In this bulletin:
1. SOL —Constitutional bombshell: Chief Justice rules Solomon Islands PM broke law by delaying Parliament
2. SOL — Solomon Islands PM Manele to appeal High Court ruling on No – confindence process
3. PACIFIC — Residents seek shelter as super typhoon batters remote U.S islands in the Pacific
4. FIJI — Tongan King to pay respects
5. FIJI — PINA Board, Fiji Information Ministry discuss media collaboration, Pacific Media summit preparations
6. PNG — PNG Govt activates central disaster relief mechanism
7. AUST — Gendered attacks on incoming Australian army chief ‘disgraceful
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Australian government looks to Pacific’s energy needs
9. PACNEWS BIZ — IMF, World Bank, IEA urge countries to stop hoarding energy supplies, imposing export controls
10. PACNEWS BIZ — FASU identifies risk factors for money laundering in PNG
11. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — The Pacific is where climate leadership will be made – or lost
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Outcome of discussion: PINA collaboration with USP Journalism Programme
SOL – COURTS: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS 1: Wed 15 Apr 2026
Constitutional bombshell: Chief Justice rules Solomon Islands PM broke law by delaying Parliament
HONIARA, 15 APRIL 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS)—Solomon Islands Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer has ruled that Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acted unconstitutionally by delaying the convening of Parliament in the face of a pending motion of no confidence.
In a landmark judgment delivered Tuesday, Palmer found that once a motion of no confidence has been validly lodged and the required notice period has expired, the Prime Minister is under a constitutional duty to ensure Parliament meets at the earliest opportunity to determine the issue.
“Any delay or inaction in such circumstances is unlawful,” the chief justice said before a packed courtroom.
“The Prime Minister is under a constitutional duty to ensure the motion of no confidence is brought before Parliament at the earliest opportunity,” Palmer declared, adding that failure to do so constitutes a breach of the Constitution.
The ruling underscores that the Prime Minister has no legal authority to delay, obstruct or avoid a no-confidence motion once it has matured and is ready for debate.
Palmer stated that by not convening Parliament, the Prime Minister effectively frustrated the constitutional mechanism designed to test whether a government still commands the confidence of the majority of MPs.
This, the chief justice added, strikes at the heart of Solomon Islands’ system of democratic governance, which is founded on the principle that executive power must remain accountable to Parliament.
Palmer pointed out that in such situations, the Prime Minister has only two lawful options: resign from office or face Parliament.
“Avoiding Parliament altogether is not permitted under the Constitution.”
Furthermore, Palmer said the delay had created a “constitutional impasse”, where a valid motion of no confidence exists but cannot be determined because Parliament has not been convened.
Such a situation, the chief justice noted, undermines the country’s democratic framework by preventing Parliament from performing its constitutional role.
Prime Minister Manele lost his majority last month after 19 members of his coalition, including 12 ministers, defected and teamed up with the Opposition.
Following the shift, a motion of no confidence was formally lodged against Manele. Under the Constitution, such a motion must be given at least seven clear days’ notice before it can be debated.
That notice period has since expired, meaning the motion is now ready for consideration by Parliament.
However, despite the motion maturing, Manele refused to convene parliament, stating that he’ll do so at the appropriate time.
The New Coalition argued that the Prime Minister’s refusal to advise the convening of Parliament was unconstitutional and effectively blocked the lawful process for determining leadership.
The government, on the other hand, maintained that the Prime Minister retains the authority to decide when Parliament should meet.
Addressing the dispute in his ruling, the chief justice reaffirmed that a motion of no confidence is a “central constitutional mechanism” for testing the legitimacy of a government.
He stressed that once triggered, this process must not be delayed or frustrated, as doing so would undermine the principle of majority rule.
Palmer described the Prime Minister as the primary constitutional duty-holder, responsible for ensuring Parliament is able to perform its role.
He ruled that while the Governor-General’s powers are limited, they may be engaged as a last resort if the Prime Minister fails to act.
In its final orders, the chief justice directed the Prime Minister to take all necessary steps to convene Parliament within three days to allow the motion of no confidence to be debated and decided.
The Speaker of Parliament was also directed to ensure the motion is given priority and resolved expeditiously once Parliament meets.
Palmer stated that if the Prime Minister fails to act, the Governor-General’s residual constitutional powers may be triggered as a safeguard to restore the parliamentary process…..PACNEWS
SOL – GOVT/COURTS: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Wed 15 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands PM Manele to appeal High Court ruling on No – confindence process
HONIARA, 15 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)— Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has ordered an appeal to the Court of Appeal following a High Court decision Tuesday on the convening of Parliament and a motion of no confidence, saying key constitutional issues were not fully addressed.
Manele confirmed the government will challenge the ruling despite acknowledging the court’s swift handling of the case.
“I formally acknowledge the judgment delivered today by the High Court of Solomon Islands regarding the Judicial Review claim concerning the convening of Parliament and the processing of a Motion of No Confidence.”
He thanked the judiciary for moving quickly on a matter of national importance.
“At the outset, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Chief Justice, Sir Albert Palmer, for dealing with this case on an expedited basis. The Government recognises that in times of political and legal uncertainty, the exercise of judicial function is essential to uphold the rule of law. The efficiency with which the High Court has presided over this matter of national significance is highly commended.”
But the Prime Minister said the government has serious concerns with the ruling.
“However, having carefully considered the ruling and the orders made, it is the firm view of the Government that certain fundamental legal questions were not adequately dealt with in this judgment. Specifically, the ruling raises profound issues regarding the interpretation of constitutional mandates and the established boundaries of the separation of powers between the Executive and the Judiciary.”
Manele said the move to appeal is about protecting the Constitution and the Office of the Prime Minister.
“As Prime Minister, I hold a duty not only to the present administration but to the integrity of the Office of the Prime Minister and the constitutional framework of Solomon Islands for generations to come. It is essential that the powers of the Head of State, the advice of the Prime Minister, and the procedures of Parliament are balanced exactly as the framers of our Constitution intended.”
He confirmed instructions have been issued to escalate the matter.
“Therefore, I have instructed the Attorney General to appeal this decision to the Court of Appeal. It is necessary for the highest court in our land to provide a definitive ruling on these complex constitutional questions to ensure that the legal precedents set today do not inadvertently undermine the stability of our parliamentary democracy in the future.”
Manele said the government will follow the legal process.
“The Government remains committed to the legal process. Our decision to seek appellate review is a testament to our respect for the hierarchy of our judicial system and our desire for absolute legal certainty.”
He also called for calm as the legal process continues.
“I call on all Solomon Islanders to remain calm and peaceful. Let us allow the legal process to reach its finality through the Court of Appeal. I urge all citizens and leaders to maintain respect for our democratic institutions as we navigate these significant legal developments,” PM Manele said…. PACNEWS
PAC – WEATHER WATCH: AP PACNEWS 1: Wed 15 Apr 2026
Residents seek shelter as super typhoon batters remote U.S islands in the Pacific
SAIPAN, 15 APRIL 2026 (AP)—A super typhoon with ferocious winds and relentless rains was battering a group of remote U.S islands in the Pacific Ocean, forcing residents to seek shelter from flying tree limbs and collapsed buildings.
The centre of the Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounded the Northern Mariana Islands early Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
It’s the strongest tropical typhoon on Earth so far this year and was packing sustained winds of up to 150 mph (240 kph) that were likely to bring widespread power outages to the islands, home to roughly 50,000 people.
Some areas already were seeing extensive flooding.
“It’s hitting us hard,” Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho of Saipan, told The Associated Press late Tuesday. “It’s so difficult for us to respond with this heavy rain, heavy wind to rescue people. Objects are just flying left and right.”
Camacho said some people have been rescued. He said trees were thrown about and wooden and tin structures had collapsed. He said he hoped the glass door to his office doesn’t break.
“It’s already bending. That’s how powerful this is,” he said.
Farther south, in Guam, a U.S territory with several U.S military installations and about 170,000 residents, tropical force winds and torrential rainfall were leading to flash flooding, the weather service said.
The monster storm slowed to a crawl as it approached the islands, raising fears that the fierce winds won’t go away quickly and worsen its impact.
“This is not going to be an easy night for anyone across Tinian or Saipan. This is going to be a loud night,” said Landon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the weather service. Many “will wake up to a different island,” he said during a Facebook video broadcast.
Saipan is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands. The worst of the storm was hitting hit during darkness and was expected to last for hours until at least daybreak Wednesday, the weather service said.
Camacho was concerned about the slow speed of the storm.
“That’s the scary part, ” He said, saying “it’s better to speed up so it can just exit.”
About 50,000 people live on the Northern Mariana Islands, with most on Saipan, known for its laid-back resorts, snorkeling and golf as well as the capital.
While it’s expected to weaken slightly over the next few days, Sinlaku was crossing the islands as a Category 4 typhoon.
In Guam, where Typhoon Mawar knocked out power for days in 2023, U.S military officials warned personnel to shelter in place. The military controls about one-third of the land on the island, a critical hub for U.S forces in the Pacific.
Before turning toward Guam and the Northern Marianas, the storm left significant damage to the outer islands and atolls of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia, Aydlett said from his weather service station on Guam.
Glen Hunter, who grew up on Saipan, has weathered numerous typhoons.
“We sit in what they call ‘Typhoon Alley,’” he said early Tuesday after waking up to strong gusts and seeing downed trees.
For the most part, residents live in sturdy, fully concrete homes and those in substandard wooden houses with tin roofs tend to stay with family or in government shelters, he said.
Tourism-dependent Saipan — the site of one of World War II’s bloodiest battles in the Pacific — was still recovering from 2018’s Super Typhoon Yutu when the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, he said. The economy has yet to rebound, Hunter said.
President Donald Trump has approved emergency disaster declarations for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, allowing for additional help with emergency services.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was coordinating support across multiple agencies, dispatching nearly 100 FEMA staff as well as other personnel.
A super typhoon is a name given to the strongest tropical cyclones. Monitored by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre in Guam, super typhoons are the equivalent of Category 4 or 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic, with winds of at least 150 mph (240 kph). There have been more than 300 super typhoons identified over the past 80 years.
Typhoons and super typhoons are “very common” in the Pacific, but the peak season is similar to the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from summer to fall, said Jason Nicholls, AccuWeather’s lead international forecaster.
“As we’ve seen this year, you can get tropical systems in the West Pacific any time of year,” Nicholls said. “But getting them in April is a little unusual,” he said…PACNEWS
FIJI – ROYAL VISIT/DIPLOMACY/STATE FUNERAL: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Wed 15 Apr 2026
Tongan King to pay respects
SUVA, 15 APRIL 2026 (FIJI TIMES) —His Majesty Tongan King Tupou VI has arrived in Fiji to attend the State Funeral of the late former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, marking a significant moment of regional and historical connection.
A solemn scene unfolded at Nausori International Airport Tuesday as soldiers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces formed a 100-man Guard of Honour to receive the Tongan monarch.
A deep ancestral connection between Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and the Tongan royal family will be honoured this week, as King Tupou VI is expected to lead tributes during final farewell proceedings in Suva.
Ratu Epeli and the King of Tonga share a common lineage tracing back to George Tupou II, highlighting longstanding historical ties between the two families.
In recognition of this bond, King Tupou VI is expected to be the first to pay his final respects when the late Na Turaga Na Taukei Naisogolaca lies in state at the State House on Thursday.
“Upon the family’s request, His Majesty the King of Tonga Tupou VI will be the first to pay his final respects before attending the USP Graduation Ceremony,” a reliable source said.
Following this, foreign dignitaries, government officials, traditional leaders, and members of the public will be given the opportunity to pay their respects throughout the day.
After the funeral service on Friday, the family will host a light morning tea to accommodate dignitaries and members of the public who may not be able to travel to Bau Island, where the late statesman will be laid to rest at the chiefly burial grounds (sautabu).
The ceremonies are expected to draw significant local and regional attendance, reflecting the legacy of a leader whose influence extended beyond Fiji’s shores.
Meanwhile, strict traditional protocols protocols have been put in place for the three-day reguregu of former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, as the nation continues to mourn the passing of the high chief, Na Turaga Na Taukei Naisogolaca.
The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs has issued a firm directive outlining the cultural expectations for the
funeral rites, emphasising that all proceedings will follow traditional iTaukei protocols.
Deputy CEO for Operations, Josefa Toganivalu said strict measures must be observed throughout the mourning period to uphold respect and tradition.
A formal dress code has been established in recognition of the solemnity of the occasion and the chiefly status of the late leader. Mr Toganivalu confirmed that attire for those attending the reguregu was strictly limited to black and white.
Officials stressed that adherence to these protocols was essential, given the high chiefly rank of the former president and the traditional iTaukei setting in which the ceremonies were being conducted.
Specific cultural guidelines have also been issued for female mourners.
Women attending are requested to untie their hair, while handbags must be carried by hand as a sign of respect……PACNEWS
FIJI – MEDIA: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Wed 15 Apr 2026
PINA Board, Fiji Information Ministry discuss media collaboration, Pacific Media summit preparations
SUVA, 15 APRIL 2026 (FIJI GOVT)—Discussions on strengthening regional media collaboration and preparations for the upcoming Pacific Media Summit took centre stage Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Board to the Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Eseta Nadakuitavuki and Director of Information Samisoni Pareti.
Led by PINA President Kalafi Moala, the team included Robert Iroga (Solomon Islands, online), Neville Choy (Papua New Guinea, national association representative), Esther Pahivi (Niue, TV), and PINA Manager Makereta Komai.
During the meeting, the board expressed gratitude to the Fiji Government, particularly the Ministry, for its continued support towards media development and the promotion of media freedom in the Pacific.
Discussions centred on the upcoming Pacific Media Summit scheduled to be held in Savusavu this September. The summit was described as a key event, with plans to further decentralise engagement across sub-regions including Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia.
The board also acknowledged Fiji’s role as a training hub for Pacific journalists, noting that countries such as Niue continue to rely on Fiji for skilled media professionals.
Permanent Secretary Nadakuitavuki emphasised the importance of collaboration between the media and government, noting that while the media plays a critical watchdog role in ensuring accountability and transparency, both sectors must work together in the national interest.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for PINA and the upcoming summit……PACNEWS
PAC – DISASTER RESPONSE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Wed 15 Apr 2026
PNG Govt activates central disaster relief mechanism
PORT MORESBY, 15 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The Papua New Guinea Government has activated a central disaster relief coordination mechanism through the National Disaster and Emergency office in response to provinces affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.
Prime Minister James Marape said they were asking all provincial administrators to submit their preliminary reports to understand the scale and impact of the cyclone.
“My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected,” Marape said.
“We have asked all provincial governments and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to furnish reports on the scale of the damage and the number of people affected, so we can coordinate our response effectively.”
Marape said the Government was working with provincial administrations, district authorities, and local level governments (LLGs) to ensure timely and coordinated relief efforts.
“We will offer assistance as much as possible and ensure that our people are not left stranded,” he said.
“Our priority is to help our people pick up their lives again, starting with immediate food relief, water supply, medical assistance, and accommodation support.
“At the moment, reports are still coming in and are scattered.
“But we will make sure we reach every place, every island, and every community that has been affected.”
Marape also acknowledged assistance offered by development partners.
“We have received indications of support from the Australian government and partners such as Starlink, and we are processing and mobilising this assistance,” he added.
Marape highlighted challenges with communication in affected areas, noting that some regions remained difficult to access due to damaged infrastructure or unreliable networks.
He said the Government was exploring technological solutions to improve connectivity during emergencies.
“We are also looking at deploying Starlink connectivity in affected areas to ensure reliable communication and data access as we coordinate relief efforts across the country.”
Marape also plans to travel to Milne Bay to assess the situation.
The planned visit will include some of the country’s most remote island communities, including Budibudi, Dobu Island, Trobriand Islands (including Kiriwina) and other islands and mainland communities across Milne Bay…..PACNEWS
AUST – ARMY CHIEF: AAP PACNEWS 1: Wed 15 Apr 2026
Gendered attacks on incoming Australian army chief ‘disgraceful
CANBERRA, 15 APRIL 2026 (AAP)—Backlash on social media criticising the appointment of the first woman to lead the Australian army has been described as “despicable”, as experts say more work is needed to improve representation across defence.
Susan Coyle, current chief of joint capabilities, will be the first woman to be appointed head of any branch of the Australian Defence Force when she steps into the role of chief of army in July.
Defence Industry minister Pat Conroy hit back at social media commentary that accused the appointment being one of diversity and inclusion.
“It’s despicable and disgraceful,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
“She’s incredibly professional, intelligent, a soldier who lives the values of the Australian Defence Force.
“She was selected because she was the best candidate.”
Conroy said anyone spreading hate needed to “have a good, hard look at themselves” and look at her extensive qualifications.
Lieutenant General Coyle 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.
Announcing the appointment, Defence Minister Richard Marles revealed Coyle told him, “you cannot be what you cannot see”.
“Susan’s achievement will be deeply significant to women who are serving in the Australian Defence Force today and women who are thinking about serving … in the future,” he told reporters on Monday.
Marles is set to address the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday, when he will launch the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Programme.
He is expected to announce the federal government will invest up to AUD$15 billion (US$10,69 billion) in uncrewed and autonomous systems for the defence force, including drones, in the next decade.
While there would be much focus on what the appointment means for women, defence expert Jennifer Parker said Coyle’s impressive service during her career must be acknowledged.
“Men and women, particularly those within the ADF, should be very proud of this day … Lieutenant General Coyle has significant operational and professional experience and has led a range of commands throughout her career,” Parker told AAP.
“It has taken us too long to get here, and I think we shouldn’t take this as read that everything is solved in terms of representation across the ADF.
“We still need to focus on making sure we have opportunities for women and people with different backgrounds.”
Parker, who served in the Royal Australian Navy for more than 20 years and is an expert associate at the ANU National Security College, said it was only in 2013 that restrictions on women serving in all defence roles were removed.
“We should reflect on how much things have changed, but also that there is still more to do,” she said.
“It’s incredibly important for women to see the opportunities available to them … this is a significant moment for the army, but I wonder how long it will still take for a woman to be appointed the head of the navy or air force.”
Coyle’s appointment comes as the defence force grapples with allegations from female veterans about sexual abuse and harassment experienced during their service.
About 2500 women have joined a landmark class action case against the Commonwealth, alleging a culture of systemic sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination within the ADF.
Changing a culture within any organisation required more than one significant appointment, Parker said.
“This is a complex thing. Culture is ever evolving … (this announcement) is a signal of things going in the right direction, but there are still changes to be made,” she said.
“I’m not sure one moment signifies that a culture has changed. It’s about constant small changes,” she said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PACIFIC – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 15 Apr 2026
Australian government looks to Pacific’s energy needs
CANBERRA, 15 APRIL 2026 (NATIONAL INDIGENOUS TIMES)—The Australian government’s most recent negotiations to strike a critical deal with Singapore to keep fuel flowing could benefit its Pacific neighbours.
Federal Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy, has indicated he is working out a series of assistance packages across the region.
“Relationships in our region matter more now than ever,” Conroy told ABC News on Monday.
Conroy credited Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong for “doing their job” to build successful partnerships to ensure fuel-supply disruptions were not wrecking the livelihoods of Pasifika communities.
But Conroy stopped short of saying exactly what type of assistance Australia would provide.
“We’re continuing to talk to our Pacific neighbours – we’re proud to be a part of the Pacific family and to understand what the challenges they are,” he said.
“Is it access to fuel or is it the price to fuel, or is it even both, and to explore how we can support their efforts to achieve fuel security, which is critically important.
“Our prosperity and security of our Pacific neighbours, which is why we’ve engaged so much – whether it’s the alliance with Papua New Guinea, the Falepili (Union) treaty with Tuvalu, what we have been doing in Nauru or what we have been negotiating with Fiji right now – also makes Australia safer, more secure and more prosperous.
“We’ll be talking to more of the Pacific family about what their needs are.”
Canberra secured a deal last week with Singapore to provide 55 percent of Australia’s petrol, 22 percent of its jet fuel, and 15 percent of its diesel supplies in exchange of supplying the southeast Asian city-state’s gas requirements
The Singaporeans have continued to be Australia’s largest source of refined fuel, accounting for more than a quarter of its total imports, ensuring a continued supply and some certainty amid global energy market pressures.
Amid its latest arrangement, Conroy emphasised Australia remains a trusted partner of the Pacific that could well include offloading fuel supplies to several Pacific Island nations.
“I am not going to get into hypotheticals at the moment,” he said.
“We’re still in the stages of exploring and understanding what their needs are and we’ll respond in due course, but our Pacific family, the nations of the Pacific, can rely on Australia.
“We turn up, we listen, we act on their priorities, as it’s in our interests as well as theirs.”
The Tongan and Nauruan governments are the latest in the region who have tried to ease regional fears this past month.
Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua had warned the kingdom it could be heading into unknown territory as tensions in the Middle East threaten shipping routes and supply chains.
Fuel and power supply remains stable but may only last until the end of May, otherwise, should disruptions persist in the Strait of Hormuz.
“As a government, we’re prepared to implement policies to help ease up the pressure on supply and demand, whether it’s a four-day work week for the government or work from home, Covid-like scenarios – we’re prepared to do what we will to extend the current supply as far as we can,” Lord Fakafanua said.
Nauru’s President David Adeang called for calm and responsible actions on the tiny island, which historically relies heavily economically on Australia.
Adeang advised Nauruans to conserve energy wherever possible while the government monitors the situation after implementing several measures to secure sufficient fuel reserves.
“We are working diligently to maintain essential services and to ensure stability throughout the country,” he said.
He had called on the Nauruan public of little more than 10,000 residents to “act responsibly” and use fuel and electricity wisely towards protecting the island’s limited national reserve.
Adeang added that the government was prepared to manage the situation responsibly.
“We should stand together as one community supporting each other, conserving our resources and acting with discipline and care, and with unity and cooperation, we can and we will navigate this challenge safely,” he said.
Many Pacific nations have also been increasing their calls for a global phase-out of reliance on fossil fuels ahead of the region’s meeting of ministers in Vanuatu this week.
Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) senior officials convened in Port Vila on Monday for the third Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on the Global Just Transition.
Port Vila II, as its known, comes as several island nations grapple with fuel price spikes linked to the ongoing U.S-Iran conflict.
The Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative says the situation highlights the region’s over-reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Fiji has recorded a 20 percent increase in petrol prices, Tuvalu has sent government workers home to cut costs, while the Marshall Islands has declared a 90-day economic emergency.
Founder and chair of the Fossil Fuel Treat Initiative, Dr Tzeporah Berman, said Pacific Island nations have long recognised the risks of fossil fuel dependence.
“Pacific Island nations were the first countries to call for a fossil fuel treaty,” she said.
“Even before the current supply constraints and high oil prices due to the war in Iran, these countries understood the threat fossil fuels pose to their security and to global climate stability.”
The Port Vila meeting is expected to shape a unified Pacific position by Wednesday ahead of the first International conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels later this month in Colombia.
Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Ralph Regenvanu, was outspoken in saying the region continues to bear the brunt of a crisis that it did not create.
“The Pacific did not create the fossil fuel crisis, yet we are paying the highest price for it,” he said…. PACNEWS
USA – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: REUTERS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 15 Apr 2026
IMF, World Bank, IEA urge countries to stop hoarding energy supplies, imposing export controls
WASHINGTON, 15 APRIL 2026 (REUTERS)— The International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and International Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday urged countries to avoid hoarding energy supplies and imposing export controls that could worsen what they called the biggest shock ever to the global energy market.
IEA chief Fatih Birol told reporters after a meeting with IMF and World Bank leaders that several countries were holding onto stocks and imposing export restrictions, and appealed to all countries to let energy stocks flow to the markets. He did not name the countries.
“Do no harm,” said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, noting that she was meeting with countries that were being hit hard in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa and some South Pacific islands that were worried about supplies.
“The first principle should be: don’t impose export restrictions that are only making the disequilibrium worse,”” she said, adding that the war would have a more severe impact on growth and inflation if it continued for a prolonged period.
The U.S military on Monday began a blockade of ships leaving Iran’s ports and Tehran threatened to retaliate against its Gulf neighbors’ ports after weekend talks in Islamabad on ending the war broke down. Oil prices jumped back over US$100 per barrel, with no sign of a swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
Birol told an Atlantic Council event earlier that the conflict had triggered the worst global energy disruption ever, with more than 80 oil and gas facilities across the Middle East damaged to date.
He said the situation was bad in March, when some cargoes had been loaded, but could worsen this month.
“The scale of the problem is huge, and countries will suffer under this, some more than others, but I can tell you… no country is immune,’ Birol said.
The leaders of the three institutions vowed to keep coordinating their responses to the conflict in the Middle East, which has sent oil prices up by 50 percent since it began on 28 February. The shock has also driven gas and fertilizer prices higher, triggering concerns about food security and job losses.
“We recognise that when we act together, the impact of our action is higher. We are more efficient, we help the membership the most,’ Georgieva said.
The statement noted that the situation remained very uncertain, and even after a resumption of regular shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz, it would take time for global supplies of key commodities to move back toward pre-conflict levels.
The IMF and World Bank have said they expect to downgrade their growth forecasts and lift their inflation numbers as a result of the war. The IMF will release new forecasts on Tuesday, and the IEA is due to release a new monthly oil market report. The war has cast a deep shadow over the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank, being held in Washington this week.
Birol said the IEA had already released some 400 million barrels of oil from its reserves and was prepared to take further action if additional releases were deemed necessary.
“The 400 million is only 20 percent of our reserves. We have still 80 percent in our pocket,” he said. “We are assessing the situation, and if and when we decided it is the time, we are ready to act and act immediately.” …PACNEWS
PNG – MONEY LAUNDERING: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 15 Apr 2026
FASU identifies risk factors for money laundering in PNG
PORT MORESBY, 15 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —There are are five high-risk factors identified for money laundering in the country, according to Papua New Guinea Financial Analysis Supervision Unit (FASU) director Wilson Onea.
Onea said this was found in the first money laundering and terrorist financing sectoral risk assessment (SRA) for the forestry sector.
The report found that, while the risk of terrorist financing was low, the five high-risk factors were:
* Corruption of politically exposed persons (PEPs);
*Tax evasion with illegally accrued proceeds laundered through offshore jurisdictions;
*Misuse of transfer pricing for selling and/or buying goods and/or services;
*Investment from PEPs of funds derived from corruption; and,
*Logs harvested outside of logging concession areas.
“The report concluded that, even considering only trade with China, between 2014 and 2019, an estimated US$2 billion (about K8.6 billion) was lost as foreign currency inflow and possible taxable revenues,” Onea said.
“In addition, a further loss of foreign currency inflow amounting to US$800 million (about K3.4 billion) was estimated based on a comparison of internationally reported data with the real incoming international transactions recorded by commercial banks in PNG.
“Three typology reports were developed focusing on sectors of critical concern to PNG – gold smuggling, fraud in provincial health authorities, and use of travel agents for fraud.
“The sectors were chosen based on both the high risk of misappropriation and misconduct in the sectors, and the detrimental impact this behavior has on the economy and the people of PNG.
“Reports are issued to our reporting entities and law enforcement agencies.”
Onea said the Fasu was busy throughout 2025 increasing awareness in PNG and Pacific of the threats of Anti Money-laundering (AML)/Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) and working with partners to strengthen systems to combat threats…. 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
The Pacific is where climate leadership will be made – or lost
The question is no longer simply whether environmental ambition can be agreed, but whether it can be sustained.
Larelle Bossi
SYDNEY, 15 APRIL 2026 (THE INTERPRETER)—In the lead-up to COP31 this year, global climate diplomacy faces a credibility test – and it is unfolding in the Pacific.
Across much of the world, fossil fuel concerns have reasserted themselves. Rising energy costs, security anxieties, and domestic pressures are reshaping national priorities particularly in the context of global energy volatility linked to geopolitical fragmentation and oil market shocks.
In recent weeks, climate leadership risks have been framed as conditional – something to be advanced when circumstances allow – raising deeper questions of climate justice. In this context, climate leadership is not judged by ambition alone, but by whether commitments hold under pressure.
For Pacific Island countries, climate change is not a future scenario to be managed, but an existential threat. Climate justice is not only about historical responsibility or differential capacity – it is about the consistency of commitment. It asks whether those with the greatest capacity to act will do so even when it becomes politically or economically difficult.
This tension – between conditional ambition and lived urgency – now sits at the centre of global climate governance. The question is no longer simply whether ambition can be agreed, but whether it can be sustained.
Annual climate talks are often criticised as overly procedural, slow to translate pledges into tangible outcomes, and disconnected from the communities most affected by climate change. Negotiations remain highly centralised among state actors, while Indigenous peoples, women, and youth are frequently sidelined from meaningful participation. At the same time, accountability mechanisms for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate finance remain weak, contributing to a growing gap between commitment and delivery. Scholars have long argued that the procedural architecture of COP has struggled to keep pace with escalating climate urgency.
These critiques are not new. But they are becoming more urgent.
For some states, delay is not a matter of strategy but of survival.
At COP30 in Belém, Brazil’s presidency signalled a shift – calling for a move from negotiation to implementation. The Global Mutirão reaffirmed ambition but also exposed the difficulty of operationalising it within existing structures. Without mechanisms that accelerate delivery, embed accountability, and reflect lived realities, ambition risks dissipating into process.
This is where the Pacific pre-COP talks, struck as part of a compromise that ended the contest between Australia and Türkiye for COP31 hosting rights, take on significance.
At its most basic level, a pre-COP is a preparatory forum. But in the current context, it offers something more: a practical opportunity to prototype reform. Not by replacing the COP system, but by complementing it – testing more integrated, inclusive, and outcome-oriented approaches that could be scaled into the formal process. The Pacific is well positioned to become the site where several of these reform directions are advanced in practice.
First, there is a need to shift from negotiation to action-oriented platforms. When Island states are already suffering from the impacts of a changing climate, global acknowledgment and responsibility must amount to more than declarations. Rather than centring exclusively on text-based agreements, climate processes must increasingly focus on delivery mechanisms – particularly in areas such as adaptation finance, ocean protection and resilience, and renewable energy transitions. A Pacific pre-COP could help demonstrate how regional platforms can accelerate implementation in ways that formal negotiations alone cannot.
Second, inclusivity must move beyond rhetoric. Embedding Indigenous and First Nations knowledge, gender equity, and youth leadership into governance structures is not simply a normative goal – it is essential to ensuring that climate responses are grounded in local realities. A pre-COP designed with these principles at its core could model a more legitimate and representative form of climate governance.
Third, accountability requires strengthening. The absence of robust mechanisms to track NDC progress and climate finance flows continues to undermine trust. Developing transparent monitoring tools – including public dashboards and independent review processes – would help bridge the gap between pledge and performance.
Finally, hybrid governance models offer a way forward. Combining multilateral negotiations with smaller, issue-specific coalitions could enable more rapid progress in key sectors. In areas such as ocean governance, adaptation, and energy transition, minilateral partnerships could complement the broader COP framework, delivering tangible outcomes while maintaining alignment with global goals.
The Pacific pre-COP provides a space to test these approaches. It also challenges the emerging framing as fossil fuel concerns regain focus that climate leadership is somehow conditional. The Pacific perspective underscores that for some states, delay is not a matter of strategy but of survival. The question is not whether the COP system can accommodate this urgency, but whether it can evolve to reflect it.
For Australia, this is a moment of both opportunity and consequence.
As a pre-COP31 partner to the region, it is well placed to help shape and support this agenda. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen – who has built strong relationships and respect across the Pacific, and who currently represents the President of Negotiations role for COP31 hosted by Türkiye – is in a unique position to help lead the kind of reform that critics of the COP process have long called for. If Australia is genuine in its commitment to elevating Pacific voices, it must move beyond partnership in principle to alignment in practice, and embrace its place within the Pacific region, not apart from it.
It requires showing that global tensions between fossil fuel dependence and climate ambition do not preclude progress, and that even within a constrained environment, governance systems can adapt, priorities can be clarified, and commitments can be made more actionable.
If successful, the Pacific pre-COP could do more than prepare the ground for COP31. It could help redefine what effective climate cooperation looks like in practice. In a system under increasing strain, that may be its most important contribution……PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Outcome of discussion: PINA collaboration with USP Journalism Programme
SUVA, 15 APRIL 2026 (PINA SECRETARIAT) —The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Board held a productive discussion with the Head of the Journalism Programme at the University of the South Pacific, Dr Shailendra Singh Tuesday, reflecting on current collaboration and identifying opportunities to strengthen partnerships between industry and academia.
Key outcomes from the discussion include:
– 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
PINA will work with USP to support media research and development, including the use of industry experiences to inform research papers and potential joint publications.
– 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤
Both parties agreed on the importance of renewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PINA and the USP Journalism Programme to formalise and guide future collaboration.
– 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
PINA and USP will explore opportunities for joint activities and collaboration to mark World Media Freedom Day 2026.
– 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬
PINA will advocate at the regional level for increased investment in journalism education and training institutions, noting the current resource and equipment challenges faced by USP and similar institutions across the Pacific.
– 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬
A representative from the PINA Board will be invited to serve on the USP Journalism Programme Advisory Board, strengthening industry input into curriculum and programme development.
– 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬
PINA will encourage and support greater participation of journalism students in regional initiatives, including attendance at the biennial Pacific Media Summit.
The PINA Board led by President, Kalafi Moala, is in Suva this week for its last face-to-face meeting before the Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu in September this year…..PACNEWS
