In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Scholars warn Micronesia in the crossfire as militarisation rises
2. PACIFIC — Pasifika Communities University targets student success with Pacific-led learning model
3. PACIFIC — Two Pacific leaders, two very different relationships with NZ
4. FIJI — FICAC leadership resolution delayed as JSC consider Fiji PM appeal and and High Court pending ruling
5. PACIFIC — He will never be replaced’: Tributes flow for ‘fearless’ Vanuatu journalist Dan McGarry
6. COOKS — Cook Islands Immigration participates in the Customs tactical applied investigations workshop
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific unity key to unlock tourism growth: Fiji Tourism Minister
8. PACNEWS BIZ — PNA moves to boost tuna returns as members tighten rules and back domestic industry
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Large portion of PNG economy ‘operating informally’: World Bank
10. PACNEWS BIZ — BougainvillePresident Toroama reaffirms progress on Panguna project in Parliament
11. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — From the Amazon to the Pacific: Frontliners Assess COP30 and the Road to Turkey
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — “I thought TB was a curse”: Kaio’s story of strength, recovery, and hope in Tuvalu
PAC – SECURITY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Thu 26 Mar 2026
Scholars warn Micronesia in the crossfire as militarisation rises
By Pita Ligaiula
HAGATNA, 26 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Pacific Centre for Island Security (PCIS) has released a sweeping review of geopolitics across Micronesia, warning that the region is increasingly central to major power competition as the United States expands its military footprint in the northern Pacific.
The Micronesia Security Outlook 2025 brings together leading scholars and regional voices to assess the strategic shifts shaping the subregion, with a strong focus on the impact of militarisation on island communities.
The report states: “Micronesia is a site where security is produced.”
It challenges the idea that Pacific Islands are peripheral, arguing instead that the region is deeply embedded in global strategic competition, particularly between the United States and China.
“Micronesia is integral to understanding contemporary Indo-Pacific geopolitics.”
The review highlights how Guam and surrounding islands are being positioned at the centre of U.S military strategy, with expanding bases, new facilities, and increased operational planning tied to a potential conflict over Taiwan.
“Guam and Micronesia are at the centre of U.S strategy and positioning in the ‘Indo-Pacific.’”
According to the report, this growing militarisation is not abstract for islanders but directly affects their lives, land, and future.
“For some, competition and potential conflict in Micronesia are collateral for national defence. For us, competition and conflict directly affect our lives, homes, families, societies, cultures, and futures.”
The study notes that 2025 saw intensified military planning and infrastructure development across the region, including new sites in Palau, Yap, and the Northern Mariana Islands, alongside a major buildup in Guam.
“These islands are the tip of America’s spear in the Pacific.”
But the report also warns that this strategic importance comes with risk, with Micronesia potentially serving as a frontline — or even a battleground — in any future conflict.
“Guam will serve its role in a kinetic conflict with China, even if vulnerable.”
Beyond traditional security concerns, contributors examine the intersection of military activity with climate change, economic pressures, infrastructure strain, and resource security.
“The islands of Micronesia lie in the turbulent waters of a violent geography.”
The report stresses that regional voices must shape the conversation, pushing back against decades of external decision-making.
“Islanders themselves can generate ideas and action about their own geostrategic role.”
Bringing together analysts from across Micronesia and beyond, the publication is described as an attempt to anchor an island-centred perspective in global security debates.
“There are none in Micronesia, and none from voices within the region. We view PCIS as an attempt to remedy this.”
The report concludes that Micronesia is no longer on the sidelines of global politics, with local communities increasingly forced to navigate the consequences of great power rivalry.
“Micronesians and Micronesian governments are actively participating and contributing to the trajectory of global security.”
The Micronesia Security Outlook 2025 is part of an ongoing effort by the Pacific Centre for Island Security to provide independent analysis rooted in the realities of island communities facing rapid geopolitical change…. PACNEWS
PAC – UNIVERSITY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Thu 26 Mar 2026
Pasifika Communities University targets student success with Pacific-led learning model
By Pita Ligaiula
SUVA, 26 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pasifika Communities University (PCU) is sharpening its focus on expanding access, improving retention and delivering long-term success for Pasifika students, says Dean of Strategic Visioning Aisake Casimira.
In an interview with PACNEWS, Casimira said the university is deliberately blending Western academic systems with Pasifika knowledge to better support students.
“Balancing these frameworks is deliberate and thoughtful. Western academic systems provide critical thinking, research skills, and global perspectives—but they are not sufficient on their own. Pasifika ways of knowing bring context, relational understanding, and cultural relevance.”
“We approach it as enrichment rather than opposition. Western systems offer useful tools — research methods, analytical structures, global networks. But Pasifika knowledge offers relational depth, unique philosophies and traditions of ethics, and contextual, ancestral wisdom.”
“At PCU, students might conduct formal research — but they will also consult community leaders. They might learn theory — but they’ll test it within village contexts. Group collaboration is valued over competition, because that reflects our cultural values.”
“We prepare our students to navigate both worlds. They should be able to sit confidently in international academic forums while remaining firmly rooted in Pacific identity traditions. That dual fluency is powerful,” he said.
Casimira said partnerships are also central to advancing PCU’s mission, with a focus on community impact rather than just employment outcomes.
“Education is a tool for community empowerment, not just employment. At PCU, we prepare graduates to be leaders, mentors, and changemakers. Through programmes focused on service, cultural preservation, and leadership, students develop the skills and values needed to contribute meaningfully to family, village, and society.”
“Decolonial education focus emphasises responsibility to others, not just self-advancement. Our graduates often emerge as community advocates, cultural custodians, and agents of positive change. Success isn’t measured by salaries alone—it’s about creating stronger, healthier, and more self-determined Pasifika communities.”
“Employment matters — of course it does. But if education only produces workers and not leaders who can navigate the future with wisdom, then we have limited its purpose. Our graduates are prepared to be cultural custodians, ethical leaders, advocates, and servants of their communities.”
“Education should strengthen families, villages, churches, and civic spaces. It should cultivate responsibility and collective wellbeing. A decolonial education approach shifts the question from “How far can I go?” to “How far can we go together? That shift is transformative for communities.” he told PACNEWS
He said research and innovation at PCU will be guided by a holistic view of success.
“Success at PCU is holistic. It’s about personal growth, cultural competence and confidence, spiritual awareness, and the ability to make a positive difference in one’s community. While grades are part of the picture, they are not the ultimate measure. Grades are indicators — but they are not destiny.”
“True success is when a graduate leaves here confident in their identity, proud of their heritage, spiritually anchored, and committed to service. If our students walk away knowing who they are, understanding their responsibility to others, and equipped with the skills to contribute meaningfully — then we have succeeded.”
“That is the essence of our whole-of-life vision. Education is not preparation for a job alone. It is preparation for a meaningful life — lived in service, grounded in culture, and guided by purpose, and uplift Pacific communities for generations to come,” said Casimira …. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PMN PACNEWS 1: Thu 26 Mar 2026
Two Pacific leaders, two very different relationships with NZ
WELLINGTON, 26 MARCH 2026 (PMN) — Two Pacific leaders have recently spent a week in New Zealand but their visits tell very different stories about the country’s relationships in the region.
Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo is seeking a closer, more formal partnership with Wellington, while Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is navigating a relationship under strain.
For Tuvalu, the visit is both diplomatic and strategic. Teo is set to meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, with the pair expected to sign a refreshed statement of partnership.
Despite this, Teo told PMN News that he is pushing for a treaty-level relationship.
“I have expressed the wish that we need to elevate that partnership to a much more concrete level in the form of a treaty which shows our commitment to the relationship,” Teo says.
He says Tuvalu continues to face major development challenges, particularly around climate change.
“We do have our own development challenges that we hope that New Zealand will continue to help us, especially in terms of climate change adaptations,” he said.
Alongside strengthening ties with Aotearoa, Teo reaffirmed Tuvalu’s long-standing diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, which spans more than four decades.
Most recently, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-Iung, visited Tuvalu in March as a special envoy of President Lai Ching-te.
It was his third visit, with talks focusing on digital development, cybersecurity, healthcare, and climate change collaboration.
“We’ve held on to those principles as the basis of our relationship, not being swayed by the economic powers of China,” Teo says. “So, we value those democratic principles, and China has been a good partner for us.”
Climate change remains Tuvalu’s central concern. The island’s highest point is just 4.5 to 4.6 metres above sea level. According to UNICEF, 95 percent of the nation will be underwater at high tide by 2100.
Teo highlighted the Falepili Treaty with Australia as a landmark agreement, binding the two countries through security, climate adaptation, and migration.
It offers a special pathway for up to 280 Tuvaluans annually to live and work in Australia.
“Most of our resources are marine-based,” Teo says. “Fisheries provides about 40 percent of our domestic revenue, so we value the integrity and protection of our preservation of our marine resources.”
Meanwhile, the Cook Islands’ visit comes amid tensions with New Zealand.
This follows a diplomatic rift that saw millions of dollars in funding suspended.
Concerns over the Cook Islands’ growing ties with China including transparency around cooperation agreements remain unresolved.
Brown met informally with New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, in Auckland.
In a joint statement, they said they discussed “fundamental challenges facing the New Zealand-Cook Islands relationship over the past 18 months” but offered no resolution.
“Political dialogue between the two countries will continue in the coming weeks in order to determine whether these challenges can be resolved in the present circumstances,” the statement read.
“In the meantime, the Governments of the Cook Islands and New Zealand will not be providing further comment.”
Brown’s week included stops in Wellington, Auckland, and Ngāruawāhia, alongside community events marking 60 years of Cook Islands self-governance.
During the visit, he announced steps to support Cook Islanders living in Aotearoa. These include internships in Rarotonga’s government agencies, expanded online access for births, deaths, and marriages, and a plan to process Cook Islands status stamps in New Zealand from 2027.
“The majority of our people who consider themselves Cook Islanders live here in New Zealand,” Brown told PMN News. “It’s important for us to know that when our people leave the islands, they don’t diminish our islands, they grow and expand our borders.
“The visit has reaffirmed that connection, and we move forward with confidence in what we can achieve together.”
Prime Minister Luxon has also recently visited Sāmoa and Tonga, where he was bestowed the chiefly title of Tu’isinavemaulumoto’otua in Apia.
Earlier this year, Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi visited New Zealand to formalise relations with Germany.
Taken together, these visits show a Pacific region actively shaping its partnerships and New Zealand strengthening ties in some areas while facing pressure to respond more clearly in others.
As Aotearoa prepares to host the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting next year, the visits underscore both the opportunities and challenges for New Zealand as it seeks to maintain its role as a trusted Pacific partner…. PACNEWS
FIJI – JUDICIARY: MAI TV PACNEWS 1: Thu 26 Mar 2026
FICAC leadership resolution delayed as JSC consider Fiji PM appeal and and High Court pending ruling
SUVA, 26 MARCH 2026 (MAI TV) — The anticipated 31 March deadline to resolve the leadership of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is now off the table.
The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) confirmed Wednesday that the nation must wait until at least late April or May, as ongoing legal proceedings affect implementation of the 02 February High Court judgment by Justice Dane Tuiqereqere, which declared the termination of former Commissioner Barbara Malimali unlawful.
The announcement followed a more than two-hour meeting between the JSC and Malimali’s legal counsel, Tanya Waqanika Wednesday.
The JSC had previously committed to resolving the matter by the end of this month. However, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka appealing the 02 February High Court judgement and Justice Bull yet to decide on three permanent stay applications challenging Acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika’s appointment, Chief Justice Salesi Temo said the JSC must await the outcomes of these cases before taking further action.
In his appeal filed on 11 March, the Prime Minister is asking the Court to:
*Allow the appeal and set aside the 02 February High Court judgment.
*Declare Malimali’s appointment unlawful and in violation of Section 82 of the Constitution.
*Declare Section 5 of the FICAC Act unconstitutional to the extent it requires the President to act on JSC advice for Commissioner appointments.
*Rule that Malimali’s appointment was invalid
*Stay execution of the High Court judgment, preserving the status quo, including Rokoika as Acting Commissioner.
Addressing the media, Justice Temo said the Prime Minister’s right to challenge the decision in higher courts is a key part of the “rule of law.”
With the Court of Appeal yet to schedule a hearing, resolving the FICAC leadership issue by the end of March is “no longer possible, he said, also highlighting High Court proceedings regarding Rokoika’s status.
Rokoika’s appointment is the subject of three permanent stay cases involving former deputy Prime Ministers Manoa Kamikamica and Professor Biman Prasad, and Waqanika, challenging the validity of her appointment.
Justice Temo also stated that, despite public speculation, “no court has said that Rokoika’s appointment is unlawful” and the JSC is legally bound to await Justice Bull’s judgement, expected between 24 April and 06 May.
Justice Temo reiterated that the JSC is an administrative body, not a court, and must respect judicial decisions.
He urged patience, describing the delays as a practical application of the rule of law and stressed the importance of judicial independence.
He also highlighted that resolving disputes in court is preferable to “fighting on the battlefield and killing people,” citing violence in Iran.
The JSC can, however, continue out-of-court negotiations with all parties while awaiting court decisions.
The FICAC leadership issue dates back to 05 September 2024, when Malimali began a three-year term as FICAC Commissioner. Following her arrest on the morning she reported to work and a subsequent Commission of Inquiry, the Prime Minister advised the President to revoke her appointment on 02 June 2025, with Rokoika appointed Acting Commissioner.
Malimali challenged the termination, leading to the 02 February 2026, High Court judgment declaring her revocation “unlawful and ultra vires.”
The ruling stated that only the JSC—not the Prime Minister—has the lawful authority to advise the President on FICAC leadership appointments, raising questions about Rokoika’s status who was appointed by the same mechanism.
While the JSC had aimed for a 31 March resolution, the final outcome now hinges on the Prime Minister’s appeal and Justice Bull’s decision regarding Rokoika…. PACNEWS
PAC – MEDIA/OBITUARY: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 1: Thu 26 Mar 2026
He will never be replaced’: Tributes flow for ‘fearless’ Vanuatu journalist Dan McGarry
PORT VILA, 26 MARCH 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — Tributes are pouring in from across the region for “fearless” and “formidable” Vanuatu journalist Dan McGarry, who passed away on Wednesday.
McGarry, 62, fell ill after a trip to Papua New Guinea earlier this month, from where he had to be evacuated to Brisbane to undergo a heart bypass.
But he faced complications during his recovery and had remained in critical care for the past few weeks.
McGarry, who was a former editor of Vanuatu’s only national newspaper and Pacific editor of the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) at the time of his passing, has left behind his wife and children.
“It’s with great heartbreak that I have to announce that the legendary Dan McGarry passed away earlier today,” Aubrey Belford, who was a co-editor with McGarry at OCCRP, “said in a Facebook post.
“Dan was an absolutely dominating presence in Pacific journalism and in the region more generally.
“Dan was compassionate, sharing, and always motivated by a sense of justice and the common good. He was driven but also understood the importance of patience, friendship, and community.
“When home in Vanuatu he loved nothing more than finishing his day with a shell or more of kava, satisfied in the knowledge he had found his place in the world.”
Belford added McGarry’s loss is devastating not just for his family but for all journalists working in the region.
“He will be missed, and he will never be replaced.”
Another friend and colleague, Andrew Gray, said McGarry was “a good man”.
“After a hard life he finally found happiness in Vanuatu, and he did a lot more for the country than people appreciate. Last time I saw him he was planning his retirement at Lalwori. Condolences to Line McGarry Watsivi and their daughters.”
InsidePNG described McGarry as “more than just a colleague, a titan of regional journalism and a tireless advocate for the truth”.
“As the former editor of the Vanuatu Daily Post, he brought a wealth of experience and a fearless spirit to every project he touched. Dan was absolutely instrumental in the birth of our investigative centre in Port Moresby.
“He didn’t just help set the foundation, he guided and mentored InsidePNG through our most critical work, building a lasting connection with our team that went far beyond professional duty,” the news outlet said in a social media post.
Kiribati journalist Rimon Rimon, who worked with McGarry described him as “one of the brilliant minds I had the privilege of working closely with in our OCCRP investigations!”.
The University of the South Pacific’s head of journalism associate professor Dr Shailendra Singh said McGarry’s passing is “profoundly felt across the Pacific media community, where his contributions as journalist, trainer and mentor have made a lasting impact”.
“He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
RNZ Pacific manager Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor said McGarry’s presence will be missed.
“Dan McGarry was one of the best – a champion of the truth,” she said…. PACNEWS
COOKS – IMMIGRATION/CUSTOMS: COOK ISLANDS GOVT PACNEWS 1: Thu 26 Mar 2026
Cook Islands Immigration participates in the Customs Tactical applied investigations workshop
RAROTONGA, 26 MARCH 2026 (COOK ISLANDS GOVT) — Cook Islands Immigration were invited to participate in an investigations workshop hosted by Te Mana Arai, Cook Islands Customs in collaboration with New Zealand Customs.
The workshop provided an opportunity for law enforcement agency collaboration, with Customs, Immigration and Police in attendance.
The Tactical Applied Investigations (TAI) workshop offered guidance and hands-on approach delivering invaluable investigative tools, enhanced knowledge and strengthened practical application.
The course content was delivered through group exercises, scenario based learning and practical simulations focused on improving frontline response and decision-making.
It was an opportunity for senior level law enforcement officers to participate in training conducted by an experienced New Zealand Customs investigator and learn through practical scenario exercises and New Zealand case studies.
“It was a privilege to participate in this training learning from a facilitator who demonstrated her experience through case studies. The content was practical and relevant to our Cook Islands environment and the region when thinking about disrupting transnational organised crime.” said Immigration Operations Manager Phillip Metuariki…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – TOURISM INDUSTRY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 26 Mar 2026
Pacific unity key to unlock tourism growth: Fiji Tourism Minister
NADI, 26 MARCH 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — Fiji deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, has highlighted the immense potential of Pacific tourism, calling for stronger regional collaboration and investment while officially opening the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2026 in Nadi.
Speaking to tourism leaders and industry partners, Gavoka described the annual exchange as a vital platform that connects the Pacific to global markets while strengthening partnerships within the region’s tourism community.
He noted projections from the World Travel and Tourism Council showing that Oceania’s tourism sector could add US$112 billion to the regional economy and create 1.1 million jobs by 2034.
Achieving this growth, he said, will require coordinated policies, strategic investments, and stronger collaboration among Pacific nations.
DPM Gavoka also stressed the importance of improved connectivity — both internationally and across the Pacific — and closer alignment between the aviation and tourism sectors. Sustainability remains a key focus, with SPTE 2026 being hosted as a single-use plastic-free event.
“The Pacific is not a collection of small, isolated markets, but a region of collective strength, diversity, and opportunity,” he said.
He added that strong crisis management strategies are also essential to help the tourism sector remain resilient and recover quickly during global disruptions.
DPM Gavoka reaffirmed that the Pacific continues to offer authentic experiences that make the region unique, inviting global partners to work together in shaping the future of tourism…. PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: PACNEWS/PNA PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 26 Mar 2026
PNA moves to boost Tuna returns as members tighten rules and back domestic industry
MAJURO, 26 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS/PNA) — Officials from the Parties to the Nauru Agreement have wrapped up their 45th Annual Meeting with a push to strengthen domestic tuna industries, tighten compliance, and maintain sustainable fisheries across the region.
The week-long meeting at PNA Headquarters in the Marshall Islands brought together delegates from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
Officials were told key tuna stocks remain healthy, with purse seine catches returning to normal levels in 2025 after a spike in 2024, while longline catches stayed stable. The PNA Office reported strong finances and continued effective implementation of the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS), with revenues holding steady.
The PNA Observer Agency also recorded a standout year in 2024, delivering a record level of observer activity.
At the same time, officials noted progress in advancing regional tuna management through the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, while flagging risks from disruptions to global tuna trade linked to the Middle East conflict.
A major focus of the meeting was strengthening the FSM Arrangement to expand preferential access for domestic fleets within PNA waters.
Officials reported substantial progress in tightening the arrangement to increase leverage on commercial partners and drive investment into local industries.
The work supports the East New Britain Initiative, which aims to shift more of the tuna value chain into Pacific Island countries instead of offshore markets.
Officials also reviewed national and regional efforts to boost domestic fisheries development under the initiative.
PNA members reaffirmed their commitment to sustainability by adopting the 2027 Total Allowable Effort for purse seine fisheries and approving Party Allowable Effort allocations.
They also endorsed previously agreed 2025–2027 limits for longline fisheries.
At the 31st Palau Arrangement meeting, parties agreed to tighten the registration of longline vessels under the VDS system.
Officials endorsed several recommendations from the PNA Compliance Committee, including finalising key provisions of the compliance regime and confirming that the Compliance Case Register is now fully operational.
They also backed proposals from the PNA Science Committee to strengthen research and build scientific capacity, including work on fish aggregating device (FAD) beaching and cetacean bycatch.
Officials commended the Observer Agency’s strong 2025 performance, including training, placements and debriefing programmes for FSM Arrangement and US Treaty vessels.
They also recognised winners of the 2025 Best Observer Award, alongside the Golden Caliper Award and a new “Above and Beyond” award.
The PNA Office was praised for another strong year, with officials highlighting its financial stability, strengthened compliance systems and ongoing capacity development work.
The meeting closed with members reaffirming their commitment to sustainable tuna management and economic development, with the next annual officials meeting scheduled for March 2027 in Nauru…. PACNEWS
PNG – ECONOMY: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 26 Mar 2026
Large portion of PNG economy ‘operating informally’: World Bank
PORT MORESBY, 26 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — A large portion of Papua New Guinea’s economy has been operating informally which makes it difficult for the Government to fund public services, according to the World Bank.
Division director for PNG, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Hans Fraeters, presented the World Bank Public Finance Review 2026 yesterday.
Fraeters said the informal sector had not contributed directly to the national budget through taxes, which had been a struggle for the Government when paying public servants.
“A large part of the economy is informal. An informal part of the economy does not contribute to the system of state resources and state spending,” he said.
He said this was one of the key issues affecting the county’s economy.
Fraeters explained that the informal sector included businesses and workers who were not part of the official tax system of the country such as mothers selling produce at the markets and betel nut vendors.
World Bank senior country economist Reshika Singh said the country relied on a small group of formal workers and businesses to pay taxes.
“The tax base outside the formal sector is very narrow, and one of the main reasons is the large share of the informal economy,” she said.
Singh explained that many people could trade or do business informally outside of the tax system. But this limits the money the government could collect for schools, health and other services.
She said the review recommended expanding tax collection into the informal sector rather than over-taxing the small number of tax contributors in the formal economy and improve the goods and services tax (GST)…. PACNEWS
B/VILLE – MINING: ABG GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 26 Mar 2026
BougainvillePresident Toroama reaffirms progress on Panguna Project in Parliament
BUKA, 26 MARCH 2026 (ABG GOVT) — ABG President and Minister for Mining, Ishmael Toroama, has provided an update to Parliament on the progress of the Panguna Project, outlining key developments in governance, stakeholder engagement and legislative reforms.
“The Panguna Project remains a priority of Bougainville’s economic independence and continues to be progressed in a careful, lawful and structured manner,” he said.
President Toroama clarified that the Panguna EL01 project remains in the exploration stage, and still needs the required pre-feasibility and feasibility works to be undertaken before application for a mining development licence.
He explained that the Panguna Project is being driven through a coordinated whole-of-government approach to ensure effective oversight, accountability and implementation, adding that this is being overseen by a Core Ministerial Team, and a Technical Working Group (TWG) at the administration level.
“The TWG is now operational and coordinating a whole-of-government implementation framework to provide the regulatory and the enabling environment to support progress of the Panguna Project.”
The President reaffirmed that landowners remain central to the Panguna Project.
“Landowners remain central partners, with government commitment to their participation, equity and benefit sharing firmly upheld. The ABG will only be engaging with the landowners through their respective families and clans, acknowledging that land ownership in Bougainville is communal through the family and clan system.”
“At the administrative and landowner level, the ABG has commenced a structured engagement which will involve various local stakeholders including the Panguna landowners, community governments and veterans, impacted communities, small-scale miners and other interest groups.”
Speaking on shareholding issues, President Toroama confirmed that the ABG, together with Bougainville Minerals Limited (BML), now holds a total 72.9 percent shareholding in Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL).
“The ABG has reaffirmed its majority shareholding of 72.9% in BCL, ensuring full strategic control at the shareholder level. Under BEC direction and through formal shareholder processes, we have seen the commencement of restructuring of the BCL Board to align with Bougainville’s strategic direction and majority ownership position.”
As part of this restructuring, ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei has been appointed Chairman, strengthening governance oversight and alignment with ABG policy.
The President also informed Parliament of recent additional Board changes including the resignation of Mr Peter Graham and Sir Moi Avei as Directors.
“Both individuals were representing the national government on the Board, and with the transfer of shareholding from the national government to the ABG, they no longer serve a direct interest in the governance of the company.”
The President stressed that all future mining activity in Bougainville will be undertaken in a safe, responsible, and environmentally compliant manner, consistent with national laws and international standards.
The House debated the Ministerial statement and expressed strong support for the President and his Executive Government regarding the decisions on the Panguna Redevelopment Project…. 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
From the Amazon to the Pacific: Frontliners Assess COP30 and the Road to Turkey
By Mark Sheeny
SUVA, 26 MARCH 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — After COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the next summit will move to Antalya in November 2026, where Turkey will host and Australia will chair the negotiations as countries reflect on progress and plan.
Expectations were high that hosting the conference in the heart of the world’s most vital forest would catalyse bold action on climate change, but for those who came from the climate frontline—the Pacific Islands—the experience was a study in profound contrasts. While the “Amazon Factor” brought unprecedented Indigenous representation to the fore, the negotiations often missed the mark.
To get a more realistic understanding of COP30 and what the Pacific needs from COP31 in Turkey, this article brings together the experiences and insights of Alfred Ralifo (WWF-Pacific’s Conservation Director); Dr. Hendrick Kaniki (Solomon Islands); Mosese Volavola (Indigenous iTaukei conservationist); Robert Karoro (Pacific Regional Indigenous Representative, LCIPP); Barbara Tomi (Papua New Guinea Women in Agriculture); Lavena Naivalu (Nacula District Representative, Fiji), and Alan Petersen (Teitei Taveuni, Fiji).
A “Sort of Indigenous COP”
For many, the most visible and hopeful aspect of COP30 was the level of Indigenous participation. Alfred Ralifo from WWF-Pacific, whose organisation has worked alongside Indigenous community leaders and those at the grassroots to help prepare them for the global stages, noted change. “The COP last year was one of the COPs with the largest participation of Indigenous representatives from across the world,” he said. This wasn’t just about numbers, but impact. Ralifo added that the power of lived experience cuts through diplomatic jargon in a way that data can’t. Sometimes, when our community representatives speak in these forums, they bring truth and emotion so powerfully that it moves people to tears.
Robert Karoro of LCIPP arrived in Belém sharing that sense of optimism, calling it “sort of the indigenous COP”. For him, the fact that there were so many traditional leaders, knowledge holders, and activists from the Amazon and beyond, was a victory in and of itself. Mosese Volavola, an Indigenous iTaukei conservationist, arrived with a strategic goal and achieved a significant diplomatic win, helping to secure a bilateral meeting that led to Australia funding Fiji’s hosting of the Regional Gathering of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) this year. For Volavola, this was proof of concept for a new kind of advocacy: “Indigenous community voices can influence regional climate governance when we engage strategically.”
Hope – and Hard Reality
Despite the increased visibility of Indigenous voices, the official outcomes of COP30 left many disappointed.
Negotiators failed to agree on a clear roadmap to phase out fossil fuels or halt deforestation – two issues widely seen as central to limiting global warming.
Environmental organisations described the negotiations as a “carousel of illusions”: constant motion but limited progress.
Karoro offered an insider’s view on the mechanics of this paralysis, explaining the battle over every single word in the final text. “The disappointing bit is that it’s an agreement. They have agreed but not commit,” he said, highlighting the gap between consensus and binding action. He described how “those small words… will see whether they can commit that money or they don’t commit,” and how a single party can block progress, holding the entire process hostage for their own reasons.
Ralifo pointed to the power imbalance at the core of the process. Developed countries have the resources to field large delegations covering 29 parallel agenda items simultaneously, he noted, “while the oil and gas companies send their top lawyers” to protect their interests. The result, as Alan Petersen from Teitei Taveuni in Fiji experienced firsthand, is a system that feels structurally rigged against the most affected. “Personally, I felt that we in the Pacific, although one of the most affected by climate change, we are overlooked in all major decisions,” he reflected. The people who urgently need help are ignored.
Barbara Tomi, representing the Papua New Guinea Women in Agriculture (PNGWiA), brought a very important perspective with a clear message: “Farmer organisations in Papua New Guinea are already leading adaptation efforts, but we need direct and fair funding.” This demand to be able to control what actually happens to aid without it becoming snarled in endless bureaucracy became a recurring theme.
The Verdict – A Growing Chasm
The defining legacy of COP30, according to these Pacific voices, is the gap between what was hoped for and what actually happened – a chasm that promises made in Belém cannot cross.
For some, there was progress. Dr. Hendrick Kaniki from the Solomon Islands saw the elevated profile of the climate-health nexus as a positive step, bringing attention to the direct impacts on human wellbeing. But for those on the ground, such high-level discussions are overcome by the snail’s pace of practical support. Petersen and his colleagues at Teitei Taveuni voiced this frustration with a simple question that many in the region can relate to: “New money, old money… where is the money?”
For Volavola, the focus remains on ensuring Indigenous peoples are treated as “governance actors with solutions,” not as “vulnerable beneficiaries” whose presence is welcomed but whose proposals are ignored.
Karoro offered perhaps the sharpest criticism of the system’s distorted priorities. He contrasted the endless struggle for climate finance, the years of proposals, the complex accreditation processes, the unfulfilled pledges with the ease and speed with which bigger countries fund conflict. “That’s just the crazy bit,” he said. His solution is to be realistic: “set reachable targets… if it’s practical, it works.” Otherwise, he argued, the world is left with a situation where success seems to always be just out of reach.
A Moment of Recognition from the Pacific
For Lavena Naivalu, COP30 carried deep personal meaning.
Her district has been implementing a community-driven sustainable development plan since 2018, following years of village-to-village consultations.
The plan led to the creation of several key strategies, including fisheries management, mangrove restoration, and disaster risk reduction.
The results are already visible.
New water systems have been installed in Yaceta and Vuaki, while Matacawalevu village upgraded its existing water infrastructure. Communities have also established traditional marine protected areas along resort coastlines to support sustainable fisheries management.
Naivalu travelled to Belém not only as a community leader, but also as a mother advocating for the future of her children.
“My representation at COP30 was very important to me,” she said. “I was there to amplify the voices of the communities that are facing the greatest impacts of climate change, which is affecting our human rights as indigenous people of the Pacific.”
One of the most memorable moments of the conference came during an event attended by the United Nations’ Ocean Commissioner, Peter Thomson.
Naivalu shared her experiences of community adaptation in Nacula, unaware that Thomson had previously visited the district.
“He stood up and supported my intervention and encouraged world leaders to come to Nacula to see what communities are doing,” she said.
“For someone at that level to recognise our work was a proud moment. Fiji is just a tiny spot on the world map, but to hear the name of Nacula recognised on a global stage meant a lot for our people.”
The Road to COP31
If COP30 exposed a broken system, these voices from the Pacific are building a blueprint for COP31 and beyond.
Unfinished Business: Finance and Partnership
The number one priority is tearing down the barriers between global finance and local reality. Dr. Kaniki expects to see “clearer access to climate finance” in Turkey, with streamlined processes that don’t require communities to become legal experts before they can build resilience. Petersen and Tomi are singing from the same hymnal when it comes to having funding reach farmers and communities directly, “without complex or restrictive requirements” that favour large international NGOs over grassroots organisations.
Volavola, for his part, is pushing for “stronger operationalisation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights within climate finance.” “Do not treat us as vulnerable populations,” he demands of COP31. “Treat us as governance partners.” This means Indigenous peoples at the decision-making tables where funding priorities are set, not just in the queue of applicants.
New Strategies: Proof of Concept and One Voice
Karoro is pioneering a new strategic approach to the COP process itself. Instead of always playing the victim— “telling the whole world that this is happening to us”—he wants to see “proof of concept” model. He arrives at COP with tangible, working solutions from his community: water tanks that have survived cyclones, successful mangrove planting that has restored coastlines, and data on what actually works. He connects directly with donors and philanthropists, bypassing the stalled negotiations. “That’s when the interest comes in,” he explains, describing the COP as a marketplace where communities can secure partners directly based on demonstrated tangibles.
Tomi saw another avenue for empowerment in Belém. She was inspired by displays of processed traditional foods, which she saw as a potential business venture for the women of Papua New Guinea in climate adaptation through economic development. For her, COP31 must move the conversation around women’s role in food production into the substantive negotiations.
The Fight Beyond the Summit
COP30 in Belém was a summit with a lot of symbolism and only modest outcomes. For these Pacific voices, it was a place of connection and breakthrough, but also a stark reminder of the power imbalances that define the UN process. Dr. Hendrick’s message to the world is straightforward: “Every delay in action costs lives, livelihoods, and futures.”
From Mosese’s diplomatic wins and Robert’s “proof of concept” approach to the farmers’ unified demand for accessible funding.
Lavenia says ultimately, it is all about helping real people on the ground who are being affected. “One very important issue that we will amplify or take to the table is more representation of indigenous people in decision making tables and also policies that reflects the needs of grassroots communities.” The road to COP31 must be paved not with more promises, but with accessible finance, a unified community voice, and the political courage to act…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
“I thought TB was a curse”: Kaio’s story of strength, recovery, and hope in Tuvalu
FUNAFUTI, 26 MARCH 2026 (UNDP) — When 40‑year‑old Kaio Tiira Taula speaks about his journey with tuberculosis (TB), he does so with a calm honesty that comes only from surviving something deeply life‑altering.
A single father of eight and the eldest of four brothers, Kaio has spent much of his life caring for others. Also, a proud member of Tuvalu’s LGBTQIA+ community through the Akanda Alliance, but nothing prepared him for the moment he had to confront his own illness.
“The mentality that I had was TB is a disgusting disease that is incurable. As a man of many hats, I felt ashamed of myself. I thought people would distance themselves from me if they knew,” Kaio said.
His fear led him into denial. Although he was given medication, he admits, “I would only drink my medications when my DOT worker was present. If she dropped them off and left, I would not drink them at all.”
Kaio’s life was full – youth representative, Sunday School teacher, Head of Department at work – but the weight of stigma made him withdraw.
“I couldn’t work, nor could I perform as I used to. I took leave and due to my denial, it took longer for me to get back to work. My family started to distance themselves, and I had to do the same with my children to recover. It was painful.”
A Turning Point: “I Blamed Myself. That Changed Everything.”
Everything shifted when Kaio’s son, then a Form 6 student, was also diagnosed with TB.
“A sudden turn of events happened that turned the table around. My son was also diagnosed with TB. I totally blamed myself. From then on, we continued treatment together,” Kaio said.
Father and son completed treatment side by side, supported by Tuvalu’s CD Unit and dedicated health workers.
“The nurse and the whole team helped us. Sometimes even in the middle of the night, I would send my DOT worker questions. They answered everything beautifully. They made it possible to have fresh fruits and food items to supplement my body.”
Tuvalu’s TB Reality: Small Nation, Big Challenges
Kaio’s story is a reflection of a wider challenge in Tuvalu. The nation faces:
* TB incidence: 250.94 per 100,000 population
* TB mortality: 10.5 per 100,000
*Number of patients with of all forms of TB notified (new + relapse cases): 24
* Treatment success rate: 85 percent
* Rapid diagnostic testing coverage: 83 percent
These numbers show both progress and gaps, especially the need for expanded contact tracing, prevention, and ongoing community engagement.
UNDP’s Role: Strengthening Health Systems and Reaching Communities
UNDP, through our Health Programme Portfolio, continues to support Tuvalu and the Pacific region in strengthening health systems, improving access to essential health services, and supporting national TB responses by providing end‑to‑end operational, technical, and procurement support through the Global Fund grant.
This support enables Tuvalu’s Ministry of Health to extend essential health services across the outer islands through community outreach, ensuring that TB screening, contact tracing, and awareness programmes reach even the most remote and hard to reach communities. In parallel, UNDP has procured critical diagnostic equipment, including the digital X‑ray machine equipped with AI‑assisted reading capabilities and GeneXpert systems with all necessary cartridges and supplies, transforming Tuvalu’s diagnostic capacity and enabling faster, more accurate detection of TB.
It also ensures the continuous availability of lifesaving TB medicines and related commodities, preventing stockouts and safeguarding uninterrupted treatment for all patients. In addition, the grant supports human resources, including the Project Coordinator, ensuring strong programme management, coordination, and reporting – key pillars for sustained progress.
Kaio’s Message to All: “TB Is Curable—Love Your Family Enough to Get Tested”
Having survived the disease, Kaio is determined to advocate for others.
“TB is curable. If you love your family, then start by getting to know your status. Get tested.”
His story is not just one of illness and recovery – it is one of courage, vulnerability, and finding strength through community support.
A Call to Action: Together, Let’s End TB in Tuvalu
Kaio’s experience reminds us that TB does not only affect lungs – it affects families, livelihoods, and entire communities. Ending TB requires continued support for health workers, increased awareness and testing, and compassion for those experiencing stigma or fear.
Tuvalu has the resilience, courage, and community spirit to eliminate TB, but it will take all of us to fight and end the stigma around TB…. PACNEWS