In this bulletin:
1. TUV — Tuvalu declares State of Emergency over power, fuel risks
2. FIJI — Fiji Military warns of firm action after security threats
3. CNMI — Monstrous Sinlaku to hit Saipan, Tinian with maximum wind speed of 180mph
4. SOL — Solomon Islands Minister for Disaster Managemen declares state of disaster for Western and Choiseul provinces
5. FIJI — Climate change not second priority, Yauvoli disagrees with RBF Governor
6. FIJI — Fiji improves national climate data management
7. PACIFIC — Taiwan to deploy zero-emissions vessel to Palau in climate diplomacy push
8. FIJI — Diplomatic community farewells late former Fiji President
9. FIJI — Shame, cultural taboos over HIV status puts Fiji’s youth at risk
10. AUST — Navy boss named Australia’s next chief of armed forces
11. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG bids for Puma’s refinery
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Fuel and inflation risks rise: Fiji Finance Minister
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji targets fuel risks, Boosts fish warden support
14. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Setting the Pacific scene: The IPCC and its role in our Pacific future
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Built With, Not For: Real Development in Action
TUVALU – STATE OF EMERGENCY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Tuvalu declares State of Emergency over power, fuel risks
FUNAFUTI, 14 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)— The Government of Tuvalu has declared a State of Public Emergency for Funafuti, warning that unstable electricity systems and fuel supply risks are threatening essential services nationwide.
The government said the move was triggered by growing pressure on power generation and distribution, with potential impacts beyond the capital.
“Monday 13 April 2026, Tuvalu’s Head of State Sir Reverend Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, pursuant to the powers vested in him under section 35 of the Constitution, and acting on the advice of Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo, declared a State of Public Emergency for the island of Funafuti in light of increasing instability in electricity generation and distribution systems, together with credible risks to fuel supply, which collectively threaten the reliable delivery of essential services in Funafuti and, by extension, across Tuvalu given the central role of Funafuti in national administration and service delivery.”
The government said the declaration is aimed at enabling urgent intervention.
“The declaration was made as a time-bound and necessary measure to enable the Government to take coordinated and immediate action to safeguard public welfare, ensure equitable access to critical services, and maintain national stability during this period of heightened risk.”
Officials confirmed the emergency order is temporary but could be extended if needed.
“The declaration takes effect from 13 April 2026 and shall remain in force for a period of 14 days unless sooner revoked or varied.” …. PACNEWS
FIJI – DEFENCE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Fiji Military warns of firm action after security threats
SUVA, 14 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)— The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) says it has launched joint security operations with the Fiji Police Force following attempts to undermine security, warning that any threats will be met with “firm, lawful, and proportionate action.”
In a statement, the military confirmed coordinated operations are now underway.
“The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), in close coordination with the Fiji Police Force, has initiated joint security operations following recent attempts to undermine security at RFMF installations.”
The RFMF said the operations are grounded in its constitutional role.
“These operations are being undertaken in strict accordance with the constitutional mandate of the RFMF under the 2013 Constitution, which charges the Force with the responsibility to ensure at all times the security, defence, and well-being of Fiji and all Fijians. In fulfilling this duty, the RFMF is working in support of civil authorities to preserve public order and national stability.”
It said the move follows serious and unacceptable incidents.
“The joint response reflects a deliberate and measured approach to recent unacceptable challenges to security, including threats to military infrastructure and isolated acts of violence against civilians and officers in the line of duty. Such actions not only undermine the rule of law but also threaten the collective safety and confidence of the nation.”
The military also issued a clear warning.
“The RFMF will not take these matters lightly. Therefore, we put on NOTICE that any attempt to destabilize national security or endanger the well-being of citizens will be met with firm, lawful, and proportionate action.”
It said operations will continue until stability is restored.
“While a return to normal duties remains the priority, these enhanced security measures will continue for as long as necessary to ensure that a safe, stable, and lawful environment is fully restored. The operations are being conducted with professionalism, discipline, and full respect for the rule of law and the rights of all citizens.”
The public was also warned against aiding illegal activity.
“Members of the public are reminded that providing shelter, assistance, or support to individuals engaged in criminal activity is an offence and directly undermines national security. Such actions compromise not only ongoing investigations but also the broader safety and future of our communities.”
The RFMF called for public cooperation and vigilance.
“The RFMF reassures all citizens that its actions are guided by its constitutional obligations and its enduring commitment to serve and protect the people of Fiji. Public cooperation remains vital, and all are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.”….PACNEWS
CNMI – TYPHOON: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Monstrous Sinlaku to hit Saipan, Tinian with maximum wind speed of 180mph
SAIPAN, 14 APRIL 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —Super Typhoon Sinlaku is now a Category 5 monster with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph, barrelling straight into the Northern Mariana Islands after several small shifts in its track.
While Sinlaku’s threat to Guam has been greatly reduced, Saipan and Tinian are facing severe impacts.
Speaking at a heavy weather briefing, Landon Aydlett, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Guam, said that Sinlaku continues to move northwest at 9 mph and is expected to pass near Saipan either on Tuesday afternoon or Tuesday evening.
Aydlett said tropical storm conditions are expected to arrive sometime tonight after 8 p.m. with tropical storm winds of 39 mph or greater. Forecasts predict 12 to 20 inches of rain.
On Saipan, seas will potentially reach heights of 40 to 50 feet.
Further south, NWS is seeing indicators of 8 and 12 inches of rain.
The threat of significant typhoon conditions on Guam is now greatly diminished, and the National Weather Service Guam only anticipates tropical storm conditions, Aydlett said.
Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Rear Admiral Brett Mietus placed Guam and the respective military installations in Condition of Readiness 1, and Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 1 Monday, indicating the possibility of destructive winds e within the next 12 hours.
At TCCOR 1, military installations transition to mission-essential personnel. Only mission-essential personnel should access military facilities until a public notification is made that bases are all clear, which will occur after winds subside below 50 knots (57 mph) and the bases are considered safe after being surveyed for damage.
CNMI Governor David Apatang will declare Typhoon Condition I for Saipan, Tinian and Rota, and Tropical Storm Condition I for Pagan and Alamagan, effective Monday.
The last time the CNMI experienced a catastrophic typhoon was in October 2018 when the Category 5 Super Typhoon Yutu made a direct hit on Saipan and Tinian at 190 mph, causing over US$800 million in damage, destroying up to 6,000 homes, and leaving the islands without power for months. Two people were killed and over 120 were injured.
Just a month before Yutu, the CNMI was also hit by Typhoon Mangkhut, a Category 5 typhoon.
Aydlett said Sinlaku is projected to be more powerful than Typhoon Mawar, which caused extensive damage to Guam in 2023.
He said Typhoon Mawar’s eyewall gradually contracted as it approached Guam and they expect the same “eyewall replacement” to happen with Sinlaku as it approaches the Marianas.
Wind strength within the inner eyewall is usually the strongest.
Aydlett said Sinlaku’s current strength may be its peak, reached after 48 hours of steady intensification.
“We’re only looking at perhaps 50 to 60 miles per hour sustained winds, with the onset later tonight and continuing into Wednesday,” Aydlett said.
He said Guam is expected to experience 36 to 40 hours of tropical storm conditions and remains under a flood watch.
Waves in eastern Guam are expected to reach 15 to 18 feet today.
Sinlaku first developed as a tropical storm over Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia and has been slowly moving toward the Marianas.
Sinlaku’s northward track has now shifted the typhoon’s path of destruction: At first it was projected to hit Guam, then the Rota Channel, then Rota, just north of Rota, then Tinian and Saipan.
“We’d seen little northward nudges every six-hour track update,” Aydlett said. “And so I think this is where we’re starting to see some stability in the track. That it’s going to be settling more likely near Tinian and Saipan for the closest point of approach.”
He said the threat to Rota has decreased slightly. Earlier forecasts predicted Category 3 or 4 conditions for Rota, but those conditions have now subsided.
“As long as the track does not deviate southward, Rota stands to get by with low and Category 1 (74-95 mph) conditions,” Aydlett said.
Aydlett cautioned that the impacts of a typhoon extend well beyond the centre of a tropical cyclone.
He said wind speeds within the cone showing the track of the typhoon could range from as low as 73 miles per hour to peak intensity at the centre, where the absolute worst of the conditions are found.
“We’re still anticipating seeing this typhoon track toward Tinian and Saipan, but this large enveloping tropical storm force windfield and very heavy showers will continue across all of the Marianas starting later today,” he added.
He warned that flash floods are anticipated to occur in the next 48 hours.
CNMI residents living in non-concrete or flimsy structures are being advised to relocate to more durable shelters.
“If you reside in a structure that may not withstand strong winds, please take proactive steps to seek safer shelter,” Apatang said in an advisory.
Residents are also advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary. Apatang warned that strong winds and reduced visibility can develop rapidly and pose serious dangers to motorists.
Residents are also being warned to stay away from shorelines and coastal waters. Rough surf and dangerous conditions are anticipated.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku continued its rapid intensification overnight, reaching an incredible 180 mph maximum sustained winds early this morning, according to the National Weather Service……PACNEWS
SOL – STATE OF EMERGENCY: ISLAND SUN PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands Minister for Disaster Managemen declares state of disaster for Western and Choiseul provinces
HONIARA, 14 APRIL 2026 (ISLAND SUN) —Solomon Islands Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management (MECDM) Trevor Manemahaga last Friday, 10 April declared Western and Choiseul Provinces to be in a state of disaster.
In his address to the nation, he said over the past days Tropical Cyclone Maila has brought severe weather conditions across Solomon Islands, with the inclusion of strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and rough seas.
“These conditions have significantly impacted several provinces, particularly Western Province and Choiseul Province, with reports indicating damage to homes, food gardens, community infrastructure and disruption to essential services,” said Manemahaga.
He said in accordance with the National Disaster Council Act 1989, the Initial Situational Overview Report (ISO) serves as the prerequisite assessment required to determine whether conditions meet the threshold for the declaration of a State of Disaster.
The Minister said the ISO, compiled through reports and assessments coordinated by the National Disaster Management Office and endorsed by the National Disaster Council, was formally presented to him for consideration.
And after having carefully reviewed the Initial Situational Overview Report and from the advice of the National Disaster Council, he was satisfied that the impacts experienced in Western Province and Choiseul Province meet the criteria required under Section 12 of the National Disaster Council Act 1989.
“Under the provisions of Section 12(1) of the Act, the Minister may, on the advice of the National Disaster Council, declare the whole or any part of Solomon Islands to be in a State of Disaster if satisfied that such conditions exist.
“Accordingly, I have signed the Order declaring Western Province and Choiseul Province to be in a State of Disaster,” he said.
Manemahaga said this declaration has been made to enable the Government to mobilise the necessary national resources and support mechanisms to respond to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila.
He said that with this declaration, the national disaster management arrangements under the National Disaster Management Plan 2018 are hereby activated, and these arrangements will take the lead in coordinating and delivering the national response to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila in the declared areas.
Manemahaga also acknowledged that parts of Isabel Central, and Guadalcanal Provinces have also experienced impacts from Tropical Cyclone Maila.
“While these areas are currently categorised as non-declared disaster areas, they will continue to be included within the national response arrangements, and further assessments will be conducted to determine the extent of damages and the support required,” he said.
Manemahaga also called for a well-coordinated national response involving all relevant stakeholders.
He said this includes national government ministries and agencies, provincial governments and authorities, Solomon Islands bilateral and multilateral development partners and international and national humanitarian and partner organisations.
Manemahaga pointed out that working together in a coordinated manner will ensure that relief assistance, assessments and recovery support reach affected communities effectively and without delay.
He said the Government remains committed to supporting all affected communities and ensuring that the necessary assistance is delivered in a timely and coordinated manner.
The Minister encourages all citizens, especially those in affected areas, to remain vigilant, take heed official advisories, and to cooperate with response teams as they undertake assessments and deliver assistance.
“Let us continue to stand together during this time and support our communities as we respond to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila,” he said…..PACNEWS
FIJI – CLIMATE CHANGE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Climate change not second priority, Yauvoli disagrees with RBF Governor
SUVA, 14 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) —-A senior regional environment official has strongly pushed back against comments by the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) that survival and livelihoods should take priority over climate change.
Amena Yauvoli from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme said climate change remains the most serious threat facing the Pacific and cannot be treated as secondary.
His comments come during a panel discussion at the launch of the latest Asian Development Bank (ADB) outlook, where Governor Ariff Ali stressed the need to focus on immediate economic pressures, including the global fuel crisis.
However, Yauvoli said such an approach is too narrow and fails to address the long-term impacts of environmental degradation.
“Climate change is the most existential threat that human beings are facing right now. The solution cannot just be economics, it has to be broader, looking at long-term mitigation and support for communities on the ground.”
Yauvoli is also cautioning against any move toward coal or fossil fuel reliance, saying Pacific nations must instead invest in renewable energy and stronger regional cooperation.
He said that global frameworks such as South-South cooperation can help address technology gaps and support sustainable solutions……PACNEWS
FIJI – CLIMATE CHANGE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Fiji improves national climate data management
SUVA, 14 APRIL 2206 (FBC NEWS) —Fiji is strengthening its climate reporting and data management systems with the rollout of a new digital platform aimed at improving transparency and tracking progress on national climate goals.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in partnership with Global Green Growth Institute, is leading the development of the Fiji Digital Climate Transparency Tool, a centralised repository that will house climate data from key sectors, including energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, waste and industry.
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Permanent Secretary Dr Sivendra Michael said the initiative addresses longstanding challenges with fragmented and poorly coordinated data across government ministries, which has affected the country’s ability to meet international reporting requirements.
“So the transparency tool not only looks at providing that open data framework where others are able to look at how much GHG emissions, how we are looking at addressing our vulnerabilities, what climate adaptation measures, mitigation measures are in place, but it also provides a fair understanding to those that are representing our countries in these spaces”
He said that improved data transparency is critical for Fiji’s engagement in global climate negotiations, allowing the country to better demonstrate its emissions profile, vulnerabilities and progress on climate action.
Dr Sivendra also highlighted that strong partnerships and better data systems will be key to ensuring Fiji remains on track to meet its climate targets and contribute to the global effort to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s progress on climate action is being slowed by gaps in data sharing across government ministries and organisations.
This concern has been raised by Director for Greenhouse Gas Management Dr Olia Glade.
The issue was highlighted during a workshop on the new Fiji Digital Climate Transparency Tool, where participants stressed the need for stronger coordination and greater awareness in managing climate data.
“The Fiji Climate Transparency Portal has been developed to support how climate data is collected, managed and reported. It will help Fiji track greenhouse gas inventories and meet reporting requirements, including climate support received.”
He said information is often held across different agencies, making it difficult to build a complete and accurate national dataset for reporting and planning.
Dr Glade said that the lack of shared data is affecting Fiji’s ability to meet international reporting requirements under the Paris Agreement.
He said stronger coordination will be key to improving reporting, guiding policy decisions, and boosting access to climate finance….PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: ECO BUSINESS PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Taiwan to deploy zero-emissions vessel to Palau in climate diplomacy push
TAIPEI, 14 APRIL 2026 (ECO BUSINESS) —Taiwan said it will deploy a zero-emissions vessel built by its domestic supply chain to support sustainable tourism in Palau, as part of a broader push to deepen climate cooperation with its Pacific allies.
The ship, named Porrima, is among several flagship projects under Taipei’s “Prosperity Diplomacy” initiative, which focuses on green energy, resilience and development partnerships with allies including Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.
Speaking at a parliamentary hearing last week, the island’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan is expanding climate adaptation and energy cooperation with the three island nations, which are among the most vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather linked to climate change.
“Taiwan’s model delivers high quality at competitive cost and has drawn attention from many countries,” Lin said.
The Porrima project builds on earlier efforts, including a solar-powered yacht that completed a round-the-world voyage in 2012. The upgraded vessel, completed in Kaohsiung in May 2025, incorporates solar energy, hydrogen production from seawater, high-altitude wind power and artificial intelligence technologies. It is expected to be deployed in Palau to support low-carbon tourism services.
Taiwan and Palau have also agreed on a series of energy and infrastructure projects, including solar-plus-storage systems for government buildings, the introduction of electric buses, and a broader overhaul of the island nation’s power grid.
Taipei has been working with its Pacific allies on renewable energy since launching its clean energy programme in 2010, leveraging the region’s flat terrain and strong solar radiation. Solar generation and storage systems supplied by Taiwanese firms are already in place across the three countries.
In the Marshall Islands, authorities have installed Taiwanese-branded solar storage systems, while Tuvalu has procured household solar units and solar-powered street lighting. Rooftop solar panels have also been installed at schools in the capital, Funafuti, to improve power stability.
Taiwan has also supported coastal protection and climate adaptation projects. In Tuvalu, one of the countries most threatened by rising sea levels, the two sides are implementing a coastal adaptation programme using ecological engineering methods to reclaim land and build flood defences.
Lin said Taiwan’s approach has helped address chronic flooding issues during high tides and has attracted international attention, contributing to a joint workshop in 2024 with the United States, Australia and Japan under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework.
Beyond infrastructure, Taiwan is also setting up financing mechanisms, including a Taiwan-Pacific Climate Transition Fund, which allows partner countries to apply for project financing or grants. Taipei has also signed agreements with the Marshall Islands on climate adaptation funds, including the construction of a seawall in the capital Majuro.
As part of efforts to strengthen long-term cooperation, Taiwan and Tuvalu signed a treaty in November establishing a formal framework for collaboration, aimed at ensuring continuity regardless of political changes.
Lawmakers have urged the government to complement infrastructure support with capacity building, including training students from allied countries in climate science, engineering and energy systems to ensure maintenance of projects such as electric buses.
Palau will host this year’s Pacific Islands Forum, with events expected in late August or early September, where Taiwan plans to showcase the results of its development initiatives alongside partner countries.
Lin said Taiwan’s approach to cooperation goes beyond traditional aid.
“It is not about giving fish or teaching how to fish, but raising fish together,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Diplomatic community farewells late former Fiji President
SUVA, 14 APRIL 2026 (FIJI GOVT) —-Members of the Diplomatic Corps presented their reguregu Monday to the late former Fiji President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, at the State House in Suva.
The delegation was led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Michael Aroi, High Commissioner of Nauru to Fiji.
On behalf of the diplomatic community, Excellency Aroi conveyed heartfelt condolences, remembering Ratu Epeli as a respected statesman and a distinguished leader of Fiji and the wider Pacific.
He acknowledged Ratu Epeli’s lifelong dedication to public service, his role in strengthening regional unity, and his contributions to diplomacy and peacebuilding across the region.
Ratu Epeli was also recognised for his commitment to fostering cooperation and stability, with his legacy continuing to resonate across Fiji and Pacific Island nations.
A total of 27 countries were represented under the Diplomatic Corps.
Also, part of the delegation were the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Affairs, e Lenora Qereqeretabua; the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa; along with representatives from the Diplomatic Corps, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka led a government delegation to present the reguregu for the late former President and Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
The traditional ceremony brought together Cabinet Ministers, senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of various organisations to pay their respects and honour the life and service of the late statesman.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Rabuka acknowledged the late Statesman’s distinguished contribution to the nation, describing him as a dedicated leader who served Fiji with integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment.
He highlighted Ratu Epeli’s leadership across key roles, including his service in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, as Speaker of Parliament, and as President of the Republic of Fiji, noting that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Funeral arrangements will continue throughout the week, with reguregu ceremonies being held at the State House.
The official State Funeral will take place on Friday, followed by the final interment at Bau Island.
Members of the public are invited to pay their last respects during designated visitation periods at the State House….PACNEWS
FIJI – HIV/AIDS/HEALTH: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Shame, cultural taboos over HIV status puts Fiji’s youth at risk
SUVA, 14 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fear of judgment is contributing to the increase in HIV in Fiji, especially among young people.
The fear and stigma of being known to have HIV is stopping young Fijians from seeking medical tests. This is a silent killer as public health officials and youth advocates warning the silence is fuelling the country’s worsening epidemic.
Fiji recorded 2003 new HIV diagnoses in 2025, up from 1583 the year before — a 17-fold increase from 2019 levels.
The hardest hit are young people aged 20 to 24, who record the highest number of new infections, while teenage cases have surged 45-fold in three years.
National Youth Council of Fiji president Laisani Sepo said shame and cultural taboos had been keeping young people away from visiting medical testing centres.
“In our iTaukei setting, it’s normally a taboo that we talk about sex in our family,” Sepo said.
“When people are seen going into health services for testing, then they are stigmatised.”
She said young people were weighing stigma against their health — and too often, stigma was winning.
Ministry of Health HIV taskforce lead Dr Priya Kaur said the scale of the crisis meant every Fijian healthcare worker should now need to be part of the response.
“Nobody comes. No 15-year-old comes to the doctor and says ‘I need a test for HIV,” Dr Kaur said, urging that everyone aged 15 to 40 be routinely screened.
“The stigma — the fear of being judged is fuelling discrimination and pushing infected people away from treatment.”
She said people on treatment for at least six months could not spread the virus, even through sexual contact.
“If you are informed, then you are going to treat everybody like a normal human being,” she said.
The spread is being driven by both sexual transmission and injecting drug use, including the practice known as “blue-toothing,” where drugs are shared through infected needles.
Sepo also called on Government to strengthen community relationships so young people felt safe enough to seek help.
“The HIV is something that we cannot turn a blind eye onto,” she said. “It’s real.”
HIV testing and treatment remain free at all Ministry of Health facilities.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has called for urgent, co-ordinated action to address rising HIV cases and illicit drug use, warning that failure to act will have serious consequences for future generations.
Speaking at the multicultural week panel discussion at the Fiji National University School of Nursing campus in last month, Tudravu said Fiji was not taking HIV seriously enough despite increasing cases.
He stressed the need for more aggressive and targeted responses.
Tudravu said the rise in drug use was closely linked to the increase in HIV infections, describing both as behavioural and societal issues that require immediate intervention beyond traditional law enforcement approaches.
He said that if decisive action was not taken, these issues would continue to affect future generations, including children born into circumstances shaped by the decisions of others.
Communities must confront the growing normalisation of drug-related income and behavioural, cautioning that such acceptance could entrench the problem further if not addressed.
Tudravu called for stronger collaboration between law enforcement, health professionals, community leaders and other stakeholders to effectively tackle the crisis.
“More community engagement, particularly involving young people, as their participation is critical in shaping solutions and safeguarding the country’s future,” he said…. PACNEWS
AUST – DEFENCE CHIEF: AAP PACNEWS 1: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Navy boss named Australia’s next chief of armed forces
CANBERRA, 13 APRIL 2026 (AAP)—The head of Australia’s navy has been named as the next chief of the country’s armed forces, while the army will be led by a woman for the first time.
Vice Admiral Mark Hammond was announced chief of the Australian Defence Force by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday.
He will take over in July from David Johnston, who has served in the role since mid-2024.
“Vice Admiral Hammond has had a distinguished career spanning 40 years in the Royal Australian Navy,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
“Vice Admiral Hammond will continue to bring valuable insight to the role of chief of the Defence Force.”
The incoming ADF boss joined the navy in 1986 as an electronics technician before becoming a naval officer two years later.
Throughout his nearly four decades in the military, he served on the Collins class of submarines, commanding the HMAS Farncomb across the Indo-Pacific, and was posted as an assistant naval attache in Washington DC.
He also served as chief of staff to former defence force chief David Hurley in 2012.
Vice Admiral Hammond became head of the navy in July 2022, overseeing work on the multibillion-dollar AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, one of Australia’s biggest defence projects.
The responsibility of the position was not lost on him, he said.
“This is probably the most humbling moment in my career. I certainly look forward to serving with and for Australia’s sailors, soldiers and aviators as their chief of defence force through the challenging times ahead,” he said.
The prime minister also named Susan Coyle, current chief of joint capabilities, as the next chief of the army.
Lieutenant General Coyle first enlisted as a soldier in the army reserves in 1987, and has since been deployed to East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan.
In 2020, she was the first woman to command the joint task force for all Australian operations in the Middle East.
The current deputy chief of the navy, Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley, will be promoted to the top job, following the elevation of Vice Admiral Hammond.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the incoming ADF chief had played a critical role in reshaping the military.
“He has literally gone from scrubbing decks to, in July, becoming the chief of the defence force,” he said.
“Mark has done an incredible job as the chief of navy, and we are really excited about the contribution that he will make as the chief of defence force.” …PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PNG – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 14 Apr 2026
PNG bids for Puma’s refinery
PORT MORESBY, 14 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —The Papua New Guinea Government wants to acquire the Napa Napa refinery from Puma Energy as a long-term fuel and security strategy to protect the country from external fuel price fluctuations, it has been revealed.
Rural and Economic Development Minister Joseph Lelang, the chairman of the advisory committee looking into the fuel crisis, said that due to the problem, the Government would acquire the refinery.
However, on Monday, the United States Embassy in Port Moresby told The National that the U.S company DGCI Corporation was negotiating with Puma Energy’s parent company Trafigura for a potential acquisition of the Puma facility at Napa Napa.
According to a U.S Embassy spokesperson, if the deal was finalised, PNG would see an improvement in fuel storage in Port Moresby.
The spokesperson said that since both entities were in a period of due diligence, they requested that the process must play out and to avoid interfering with the process.
The U.S had already committed K2 billion for the construction of a fuel storage project in PNG.
The DGCI is developing the fuel storage facility near the Napa Napa refinery at Papa, Central.
The facility when completed will have the capacity to store more than 1.6 million barrels (264 million litres) of fuel, offering PNG economic and strategic benefits, according to the contractor.
The refinery and the storage facility are close to each other which makes it convenient for shipment and distribution.
The project is implemented under the 2023 U.S-PNG defence cooperation agreement framework, which builds on collaboration between the two nations.
DGCI chairman Aziz Doraney said that the company was committed to building infrastructure that strengthened local capacity, created opportunity, and supported PNG’s development plans.
“This facility will not only strengthen PNG’s energy resilience but also cement the relationship between our two nations,” Doraney said.
“Together, we are building infrastructure that serves the needs of today and the promise of tomorrow.”
PNG’s crude oil, extracted from Kutubu, Gobe and Moron in Hela, are shipped to Singapore and processed, priced, and shipped back to PNG as finished products.
Meanwhile, fuel and kerosene prices will return to March levels this week as the Government provides a relief package of about K100 million (US$23 million), it has been confirmed.
The national advisory committee looking into the fuel crisis, and the price regulator, the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC), confirmed this on Friday.
The K100 million(US$23 million) is from the K1 billion fuel subsidy relief package recently announced by the Government.
Committee chairman and Rural and Economic Development Minister Joseph Lelang, who met with the ICCC officials on Friday, said the funds would be held at the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG).
The Government has directed the BPNG to peg the Kina exchange rate against the United States dollar during this period to manage foreign exchange and to counter the “pushed on inflationary prices” through imports.
Lelang said K100 million (US$23 million) would help importers buy fuel at the international market price.
It should help reduce the fuel price at the service stations.
ICCC is working to restore the fuel prices at service stations to the March levels.
Lelang said the fuel price hikes at service stations was the result of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
“The severe energy crisis affecting the country surpasses the oil price hikes of the 1970s,” he said.
“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly disrupted fuel supply to the Asia-Pacific.
“The adjustment in fuel prices globally is due to this supply shock.
“Inflation is the primary concern due to the energy crisis.
“Inflation could arise from both external and internal factors.
“The global economic impact of the supply shock will affect prices of goods and services worldwide, including Papua New Guinea, as we are a price-taker country.
“Our import price will be inflated.”
Lelang said inflation was also attributed to fuel shortages, leading to increased prices for imported fuel and transportation costs.
“And for that, the Government has announced policies to stabilise the economy amid these price increases,” he said.
“The first being the subsidy of about K1 billion (US$223 million).”
Prime Minister James Marape said in a statement that Government intervention was to ensure that the high international fuel costs were not passed directly on to PNG consumers.
“We are asking the three importers to continue selling fuel to local consumers, at both wholesale and retail level, at March prices,” he said.
“The relief we provide will help bridge the gap between the higher prices they are paying on the international market, and the March price levels we want maintained here at home,” said PM Marape…PACNEWS
FIJI – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Fuel and inflation risks rise: Fiji Finance Minister
SUVA, 14 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) —Fiji could face renewed pressure on fuel prices and inflation due to escalating geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global energy markets.
Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel said rising conflict risks, including tensions in the Middle East, are already affecting international oil supply chains and pushing up costs.
He said for a small, import-dependent economy like Fiji, these shocks quickly translate into higher transport costs, increased production expenses, and broader inflationary pressures on businesses and households.
“The escalating tensions arising from the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, and the resulting disruptions to global energy markets have placed upward pressure on international fuel prices and heightened concerns around supply security,”
He said these global developments could also affect tourism and economic momentum through higher air travel and operating costs.
Despite the risks, Immanuel said Fiji’s economic fundamentals remain stable, supported by strong reserves and continued consumer spending.
However, he warns that careful fiscal management will be needed as the country prepares for its upcoming budget in a more uncertain global environment……PACNEWS
FIJI – FISHERIES/FUEL PRICE: FIJI FISHERIES MINISTRY PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Fiji targets fuel risks, Boosts fish warden support
SUVA, 14 APRIL 2026 (FIJI FISHERIES MINISTRY) —Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries is moving to protect operations at sea and strengthen community enforcement, with Acting Director of Fisheries Nanise Kuridrani leading a high-level strategy session in Suva last Friday.
Senior officials met to tackle two priorities — rolling out a Fish Warden Incentivize Workshop and developing a Proactive Mitigation Plan to deal with rising global fuel uncertainty.
The Ministry flagged fuel security as a major risk, with instability in the Middle East driving volatility in global energy markets. Fisheries operations — from commercial activity to patrols and monitoring — depend heavily on fuel, prompting urgent work on contingency plans.
The proposed mitigation measures aim to cushion the sector from price shocks and supply disruptions, ensuring surveillance and fishing activity can continue despite external pressures.
At the same time, the Ministry is stepping up support for community-based enforcement through the fish warden programme. Officials stressed that local wardens remain the frontline in protecting coastal resources from illegal fishing and environmental damage.
By linking national-level planning with grassroots enforcement, the Ministry is positioning the sector to withstand global shocks while strengthening protection of Fiji’s marine resources…..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
Setting the Pacific scene: The IPCC and its role in our Pacific future
APIA, 14 APRIL 2026 (SPREP)—Finding the truth that is trusted when it comes to climate change is critical – otherwise anyone could make any statement about climate change, and we’d have no way of knowing if there was credible science to support claims.
And this is where the IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is essential. If you haven’t heard the acronym IPCC yet, welcome to the world of climate change science! We hope this brief Explainer will help you learn more.
The IPCC is especially important for us in our Pacific Small Islands Developing States – collectively we contribute to less than 0.03 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, yet we are and have always been amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Demonstrating climate leadership in doing what we can to adapt to, and mitigate the impacts of, climate change, including with the support of partners, has been enabled by the science that stems from the IPCC.
Our work is now to ensure that our voices and our work contribute to the IPCC reports – the science that verifies all things climate change.
What is the IPCC?
The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing science related to climate change and was set up to provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies. It provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. It is an organisation of 195 governments that are members of the United Nations or WMO – including our Pacific Island governments.
Each IPCC member designates a National Focal Point that meet in Plenary Sessions at least once a year. The sessions are also attended by hundreds of officials and experts from relevant ministries, agencies and research institutions from member countries and from Observer Organisations.
The Panel works by consensus to decide on the organisation’s budget and work programme; the scope and outline of its reports; issues related to principles and procedures of the IPCC; and the structure and mandate of IPCC Working Groups and Task Forces. The Panel also approves and adopts IPCC reports and elects the IPCC Chair, other members of the IPCC Bureau and the Task Force Bureau.
About the IPCC Reports
Since 1988, the IPCC has had six assessment cycles and delivered six Assessment Reports, the most comprehensive scientific reports about climate change produced worldwide. It has also produced a range of Methodology Reports, Special Reports and Technical Papers, in response to requests for information on specific scientific and technical matters from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), governments and international organisations.
A special one for the Pacific Small Islands Developing States who were instrumental in the Paris Agreement aiming to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius – ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, is the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C.
Our Pacific goal for the IPCC
We’d like to have more Pacific Islands authors of scientific papers linked to climate change have their work contribute to any of the IPCC Reports that are released. This will factor in our lived experiences and forecasts in the documents that go through the IPCC cycle, enabling a stronger Small Islands Developing States, and Pacific, voice in these global reports. Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C is an urgent priority for safeguarding the Pacific Islands.
We would also like to publish papers of Pacific content based on Pacific priorities, case studies and lived realities to contribute to the global reports.
Strengthening Pacific engagement in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is crucial as the reports are vital sources of climate information for both international and domestic policy.
It is important to amplify our voice at the IPCC bureau meetings where our Pacific IPCC focal points provide crucial interventions to ensure Pacific climate realities, especially the mandate for “1.5 to stay alive”, are integrated into the IPCC assessment reports and decisions.
Support to help make this happen for the 6th Assessment Reports (AR6) of the IPCC and now the Seventh cycle has come from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. With their support, this has resulted in enhanced participation from the Pacific in the IPCC as well as increased the number of Pacific Authors for the AR7 draft process.
How the reports are developed
As explained from the IPCC website – thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC – including Pacific Islanders. For the Assessment Reports, experts volunteer their time as IPCC authors to assess the thousands of scientific papers that are published each year. This provides a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.
An open and transparent review by experts and governments around the world is an essential part of the IPCC process, to ensure an objective and complete assessment to reflect a diverse range of views and expertise.
There is a full process in place that leads to the designation of reports and topics requested, as well as work to complete and release the IPCC reports. It also spans National Focal Points, Bureaus, Executive Committees, IPCC Authors and Review Editors.
Pacific Islands Parties to the UNGA and WMO have National Focal Points to the IPCC.
Our Pacific contributing Authors
While we have not had Pacific Island Members on any of the IPCC Bureaus we have had Pacific Islanders play a role as lead authors, contributing authors and review editors over the past years.
For the seventh cycle of the IPCC Reports we have seven experts affiliated with Pacific institutions that are Authors and Expert Reviewers. These include:
•Dr Alvin Chandra, of Fiji and Australia, Associate Professor (Adjunct) Climate Change, The University of Queensland
• Dr Awnesh Singh, of Fiji, Associate Professor and Acting Director, Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD), University of the South Pacific (USP)
•Kisolel Posanau, of Papua New Guinea, Climate Researcher
•Dr Morgan Wairiu, of Solomon Islands, Pro-Chancellor Solomon Islands National University.
•Dr. Ramendra Prasad, of Fiji, Associate Professor and Head of the Science Department at the University of Fiji
•Dr Sindra Sharma, of Fiji who is the International Policy Lead, Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN).
•Lau Dr Viliamu Iese, of Samoa and Tuvalu, Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne….PACNEWS
To learn more about the IPCC itself, please visit: https://www.ipcc.ch/
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Built With, Not For: Real Development in Action
NUKU’ALOFA, 14 APRIL 2026 (UNDP)—In Hauloto, a water tank system and a community working together show what climate resilience looks like when it’s built from the ground up
Mele ‘Elevesi Vao returned home for her community. Today, with reliable water, she’s able to give more back to it.
At the villages of Hauloto and Fualu, on the main island of Tongatapu, mornings used to begin with uncertainty. For the 43 households that make up this small community, access to safe and reliable water was never something to take for granted.
Collecting it, storing it, rationing it; these were not inconveniences. They were a vital cog to the rhythm of daily life.
That is beginning to change.
Among those who have felt that change most keenly is Mele ‘Elevesi Vao, a woman who knows the importance of community. After years living in New Zealand, she returned to Hauloto and found something she had not expected to miss quite so much: the quality of community that exists here. The way people show up for each other. The shared sense of responsibility for the place and the people around you, and the knowledge that people hold in relation to place.
She returned to mulberry trees and root crops that thrive in Hauloto’s rich, volcanic soil; to the village garden and the quiet work of growing things. But water, or the lack of it, made that work harder than it needed to be. Now, with a newly-installed water tank serving the community, something has shifted. The trees are better tended. The crops come more easily. And the daily effort that water insecurity once demanded has been quietly returned; the hours and energy redirected back into the life she chose to come home to.
This is what community looks like.
It is also, as it turns out, what development looks like when it works. Led by Tonga’s Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) and supported through the UN Development Programme’s Governance for Resilient Development programme (Gov4Res), the Hauloto and Fualu initiatives were conceived not as something delivered to the community, but built with it. That distinction, community-led rather than community-targeted, is at the heart of why it works, and why it endures.
At the commissioning event, MEIDECC’s Chief Executive Office, Sione ‘Akau’ola, captured the moment plainly. This, he said, was real development work in action. Partners working together with people for the benefit of the people, through the principles of Public – Private – People – Partnership.
It is a simple formulation. It is also the right one.
Mele ‘Elevesi’s story is not an anomaly. Across Hauloto, the change is tangible in the specific, ordinary ways that matter most. Families describe the relief of knowing water will be there; not hoped for, not rationed against an uncertain sky, but reliably, safely available.
For women and girls who have shouldered the greatest burden of water collection, hours once spent are quietly being returned. For children, it is one less disruption to the rhythm of school and play. These are not dramatic transformations. They are the ordinary dignities that water security makes possible, and which its absence quietly erodes.
The initiative is designed to go further than Hauloto. Grounded in risk-informed planning and practical in its approach, it is the kind of solution that is being understood, replicated, and scaled across Tonga. It is also a proven one.
The same approach, tested across 15 schools in Tonga, has already extended school days, improved attendance, and brought students back to rural classrooms where water was once a barrier. MEIDECC has now adopted this model nationally, embedding it within Tonga’s development strategy through to 2035.
This year, that message carries particular weight. The Pacific will host a pre-COP meeting in Fiji in October, bringing renewed international attention to a region that has long lived on the frontlines of climate change. What the Hauloto and Fualu communities demonstrate is that adaptation, at its most effective, looks less like a grand intervention and more like a water tank, an engaged community, and institutions willing to listen before they act.
This work has been made possible through the commitment of partners who understand that resilience built locally is resilience that lasts. Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have each contributed to making Gov4Res — and initiatives like this one across the Pacific — a reality.
In Hauloto, the commissioning of the new water tank was marked quietly, with presence, with gratitude, and with a clear sense that something real had been accomplished. Not promised. Not planned. It has been delivered.
Mele ‘Elevesi, who came home from New Zealand to her village and her people, understands this instinctively. She came back because of what community means.
That, perhaps, is the clearest measure of development that works. Not the volume of the announcement, but what remains after everyone has gone home…..PACNEWS
