In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific Leaders’ 2050 Plan gains ground but gaps remain, Forum report shows
2. TONGA — Lopsided deal: Legal analysis raises concerns over Tonga’s deep-sea mining agreement
3. PACIFIC — China-U.S competition for rare earths sparks plan to mine Pacific seabed near Guam
4. NZ — Goldsmith takes charge of Pacific Peoples in ministerial shake-up
5. PACIFIC — SPC appoints Dr Andrew Jones as deputy DG Science and Capability
6. FIJI — Fiji revamps security decision system to boost response
7. GUAM — Drone testing near Guam highlights expanding U.S effort to counter emerging aerial threats
8. TONGA — Doctoral research exposes abuse and vulnerability of women tou’a in kava practice
9. UN — Lebanon peacekeeper deaths investigated
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji loses vital “window” to soften fuel shock: Abraham
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Reducing Fuel Costs in Fiji: Simple Driving Habits that Make a Big Difference
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Energy crunch hits vulnerable nations
13 PACNEWS INFOCUS — Chotic scenes as French Parliament delays New Caledonia debate
14 PACNEWS DIGEST — American Samoa said ‘no’ to deep sea mining, Washington heard ‘faster’
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Women leaders unite to advance gender equality, defend multilateralism amid growing global pushback
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — “These weapons belong to the past”: Decades on, landmines and explosive remnants still kill and destroy lives
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Pacific Leaders’ 2050 Plan gains ground but gaps remain, Forum report shows
By Pita Ligaiula
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pacific Islands Forum members are making progress on a long-term regional plan, but challenges remain in turning commitments into results, according to a new report tracking the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The 2025 Progress Report on Regional Collective Actions (RCAs), compiled by Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) agencies, provides a snapshot of efforts since the endorsement of the 2050 Implementation Plan in 2023 through to mid-2025.
“Efforts to implement the RCAs support the region’s long-term vision of ‘a resilient Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity, that ensures all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.’”
The report builds on updates presented to Leaders at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara and focuses on how regional priorities are being translated into action across key sectors.
It shows that while coordination among regional agencies has improved, delivering on the wide-ranging goals of the 2050 Strategy remains complex, with varying levels of progress across different areas.
The RCAs are designed to drive collective action on shared challenges, including climate change, economic development, ocean management, security and social wellbeing. The report notes that aligning national priorities with regional commitments continues to be a key task for Forum members.
Since 2023, regional organisations have stepped up collaboration to support implementation, with CROP agencies playing a central role in coordinating technical support, policy advice and programme delivery.
The report highlights that progress has been made in strengthening regional cooperation frameworks and advancing key initiatives, but it also points to capacity constraints and funding gaps that are slowing implementation in some areas.
A major focus has been ensuring that the 2050 Strategy moves beyond policy into practical outcomes that benefit communities across the Pacific.
The report stresses that the RCAs are not standalone efforts but are intended to complement national development plans and global commitments, including climate and sustainable development goals.
It also notes that monitoring and reporting mechanisms are being strengthened to better track progress and identify areas needing attention.
Regional leaders have emphasised that the 2050 Strategy is central to the Pacific’s long-term vision, particularly as the region faces increasing pressure from climate change, economic shocks and geopolitical shifts.
The report indicates that while there is strong political commitment, sustained effort and resources will be needed to maintain momentum and ensure that the Strategy delivers tangible results.
It also highlighted the importance of partnerships, including with development partners, to support implementation and scale up financing for priority areas.
The findings come as Pacific countries continue to push for greater regional unity and stronger collective action to address shared challenges.
The report makes clear that progress is underway, but the pace and scale of implementation will determine whether the 2050 vision can be achieved.
For Forum members, coordination is improving but delivery must accelerate to meet the region’s long-term goals…. PACNEWS
TONGA – DEEP SEA MINING: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Lopsided deal: Legal analysis raises concerns over Tonga’s deep-sea mining agreement
NUKU’ALOFA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — When Pacific leaders gather to discuss the future of deep-sea mining, the conversation often centres on economic opportunity. For Tonga, that promise has come with a complicated legal trade-off now drawing scrutiny across the region.
A recent legal analysis by the Pacific Network on Globalisation, or PANG, raises questions about a sponsorship agreement between Tonga and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. The report suggests the deal may grant sweeping protections to the investor while limiting Tonga’s ability to regulate its own resources.
“It is not possible to select just one provision, as the package of rights, plus jurisdiction, enforcement and termination, cumulatively create a deeply problematic agreement,” said Adam Wolfenden, PANG’s deputy coordinator.
“The additional provision that requires Tonga to do all things reasonably necessary to give effect to TOML having the full benefit of the agreement is the broadest, most uncertain and most unpredictable.”
The agreement comes at a time when Pacific Island countries are weighing the potential benefits of deep-sea mining against environmental risks and evolving international rules. Discussions are ongoing at the International Seabed Authority, which is still developing a regulatory framework for the industry.
One of the most significant concerns raised in the analysis involves the location for dispute resolution. Under the agreement, legal challenges would be heard in Singapore under the UN Commission on International Trade Law.
“By moving disputes, Tonga’s legal sovereignty is affected because it removes the final authority of Tongan courts to interpret and decide disputes arising from the agreement,” Wolfenden said. “It also weakens domestic accountability because arbitration processes tend to be more private than court proceedings, which limits public access.”
The agreement also limits the application of domestic law. Wolfenden noted that Tongan law may be set aside if it conflicts with the company’s rights under the contract, except for the Seabed Minerals Act as it existed at the time of signing. Future amendments that could affect the company’s interests may be restricted.
Arbitration proceedings under international law are generally less public than domestic court cases, which could limit oversight by both the public and lawmakers. “There is no accountability for government to its people or parliament,” Wolfenden said.
“That includes what arguments are made, any settlements reached and the fiscal commitment of taxpayer funds as damages.”
The analysis places the agreement within a broader global context, describing it as similar to older investment treaties that prioritise investor protections.
“Investors bring most disputes under old bilateral investment treaties because that is easiest,” Wolfenden said. “But statistics from (U.N. Trade and Development) show that disputes under old and new agreements are increasing in number and scope, especially on natural resources and extraction.”
He added that some countries, such as New Zealand and Australia, have dropped investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms in newer agreements, signaling ongoing concerns about the system.
Those mechanisms allow investors to bring claims against governments in international tribunals. According to Wolfenden, the financial stakes in such cases can be significant.
“About 60 percent of all (investor-state dispute settlement) cases involved damages claims of US$100 million and higher, including cases where investors sought more than US$1 billion,” Wolfenden said. “The past decade shows a shift toward higher damages claims and awards.”
Central to the agreement is a clause requiring “fair and equitable treatment” of the investor. Wolfenden said the wording could limit Tonga’s ability to adapt its laws over time.
“This requires a stable and predictable legal framework, meaning laws, regulations, policies and even judicial interpretations do not change from the time of the original agreement,” he said. “It also requires alignment
with the investor’s legitimate expectations, which can be based on formal or informal statements by officials.”
Wolfenden said the effect is to lock in the regulatory environment at the time the agreement is signed, regardless of future developments.
Another provision highlighted in the report relates to the concept of “full protection and security.” Wolfenden said the clause could be interpreted broadly, potentially affecting how governments respond to protests or legal challenges.
“The legal protection provisions requiring the blocking of legal action are in direct conflict with the right to dissent,” he said, adding that such provisions could have a chilling effect on both public participation and government decision-making.
“Chill can come from direct threats by the investor, self-censorship by officials or reference to disputes in other countries,” he said. “This is especially likely in areas like critical minerals, where risks are still being understood.”
Supporters of deep-sea mining have pointed to its potential to generate revenue and support economic development. But the analysis emphasises the need for caution, particularly given the limited scientific understanding of deep-sea ecosystems.
“In situations where risks are not known, a precautionary approach is essential because harms to ecosystems and fisheries cannot be undone,” Wolfenden said.
“Governments taking short-term approaches to secure revenue will have to deal with those longer-term consequences.”
Civil society groups in Tonga have echoed those concerns. Latai Halafihi of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga warned that moving too quickly could expose the country to legal and environmental risks.
“Tonga must not be rushed into deep-sea mining at the expense of our sovereignty, environment and future generations,” Halafihi said.
Reverend Ikani Tolu of the Tonga National Council of Churches also called for a cautious approach, citing knowledge gaps and potential long-term impacts.
“No doubt deep-sea mining poses significant, largely irreversible ecological risk and socio-economic uncertainties for Tonga,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wolfenden said Pacific nations should take a more cautious and locally grounded approach when entering similar agreements. “Pacific nations have the right to determine their own safeguards and regulatory approach, grounded in Pacific values rather than those imposed by external forces,” he said.
He recommended measures such as ensuring free, prior and informed consent from affected communities, improving transparency in negotiations and conducting independent environmental and scientific assessments before approval.
Wolfenden also noted that many countries in the region support a pause on deep-sea mining until more is known and clearer international regulations are in place.
“Governments are seeing the risk of deep-sea mining and want to ensure that clear regulatory frameworks are established before even considering if it should proceed,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DEEP SEA MINING: RADIO FREE ASIA PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
China-U.S competition for rare earths sparks plan to mine Pacific seabed near Guam
TAMUNING, 02 APRIL 2026 (RADIO FREE ASIA) — A U.S plan to potentially mine an area of Pacific seabed roughly the size of Nevada near two U.S territories is the latest example of increasing competition in the region between the United States and China, a local government official told Radio Free Asia.
The zones of seabed marked off for potential development total 69 million acres (280,000 square kilometers) in two distinct geographical areas east and west of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
“In both areas, the primary minerals for commercial development include potential commercially viable quantities of cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, zinc, rare earth elements, along with other minerals that may prove economically viable to extract and process in the future,” Douglas Boren, the Pacific regional director for the U.S Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM, stated in a 13 March memo detailing the plan.
In the same memo, Boren said that the Trump administration recognises an “overreliance” on foreign-sourced minerals and the products that use them, potentially jeopardising “U.S. defence capabilities, infrastructure development and technological innovation.”
Boren cited executive orders that direct the Department of Interior to expedite mineral development in the region, including one signed by the president on 24 April 2025, which emphasised “strengthening partnerships with allies and industry to counter China’s growing influence over seabed mineral resources.”
The memo specified that the areas identified would be subject to “environmental analyses conducted for the proposed lease offering.” meaning that parts of the two tracts might be omitted from the area to be leased. It also acknowledged concerns from those opposed to the undersea mining proposal, including potential harms to fisheries, tourism and the environment.
Senator William Parkinson of the Guam legislature noted that the race to explore the ocean floor is driven by a broader strategic contest unfolding across the Indo-Pacific.
“Guam is very much on the front line of it,” Parkinson told RFA. “There are environmental concerns about deep-sea mining, and those are real.”
Parkinson said the concern over China’s increasing influence in the Pacific goes beyond mining.
“When vessels tied to the Chinese state are repeatedly surveying waters near Guam and other strategic corridors, we have to ask not only what minerals they are interested in, but what military advantage they may be seeking,” he said, adding that competition between Washington and Beijing carries echoes of World War II, when Guam was part of the Pacific Theater campaign.
Reuters and other news outlets reported this week that in addition to surveying for minerals, China is mapping the seabed, and the data has military applications, according to naval experts.
Beyond being one variable in the larger arena of strategic competition with China, undersea mining is also big bucks. The emerging industry has a potential valuation as high as US$20 trillion according to the Belgium-based management consulting firm Arthur D. Little.
But people living in Guam and the Northern Marianas feel like their concerns are not being heard, Guam’s Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said in response to the 13 March memo.
“We are disappointed that, in all our attempts to engage with BOEM throughout this process, they have not considered and have ignored the very people who are most affected by their actions,” she said. “We will show up on every front to make sure that our concerns are heard and that our oceans are protected.”
Last year, the Guam and Northern Marianas legislatures separately adopted resolutions calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in the waters around the islands. Federal decisions, however, supersede local legislative actions.
To speed up the leasing of marked areas, the BOEM streamlined the permitting process and removed territorial governments from the decision-making process.
Guerrero said the plan was “driven by industry interest” at the expense of “environment, biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, public health, national security and regional relations.”
The proposal ignores the people and governments of nearby areas, Angelo Villagomez, a researcher at the Centre for American Progress in Washington, told RFA. He criticized pushing forward “an industrial experiment in one of the most biodiverse and culturally significant ocean regions on Earth.”
“This decision to advance the largest seabed mining proposal in U.S history ignores the overwhelming concerns voiced by the people and local governments. Deep sea mining poses irreversible risks to fragile ecosystems, fisheries that sustain our communities, and the cultural heritage of the Chamorro and Refaluwasch peoples,” he said, referring to two ethnic groups living in the Marianas.
Beyond the Northern Marianas and Guam, Washington has begun engaging with the governments of the Cook Islands, Tonga and Nauru to forge seabed mining partnerships. Though no commercial mining has begun, the International Seabed Authority has issued several contracts in the Clarion-Clipperton zone, an area between Hawaii and Mexico which is known to host the world’s largest polymetallic deposits, but also an abundance of biodiverse sea life. Most awarded contracts in the zone are sponsored by Nauru and Tonga.
Meanwhile in an area of seabed near the Solomon Islands, another U.S Pacific territory, mining exploration activities are already underway.
Deposits there contain an estimated 10 billion tons of high-grade ore, offering a significant, strategically located U.S offshore source of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper, according to John Wasko, executive director of the American Samoa Development Council.
“China has a monopoly on terrestrial refining. Why bother?” Wasko told RFA, explaining that the U.S has the potential to produce rare earth elements in a more sustainable way than by using the “old and dirty” technology in Chinese rare earth refineries.
According to the Canadian government, China mines 69 percent of the global total of rare earths annually, with the U.S a distant second at 12 percent. China also has a 90 percent monopoly on refining, where rare earth elements used in everyday items like cellular phones, cars, and solar panels are separated from the mined ore.
Though most of China’s rare earth production comes from terrestrial mines, it is also trying to increase its rare earth mining capabilities in the seas to possibly expand on its dominance of the rare earths market.
Parkinson expressed concern that the increasing competition between large powers was turning the Pacific into “a chessboard where island communities are pushed aside.”
“The Pacific must remain in the hands of Pacific Islanders,” he said. “We cannot allow the blue continent to be treated as a warehouse of raw materials or a covert battlespace. Our people, our environment, and our security all demand better than that,” Parkinson said…. PACNEWS
NZ – DIPLOMACY: PMN PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Goldsmith takes charge of Pacific Peoples in ministerial shake-up
WELLINGTON, 02 APRIL 2026 (PMN) — New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a reshuffle of his ministerial team, with Paul Goldsmith stepping in as Minister for Pacific Peoples.
The move comes as part of what Luxon describes as a reset to strengthen the Government’s response to economic pressures, including rising fuel costs linked to global instability.
Goldsmith will also take on the Public Service and Digitising Government portfolios from 07 April, replacing outgoing Dr Shane Reti, who is retiring after a 12-year career in Parliament.
Defence Minister Judith Collins is also retiring from politics after more than 20 years in Parliament, leaving the Government with a chance to bring in fresh talent.
Chris Penk joins Cabinet, taking on Defence from Collins, the GCSB, NZSIS, and Space portfolios, while Penny Simmonds also enters Cabinet with responsibility for Tertiary Education and Science, Innovation and Technology.
Energy takes on a higher profile with senior minister Simeon Brown leading the portfolio amid growing concerns about energy security.
Chris Bishop becomes Attorney-General, Louise Upston takes on Leader of the House, and Simon Watts becomes Minister for Auckland.
Nicola Grigg has been appointed Minister for the Environment, while Scott Simpson takes over as Minister of Statistics and Deputy Leader of the House.
Two new ministers outside Cabinet will also join: Cameron Brewer is responsible for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Small Business and Manufacturing, and Associate Immigration, while Mike Butterick becomes Minister for Land Information and Associate Agriculture.
Luxon says New Zealanders are facing economic pressures brought on by conflict in the Middle East and its effect on fuel supply across the world.
“Having a strong ministerial team with real-world experience to deliver our response is crucial. Today’s reshuffle reflects that and brings in new talent.”
For the Pacific community, the appointment of Goldsmith marks a fresh chapter.
His new role comes with an expectation to engage closely with Pacific Peoples and ensure their voices are represented at the highest level of Government…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: SPC PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
SPC appoints Dr Andrew Jones as Deputy Director-General, Science and Capability
NOUMEA, 02 APRIL 2026 (SPC) — The Pacific Community (SPC) has announced the appointment of Dr Andrew Jones as Deputy Director-General, Science and Capability, bringing more than 25 years of experience in advancing science and building technical capability across national and international contexts.
Dr Jones has worked across national science agencies and international development settings, applying his expertise to strengthen science and capability in the Pacific and Southeast Asia for more than two decades.
His commitment and dedication to the Pacific region are reflected in his expertise, having formerly served as SPC’s Director of Geoscience, Energy and Maritime (2017-2021) and most recently serving the region as General Manager of International Development at Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, which included work across the Pacific.
Dr Jones’s brings strong international leadership, deep respect for Pacific peoples and SPC staff, and a perspective shaped by experience both within and beyond the organisation.
“Andrew’s leadership and experience will be a strong asset to SPC as we continue to support our members and advance our shared priorities for the Pacific region,” said Dr Paula Vivili, Director-General of SPC.
Dr Jones will officially commence in the role on 11 May 2026, based in Suva, Fiji, and will join SPC’s Executive Leadership Team.
Dr Jones holds a PhD in Sedimentary Geology and Palaeoclimatology and began his career as a scientist in a national technical agency in Australia. He progressed through senior scientific leadership roles, serving as a lead author on numerous peer-reviewed publications and leading multidisciplinary technical teams…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DEFENCE: PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Fiji revamps security decision system to boost response
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT) — Fiji Cabinet has approved reforms to strengthen national security decision-making, including changes to key structures and coordination mechanisms.
The reforms include restructuring the National Security Council and setting up a new Senior Officials Committee on National Security.
The Government says the changes are aimed at improving how it plans, coordinates and responds to security issues, with a focus on faster and more effective decision-making.
Under the new framework, the National Security Council will remain the Government’s main decision-making body on national security and foreign policy.
It will be supported by senior officials and a dedicated secretariat based within the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs.
Officials say the reforms are aligned with Fiji’s National Security Strategy 2025–2029 and are designed to strengthen coordination across government agencies.
The move comes as Fiji responds to an evolving global environment, with a focus on ensuring the country remains prepared and secure…. PACNEWS
GUAM – DEFENCE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Drone testing near Guam highlights expanding U.S effort to counter emerging aerial threats
HAGATNA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Drone testing conducted over the waters near Guam earlier this year reflects a growing focus by the U.S military on preparing for one of the fastest-changing challenges in modern warfare: the rise of small, unmanned aircraft systems.
The January testing event, conducted over portions of the Philippine Sea north of Andersen Air Force Base, was part of the Department of War’s broader efforts to strengthen counter-drone capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region.
Officials say Guam’s strategic location makes the island an important site for testing and operational readiness as the military adapts to increasingly sophisticated drone threats.
Small, unmanned aircraft systems, often referred to as sUAS, have become widely used in modern conflicts. Once largely limited to reconnaissance, drones now play roles in surveillance, targeting and attack operations. Their relatively low cost and accessibility have also allowed nonstate actors and individuals to acquire and modify them.
Military leaders say the technology’s rapid evolution is forcing the United States and its allies to rethink how they protect bases, infrastructure and personnel.
“Unmanned systems are a defining threat of our time,” said Army Brigadier General Matt Ross, director of Joint Interagency Task Force 401. “Drones are prolific, inexpensive, evolving quickly and increasingly accessible to nonstate actors and individuals.”
Ross leads Joint Interagency Task Force 401, a Defence Department organisation responsible for coordinating efforts to counter small, unmanned aircraft systems across the military.
Captain Christy Hanson, public affairs officer for Joint Task Force-Micronesia, said the task force synchronizes counter-drone efforts across multiple branches of government and the armed forces.
Joint Interagency Task Force 401 is the War Department’s lead organisation for countering small, unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, Hanson said. The task force coordinates military and federal efforts to detect, track and defeat drone threats, helping defend the homeland, protect U.S and allied forces and safeguard critical infrastructure.
According to Hanson, the task force works with combatant commands, military services and federal agencies to coordinate those efforts.
“The task force has a global focus and is a multifaceted organisation leading Department of War counter-UAS activities,” she said. “It is innovative, scalable and threat adaptive. It has one measure of effectiveness: quickly deliver state-of-the-art counter-UAS capabilities to the warfighter at home and abroad.”
One key component supporting that mission is the Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft System University at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
The programme serves as the primary training hub for counter-drone operations across the military. Courses focus on identifying, tracking and mitigating drone threats while also preparing planners to protect military installations and critical infrastructure.
“The university develops and validates counter-UAS curriculum for the War Department and serves as the task force’s hub for instruction, mobile training teams and technical integration,” Hanson said.
Rather than relying entirely on centralized training programmes, the military has begun shifting to a “train-the-trainer” model. Under that approach, service members receive specialised instruction and return to their units to train others.
Lieutenant Colonel John Peterson, director of the training programme, said instructors continually update course materials to reflect emerging technologies and evolving tactics.
The goal, he said, is to ensure service members have the skills needed to detect, disrupt and defeat drone threats wherever they are stationed.
Guam has increasingly become part of that training effort.
The island hosts several major U.S military installations, including Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam, and serves as a key hub for American military operations in the Indo-Pacific.
Because of its location, Guam is viewed as an important site for testing and integrating new defence capabilities.
Training teams associated with the counter-drone programme have deployed to Guam to work with local military units, including members of Task Force Talon and Guam National Guard security forces.
“Our mission is to ensure every warfighter has the skills to defend their post, wherever that may be,” Ross said in a Defence Department briefing. “We must recognise that the homeland extends beyond the continental United States. Defending Guam is defending the homeland.”
Officials say the exercises are intended to strengthen the island’s ability to respond to emerging threats while also supporting broader regional security…. PACNEWS
TONGA – TOUA: KANIVA TONGA NEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Doctoral research exposes abuse and vulnerability of women tou’a in kava practice
AUCKLAND, 02 APRIL 2026 (KANIVA TONGA NEWS) — A new doctoral research has brought renewed attention to the experiences of Tongan women involved in kava-related practices, exposing how cultural shifts and commercialisation have placed women tou’a at risk of abuse, sexual objectification, and social disrepute.
Dr Hilda Port’s PhD research, titled How Do Evolving Kava‑Related Practices Impact the Role of Tongan Women Living in Aotearoa, examines the views of Tongan women on kava and provides insight into how traditional practices are changing within New Zealand’s Tongan diaspora.
Her research contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge on kava by amplifying female voices—voices that have long been marginalised in discussions dominated by male-centred narratives.
While kava is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Pacific cultural life—celebrated for its spiritual, social, and communal value—the research shows that evolving practices have created troubling consequences for women, particularly those serving as tou’a.
Using a kakala research framework, grounded in Pacific worldviews, Port employed qualitative methods including talanoa and tauhi vā to gather deeply personal accounts from participants.
These approaches prioritised relationships, mutual respect, and cultural integrity, creating safe spaces for women to share experiences that are often silenced due to cultural sensitivities and stigma.
“Women’s experiences with kava have largely been shaped by others speaking on their behalf, rather than by the women themselves,” Port, who is of Tongan heritage, said.
“This research seeks to change that.”
Participants described positive experiences when traditional cultural protocols were properly observed.
In these spaces, the tou’a role was described as one of honour and respect, in which women felt valued for their service and contributions to the cultural setting.
Several women shared that when kava ceremonies adhered to customary standards—such as clear leadership, respectful conduct, and appropriate boundaries—the role of the tou’a strengthened community cohesion rather than undermining it.
The research also challenges long-held assumptions that kava is a male-only practice.
Both female and male participants acknowledged the physical, spiritual, and mental health benefits of kava consumption for women, reinforcing the notion that women’s participation is not only legitimate but culturally grounded.
However, the research reveals a stark contrast when cultural protocols are weakened or ignored—particularly when tou’a are paid in informal or commercial settings.
Dr Port’s findings show that monetisation of the tou’a role, combined with the erosion of traditional safeguards, has contributed to inappropriate relationships and sexual objectification.
In some cases, women were placed in vulnerable positions where boundaries were blurred, and their dignity compromised.
As a result, the tou’a role—once considered honourable—has, in some contexts, become associated with disrepute, devaluation, and moral judgement within the wider community.
Participants spoke candidly about their fears for young women entering these spaces, expressing concern about exploitation, lack of protection, and the social stigma that follows.
A consistent theme across the research was the urgent need for education—for both men and women—about the cultural significance of the tou’a role and the evolving place of women in KRP.
Port argues that education is key to reshaping attitudes that continue to portray women as decorative or subordinate in kava settings.
Women in the study made it clear they will not allow themselves to be devalued or excluded from KRP, asserting agency and challenging narratives that limit their role to service and appearance.
Port says her research highlights serious concerns about how girls who take on the role of tou’a are treated within the community, including in cases of sexual abuse.
She notes that one participant faced community disapproval after being sexually assaulted, rather than receiving support. This response, she says, has had lasting effects, with around 70 percent of participants saying they would not want their daughters to become tou’a.
Port argues the findings expose deep‑rooted attitudes and pressures surrounding the role and point to an urgent need for open discussion and action to better protect and support young women…. PACNEWS
UN – PEACEKEEPING: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Lebanon peacekeeper deaths investigated
BEIRUT/NEW YORK, 02 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —Although the situation on the ground in Lebanon is challenging, investigations are underway into the killing of three UN peacekeepers over two consecutive days with an update expected “as soon as possible,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Wednesday.
“These incidents are unacceptable and demand full accountability,” he said after the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, suffered three fatalities within 24 hours at the end of March.
Attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.
The head of Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, told troop-contributing countries that the UN has a firm commitment to establish the full facts and circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries sustained by ‘blue helmets’ serving the mission.
Hostilities continue between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants, which has led to mass displacement across the country with over 1,200 Lebanese killed and more than 3,500 injured. Many women, children and first responders are among the dead.
He stressed that developments on the ground will continue to be monitored to enhance safety and security and to mitigate risks.
Under these challenging conditions, Lacroix also expressed his sincere gratitude for the commitment of the courageous women and men serving in the UN’s peace operations in the Middle East, in line with Security Council mandates.
More than 200,000 have crossed from Lebanon into neighbouring Syria since the escalation began…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Fiji loses vital “window” to soften fuel shock: Abraham
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) — The inclusion of more recent international price data, particularly from late March, to calculate the fuel prices for April, has effectively brought forward the domestic impact of global price increases.
These are the sentiments of Asia Pacific Regulatory Centre senior advisor and consultant, Joel Abraham.
Abraham says this is not a trivial adjustment; it is a shift that carries real consequences.
There is a public outcry after local motor spirit and diesel prices increased by 25 to 30 percent this month.
Fiji’s existing fuel pricing framework has historically incorporated a lag of typically around two months between movements in international benchmark prices and domestic price adjustments.
Abraham said this is not an accident of design.
He explained that it serves a critical function as it creates a buffer against immediate volatility; provides space for businesses and households to adjust; and, most importantly, it gives the government time to respond deliberately, rather than reactively.
Abraham said that under normal circumstances, the current global price escalation would have been expected to meaningfully reflect in domestic prices closer to May.
He stated that a one-month window between emerging global signals and full domestic impact was not merely a technical delay. It was policy space.
According to Abraham, what appears to have occurred in the most recent price determination is a compression of that space.
Abraham said this shift carries real consequences as households will experience cost-of-living pressures earlier; businesses will face immediate cost escalation; inflationary pressures are accelerated; and critically, the government loses valuable time to calibrate its response.
Abraham stressed that the issue is not whether prices should increase; they must, given global conditions.
He said that the issue is that the timing of this increase has removed a critical window that the government had to respond in a coordinated and measured way.
He explained that that window, approximately one month, may seem insignificant, but it is not.
Abraham said that in that time, the government could have finalised a structured fuel price smoothing approach, which it has already started; engaged industry stakeholders more comprehensively; aligned fiscal, regulatory, and social protection responses; and communicated a unified national strategy.
Instead, he said that the shock has arrived earlier than anticipated.
According to Abraham, that window was not idle time; it was an opportunity for alignment, consultation, and preparation.
He stressed that its removal constrains policy at precisely the moment it is most needed…. PACNEWS
FIJI – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: IUCN PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Reducing Fuel Costs in Fiji: Simple Driving Habits that Make a Big Difference
If you’ve felt the pinch at the pump lately, you’re not alone. Fiji’s fuel prices rise and fall with global oil markets – and right now, those markets are under significant strain.
By Evia Tavanavanua
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (IUCN)—The ongoing conflict involving the U.S, Israel, and Iran has disrupted one of the world’s most important energy routes, the Strait of Hormuz. This maritime corridor is responsible for transporting 20-25% of global oil and gas.
Shipping has slowed dramatically as attacks and security concerns force vessels to reroute or halt movement. In the meantime, energy facilities in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar have shut down following drone strikes. This disruption has caused global oil prices to spike sharply, up to USD$100-120 per barrel, affecting fuel availability and increasing transportation costs worldwide (Emediegwu, 2026; IEA, 2026; UN News, 2026).
For a fuel‑importing nation like Fiji, these global pressures quickly translate to higher domestic fuel prices, making fuel efficiency more important than ever.
Subsequently, major environmental organisations, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), emphasise the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence to protect ecosystems and mitigate climate change. They further encourage transitioning away from fossil fuels and engaging in low‑carbon mobility practices such as walking, cycling, or driving energy‑efficient vehicles (WWF, 2025; IUCN, 2025).
The good news is that drivers in Fiji can take several simple steps to immediately lower fuel consumption – saving money while also supporting a more sustainable transport system.
1. Drive Smarter with Eco‑Driving
Driving behaviours have a major impact on your fuel bill. Research shows that aggressive habits like harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and speeding can increase fuel use by 15–30% on highways and 10–40 percent in traffic (Alternative Fuels Data Centre, 2026).
Practical tips:
* Accelerate smoothly
*Maintain steady speeds
*Anticipate traffic movement
*Leave adequate following distance
In busy areas like Suva and Nausori, these practices can dramatically reduce unnecessary fuel burn.
2. Turn Off the Engine when Waiting
Idling seems harmless, but engines burn fuel, even when the vehicle is not moving.
A typical passenger car consumes 0.76 to 1.89 litres per hour when idle, while larger vehicles can approach 3.79 litres per hour (U.S DOE, 2015; CarXplorer, 2025).
Tip: If you’re waiting more than a minute, turn the engine off. Restarting uses less fuel than prolonged idling.
3. Keep your Vehicle Well-Maintained
Proper maintenance is essential for fuel efficiency.
Tyres are one of the most overlooked factors. Maintaining correct tyre pressure can boost fuel efficiency by up to 3%, while every 1 PSI drop reduces mileage by about 0.2% (FuelEconomy.gov, 2026)
Other key maintenance habits:
*Use manufacturer‑recommended motor oil
*Replace clogged air filters
*Service the engine regularly
4. Plan Trips more Efficiently
Short, frequent trips consume more fuel because engines run less efficiently when cold. Therefore, combining your errands into one longer route, avoiding peak traffic, and using navigation tools to find less congested roads can significantly reduce fuel usage for both households and businesses.
5. Lighten your Vehicle Load
Extra weight in your vehicle increases fuel consumption.
Removing 45 kg can improve fuel economy by 1–2 percent (DOE, 2026).
Moreover, automotive engineering analyses show that removing 50 kg of weight can boost efficiency by up to 2 percent (DuPont Automotive, 2026).
If you carry tools, sports gear, or equipment you don’t need daily – consider taking them out.
6. Support Sustainable Transport
Individual habits matter, but broader community choices, like using public transport or car- pooling with friends and neighbours, can amplify the impact on fuel usage.
Furthermore, government efforts in improving public transport, investing in walking and cycling routes, and encouraging the use of fuel‑efficient vehicles can reduce the national fuel demand. These changes would also support Fiji’s commitments under the Paris Agreement to energy efficiency, transport decarbonization, and fuel‑efficiency improvements. These steps all contribute to Fiji’s long‑term environmental resilience.
Being Fuel-Efficient Starts with Everyday Choices
Saving fuel isn’t just about reducing transportation costs — it’s an opportunity to strengthen Fiji’s economic stability, protect its environment, and contribute to global efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
For drivers, the benefits are immediate: lower fuel bills, reduced vehicle wear, and a cleaner environment. For the country as a whole, reduced fuel consumption means less reliance on imported fuel and greater economic stability.
With global conflict driving up oil prices and increasing supply volatility, adopting smarter driving habits and supporting sustainable transport policies can help Fiji navigate uncertain times, while moving toward a cleaner, more resilient future…. PACNEWS
UN – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: UN PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Energy crunch hits vulnerable nations
NEW YORK, 02 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — The war in the Middle East and the near halt to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has amplified the energy crunch facing developing nations in Africa and South Asia that rely heavily on imported liquid gas, food and fertilizers.
And with Brent Crude still trading at more than US$100 per barrel, many workers and households have reverted to using oil and coal, raising concerns of lasting environmental damage, while numerous countries have already announced fuel rationing and a move to online meetings.
Just over four weeks since Israeli–US bombing of Iran began, sparking the wider regional conflict, the almost immediate disruption to tanker traffic in the vital Persian Gulf waterway cut oil shipments worldwide, followed by natural gas, coal, transport, food and fertilisers.
“Only a small group of LDCs [Least Developed Countries] are net energy exporters: South Sudan, Angola, Chad, Mozambique, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Yemen,” said UNCTAD’s Junior Davis, Head of Policy Analysis and Research Branch Division for Africa, LDCs and Special Programmes.
“The majority are net importers, including Niger, Zambia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Madagascar, Togo, Sudan, Uganda, Nepal, Eritrea, Benin, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Senegal.”
Highlighting the case of Angola, Davis noted that the oil-exporting developing countries may only see “limited gains” from doing so, “because many lack domestic refining capacity and re-import refined petroleum products at higher prices”.
Neighbouring Zambia faces even “greater hardship” because it relies on refined fuel imported from the Middle East (and notably the UAE), just as LDCs remain “heavily dependent” on fertiliser produced abroad, since the manufacturing process relies heavily on natural gas (methane) – the UNCTAD economist explained.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 17 of the world’s poorest nations need to import more than 30 percent of their cereal needs. Even more worrying, the same number of Least Developed Countries spend more than half of what they earn from exports just to buy food.
“The implication is that rising energy prices will rapidly transmit into food prices and amplify the risk of hunger for households,” Davis noted.
Finding quick solutions to the energy crisis will not be easy, given the high level of debt repayments hanging over many of the world’s poorest nations – an issue that the UN Secretary-General has repeatedly criticised and urged the financial sector to reform, in the interests of fairness, competitiveness and growth.
“Given how heavily indebted many developing countries are to foreign lenders and the squeeze on public spending they have faced for years, it’s highly likely that households will have to pay more for their energy, food and fertilizers and use less. It’s not going to be pretty.”
Against this worrying backdrop, the UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD, noted that 15 of the world’s Least Developed Countries have yet to recover from the turbulent COVID years, with their economies in worse shape than in 2019.
Crisis measures
*Bangladesh: binding measures including fuel rationing and electricity restrictions (with caps on air-conditioning, cooling and lighting) and university closures.
*Cambodia: reduced public sector energy use, online meetings, limited government travel, temperature controls, reduced fuel tax to help consumers and tightened oversight on pump pricing.
*Ethiopia: frugal fuel use encouraged.
*Myanmar: fuel rationing, alternate‑driving days, mandatory remote work for public officials.
*Lao PDR: remote work and rotating shifts for civil servants, public campaigns promoting public transport, fuel rationing, transport restrictions, fuel tax cuts and subsidies.
* Senegal: reduced consumption appeals to households and firms…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS INFOCUS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Chaotic scenes as French parliament delays New Caledonia debate
By Nic Maclellan
PARIS, 02 APRIL 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) —In a chaotic, fast moving situation in Paris, the French government has delayed a scheduled parliamentary debate on New Caledonia for another day.
Debate on proposed constitutional reforms for New Caledonia was supposed to commence on Wednesday but has now been delayed until 11am on Thursday 2 April (9pm Suva time), in an attempt to avoid the looming defeat of the government’s legislation.
With opposition from both Left and extreme-Right parties, the French government is scrambling to salvage the bill that aims to translate New Caledonia’s July 2025 Bougival Accord and January 2026 Elysée-Oudinot Accord into law.
Facing parliamentary defeat, the French government is also discussing alternative ways to salvage its plan to transform New Caledonia into a “State within the French Republic”, replacing the 1998 Noumea Accord with a new political statute entrenched in the French constitution.
Division amongst deputies
Since 2022, parties aligned with French President Emmanuel Macron have lacked a governing majority in the National Assembly. The current government, led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, has relied on parliamentary manoeuvres to gain the numbers required to pass controversial legislation, including the recent French budget for 2026, pushed through without a vote.
Lecornu previously served as France’s Overseas Minister between 2020 and 2022. He controversially forced through New Caledonia’s third referendum on self-determination in the midst of the Covid pandemic, despite opposition from Kanak customary and political leaders. For many independence supporters, that breach of trust lingers to this day, and has compromised efforts to forge a consensus around a new political statute to replace the Noumea Accord.
The division over the way forward is symbolised by the different positions taken by Nicolas Metzdorf and Emmanuel Tjibaou, New Caledonia’s two deputies in the National Assembly.
Metzdorf, a member of the anti-independence Loyalists party and a supporter of President Macron’s Renaissance group, has urged the French government “to forge ahead with the Bougival process.” He argues that that the majority of parliamentary groups in New Caledonia’s Congress have endorsed the Bougival Accord, despite ongoing opposition from the main independence coalition Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS).
His counterpart in Paris is Emmanuel Tjibaou, president of the pro-independence party Union Calédonienne (UC), and son of the charismatic Kanak leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, the co-founder of the FLNKS who was assassinated in 1989.
As a member of the Gauche Démocrate et Républicaine (GDR) parliamentary group in the French legislature, Emmanuel Tjibaou has tabled a motion to reject the draft constitutional bill on New Caledonia, even before the text is fully debated by the National Assembly.
A range of parties across the political spectrum, including the extreme-Right Rassemblement National, the Socialist Party and the Left bloc (La France Insoumise, Ecologists and GDR) have all announced they may vote in favour of Tjibaou’s bill, effectively blocking parliamentary debate on the legislation.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Lecornu and Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou met with Metzdorf and representative of the Union Nationale pour l’Indépendance (UNI), two independence parties that support the bill. In a statement after the meeting, Lecornu said: “It would be unthinkable for this text to be rejected without scrutiny, without any prior debate, and without any substantive discussion. For the sake of democracy, for the people of New Caledonia, and in the public interest: the debate must be opened.”
In response, yesterday’s scheduled debate was deferred at short notice. At time of writing, the president of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet has delayed the scheduled start of the parliamentary debate until tonight (Fiji time), but there may be further developments as the government scrambles to avoid an embarrassing defeat in the long-running Bougival process.
This chaotic decision seems to have angered key supporters of the legislation. Philippe Gosselin, a member of the conservative party Les Républicains, is the official rapporteur for the legislation, and prepared a report for all deputies endorsing the bill. As the government delayed the debate, Gosselin said: “We cannot gamble with the future of the territory like this.”
“The situation in New Caledonia is already dire,” he added. “In the Chamber, we have just added further tensions and escalations that are untenable. I call on the government to act responsibly and to take a firm decision on the agenda so that we can move forward.”
The government has been warned
The government’s current scramble to find a way forward comes after many warnings that there is no clear majority to pass the legislation.
Even if debate does proceed, Overseas Minister Moutchou has complained that there are thousands of amendments lodged to the government’s draft legislation. Moutchou – the tenth Overseas Minister to serve under President Macron since his election in 2017 – has failed to implement an agreement first crafted by her predecessor Manual Valls.
In a scathing interview in February, after being dumped from the Lecornu government, former Overseas Minister Valls outlined a series of errors and failed government policies for New Caledonia. Despite his central role in negotiating the Bougival Accord, Valls openly questioned whether the government has the numbers to pass the constitutional: “I’m in favour of Bougival’s success, but I’m realistic about the difficult conditions. I hope that constitutional reform will pass, even though I can count and I have my doubts.”
Another warning came last week. After two days of preliminary review of the legislation, the National Assembly’s Legal Commission rejected the bill. Deputies from the Left-wing bloc and the Rassemblement National successively rejected each clause of the draft legislation. On social media, the Loyalists’ Nicolas Metzdorf criticised the Legal Commission’s decision, calling for a referendum in New Caledonia on the Bougival Accord: “I’m fed up with the National Assembly holding a decision by the people of New Caledonia to ransom.”
In contrast, Emmanuel Tjibaou stressed that “the government must withdraw the bill. If it has no political basis, if it has no constitutional basis, and if it has no legal basis, on what grounds would we put it before the people of New Caledonia?”
Reiterating long-standing FLNKS criticisms of the Bougival and Elysée-Oudinot Accords, Tjibaou said the current legislation undercut key UN decolonisation principles on the right to self-determination. Under Bougival, he said, the transfer of sovereign powers did not mean automatic access to independence and “the French State may decide, or not, on the arrangements for exercising this right, even though it is a right recognised under international law.”
Voting rights contested
In a year of crucial elections for the Pacific – in Fiji, New Zealand and the United States – New Caledonia must also hold elections for its three provincial assemblies and national Congress. The local elections, last held in 2019, have been repeatedly delayed by the French parliament, and are currently scheduled to be held before 28 June, using electoral rolls established under the 1998 Noumea Accord.
This electoral roll for the provincial assemblies – in the North, South and Loyalty Islands – is restricted to New Caledonian citizens, not all resident French nationals. Last September, France’s Constitutional Council reaffirmed that ‘freezing’ the electoral roll to a limited franchise of New Caledonians did not contravene the Constitution.
Despite this, the French government and anti-independence parties want to delay the polls again to late 2026, giving time for the constitutional reform that would allow the expansion of voting rights to more French voters.
This remains a deeply divisive issue. It was the French government’s unilateral attempt to push through changes to voting rights in early 2024 that triggered the riots and clashes that erupted on 13 May that year. Today, New Caledonians live with the catastrophic economic and social consequences of six months of clashes between Kanak protestors and more than 6,000 French security forces, which left 15 dead, hundreds jailed and a shattered economy (New Caledonia’s GDP dropped 13.5 percent in 2024, and recent attempts to revive key industries like tourism and nickel smelting have been dealt another blow, as global energy costs soar in the aftermath of the US and Israeli aggression against Iran).
Anti-independence parties have long called for the definition of New Caledonian citizenship to be amended to include more residents who cannot currently vote.
To highlight their call to open the electoral rolls to all French voters, the lobby group Un Cœur, une voix held a rally outside the French High Commission on 31 March. Police reported that 2,500 people joined the protest (a far cry from the 10,000-strong rally organised during Prime Minister Lecornu’s last visit to New Caledonia).
This last-minute protest to influence the debate in Paris – endorsed by Les Loyalistes and other conservative leaders – argued that the restrictions on voting rights are a breach of French democratic values. Independence supporters have longer cultural memories however, recalling that for nearly a century after annexation in 1853, indigenous Kanak, indentured labourers and women were not allowed to vote under France’s colonial ‘democracy’.
Yesterday, on social media, Metzdorf added fuel to the fire, arguing that “if the National Assembly rejects the Bougival bill, the government led by @SebLecornu will have two options: 1. A consultation with New Caledonians in the immediate aftermath or 2. An opening of the electoral roll for the provincial elections.”
However, Emmanuel Tjibaou warns that is changes are made to voting rights without wider consensus, “that really means we haven’t understood a thing about what happened in May 2024.” He noted that the FLNKS is not opposed to adding extra voters to the rolls (such as New Caledonian-born residents who don’t meet current voting criteria, but stressed “we are opposed to changes only insofar as there is no comprehensive agreement.”
Storms brewing
In Noumea, diverse voices are warning of the danger of further conflict as the Lecornu government forges ahead with the Bougival process.
Laurent Chatenay, a former member of the New Caledonia Congress, wrote an op-ed in the French newspaper Le Monde on Wednesday, highlighting the danger of forcing through changes in the face of opposition from key independence parties.
“The approach adopted by the government is peculiar: rushing the process, imposing tight deadlines, and a lack of mutual consent.” Chatenay wrote. “Yet international law is clear: when the conditions of good faith are no longer met, the legitimacy of a compromise begins to crumble.”
He noted: “In a region where China is stepping up its agreements with island nations and where the United States, Australia and New Zealand are closely monitoring the situation in New Caledonia, an imposed solution would weaken France more than it would stabilise it.”
Speaking at a press conference in Noumea, leaders of the FLNKS called on the government to abandon the legislation. Roch Wamytan, a veteran UC leader and former five-tine Speaker of New Caledonia’s Congress, called for the provincial elections to proceed and stressed: “Everything that is happening right now is the responsibility of the French State.”
In the face of all the parliamentary manoeuvring in Paris, ordinary New Caledonians are bearing the costs of the Lecornu government’s intransigence, even as conservative French media warn the bill is doomed to failure. The social crisis facing New Caledonia is now exacerbated by the likely economic fallout of Israel’s attacks on Iran, Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories, and the policy chaos that is emanating from the Trump administration in Washington.
In the back of everyone’s mind is the reality that President Macron is running out of time. The next French presidential elections will be held in May 2027, Macron cannot run again, and a number of key figures in the National Assembly are considering whether to throw their hat in the ring. Much of the manoeuvring in Paris is driven by French domestic politics, rather than a deep understanding of New Caledonia and concern for the people living in France’s South Pacific colony.
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
American Samoa said ‘no’ to deep sea mining, Washington heard ‘faster’
By Jackie Dragon
PAGOPAGO, 02 APRIL 2026 (MONGABAY) — At 7:45 a.m. one recent January day in American Samoa, a delegation from Greenpeace and Pacific Island partners sat in a small radio studio explaining why we had traveled thousands of miles across the Pacific.
We were invited by local leaders to the unincorporated U.S territory — halfway between Hawai‘i and Australia — to listen, to learn, and to help elevate what people in American Samoa have been saying for years. Communities there are deeply concerned about deep-sea mining, and they want to be heard before decisions are made about the ocean that sustains them.
Hours later, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) stood before local officials in a meeting space up the street, walking them through the steps of a federal leasing process that was already moving forward, fast.
BOEM’s visit, even as the governor’s office convened space for community voices, felt less like consultation and more like choreography. The agency’s message was, in essence, we hear you, but we are moving forward.
Samoa deep sea mining meeting
BOEM received more than 76,000 public comments, most warning of environmental and cultural harm. It advanced anyway. Worse, BOEM expanded the potential lease area, nearly doubling its size, because it does not yet know enough about what is down there.
That should tell you everything you need to know that this is not precaution, it is momentum. And momentum is how extraction happens, even when communities object.
A process designed to outrun consent
When participants looked closely at BOEM’s own handout describing its regulatory pathway, a sobering realization landed: that American Samoa is already halfway through the federal leasing process. That recognition sharpened the questions in the room. Will the public be consulted before a lease sale moves forward? And once a lease is issued, how do you ever get it back? Could the process be paused if communities were clearly opposed?
BOEM emphasised procedure, not consent. They made it seem as though reversing a lease later would be straightforward if objections emerged. In reality, the default is continuation unless the government takes affirmative action to stop it. Once a lease is granted, undoing it becomes extraordinarily difficult — a fact underscored by the U.S. government’s previous unsuccessful attempts to claw back leases issued for wind farms, where courts have largely sided with developers.
Meanwhile, the next day, back on the mainland, the House Committee on Natural Resources (HCNR) held a hearing on deep-sea mining. The contrast was stark.
Pacific Island delegates spoke not about procedure, but about permanence.
“To the Indigenous people of American Samoa, the ocean is not just the backbone of our local economy, it is sacred,” said Delegate Aumua Amata Radewagen. “As it stands, the people of American Samoa are opposed to deep-sea mining in and around the territory.”
“In places like the Marianas, American Samoa, Guam — we don’t get the luxury of being wrong,” added Kimberlyn King-Hinds, the delegate from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, reminding Congress of what is at stake. “Any decision impacting our ocean is permanent.”
Guam Delegate James Moylan put it plainly: “The people of Guam [are] not asking for slow progress. They are asking not to be sacrificed.”
These were not abstract concerns. They were statements of survival.
Industry asked lawmakers to lock in the outcome
Gerard Barron, CEO of The Metals Company, praised the push to streamline permitting and called for “regulatory stability” across administrations — permits that are hard to reverse, even if the science changes or the public objects.
Not stronger safeguards. Not independent monitoring. Not meaningful consent, but speed, permanence, and protection from reversal.
One witness, independent deep-sea ecologist Andrew Thaler, cut through the hype. “There is no urgency” to launch commercial deep-sea mining, he told Congress. “There is no domestic processing capacity,” meaning any nodules mined by the U.S would have to be shipped abroad for processing. “There is no commercial deep-sea mining operation anywhere in the world,” he said.
The polymetallic nodules the companies are after form over millions of years, and scars from past exploratory mining for these have remained visible more than 50 years later. Most troubling of all, should mining begin, the only entities capable of monitoring impacts at depth may be the mining companies themselves — turning oversight into self-reporting by the companies that profit.
American Samoa is not alone. Less than a week after its visit to the territory, BOEM announced a new request to explore seabed mining off Alaska — one of the most intact and productive marine ecosystems in the country.
Different region of the Pacific Ocean, same playbook: Move fast, shrink review, treat public opposition as a box to check, and call it “national security.”
American Samoa is not a test case; it’s at risk of becoming the federal government’s blueprint…. PACNEWS
Jackie Dragon is a senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace USA.
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Women leaders unite to advance gender equality, defend multilateralism amid growing global pushback
NEE YORK, 02 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — The UN Secretary-General’s commitment towards women leadership in the United Nations was recognised at a pivotal moment marked by global uncertainty, economic volatility and increasing pressure on hard-won rights.
The Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed recently convened women leaders who met in Manhasset, Long Island, for the fifth year, to reaffirm their collective commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), women’s rights, gender equality, and the principles of the UN Charter.
Fundamental rights
Participants underscored that gender equality is a fundamental human rights issue and the cornerstone of sustainable development, peace, security and inclusive prosperity.
Against a backdrop of rising inequality, the UN women leaders taking part, stressed that the world must protect the progress made through their collective efforts.
The meeting underscored the decisive role of women’s leadership as an essential condition for building more just, inclusive, equal, and peaceful societies.
Deep knowledge
Bringing together women leaders with deep, first-hand understanding of today’s intersecting global crises, the gathering focused on advancing policy, solutions-oriented approaches to the most pressing challenges.
The urgent removal of systemic barriers to women’s leadership across political, economic, and social spheres was identified as a critical and immediate priority.
Discussions were grounded in stark global realities, advancing priorities related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, artificial intelligence, philanthropy, financing human dignity and the state of multilateralism in today’s world – addressing shared global challenges.
Strong call to action
The convention also featured a meaningful interaction with youth, whose perspectives and engagement enriched the dialogue and underscored the urgency of intergenerational collaboration.
The meeting concluded with a strong and unified call to action: to protect multilateralism, scale up investment, and promote women’s leadership to the maximum extent possible…. PACNEWS
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The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
“These weapons belong to thepast”: Decades on, landmines and explosive remnants still kill and destroy lives
GENEVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (ICRC) — Every day, landmines and explosive remnants of war claim lives, shatter families and devastate communities. In 2024 alone, almost 6,300 people were killed or injured –90 percent of them civilians, nearly half of them children (Landmine Monitor 2025).
These weapons do not just kill; they leave scars that last for decades, denying people access to farmland, schools and hospitals, and forcing entire communities to live in fear.
In northern Iraq, 16-year-old Sirwan Nabi was herding sheep near his home when he noticed a small, shiny object on the ground. Thinking it was harmless, he picked it up – and it immediately exploded in his hand. The explosion cost him his right hand and left fragments of metal in his legs.
“This incident changed 90 percent of my life,” Sirwan says. “I can’t do many things like before.
Writing is hard. Eating is hard. But I am grateful to be alive.”
Now 18, Sirwan is determined to continue his education, though he remains years behind his classmates. His story highlights the long-term human impact of explosive remnants of war.
From Southeast Europe to Southeast Asia, these weapons remain a daily threat. Mines from the 1990s are still being cleared in the Balkans. In Cambodia, contamination dates back to the 1970s.
In Laos, unexploded ordnance from conflicts over half a century ago still endangers civilians.
Alongside landmines, other explosive munitions that failed to detonate continue to contaminate the land, hindering recovery and reconstruction while underscoring the need for sustained clearance, risk awareness and prevention efforts.
Despite claims of military utility, history shows that landmines are ineffective in modern warfare.
During the Gulf War in 1991, Iraq planted nearly 9 million landmines, believing they would slow advancing forces for days. In reality, those minefields were breached in just hours using modern equipment, while the deadly legacy for civilians has lasted decades.
“There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ anti-personnel mine,” said Fahad Ahmed, an ICRC legal adviser. “These weapons are victim-activated, cause indiscriminate harm and leave deadly hazards for generations. Compared to the massive human suffering they cause, one can question whether these weapons retain any operational relevance. These weapons belong in the past and must stay in the past.”
The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) has been a global success. Since its adoption, it has dramatically reduced casualties, destroyed more than 55 million stockpiled mines and established a near-universal rejection of these weapons. Today, 161 countries are party to the Convention, proving that progress is possible. The recent accession of the Marshall Islands and Tonga in 2025 further highlights the treaty’s continued relevance and the growing global commitment to a world free of anti-personnel mines.
But this progress is fragile. Any step back risks reversing decades of humanitarian gains and condemning future generations to live in fear of these indiscriminate killers.
The global community must act now. States that have joined the treaty must fully implement their obligations. Those that have not yet joined must do so without delay. Protecting civilians today – and safeguarding future generations – depends on maintaining and strengthening the global ban…. PACNEWS