In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Quad strengthens Pacific presence with new Fiji Ports partnership
2. PACIFIC — Quad ministers announce new Indo-Pacific initiatives on maritime security and energy
3. FIJI — Fiji warns climate crisis is already hitting the economy
4. VIETNAM — Vietnam Police releases footage of Samoa hitmen
5. FIJI — ‘My doctor says I’m fit’: PM Rabuka
6. FIJI — ‘When are we going to have elections?’ — Fiji Opposition leader Seruiratu questions Govt
7. AUST — ‘Biggest hypocrite’: minister hits out at COP concerns
8. FIJI — Drug cartels bribing officers, Fiji Justice Minister Turaga tells Parliament
9. FIJI — 246 live rounds surrendered to Fiji Military
10. PACNEWS BIZ — International airlines urged to stick to safety measures in wake of Ebola outbreak
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Removal of fuel duty would result in $150m revenue loss: Fiji Finance Minister Immanuel
12. PACNEWS BIZ — UNDP and CBSI partnership to advance financial inclusion in Solomon Islands
13. PACNEWS BIZ — ACT backtracks after Seymour floated nearly $1300 per year charge on RSE workers
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Fiji launches Initiative to strengthen Early Warning Systems for all
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Strait of Hormuz: Time running out to avert global food security crisis, FAO warns
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
Quad strengthens Pacific presence with new Fiji Ports partnership
By Pita Ligaiula
NEW DELHI, 27 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the Quad is stepping up support for the Pacific and Indo-Pacific region as worsening global instability, energy insecurity and economic volatility place growing pressure on countries across the region.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is an informal strategic forum comprising the United States, India, Australia, and Japan.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi following the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Wong announced what she described as “the strongest ever commitment from the Quad to the Pacific” through a new port infrastructure initiative in Fiji.
“The Quad is today taking forward a number of new initiatives, an energy security initiative, and, of course, our continued work on critical minerals, because we understand that secure and reliable supply chains are a precondition to economic and strategic stability,” Wong said.
“We are also today announcing the strongest ever commitment from the Quad to the Pacific through the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, where we are launching a pilot for port infrastructure in Fiji,” she said.
Wong said she had recently visited Fiji and understood “how important this will be to that country”.
“It’s a practical demonstration of our collective ability to deliver high quality, resilient infrastructure in partnership with the region and in response to Pacific priorities,” she said.
Wong thanked Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar for hosting the meeting and acknowledged Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi and U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“This is the third Quad meeting we have had since Secretary Rubio took office, and we thank him for his leadership,” Wong said.
She said Quad members recognised “our obligation, our responsibility to provide real choices, particularly as strategic circumstances in our region are deteriorating”.
“The region is facing acute economic stress. We know the world is more unpredictable. We know economic volatility is increasing,” Wong said.
She also raised concerns over the impact of Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“We know the consequences for our region of the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz and what that means for our energy security, for our economies, and for our people,” she said.
Wong said Australia supported diplomatic efforts to restore freedom of navigation and energy flows.
“We recognise the efforts of Secretary Rubio towards a diplomatic resolution to ensure freedom of navigation is restored and crucial energy supplies flow,” she said.
The Quad also announced expanded maritime surveillance cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
Wong said the group would coordinate maritime surveillance efforts “initially in the Indian Ocean and at Exercise Malabar through the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration Initiative”.
She added the Quad was expanding its maritime domain awareness initiative to the Indian Ocean to provide “near real-time unclassified satellite tracking data to combat illegal fishing, trafficking and also enable us to better support humanitarian disaster response”.
Wong also highlighted progress on undersea cable projects across the Pacific.
“We are delivering as a collective undersea cables to all Pacific Island Forum countries, which enhances economic opportunities,” she said.
She said the Quad was also working to strengthen cooperation against scam centres in Southeast Asia, boost law enforcement capacity and deepen cyber cooperation.
“These are just some of the measures, practical measures, our countries are engaged in,” Wong said.
“We know we are stronger when we work together. We know we work better in partnership across our region and we work best by listening to the priorities of our region and delivering practical outcomes to make a difference to our people’s lives…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: AP PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
Quad ministers announce new Indo-Pacific initiatives on maritime security and energy
NEW DELHI, 27 MAY 2026 (AP) — Foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan and the United States announced new initiatives on Tuesday on maritime security, port infrastructure and energy to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to counter concerns about China’s growing influence.
The announcements by the group of nations known as the Quad came after talks in New Delhi between India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Speaking after the meeting, Rubio announced a new Indo-Pacific maritime surveillance initiative to integrate the four countries’ surveillance capabilities and strengthen real-time information sharing across the region.
He said the Quad would work with Fiji to upgrade port infrastructure in the Pacific islands, marking its first joint regional infrastructure project.
“We are going to be partnering on issues of port infrastructure, in particular in response to insufficient port capacity in the Pacific Islands, we are announcing plans to work with Fiji,” Rubio said, adding that the initiative would be “a practical demonstration of our collective ability to deliver high-quality, resilient infrastructure”.
The ministers also launched an Indo-Pacific energy security initiative aimed at strengthening regional fuel and energy supply chains, with the U.S set to host a Quad fuel security forum later this year, Rubio said.
“We are deeply committed to this partnership. It is a linchpin in a cornerstone of our global strategy as a nation,” he said.
Separately, India and the U.S signed a deal to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals as global concerns grow over reliance on China-dominated supplies.
Asked about the Quad agreements, China said that cooperation among countries should promote regional peace and stability and not target third parties.
“We do not support forming exclusive small groupings or bloc confrontation. Any cooperation should not undermine mutual trust and cooperation among regional countries,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing.
The Quad group is a key strategic partnership for cooperation on maritime security, supply chains and regional strategy as China expands its military and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Its members have repeatedly accused China of flexing its military muscles in the South China Sea and aggressively pushing its maritime territorial claims. Beijing maintains that its military is purely defensive to protect what it says are China’s sovereign rights and calls the Quad an attempt to contain its economic growth and influence.
The Quad meeting comes days after U.S President Donald Trump visited China, a trip closely watched in New Delhi for signs of any shift in Washington’s approach toward Beijing.
Ahead of Tuesday’s talks, Rubio said that Washington wants the Quad to move beyond being a dialogue platform and take more concrete action on issues including maritime security and critical minerals.
He also said officials were working toward a summit of the four leaders later this year, although no date has been announced.
The four countries had hoped to hold a leaders’ summit in India last year, but the plan was delayed because of strains in U.S-India relations, including disagreements over tariffs.
Jaishankar described the talks as “an exercise of considerable value,” saying the ministers also discussed maritime trade, energy and fertilizer supplies, as well as critical minerals.
He added that as economic activity, energy, trade and maritime commerce in the region grow, “the responsibilities of the Quad will grow commensurately, and we must prepare for that.”
The leaders also discussed the Iran war and halted energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia’s Wong said the Indo-Pacific was facing “acute economic stress” and warned that any closure of the strait would have serious consequences for regional energy security.
“We recogniSe the importance of maintaining the principle of freedom of navigation and our opposition to any tolling proposition,” Wong said, referring to Iran’s plan to charge vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
She said the Quad reflects a shared commitment among four sovereign nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“There is great alignment between our interests. We all share a vision for the Indo-Pacific, a region that is free and open,” she said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CLIMATE CHANGE: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
Fiji warns climate crisis is already hitting the economy
SUVA, 27 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Fiji is pressing for faster climate finance and adaptation support as sea-level rise, flooding and shifting rainfall are already damaging livelihoods across the island nation.
Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change, Lynda Tabuya, said the region faced environmental damage and a test of justice.
“The Pacific is not just on the front line of the climate crisis; we are also the front line in the effort to shape and define climate justice.”
Her remarks tied climate impacts to everyday losses. Communities in places such as Nabavatu Village (in the Dreketi District of the Macuata Province on Vanua Levu) and Cogea Village (in the district of Wainunu, in Bua Province on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s northern island) were cited as examples of relocation pressures.
“While farmers are confronting changing rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, and reduced crop yields, coastal and river communities are seeing erosion and flooding undermine land that has been occupied for generations.”
Fisherfolk, Tabuya said, returned with empty nets and their livelihoods suffered as a result.
Fiji is trying to convert those risks into a policy response. The country has joined 138 other nations in submitting a third Nationally Determined Contribution to the UN climate system, and she added they are developing a costed implementation plan and an investment plan to turn broad commitments into specific projects.
Tabuya said Fiji’s climate targets now carried a legal framework under the Climate Change Act, signalling a shift from pledges to execution.
Fiji has committed to sustainably managing all of its ocean spaces and designating 30 per cent as marine protected areas by 2030.
She also linked national planning to broader regional efforts, including marine spatial planning, a national ocean accounting system and a blue economy framework.
“We know we cannot do this alone. Partnerships remain critical to the mobilisation of resources and the delivery of our climate objectives, said Tabuya…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
‘My doctor says I’m fit’: PM Rabuka
SUVA, 27 MAY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Prime Minister and People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka has brushed aside criticism over his age, saying his doctor has cleared him as fit to contest the 2026 General Election.
Rabuka who is currently 77 years old confirmed outside Parliament he would be running, directly responding to questions from Fiji Sun about whether his age was a barrier.
“That’s their perception,” Rabuka said directing it at criticisms.
“My doctor says I’m fit. I feel I’m fit enough. My party thinks I’m still able to lead the party. That’s what matters. The people will have to decide.”
Rabuka also acknowledged his party was not fully prepared when the campaign period began but said they would get ready.
“We were not ready,” he said.
“But now that they have made the announcement, we will have to get ready for it.”
He noted the Electoral Commission, as an independent body, had the authority to declare the campaign start under the constitution – and the People’s Alliance had no say in the timing.
The Electoral Commission officially declared the start of the campaign period on Monday, May 25, 2026, under Section 109A (1) of the Electoral Act 2014.
The election must be held between 07 August this year and 06 February 2027, with the writ able to be issued as early as 24 June.
The Commission has urged all parties and candidates to campaign peacefully and lawfully…. PACNEWS
VIETNAM- KILLING: NEWS.COM.AU PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
Vietnam Police releases footage of Samoa hitmen
HO CHI MINH CITY, 27 MAY 2026 (NEWS.COM.AU) — Vietnamese police allege two men arrested over the shooting of Sydney gangster Lorenzo Lemalu were acting “under the direction of an individual abroad” when he was gunned down in Ho Chi Minh City last week.
Samoan nationals – named by Vietnam’s Ministry for Public Security as Steve Tafia and Vaa Vaa – were tracked down near the Vietnam-Cambodia border on Monday, less than 72 hours after Lemalu’s death.
Footage has now been released of the suspected hitmen chained to chairs.
The ministry said in a social media post, translated into English, on Tuesday afternoon the two suspects flew into Tan Son Nhat international airport on 14 May and “studied the modus operandi” of their targets before the 21 May shooting.
Authorities alleged the men “initially confessed to all their criminal acts”, which “they committed … under the direction of an individual abroad”.
Lemalu, 24, and his associate Sam Sauni, 27, were shot while standing with friends outside the Cee’f restaurant on Thursday night, local time.
Lemalu was shot twice and “died on the spot”, according to Vietnamese police, while Mr Sauni was shot once and was “currently receiving intensive treatment”.
The ministry said it was seeking the arrests of at least seven Vietnamese people involved in “failing to report the crime and assisting the two perpetrators in their escape”.
“Currently, the City Police are continuing to expand the investigation and will strictly and thoroughly prosecute all related individuals,” the statement said.
The two men – whose names have also been reported as Steve Tofa and Joseph Va’a – have reportedly been brought back to Ho Chi Minh City.
The ministry said the suspects were “were highly professional, extremely violent, armed with military weapons, and ready to resist arrest upon detection” as it praised the “resourcefulness, courage, and determination” of local police.
Authorities had originally reported they were hunting two Australian nationals named Lang Kenny Trong Minh Do and Justin John White.
However, it understood the alleged assassins had entered Vietnam using fake passports and names.
Lemalu, known as Renzo, headed the so-called Coconut Cartel, an underworld crew that had been locked in a war with the powerful Alameddine crime network.
He had previously been associated with high-ranking members of the network before a major conflict arose within the clan, splitting it in two.
Rumours have swirled over who ordered the hit on Lemalu, and whether it was related to the Alameddine conflict or the Coconut Cartel’s association with shadowy Asian crime syndicate The Final Crime Family.
CCTV footage of the hit showed a man wearing a cap and face mask approach Lemalu’s group outside the restaurant before shooting at close range.
The gunman briefly pursued his target inside the venue before being seen to run across the busy street.
Video taken inside the restaurant captured Lemalu’s final moments as he collapsed and died in a kitchen area, despite the efforts of paramedics.
His gang declared war on the Alameddiens in January, with the Coconut Cartel threatening to “chalk out every Alameddine” as the streets of southwest Sydney erupted into a series of public place shootings and firebombings.
On Sunday night a man police suspect is a senior member of the cartel, the fugitive Anthony Pele, published a tribute to Lemalu – who he called “The Coconut” – on social media.
“A true warrior and a true man in my eyes,” the post read…. PACNEWS
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
‘When are we going to have elections?’ — Fiji Opposition leader Seruiratu questions Govt
SUVA, 27 MAY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has publicly questioned when Fiji will hold its next General Election, raising concerns in Parliament Tuesday as the constitutional review process moves toward a tight deadline.
“The big question that the people are asking is, are we going to have elections? When are we going to have elections?” Mr Seruiratu said.
He was responding to a ministerial statement by Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga on the work of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) and its public outreach team, PACE.
The next General Election can be called anytime between 07 August2026, and 06 February 2027.
The CRC, which is reviewing the 2013 Constitution, is expected to submit its final report by 31 August 2026.
Seruiratu pointed to the recent deferral of Municipal Council elections as a worrying sign.
The Government recently confirmed that the Local Government Elections, originally planned for September, would be postponed until after the General Election, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka citing voter fatigue concerns and the estimated $18 million cost.
“One is gone, the Municipal Council elections. Is this a statement that is meant to do some shaping, given the end state that government intends to achieve?” Seruiratu asked.
He also noted that much of Turaga’s statement repeated comments already made by the Prime Minister in Parliament last month.
In his ministerial statement, Turaga revealed that $500,000(US$250,000) of the $1 million (US$500,000) Cabinet-approved budget for the constitutional review had already been spent on CRC appointments, supplies and travel.
He also called on all Government ministries to treat the constitutional review as a national priority.
Seruiratu said while he supported broad public participation in the review process, sensitive issues raised during consultations needed careful handling.
He warned that ethno-political and socio-economic matters being discussed in communities carried historical sensitivities for Fiji….PACNEWS
AUST – COP31: AAP PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
‘Biggest hypocrite’: minister hits out at COP concerns
CANBERRA, 27 MAY 2026 (AAP) — The federal energy minister has labelled his counterpart the “biggest hypocrite in parliament”, as he snapped back at criticisms of his taxpayer-funded travel for a major climate conference.
Chris Bowen is due to spend more than $150 million (US$107 million) on the United Nations’ 31st Conference of the Parties meeting, known as COP31, in his role as president of negotiations.
While Australia is not hosting the annual summit, it is chairing the talks with Pacific nations as part of a diplomatic compromise with Turkey struck in 2025.
But opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan said there were issues with the cost of chairing the talks, labelling it a vanity project, and that there were concerns with international travel expenses racked up during a cost-of-living crisis.
“Chris Bowen has serious questions to answer over this budget blowout,” Tehan said in a statement.
“Chris Bowen is spending taxpayer dollars to pump up his own tyres.”
Bowen was quick to tell reporters on Tuesday that Tehan was “the biggest hypocrite in the federal parliament”, criticising his counterpart’s travel.
“I do note that I’ve taken one international trip this year. So has Mr Tehan. I went to Denmark, he went to Taiwan,” he said.
“In his last year as minister, he went to France, Singapore, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, the United States, Indonesia, India, the Maldives – twice – at taxpayer expense.”
In a Senate estimates hearing, Environment Department officials told Liberal senator Sarah Henderson the budget had allocated funding for 70 full-time equivalent staff ahead of the UN-run conference in November.
Australia is understood to be working closely with Pacific partners Tuvalu and Fiji, who will host pre-meeting in the lead-up to the main event, held in Turkey.
Earlier Bowen told ABC Radio that Australia was investing in COP31 to elevate its global influence.
“These things do cost money. It cost money when John Howard chaired APEC, it cost money when Tony Abbott chaired G20. They were good for the country and the Labor Party supported them, because we’re a patriotic party,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DRUGS FIGHT: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
Drug cartels bribing officers, Fiji Justice Minister Turaga tells Parliament
SUVA, 27 MAY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga has elightened Parliament that foreign drug cartels operating in Fiji were deliberately targeting and bribing law enforcement officers.
The strategy is a core business move to protect their operations.
Speaking in Parliament Tuesday, Turaga said the narcotics trade was not simply fighting Fiji through drug shipments alone – it was fighting back with money and influence.
“They implement business solutions to resolve business issues, which involve the buying of individuals,” Turaga said.
He was quick to clarify he was not attacking honest officers within Fiji’s enforcement agencies and Police force.
“I am stating this because it is imperative that Parliament comprehends that the narcotics trade is not solely engaged in a shipmentbased conflict with us. It is opposing us with patience, influence and money,” he said.
In simple terms, this means international drug organisations are paying some officers to look the other way.
This deliberately weakens Fiji’s ability to catch and prosecute traffickers.
Turaga said Fiji had become a transit hub for foreign cartels with encrypted communications, sophisticated criminal methods and massive financial resources, using Fiji’s ports and waters as a gateway to Australia and New Zealand.
He pointed to a landmark prosecution of 4.5 tonnes of methamphetamine as evidence the Government was fighting back.
Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj acknowledged the DPP’s work but said the problem had worsened on the Coalition Government’s watch.
“Officers within the newly established Narcotics Bureau are themselves being prosecuted for drug-related offences and corruption,” Maharaj said.
“When the guardians of the law become the facilitators of the crime, it signals a catastrophic failure,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – MILITARY: PACNEWS/RFMF PACNEWS 1: Wed 27 May 2026
246 live rounds surrendered to Fiji Military
SUVA, 27 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS/RFMF) —The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) says 246 rounds of live ammunition were voluntarily handed over in Nausori as joint security operations with the Fiji Police Force continue.
The RFMF said the ammunition was surrendered on 16 May 2026 following ongoing security operations being carried out with police.
“The discovery and surrender of the live rounds came about as a direct result of the ongoing joint security operations currently being conducted by the RFMF and the Fiji Police Force,” the RFMF statement said.
The military said several magazines and magazine pouches were also surrendered and are now in RFMF custody for assessment and investigation.
“The RFMF acknowledges and commends the responsible action taken by those involved in voluntarily coming forward,” the statement said.
“Such cooperation greatly contributes to maintaining national security, public safety, and community confidence.”
The military urged members of the public with information about illegal weapons or ammunition to report it immediately.
“The RFMF wishes to strongly urge members of the public who may have any information regarding the possession, storage, movement, or concealment of illegal arms, ammunition, military equipment, or related items to immediately come forward and report such information to the nearest security authorities.”
The statement warned that unauthorised possession of arms and ammunition remained a serious threat to national security and public safety.
“The RFMF assures the public that all information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and handled appropriately through the relevant security and law enforcement processes.”
The military said it remained committed to ensuring the safety and stability of Fiji.
“The RFMF, together with the Fiji Police Force and other security stakeholders, remains committed to ensuring the safety, security, and stability of Fiji and will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard the nation and its people…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
UN- AIRLINE: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 27 May 2026
International airlines urged to stick to safety measures in wake of Ebola outbreak
GENEVA, 27 MAY 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — As a deadly Ebola strain continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with cases confirmed in neighbouring Uganda, the UN aviation agency is urging governments and flight operators to closely follow guidelines put in place following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The outbreak of the Bundibugyo (BVD) strain is a major cause for concern in the DRC, where there have been more than 900 suspected cases and around 220 suspected deaths.
So far, there have been seven confirmed cases in Uganda.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the outbreak, which it has declared a public health emergency of international concern, is spreading faster than health workers can contain it.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will update its guidance as necessary in light of the evolving situation, but for now it insists that international air services remain safe.
On Tuesday, the UN agency called on governments and aviation stakeholders to adhere strictly to WHO recommendations to mitigate any Ebola-related risks.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused massive disruption to air travel, prompting ICAO to establish new protocols for rapid, standardised information sharing among States, airlines, airports, and health agencies.
Digital innovations such as electronic health declarations and contactless border processes have been integrated into ICAO’s recommendations to track and manage health risks more effectively, and the agency is coordinating with WHO and its Member States to provide measures to prevent the transmission of the disease through air travel.
These measures are also designed to protect the health of aviation personnel and passengers, reassure travellers, and keep flight cancellations to a minimum…. PACNEWS
FIJI – FUEL DUTY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 27 May 2026
Removal of fuel duty would result in $150m revenue loss: Fiji Finance Minister Immanuel
SUVA, 27 MAY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — A complete removal of fuel duty across the board would result in a revenue loss of more than $150million (US$75 million).
Providing an update on the global fuel crisis in Parliament Monday, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel said fuel-related taxes remained a significant source of government revenue.
“Government has already implemented targeted support measures for the bus industry and Energy Fiji Ltd to cushion the impact of rising global fuel prices and maintain essential services,” said Immanuel.
“At the same time, it is important to recognise that fuel-related taxes remain a significant source of government revenue that finances critical public services, including healthcare, education, social welfare assistance, infrastructure, and national security.
“A complete removal of fuel duty across the board would result in a revenue loss of more than $150m (US$75 million0 and would materially weaken Government’s capacity to continue delivering these essential services and supporting vulnerable communities.”
Immanuel explained Government had instead adopted a more balanced, targeted and fiscally responsible approach by directing assistance towards the sectors and groups most affected by rising fuel costs.
He said in addition, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission had applied the lowest cost operator principle in setting fuel prices on a monthly basis.
“Fuel and LPG prices are determined using a transparent pricing methodology that reflects changes in international refined fuel prices, exchange rates, shipping costs, taxes, and regulated wholesale and retail margins.
“This methodology is not arbitrary, it is an approved regulatory framework agreed upon by both the FCCC and suppliers, and it has been consistently applied over several years.
“Its continuity ensures predictability, accountability, and public confidence in how fuel prices are set,” he said…. PACNEWS
SOL – FINANCIAL INCLUSION: UNDP PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 27 May 2026
UNDP and CBSI partnership to advance financial inclusion in Solomon Islands
HONIARA, 27 MAY 2026 (UNDP) –– The UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Solomon Islands recently paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) to discuss a newly signed partnership under the project, “Supporting Informal Enterprises’ Transition Towards Sustainable Growth and Formalization” (IEP).
During the meeting, UNDP Governance Programme Team Leader Solomon Kalu briefed the Deputy Governor, Raynold Moveni on the initiative and its contribution to the Solomon Islands National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), which aims to expand access to affordable and quality financial services, particularly for underserved communities and those operating in the informal sector.
The initiative seeks to strengthen opportunities for informal businesses and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate more fully in the formal economy.
Through improved access to financial services and strengthened financial literacy, including support for enabling policies, business development services, and inclusive financing mechanisms, the initiative aims to promote more inclusive economic participation and sustainable livelihoods across the Solomon Islands.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Moveni welcomed the partnership between CBSI and UNDP, noting that the initiative aligns with the priorities of the NFIS and will contribute to strengthening MSMEs while supporting broader economic development in Solomon Islands.
” In line with the priorities of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), this partnership between the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and UNDP represents an important step towards empowering our micro, small and medium enterprises. By strengthening MSMEs, we are not only supporting entrepreneurship and livelihoods, but also contributing to broader economic growth, resilience and inclusive development across Solomon Islands,” said Moveni.
Kalu reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting inclusive and accessible financial systems in the country, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in advancing sustainable economic development.
“We are committed to working collaboratively with CBSI on this important initiative, which seeks to expand access to financial services for all Solomon Islanders. By building on the priorities of the NFIS, we aim to support more inclusive and sustainable economic participation and growth,” he said.
The Informal Economy project is supporting CBSI and jointly delivered by UNDP and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) under a broader programme of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), funded by the European Union (EU). It is currently being implemented in Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Solomon Islands….PACNEWS
NZ – RSE SCHEME: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 27 May 2026
ACT backtracks after Seymour floated nearly $1300 per year charge on RSE workers
WELLINGTON, 27 MAY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — The ACT Party says their $6 (US$3.50) per day tax on temporary visa holders would not apply to seasonal workers – after David Seymour floated the idea on Sunday.
ACT are campaigning on a daily “infrastructure surcharge” levied on anybody in New Zealand with a temporary work visa.
RNZ Pacific asked on 04 May whether this would include those on the RSE scheme, to which they said no.
“It’s designed for standard work visas, not seasonal programmes,” a spokesperson said.
But last Sunday, Seymour told TNVZ’s QnA programme that he “would have thought” seasonal visa holders would be included.
“It’s basically 75 cents (US$0.43) an hour,” Seymour said.
“If you’re making $28 (US$16.33) an hour … and we made that $27.25 (US$15.90), that’s still a pretty good deal if you’re coming from Samoa say for seven months.””
RNZ Pacific understands that Seymour misspoke.
For a typical seven-month RSE visa, a daily $6 (US$3.50 charge would amount to around $1278(US$745). The minimum pay for an RSE worker on their third season is $26.35(US$15.37).
Citizens of Kiribati and Tuvalu are permitted to stay for up to 9 months – and so would pay around $1644(US$959).
The base application fee for the visa starts from $325(US$189), and critics of the scheme have pointed to travel and external support as added cost pressures for workers.
An ACT spokesperson reiterated that the tax will not be levied on RSE workers.
“ACT will be releasing detail on how our immigration policy will impact agriculture/horticulture in two weeks at Fieldays,” he said…. PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Fiji launches Initiative to strengthen Early Warning Systems for all
SUVA, 27 MAY 2026 (UNDP) — Fiji has joined a landmark multi-country initiative to strengthen early warning systems for climate-related hazards, with a focus on reaching the country’s most vulnerable communities.
The Multi-country Project Advancing Early Warnings for All (EW4All), officially launched in Suva on 26 May, is supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and is part of the global Early Warnings for All initiative, launched by the United Nations Secretary-General with the goal of ensuring every person on Earth is protected by an early warning system.
Fiji’s exposure to climate hazards continues to intensify with large impact. Annual asset losses from tropical cyclones and floods exceed FJD$500 million (US$250 million), or more than five percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Climate change is intensifying these risks.
Daily maximum temperatures have increased by approximately 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade, and projections show increasing intensity of extreme rainfall, driving greater flood, landslide, storm surge, and coastal erosion risks across Fiji’s islands.
But the risk is not evenly shared. Many Fijians who live along coastlines, and in remote maritime and rural communities face a compounding challenge: greater exposure to hazards and less access to timely, actionable warning information. In a country of more than 300 islands, the last nautical mile is not a metaphor. It is the difference between a warning that saves lives and one that never arrives.
An early warning system only saves lives if the warning reaches the people who need it, and if it is understood, trusted, and actionable. The EW4All project explicitly addresses the barriers that prevent this from happening for women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other marginalised groups. These barriers include unequal access to information channels, mobility constraints, language and accessibility issues, and geographic isolation in areas with limited connectivity.
The project will work to ensure that warning systems are designed with Fijian communities, not just for them, embedding inclusion at every stage of the early warning chain, from hazard monitoring through to community-level response.
The EW4All initiative in Fiji represents a total investment of US$15.4 million, comprising US$12.9 million in GCF grant financing and US$2.5 million in co-financing. In Fiji, the project will reach approximately 416,000 direct beneficiaries. It directly contributes to SDG 13 on Climate Action and advances the ambitions of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, grounded in regional solidarity and collective action.
“Early warnings save lives, but only if they reach every Fijian, no matter where they live. This project recognises that the communities most exposed to climate hazards are often the hardest to reach. We are committed to ensuring that no community, whether on a remote island or a highland village, is left without the warning and the time they need to stay safe,” said Mitieli Cama, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, and Disaster Management.
“The project is an injection of valuable investment of US$15.4 million to ensure that every Fijian, and every community, has access to modern and reliable early warning systems. It is about protecting every life during natural disasters and empowering our communities to be equipped with appropriate technologies, knowledge and skills to shield our most vulnerable citizens,” said Munkhtuya Altangerel, Resident Representative, UN Development Programme Pacific Office in Fiji.
“Cyclones, flooding, and rising sea levels are placing increasing pressure on communities and critical infrastructure in Fiji. Reliable early warning systems are therefore essential to protect lives, livelihoods, and development gains. Through the Early Warnings for All project, the Green Climate Fund will help strengthen institutions and information systems so that people can anticipate climate risks and respond before disasters hit. This is the kind of country-led, practical resilience-building that Pacific island nations need as climate impacts accelerate,” said Hemant Mandal, the Green Climate Fund’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific.
The EW4All project will be co-implemented by the UN Development Programme Pacific Office in Fiji together with key partners, including the National Disaster Risk Management Office under the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the International Telecommunication Union, World Meteorological Organisation, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Ministry of Communications….PACNEWS
For more information contact: Nick Turner | Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | nicholas.turner@undp.org
Kate Jean Smith | Communications Specialist for Climate Change Adaptation | kate.smith@undp.org
Nawaraj Chhetri | Team Leader, Resilience and Climate Change | UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | nawaraj.chhetri@undp.org
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Strait of Hormuz: Time running out to avert global food security crisis, FAO warns
ROME, 27 MAY 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — The actions taken now will be critical in determining whether the world can manage the shock caused by the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz or face a far more serious food security crisis in the years to come, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), QU Dongyu, warned on Tuesday.
Qu was addressing a Special Event on the crisis in the Middle East during Rome Nutrition Week. The meeting, organised by the Government of Spain, was also attended by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, as well as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, and the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Alvaro Lario.
In his remarks, the FAO Director-General said the meeting in Rome was taking place at a moment of “profound geopolitical and economic fragility.”
“What we are witnessing today is not only a geopolitical crisis, but also a systemic shock to the global agrifood system,” Qu said.
The largest impacts of this crisis may not be immediate, however. They may emerge months from now, when farmers begin harvesting less because they planted less, fertilized less, or could no longer afford production.
“The decisions we make now will determine whether this remains a manageable shock or evolves into a deeper global food security crisis in 2026 and 2027, and beyond,’ Qu told the meeting.
FAO notes that severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have already affected the movement of oil, liquefied natural gas, sulfur, and fertilizers – driving up agricultural input costs and placing upward pressure on seed prices due to their dependence on fertilizers. As energy prices rise, agrifood systems become more expensive across all regions.
Input import-dependent countries, in particular, are facing rising bills, while vulnerable households are losing purchasing power as inflation erodes incomes.
For many countries, especially in Africa and parts of Asia, these impacts are not occurring in isolation; they are compounding existing pressures from debt distress, climate shocks, conflict, and constrained public finances.
“We must act early before humanitarian and economic costs rise,” the Director-General said.
FAO has already responded by mobilizing technical support, strengthening monitoring systems, and expanding coordination through mechanisms such as the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS).
Policy recommendations
FAO has already issued a series of evidence-based policy recommendations for governments and partners. These include:
*Keep trade flowing: Export restrictions, particularly on fertilizers and agricultural inputs, must be avoided. These measures intensify shortages, increase instability, and hurt poorer import-dependent countries most.
*Smarter agricultural responses: Traditional emergency packages centred exclusively on fertilizer-intensive systems may no longer be viable under current conditions. Countries should support adaptive strategies such as inter-cropping, improving nitrogen efficiency, and promoting crops less dependent on synthetic fertilisers.
*Targeted support: Resources should focus on the most vulnerable populations through targeted social protection systems and rural support mechanisms.
*Support from international financial institutions: Farmers and other stakeholders across agrifood systems, as well as import-dependent countries, need liquidity support now – before the next agricultural cycle. A delay in financing will result in lost production.
The crisis has highlighted the dependency of agrifood systems on a limited number of trade bottlenecks and fertilizer suppliers. Addressing this requires more diversified logistics corridors, stronger regional trade integration, strategic reserves, resilient rural infrastructure, and greater energy diversification across agrifood systems.
This is particularly crucial at a time of elevated climate risk from a potentially strong El Niño, which could further amplify existing pressures and disruptions to supply chains.
“We have a window to act, but that window is narrowing,” Qu noted.
Tuesday’s event took place during Rome Nutrition Week 2026, a global convening space at FAO headquarters in the Italian capital dedicated to advancing coherent nutrition action across the UN system and beyond.
This year’s edition was taking place under the overarching theme Shaping the Future of Joint Nutrition Action in a Changing World.
“This week, as we mark Rome Nutrition Week 2026, we must remember that food security will be guaranteed only when nutritious food is available, accessible, and affordable,” Qu said, noting that the shock to fertilizer availability will reduce the protein content and micronutrient density of staple foods. When soils are degraded due to lack of inputs, the fruits and vegetables that form the foundation of healthy diets become scarcer and more expensive.
“It is critical that even amidst supply shocks, we must protect the nutritional integrity of our agrifood systems,” Qu said.
The Director-General thanked Spain for being a strategic ally and a steadfast pillar for FAO in the fight against hunger and malnutrition and thanked Prime Minister Sánchez for his “ongoing commitment to multilateralism, agrifood systems transformation and rural development” …PACNEWS
Contact: Nicholas Rigillo
FAO News and Media (Rome)
