in complex ways, placing additional strain on the multilateral systems that have long underpinned our collective peace and security,” said Waqa.
The report highlights intensifying competition between major powers, particularly the United States and China, as a growing factor shaping Pacific security.
“Dynamic geopolitical competition will sharpen over the next 12 to 24 months with implications for Pacific foreign policy and the effectiveness of the multilateral system.”
This includes an increase in security and defence agreements and the emergence of parallel regional response mechanisms, which could complicate coordination.
Global conflicts — including Ukraine, the Middle East and tensions in the Taiwan Strait — are also placing pressure on the international system and influencing Pacific positions.
The report warns that transnational organised crime, cyberattacks and drug trafficking are expanding across the region.
Drug trafficking, human trafficking and illicit trade remain major risks, with organised crime groups becoming more active and sophisticated.
At the same time, cyber threats are increasing, targeting governments, businesses and communities, while exploiting gaps in capacity and regulation.
Human security challenges are also growing, driven by climate impacts, health risks, education gaps and social pressures, including rising drug use and misinformation.
Governance systems across the Pacific are under pressure from corruption, misinformation and foreign interference.
The report notes that trust in public institutions remains a concern, while democratic processes could face increased challenges in the lead-up to key elections across the region.
Economic growth is expected to slow slightly in 2026, with global uncertainty, trade pressures and climate shocks affecting Pacific economies.
Structural vulnerabilities — including reliance on imports and exposure to disasters — continue to limit resilience.
The report highlighted the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration as a key framework to guide regional cooperation.
“It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to regional unity, peace, and cooperation, and calls upon all actors, state and non-state alike, to respect our sovereignty, the rules-based international order, and the mechanisms we have established for peace and security.”
The report stresses that stronger coordination, climate action, and investment in security systems are critical.
“As we look ahead, our focus must remain on delivering tangible outcomes for Pacific people.”
The Outlook concludes that the region’s ability to respond collectively will determine its resilience in the face of growing and interconnected threats…. PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Pacific islands urged to pool traditional knowledge and diverse practices to provide climate security solutions
BRISBANE, 25 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Pacific island nations must leverage their diverse traditional knowledge to complement modern solutions to threats posed by climate change, security experts said.
They noted that while Pacific islands share common cultural values and face the same threats, each has a unique set of traits, making the region a valuable resource and venue for knowledge exchange.
“There is no single, cookie-cutter model that fits all climate security contexts in the Pacific,” said Akka Rimon, a fellow at Pacific Security College Research and Engagement.
“The region’s diversity of practices and experiences means we have far more to offer and more to draw from to strengthen our collective resilience,” said the scholar from Kiribati.
Rimon was among the delegates to the two-day Climate Security in the Pacific course hosted by the Pacific Security College in Brisbane.
Security officials from across the Pacific gathered in Brisbane from 19 – 20 March to deepen their shared understanding of climate-driven security risks.
Rimon said the course provided an opportunity to unpack definitions of security in a climate context and understand the perspectives of countries as they grapple with the realities of security threats back home.
“We learn from what others have done in their own contexts and those insights give us additional safeguards to inform our own climate strategies,” Rimon said.
“It was encouraging to see participants share their experiences as well as the ways they have built resilience and developed strategies, many of which draw on approaches long embedded in their traditional knowledge systems,” she added.
The Pacific Islands are facing a severe climate change crisis, with rising sea levels, ocean warming and acidification posing significant threats to their existence and socioeconomic viability. According to the World Meteorological Organisation’s report, the region’s average elevation is just one to two meters above sea level, and 90 percent of the population lives within 5 kilometers of the coast.
The Pacific Security College organised the forum in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
Organisers said the course, led by Salā Dr George Carter from the Australian National University, “combined the latest research with facilitated discussions designed to support evidence-based decision-making.”
The programme examined the links between climate and a range of security issues, with a focus on building participants’ knowledge and exploring how practical tools and solutions can be implemented in their respective countries.
Carter said the course drew references from the Boe Declaration on Regional Security, which acknowledges that climate change impacts threaten the livelihoods, well-being and security of Pacific peoples and encourages countries to implement strategies to respond to those challenges.
“There is an array of climate security courses out there, but this is the first that contextualizes the Pacific, not only in terms of the region, but also in allowing members to contextualize climate security impacts and risks within a country in the Pacific,” he said.
Carter said participants explored how climate change impacts not only security systems, but also political systems.
“The hope is that participants develop their understanding of the climate-security nexus and how to advance this work within their national governments,” he said.
“This course is unique because we introduce but also remind participants of the significance of values: cultural values, community values, but also Pacific values, such as respect, reciprocity and consensus,” Carter added.
The Climate Security in the Pacific course brought together more than 20 participants from 16 Pacific Islands Forum member countries, including officials from a range of government departments and ministries, as well as from regional organisations.
The programme covered climate science; the impacts of climate change on environmental resources, infrastructure and public health; approaches to data collection; climate risk assessments; safeguarding state integrity; and developing effective responses to climate-related security pressures.
“Climate impacts do not land in a vacuum. They interact with and amplify existing social, political, cultural and governance dynamics, including inequalities, in ways that are never neutral and always shaped by context. Climate science is only half the picture,” said Jamie Tarawa, UNDP climate security adviser to the Forum.
“A key message last week was that any Pacific approach to climate, peace and security must be grounded in traditional knowledge, customary systems and local peacebuilding foundations of resilience across the Pacific that if overlooked, risk maladaptive outcomes,” Tarawa said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 3: Wed 25 Mar 2026
PM Rabuka reaffirms Fiji–China ties, welcomes Beijing’s role in Pacific stability
SUVA, 25 MARCH 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — -Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka Tuesday reaffirmed Fiji’s strong and enduring partnership with the People’s Republic of China while meeting with the Special Envoy to the Pacific Island Countries, His Excellency Qian Bo.
During the meeting, Rabuka conveyed warm greetings to President Xi Jinping and the Government of China, highlighting the strong bilateral relations between Fiji and China.
Fiji acknowledged China’s continued support and contributions over the years, which have played a significant role in advancing Fiji’s development priorities and strengthening people-to-people connections.
Prospects of the meeting also highlighted the importance of the Fiji–China partnership, which is grounded in mutual respect, recognition of sovereignty, and shared aspirations for peace, development, and prosperity.
The Prime Minister asserted the alignment of the Fiji–China relations with Fiji’s Foreign Policy White Paper 2024, which emphasises sovereignty, non-interference, mutual respect, and constructive engagement.
On development cooperation, Prime Minister Rabuka expressed appreciation for China’s support, particularly in poverty alleviation initiatives.
The meeting also focused on key projects funded under China’s USD$4 million grant assistance, including infrastructure development, agricultural programmes, and community-based initiatives in Vanua Levu and other parts of the country.
Regional issues were also discussed, including the importance of maintaining the Pacific as an “Ocean of Peace” amid evolving global geopolitical challenges.
For this, PM Rabuka welcomed China’s continued support in promoting peace, unity, and resilience across the Blue Pacific region.
At the multilateral level, Rabuka acknowledged China’s global initiatives that contribute to development, security, and international cooperation, and reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively within the United Nations system and other multilateral platforms.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening Fiji–China relations in ways that support sustainable development, regional stability, and shared prosperity…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 3: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Fiji joins regional talks on the future of Pacific cities
PORT MORESBY, 25 MARCH 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — Fiji is taking part in important regional discussions on the future of urban development at the 7th Pacific Urban Forum (PUF7) currently underway in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The Fiji delegation is led by the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, joining Pacific leaders, governments and development partners to discuss how cities and towns across the region can grow in a more sustainable and inclusive way.
A key focus of day one was the state of urbanisation in the Pacific, with Fiji sharing its work on improving housing in informal settlements — including upgrading communities, improving access to basic services, and strengthening policies for safer and more affordable housing.
The Forum also revisits the Suva Statement, adopted when Fiji hosted the 6th Pacific Urban Forum in Suva, reviewing progress and strengthening regional commitments toward sustainable cities in the Blue Pacific.
As urban populations continue to grow across the region, these discussions are helping Pacific countries work together to build stronger, more resilient and more inclusive communities for the future…. PACNEWS
NEW|CALE – OBITUARY: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 3: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Tributes pour in for Lionel Jospin, the ‘father’ of the Nouméa Accord
NOUMEA, 25 MARCH 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — Political leaders and institutions have paid tributes for Lionel Jospin, the “father” of the 1998 Nouméa Accord, who died at the weekend aged 88.
Jospin was a socialist prime minister who played a significant role in supervising the signature of the 1998 Accord, which paved the way for increased autonomy for the French Pacific territory.
Ten years after the signing of the 1988 Matignon-Oudinot agreements which contributed to restoring civil peace after half a decade of quasi civil war, the Nouméa agreement was more focused on furthering the process.
Its emphasis was to ensure a gradual transfer of more powers from Paris to Nouméa, the creation of a local “collegial” government, the setting up of three provinces (North, South and Loyalty islands) and the notion of “re-balancing” resources between the North of New Caledonia (mostly populated by the indigenous Kanak population) and the South of the main island, Grande Terre, where most of the economic power and population are based.
There was also the embryonic concept of a New Caledonia “citizenship”. One of the cornerstones of this re-balancing was the construction of the Koniambo nickel processing factory, in the North of the main island.
But the project is now dormant after its key financier, Glencore, decided to mothball the plant due to a mix of structural cost issues and the rise of other global nickel players, especially in Indonesia.
In 1988, the Matignon Accord was negotiated and signed by then French Socialist PM Michel Rocard.
The Nouméa Accord also designed a pathway and envisaged that a series of three referendums should be held to consult the local population on whether they wished for New Caledonia to become independent.
The three referendums were held between 2018 and 2021.
Although the pro-independence FLNKS called for a boycott of the third referendum in December 2021, the three results were deemed to have resulted in three refusals of the independence.
Since then, under the Accord, political stakeholders have attempted to meet in order to decide what to do under the new situation…. PACNEWS
NZ – HEALTH: PMN PACNEWS 3: Wed 25 Mar 2026
‘Cost lives’: Principal warns Pacific and Māori students will suffer if nurse cuts go ahead
WELLINGTON, 25 MARCH 2026 (PMN) — Porirua College could lose more than half of its school nurses under a cost-cutting review and principal Ragne Maxwell says the impact on Pacific and Māori students could be deadly.
The School Based Health Service (SBHS), run by Tū Ora Compass Health, is under review amid budget pressures.
Staffing could drop from 8.7 full-time staff to 4.1 from 2027 if additional funding is not found.
Porirua College currently employs a full-time nurse, a part-time nurse, and a mental health nurse available three days a week.
Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Maxwell warns that the cuts would leave the school with less than one nurse and just a single day of mental health support.
“We might lose the doctor completely and there is so much that’s being picked up. This is an area where we still have rheumatic fever, rife in the area,” Maxwell says.
“That costs lives. We’ve had recent ex-students die of that in my time at the college. If they’re not getting treated, not being looked after on a regular basis, this is going to be a tragic outcome.”
A recent national surveillance report found acute rheumatic fever rates are returning to pre-pandemic levels, disproportionately affecting Māori and Pacific children.
At Porirua College, 68 percent of 617 students identified as Pacific in 2025, and 34 percent as Māori, noting that many students identify with both groups.
Porirua College also holds an Equity Index of 529, placing it in the highest category for socioeconomic barriers in the country.
“There’s no question about” the impacts of this potential cut would exacerbate the health care system. Maxwell predicts more youth will turn up in accidents and emergencies, which already has “huge wait times”.
“You’d have more people in the queues for the doctors that are being seen really quickly and easily at school,” she says.
Maxwell explains why school nurses are critical: students often prefer to keep health concerns private from their families.
“[Students] can pop in at their break time, not even mess with their education, and see the nurse quickly about something that might blow up into something much larger that needed a lot of treatment.
“[If] you’ve got a slight rash on your skin, you just think, ‘oh, I won’t worry about it’. But if the nurse is there, you’ll pop in, get it treated early
“That might need a whole lot of looking after if it becomes something more serious.”
The issue isn’t unique to Porirua College. The Post reported that the heads of Aotea College, Bishop Viard College, Tawa College, and Mana College wrote to Health NZ, warning that they were “deeply alarmed” at the potential cuts.
The principals argued that school nurses are crucial for their rangatahi (youth), and that the demand for these services is already high…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
VAN – ADB: ADB PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 25 Mar 2026
ADB steps up engagement in Vanuatu
PORT VILA, 25 MARCH 2026 (ADB) — The Director General of ADB’s Pacific Department, Emma Veve signed an agreement with the Government of Vanuatu, strengthening 45 years of development partnership and setting the stage for the next phase of development support.
Veve led a multidisciplinary team of experts covering key sectors including urban and water services, transport, education and health, and disaster risk management. The visit comes ahead of a programming mission scheduled in the coming weeks that will shape ADB’s assistance to Vanuatu over the next three years.
“Vanuatu remains a strong, long-term partner for ADB in the Pacific,” said Ms. Veve. “This visit reaffirms our commitment to supporting the country’s development priorities by working together to deliver practical, high-impact solutions that strengthen resilience and improve lives.”
The portfolio of ADB-supported projects in Vanuatu has grown to about USD$200 million / $23.9 billion Vanuatu vatu and is set to expand further in the next three years with projects and programs in key sectors.
During the visit, Veve held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo and Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities Harry Xavier which focused on priorities for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth. Planned areas of support include critical connecting infrastructure, urban and water investments, health, and education support, strengthening public financial management, capacity development, and expanding private sector participation through public–private partnerships, alongside targeted technical assistance.
ADB is supporting the development of Vanuatu’s maritime sector, to provide safe, reliable, and regular shipping services, to boost economic development and connectivity. ADB is working closely with the government to improve the Simonsen Wharf in Santo and the Port Sandwich Wharf in Malakula to make them more disaster resilient.
The Government of Vanuatu and ADB are working jointly to strengthen the country’s disaster risk financing arrangements, climate and disaster risk information, and preparedness for disasters and emergencies.
Through several projects, ADB is advancing its engagement in the water and urban development sector in Vanuatu through several projects and is helping the government strengthen the evidence base for sustainable water security and urban development in Port Vila.
During the mission ADB reaffirmed commitment across health, education, and social protection sectors in Vanuatu, which has a combined portfolio of US$50 million. This includes four existing ADB projects supporting the introduction of new vaccines, combating non-communicable diseases, and strengthening of health systems, building the capacity of the Vanuatu Institute of Technology to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant technical and vocational education and training, and improving the resilience, food security, and protection of poor and vulnerable groups…. PACNEWS
VAN – HYDRO POWER: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 25 Mar 2026
New pico-hydro power stations bring Vanuatu closer to green energy goal
PORT VILA, 25 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Vanuatu has officially commissioned three pico-hydro power stations on Pentecost Island, advancing toward its goal of making renewable electricity available to remote communities and accelerating its shift toward a low-carbon future.
Ralph Regenvanu, minister of Climate Change Adaptation, said the launch of the new power plants marked another step toward Vanuatu’s National Energy Road Map target of 100 percent renewable energy electrification by 2030.
Funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency and built under the United Nations Development Program’s Vanuatu Green Transformation Project, the new facilities power up the villages of Waterfall, Melsisi and Larimaat.
“The communities of Pentecost are now part of Vanuatu’s green energy future,” Regenvanu said.
Japan and UNDP formally transferred the energy assets to the government of Vanuatu during a handover ceremony on March 24. They previously launched a similar project in Espiritu Santo Island.
A group of people in green shirts stand in a room with electrical panels. A person takes a photo. Mood appears focused.
“This milestone demonstrates our strong commitment to ensuring that even the most remote communities in Vanuatu can benefit from clean, reliable and affordable electricity,” Regenvanu said.
Built by the contractor ENCO Pvt Ltd, the power stations have been generating electricity since December 2025. Since then, the systems have undergone rigorous technical testing to ensure stable operation, officials said.
The government of Vanuatu said the three stations are now delivering reliable 24/7 electricity to 706 connections across homes, businesses and public institutions connected to the local mini-grid systems.
The three stations offer a combined generation capacity of 63 kW and will produce approximately 549,340 kWh of electricity annually. They are supported by 154 kWh of battery storage, resulting in a maximum available annual energy of 604,785 kWh.
This renewable energy infrastructure is electrifying approximately 16 percent of Pentecost Island’s population, based on the 2020 Census.
The project also included the construction of approximately 34 kilometers of electrical distribution network, enabling 706 prepaid electricity connections for households, schools, health facilities, community halls and small businesses.
The installation of prepaid metering systems helps ensure the long-term sustainability and reliability of the electricity services.
“Japan is proud to support the Vanuatu Green Transformation Project as part of our Pacific Green Transformation Initiative,” Naohisa Okuda, Japanese ambassador to Vanuatu.
“Access to clean and reliable energy is essential for sustainable development, new economic opportunities and improved livelihoods. Japan is pleased to see this partnership’s results contributing to Vanuatu’s and our Pacific region’s vision for a greener future,” he added.
The three stations feature distinct technical characteristics adapted to local river conditions and terrain.
The Waterfall Pico-Hydro Power Station, powered by the Waterfall River, operates with a designed flow of 160 liters per second, a gross head of 41.2 meters, and an installed capacity of 24 kW. Its 22.2-kilometer network serves 394 connections across 19 settlements.
The Melsisi Pico-Hydro Power Station, drawing from the Melsisi River, operates with a designed flow of 47 liters per second and a gross head of 136.2 meters, producing 32 kW of installed capacity. Its 6.6-kilometer network supplies electricity to 165 connections across two settlements, including the town of Melsisi.
The Larimaat Pico-Hydro Power Station, powered by the Larimaat River, operates with a designed flow of 21.7 liters per second and a gross head of 63.3 meters, generating 6.7 kW of installed capacity. Its 5.2-kilometre network delivers electricity to 147 connections across four settlements.
“Electricity is more than infrastructure; it is an enabler of opportunity. These pico-hydro systems are already transforming daily life in Pentecost, supporting education, healthcare, local businesses and livelihoods while advancing climate-resilient development,” said Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov, UNDP deputy resident representative to the Pacific.
“UNDP is proud to work alongside the government of Vanuatu and the government of Japan to bring sustainable energy solutions to communities who need them the most,” he added.
Imran Khan, VGET project manager, noted the logistical and environmental challenges of building energy infrastructure on Pentecost Island.
“Heavy rainfall often made access to remote worksites difficult and caused delays. The project also faced shortages of specialised fittings and electrical components that could not be sourced locally and had to be imported from overseas.” Khan said.
“Despite these challenges, the VGET team worked closely with the Department of Energy, the contractor and local communities to find solutions. Today, seeing the communities enjoying electricity and handing over these systems to the government makes all the effort worthwhile,” he added…. PACNEWS
GUAM – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 25 Mar 2026
What does the Jones Act waiver mean for Guam?
SAIPAN, 25 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — President Donald Trump’s move to issue a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act will allow Guam to reduce its dependence on foreign energy suppliers and ensure a stable inventory—at least during the relief period—against the backdrop of a global crisis fueled by the war in Iran.
“This waiver opens the door to an untapped domestic fuel market by allowing Guam’s fuel suppliers to access direct shipments of American fuel using foreign vessels,” Senator Jesse Lujan said.
Senator William Parkinson, however, pointed out that while the waiver may be a theoretically logical response to the escalating pressure on global fuel markets, Guam’s realities do not guarantee adequate relief.
“While this waiver may create some additional flexibility for shipments from the U.S mainland or the Gulf of America, it is far from clear that it will translate into meaningful savings at the pump here in Guam,” Parkinson said.
The Jones Act mandates that all cargo shipped between U.S ports can only be shipped on U.S-flagged vessels.
Trump last week temporarily lifted shipping restrictions under the century-old federal maritime law to hold down skyrocketing fuel prices resulting from the closure of the Straits of Hormuz, the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
“Roughly 84 percent of the crude oil and condensate moving through Hormuz went to Asian markets in 2024, while only a small share went to the United States,” said Lujan, who earlier wrote to the White House to seek the Jones Act waiver.
“That means Guam should not be forced to remain overly dependent on vulnerable foreign supply chains when American fuel is available,” he added.
Guam obtains fuel supply from Singapore, Japan and Korea.
Despite Singapore’s resilient storage infrastructure, distributors are not immune to volatility. As geopolitical instability threatens long-term market stability, Singapore’s bunker fuel prices have surged over the past week.
Lujan sees the suspension of the Jones Act rules as “a practical, commonsense solution” because it “helps bypass the foreign routing and inflated logistics costs.”
“It gives our island more flexibility at a time of global uncertainty,” he said. “By tapping domestic supply, Guam is less vulnerable to overseas disruptions that can drive up costs and threaten our energy security.”
Guam currently sources most of its fuel from Asia, primarily due to volume and shipping efficiency. Moving fuel from the U.S mainland typically requires larger vessels and longer routes, which have not been cost-effective for a market the size of Guam.
“Our market is relatively small, so suppliers use what are known as ‘boutique tankers,’ which are smaller, more flexible vessels that can economically deliver fuel from nearby Asian refineries,” Lujan said.
While Matson serves Guam, the shipping line primarily transports containerized cargo, but not bulk fuel.
The high cost of living in Guam is typically attributed to the Jones Act, which facilitates a market monopoly.
“The Jones Act waiver changes that equation. With a waiver in place, Guam can begin to access fuel transported on non-Jones Act compliant vessels, which are more widely available and cost-competitive,” Lujan said.
Parkinson, meanwhile, said the size and distance of the Guam market are inherent liabilities difficult to surmount.
“Even with a temporary waiver, suppliers would have to rework logistics, secure cargoes and determine whether it makes economic sense to redirect products this far into the Pacific,” he said.
“A 60-day window may simply not be enough time for supply chains to adjust in a way that produces any significant relief for our island,” he added.
As long as the Middle East crisis continues unabated and the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, fuel supplies flowing to Asia remain particularly exposed to disruptions.
“Oil prices have continued climbing as the conflict deepens and energy infrastructure in the Gulf comes under threat,” Parkinson said.
“Increased global demand for alternative barrels, combined with the shipping distance to Guam, could easily wipe out whatever theoretical savings a temporary Jones Act waiver might offer,” he said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
Australia should firm up ties with Kiribati before China does
By Eric Frecon
TARAWA, 25 MARCH 2026 (THE STRATEGIST) — China is trying to gain more influence in Kiribati but has yet to fully consolidate it. While Australia should seize this very last moment to counter China’s efforts, it should ensure it does so in partnership with Kiribati.
The balance of influence on Kiribati between Australia and China has been shifting. Tarawa has deepened ties with Beijing since resuming diplomatic relations in 2019, most recently discussing collaboration on deep-sea mining. Then, in 2024, Kiribati initially opted out of Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) and had a diplomatic row with New Zealand last year. Australia should be concerned, given Kiribati’s strategically important location in the Pacific and issues of government transparency.
Kiribati exemplifies the underestimated influence of microstates in shaping the international agenda, especially on environmental and nuclear issues. Its geographically significant exclusive economic zone spans 3.5 million square km and is crossed by nine undersea cables connecting the United States with Southeast Asia and Australia.
Kiribati’s location has long been of interest to China. It maintained a satellite station in Tarawa until Kiribati made the diplomatic switch to Taiwan in 2003. China is also aware that Kiribati is close to US and French territories as well as key military bases and sits on potential supply routes should a crisis break out in East Asia. Observers say China may invest in a runway on Kanton Island, in competition with Australian and US interests.
Recently, Beijing has been leveraging its full arsenal to interfere in Kiribati’s domestic affairs. It donated books about China’s successes to the parliament library. Chinese diplomats were seen near parliament just before its opaque adjournment in 2019 following the sudden restoration of diplomatic relations. The Chinese embassy in Kiribati demonstrates respect and care through visits and donations, coordinating the docking of the Chinese military’s hospital ship in Tarawa in 2023, as well as building a park and funding grass-root groups and non-governmental organisations.
China is also active in Kiribati’s fishing industry, through joint ventures of companies based in Fiji or related to Chinese state-owned enterprises. In 2024, the Environmental Justice Foundation reported illegal trans-shipments in Kiribati waters by fleets operated by Chinese firm Zhejiang Ocean Family.
Additionally, Chinese police continue to operate in Kiribati. It remains unclear how exactly they are assisting their local counterparts and what they are gaining in return.
Democracy in Kiribati is challenged by the Chinese influence. Despite regular elections, Kiribati ranked ninth out of 12 in the 2023 Pacific Islands Media Freedom Index. In 2024 elections, opposition leader Tessie Lambourne – a former ambassador to Taipei – was unable to challenge the president. In her constituency, she faced a former minister and an unknown schoolteacher. The teacher unexpectedly received significant campaign funding and got the most votes.
Despite China’s efforts to seek influence in Kiribati, it faces several challenges. An educated elite emerging from Kiribati’s top universities may work to reduce the risk of manipulation. Throughout history Kiribati has switched diplomatic partners as needed. It recognised the People’s Republic of China in 1980 but switched diplomatic recognition to Taiwan in 2003 before switching back to China in 2019. And Kiribati has not yet fallen into the Chinese debt trap, as is clear from the Pacific Aid Map.
China also faces competition from other countries. Its increase in aid to Kiribati since 2019 has been effective but has attracted Western interest. Australia ramped up its own engagement by training Kiribati’s police force and visiting the outer islands more frequently. In February, an Australian pacific support vessel delivered humanitarian assistance to Banaba Island. Last year, France sent its joint commander for Asia Pacific to Tarawa for a visit, and later set up collaborative training sessions, patrols and infrastructure renovation projects.
Kiribati remains dependent on foreign support and vulnerable to influence, with the lowest GDP per capita in the Pacific and aid accounting for 18 percent of national income. Australia must continue to monitor developments in Kiribati, and it could consider countering Beijing’s influence by signing a bilateral agreement similar to those recently signed with Tuvalu, Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Events are moving in a promising direction. Kiribati was eventually included in the second round for Australia’s PEV eligibility last August, while Kiribati and New Zealand signed a partnership agreement earlier this year. Australia should build on this momentum to limit Chinese influence with the support of other like-minded states…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
Reaching the missed millions with simpler, smarter detection
By Helen Cox and Brendan Crabb
SYDNEY, 25 MARCH 2026 (DEVPOLCY.ORG) —Many people think tuberculosis (TB) is an ancient scourge that has already been defeated, yet in reality it remains the world’s leading infectious killer despite being curable. Scientific advances mean ending TB is more achievable than ever, but too many people with TB are still missed.
An uncomfortable and mostly unspoken reason for this is that active case-finding — long appreciated as the best way to eliminate TB — has long been considered too hard and too expensive for people in high-transmission, lower income settings. On the back of technological advances, this can change.
Current approaches rely heavily on people presenting to health facilities and being able to cough up a sputum sample for testing. In practice, many people with TB have few or no symptoms, or face barriers to accessing care. As a result, transmission continues undetected. In high burden areas, symptom-based TB control is simply not enough.
This is where policy and investment choices matter. If we are serious about eliminating TB, we need to shift from facility-based models to approaches that actively identify people with TB in the community regardless of their symptoms so they can rapidly receive treatment and stop the transmission cycle.
Population-level screening has proven to be successful in eliminating TB in some settings.
In Papua New Guinea, where the TB burden remains high and access to timely diagnosis is uneven, Burnet Institute has been working with partners on Daru Island in the country’s Western Province, a recognised hotspot for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
The approach is simple: test everyone and provide treatment for anyone who has TB. By combining community engagement with active case finding, including mobile digital X-ray, this model has identified many previously undiagnosed people with TB and shown what’s possible when screening moves out of healthcare facilities.
Ongoing work in East New Britain province has shown the value of expanding ways of testing for TB by bringing services directly to people’s workplaces and testing for related conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
While this model works, it is not easily scalable. Mobile X-ray units and screening buses are costly, complex and difficult to deploy in remote areas. Expanding TB detection will require simpler, more adaptable tools.
A new approach recently endorsed by the World Health Organisation uses a tongue swab instead of sputum. Many people cannot produce sputum, including children, people living with HIV and people in early stages of TB disease. A tongue swab is non-invasive and easier to use in community settings.
This portable tool is battery-operated and relatively low cost and will be piloted in collaboration with Burnet and the PNG Government in everyday settings such as local transport hubs, markets and village centres, as well as in-home screenings.
Advances in portable digital X-ray, supported by artificial intelligence for rapid interpretation, have been improving large-scale screening for more than a decade. These tools are most effective when combined with community-based approaches that engage local health workers and leaders.
There are also critical gaps in how TB is detected and managed in specific groups. Pregnant women are often overlooked — the burden of TB in pregnancy is higher than in non-pregnant women, and diagnosis is difficult. Symptoms may be absent, making symptom-based screening unreliable. Existing diagnostics may also be less sensitive, and chest X-rays are not always appropriate.
Addressing this requires integrating TB screening into routine antenatal care. We’re exploring approaches such as digital stethoscopes combined with artificial intelligence to identify women at risk in a safe and non-invasive way. This kind of integration is essential if we are to improve detection without adding new barriers to care.
Better tools are also needed to monitor treatment response for people receiving TB treatment. Currently, there is no simple way to assess whether a patient is responding well before their condition worsens. Developing a test that combines laboratory and clinical data to provide early insight into treatment response would allow care to be adjusted sooner and improve outcomes.
Ending TB will not come from a single breakthrough. It will require sustained investment in practical, scalable solutions that make detection faster and more accessible for everyone. It will require a mindset shift for policymakers: active case finding is a must no matter what the setting.
On this World TB Day, the priority should be clear. We must back approaches that bring diagnosis closer to communities, invest in tools that are simple to use at scale and ensure that no one is excluded because current systems are inaccessible. With the right policy choices, eliminating TB everywhere, not just in wealthier jurisdictions, is within reach…. PACNEWS