In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific leaders push climate justice and sea-level rise action
2. PACIFIC — NZ defence spend meets Pacific reality of rising drug threat
3. PACIFIC — Pacific digital growth fuels cybercrime risk, warns expert
4. PACIFIC — ‘Pacific is watching’: The Solomon Islands leadership change draws regional focus
5. PACIFIC — Bill introduced to establish Pasifika Communities University
6. PNG — Ocean floor seen as a challenge for mapping
7. UN— Ebola epidemic spreading rapidly and outpacing containment efforts
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Tonga strengthens community-led housing resilience approach
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Cook Islands’ new minimum wage offers mild relief but sparks economic anxiety
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji leads housing resilience shift
11. PACNEWS BIZ — New toolkit aims to strengthen Fiji business resilience
12. PACNEWS BIZ — FCCC moves to reshape Fiji’s broadcasting industry
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Solomon Islands’ Starlink workaround has connectivity lessons for the Pacific
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — SPREP Message for World Biodiversity Day
PAC – SEALEVEL RISE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Tue 26 May 2026
Pacific leaders push Climate justice and sea-level rise action
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa has called for stronger regional and global action on climate justice and sea-level rise, warning that climate change remains “the single greatest threat” to the Pacific region.
Opening the Pacific Climate Justice and Sea-Level Rise Week at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on Monday, Waqa said the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) vote responding to the International Court of Justice’s Advisory (ICJ) Opinion on climate change was a major step forward for the region.
“It is timely that just last week, by an overwhelming majority, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution responding to the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change,” Waqa said.
He praised Vanuatu for leading the international push on climate accountability.
“I extend the Forum’s sincere appreciation to the Government of Vanuatu for its leadership in convening this important week and in advancing this issue internationally, and to Minister Ralph Regevanu for his leadership in helping to secure this outcome,” he said.
Waqa also acknowledged Pacific solidarity at the United Nations and thanked regional partners, including Fiji Government, SPC, SPREP and UN agencies, for supporting the week-long discussions.
The Forum SG said climate change and the current fossil fuel-driven energy crisis were placing growing pressure on Pacific economies and energy security.
“Climate Change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of peoples of the Blue Pacific.
“At the same time, the current fossil fuel-driven energy crisis presents significant challenges for our region, including rising costs of living and increasing pressure on energy security,” he said.
He said the crisis also reinforced the need for the Pacific to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and accelerate renewable energy development.
Waqa said Pacific priorities ahead of Pre-COP and COP31 would focus on climate finance, adaptation and resilience support for smaller island states.
“Pre-COP and COP31 provide a critical and unprecedented opportunity for the Pacific to strategically advance this agenda.
“Through the Pacific’s role in hosting Pre-COP and helping shape the COP31 process, we have a unique platform to ensure that our priorities are not only present but clearly heard and reflected in global outcomes,” he said.
Waqa also highlighted the recent entry into force of the Pacific Resilience Facility Agreement (PRF) on 06 May, describing it as a key regional response to gaps in global climate finance.
“The PRF represents the Blue Pacific region’s response to a global climate finance system that too often fails to reach those most in need.
“It is designed to complement and scale existing sources of climate finance, ensuring that support reaches the last mile: our communities, villages, islands, and households, where it can make the greatest impact,” he said.
On sea-level rise, Waqa reaffirmed Pacific Leaders’ position that maritime zones, sovereignty and statehood must continue despite climate impacts.
“Through the 2021 Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-Related Sea-Level Rise, Leaders affirmed that maritime zones, once established, will be maintained without reduction, notwithstanding any physical changes connected to climate change-related sea-level rise,” he said.
He added that the 2023 Declaration on the Continuity of Statehood and the Protection of Persons confirmed that “statehood and sovereignty will continue, and that rights and entitlements that flow from them will be maintained.”
Waqa said the meeting would help strengthen regional understanding of climate justice, environmental rights and sea-level rise responses.
“This week provides an important opportunity to advance coordinated and coherent regional action,” he said.
“It will support our shared efforts to strengthen approaches to, and unpack concepts like climate justice, environmental rights, and responses to sea-level rise, in a manner that is practical and firmly grounded in the needs of our people.”
He also recognised the role of Pacific youth in pushing for climate justice internationally.
“I also wish to recognise and highlight the leadership of Pacific young people, including students, whose voices continue to strengthen the call for climate justice for present and future generations,” said SG Waqa.
Meanwhile, families losing ancestral land, farmers struggling with changing weather patterns and fishers returning home with empty nets are among the growing human costs of climate change across the Pacific, says Fiji Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya.
Opening the Pacific Climate Justice and Sea Level Rise Week at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Tabuya stressed that while the region is on the frontlines of climate impacts, Pacific nations are “not only victims,” but are leaders in global efforts to confront the crisis.
“Fiji is not standing still. We have made national, regional and international commitments and are working to implement these for the benefit of vulnerable communities and future generations,” she said.
Drawing from her recent visits to the relocation sites of Nabavatu and Cogea in Vanualevu, the Minister said the experiences of these communities reflect the scale of disruption Pacific people face from a crisis they did not create.
She warned that resilience alone will not be enough as climate impacts intensify, noting that Fiji could face annual economic losses of up to 2.6 per cent of GDP from sea level rise if major interventions are not made.
“We know we cannot do this alone. Partnerships remain critical to the mobilisation of resources and delivery of our climate objectives.”
Tabuya said Fiji is developing an NDC Costed Implementation Plan and Investment Plan to translate the high-level commitments it has set out into actionable, costed and investment-ready projects.
She reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to ocean protection, including the target of sustainably managing all ocean spaces and designating 30 per cent as Marine Protected Areas by 2030.
The Minister also welcomed the recent adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/80/L.65, describing it as a landmark victory for the Pacific.
Close to 90 representatives from Pacific Island countries, regional organisations, civil society, academia and development partners are attending the four-day meeting to discuss climate justice, sea level rise and regional climate solutions…. PACNEWS
PAC – DRUGS FIGHT: PMN PACNEWS 1: Tue 26 May 2026
NZ defence spend meets Pacific reality of rising drug threat
WELLINGTON, 26 MAY 2026 (PMN) — New Zealand is boosting its maritime defence capabilities as Pacific leaders warn the region is facing a growing drug trafficking crisis that no single country can tackle on its own.
Defence and Veterans Minister Chris Penk announced the $1.58 billion (US$1.13 billion) budget 2026 package last week, which focuses heavily on maritime security.
It includes funding for two new drone systems, major maintenance on the Anzac-class frigates and HMNZS Canterbury, and ongoing work on the Maritime Fleet Renewal programme.
“New Zealand’s prosperity and security depend on the sea,” Penk said in a statement. ‘The oceans are not a barrier to danger but a vital national interest that must be actively secured.”
The announcement came just days after Pacific police chiefs and ministers met in Fiji for the inaugural Pacific Transnational Crime Summit, where rising organised crime and drug trafficking were front and centre.
Dr John Battersby, Massey University security analyst, welcomes the investment but warns the biggest threat facing the region is not traditional conflict but transnational crime.
‘It’s a step in the right direction,” he told Pacific Mornings. “I like the fact that we’re picking up on the developments in technology that the Ukrainian conflict has clearly produced.”
But Battersby says the impact of drugs on Pacific communities is devastating.
“For me, in looking at the impact and risk and implications for Pacific communities in the islands and also for us here, it’s transnational organised crime,” he said.
“The impact that drugs have – it’s just misery. It can have a completely destructive effect on societies, especially small remote island ones where they don’t have a great deal of state resources to deal with it.”
He says trafficking routes are now stretching deep into the region.
“We now have narco-submarines coming right across the Pacific into Pacific islands, and then from there, drugs are transferred into Australia, New Zealand, and into East Asia.”
That warning was echoed at the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit held in Momi Bay, Fiji, from 18 to 22 May.
The meeting, co-convened by the Fiji Police Force (FPF) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), brought together 20 police chiefs, ministers, and international partners from across the Pacific under the theme: Connected by Ocean, United in the Fight.
Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu says stronger cooperation is urgently needed. “We cannot afford to allow the summit to be just another meeting,” Tudravu said in a statement.
“Our people demand action, and we vow to reflect this through enhanced collaboration, sending a strong collective warning that the Pacific is fighting back.”
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett says the region is facing a growing flow of illicit drugs, largely driven by demand in Australia.
“Together, as heads of Pacific Police, we need to target the cartels and organised criminals who are trafficking the poison affecting our communities and our kids,” she said in a statement.
Summit outcomes included the launch of Pacific Watch, a public crime-reporting tool, a new joint investigations team involving Australian, New Zealand, and Colombian police, and closer coordination on maritime drug interdictions.
More than 17 tonnes of illicit drugs have been seized across the Pacific since January, according to the AFP.
Lanieta Navitilevu of the Fiji Police Force says criminal groups are becoming harder to track. “Criminal syndicates nowadays, they have become quite sophisticated. It’s on us as law enforcement to be a step above that,” she said in an AFP social media video.
The security challenge comes alongside growing geopolitical competition in the Pacific with China and the United States expanding maritime engagement with island nations.
Battersby says the shifting global dynamics make regional cooperation even more important.
“We need to rebuild relationships between these countries. We’ve got to work a lot more closely together.”
New Zealand’s new maritime investment signals a stronger focus on the Pacific. But as leaders made clear in Fiji, the scale and speed of the drug trade means no one country or tool will be enough on its own…. PACNEWS
PAC – ORGANISED CRIME: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Tue 26 May 2026
Pacific digital growth fuels cybercrime risk, warns expert
NADI, 26 MAY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji and the Pacific’s expanding digital infrastructure creates both enormous and significant vulnerabilities that could be exploited by transnational organised crime groups.
Pacific Programme at Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime head Virginia Comolli highlighted this during the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit at the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay last week.
“Cyber-enabled and cyber dependent crimes are another area of rapidly growing concern across the Pacific,” Comolli said.
“This includes, for instance, online fraud, phishing, ransomware, crypto scams, identity theft, and cyber-enabled financial crime. Unlike traditional trafficking routes, cybercrime does not require physical proximity, it only requires connectivity and that is why the Pacific’s expanded digital infrastructure creates both enormous opportunities and significant vulnerabilities.”
She said criminal actors were adapting to these new digital environments.
“The expansion of undersea cable, mobile connectivity, digital payment systems, and satellite internet services bring major economic and social benefits, but criminal actors adapt rapidly to these environments.”
She said State-led activities and organisations were not spared from cyber crimes.
“There is also another dimension that we should not overlook which is State-sponsored or State adjacent cyber activity.
“Recent incidents affecting regional institutions and Pacific governments, including the reported breach of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat here in Fiji and the large-scale cyber-attacks against Palau’s government systems illustrate that cyber threats in the Pacific are not limited to financially motivated criminals.
“They can also involve cyber espionage, strategic instructors, and attempts to access sensitive government and regional information,” she said.
She said these incidences demonstrated that cyber security was not only a technical issue but also increasingly intertwined with national security, regional stability, diplomacy and strategic competition.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s recent cases of child sexual exploitation raise serious concerns about the Pacific region’s vulnerability to organised criminal groups involved in online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Comolli said while the region did not have enough data on these crimes it did not mean that it was not happening within each member country.
“This is an area we are particularly and specifically very passionate about and really wish to support any effort to combat this terrible, terrible crime,” she said.
“Historically, the Pacific is often being underrepresented in global data sets and online exploitation, but under reporting does not mean absence.
“Children are increasingly vulnerable to grooming, sex torture, coercion, financially motivated online exploitation and the production of child sexual abuse material.
“In Fiji, for instance, referral figures linked to child sexual exploitation material have raised some serious concerns about the region’s vulnerability.”
She said several increasing trends such as greater internet penetration, smartphone access, digital payment systems and the spread of artificial intelligence tools were used in the production of AI-generated exploitation material.
“Importantly, the distinction between online and in-person exploitation often becomes blurred, and an offense that starts online might lead to inperson abuse.
“And I will strongly argue that this issue should not be viewed solely as a child protection issue.
“If we look at the experience once again of neighbouring regions, online child sexual exploitation can also become a transnational organised crime issue involving transnational networks of criminals involving generating and selling child abuse material around the world, relying on digital payment systems and
encrypted communications, channelling funds to the financial system, and literally treating this heinous crime as any other revenue-generating illicit activity.”
In another development, the seizure of more than 57,000 illicit cigarette sticks by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) last year has highlighted growing concerns that organised criminal groups are expanding their activities across the Pacific.
Comolli said the smuggling of counterfeit goods and highly taxed products such as tobacco and alcohol was increasingly linked to wider transnational criminal networks.
“Counterfeit goods and illicit excisable products, particularly tobacco and alcohol, are often overlooked in discussions on transnational organised crime in the Pacific,” Comolli said.
“The same networks involved in trafficking illicit drugs are also being used to move illicit tobacco, counterfeit goods and other excisable products whenever profits are high and oversight is weak.”
Comolli said the 2025 Global Organised Crime Index identified counterfeit trade and illicit excisable goods markets as established criminal activities in several Pacific Island countries.
She warned that counterfeit pharmaceuticals posed serious public health risks, while illicit tobacco and alcohol markets undermined government revenue and increased corruption risks at ports and borders.
Comolli said financial crime is one of the most underestimated organised crime threats in the Pacific region.
She said this included misappropriation of funds and trade-based money laundering.
“These activities are not victimless; they directly undermine governance, public trust, economic resilience, and development outcomes,” said Comolli.
“Importantly, financial crime enables almost every other criminal market. “Drug trafficking is profit driven, and organised crime groups increasingly rely on legitimate business environments to conceal and move
illicit funds.
“These include shell companies, hospitality businesses, casinos, logistics firms, import export companies and online platforms.”
Linking global trends to organised criminal groups taking advantage of weak regulatory financial systems, Comolli said effective disruption strategies often began with preventing the movement of money.
“If we think about it, if criminal proceeds cannot be laundered, invested or enjoyed, then the incentives for criminals all decided are significantly produced.”
She added financial crimes today were mainly enabled by digital environments.
“I would argue that technology is transforming organised crime globally.
“Criminal actors are increasingly using encrypted communication, cryptocurrencies, AI tools, digital coordination platforms, and online financial systems.
“Meanwhile, many institutions globally, not only in the Pacific, but everywhere, continue to struggle to adapt and this creates a symmetry with criminal innovation moving faster than institutional adaptation.”
The summit, hosted by the Fiji Police Force and Australian Federal Police, brought together 18 regional police commissioners to strengthen cooperation against transnational organised crime…. PACNEWS
PAC – POLITICS: PMN PACNEWS 1: Tue 26 May 2026
‘Pacific is watching’: The Solomon Islands leadership change draws regional focus
HONIARA 26 MAY 2026 (PMN) — The election of Matthew Wale as Solomon Islands Prime Minister is being closely watched across the Pacific with regional experts saying the change could shape more than just politics in Honiara.
Wale was elected on 15 May after former Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele lost a no-confidence vote in parliament.
The long-time opposition leader defeated former foreign minister Peter Shanel Agovaka in a close 26-22 vote.
In his first address after the vote, Wale pointed to the wider pressures facing the region.
“We are not immune from the impacts of these geopolitical events,” he said. “Fellow Solomon Islanders, change is coming.”
Wale has previously questioned the Solomon Islands-China security pact signed in 2022 and called for more transparency including releasing the full text of the agreement.
But Pacific analysts say any shift in foreign policy is likely to be careful rather than sudden.
Tess Newton Cain told ABC News that Wale had become “more measured in recent years” and that more political figures now appeared willing to work with him.
Connor Graham, a research fellow with the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Programme, said he expected a “modest recalibration rather than a wholesale change” in Solomon Islands’ relationship with China.
In Honiara and across Solomon Islands, attention is turning to what the new leadership will mean for daily life, services and economic pressure.
He said China remained a major economic partner through trade, infrastructure investment and security ties, making any sharp shift unlikely.
Solomon Islands academic Tarcisius Kabutaulaka in an analysis wrote that Wale “could make for a good prime minister” but warned he would face major political and economic pressures in office.
Regional observers say Pacific countries are increasingly trying to balance ties with major powers while holding onto their own priorities.
In Honiara, Wale has already begun regional duties in his new role. In a separate meeting in the capital, Wale held talks with Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa with discussions focused on fuel security and wider regional pressures linked to the Middle East crisis.
Waqa congratulated Wale on his election and praised Solomon Islands’ peaceful political transition.
He also acknowledged Wale’s role as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, saying the region needed “bold and steady leadership” as Pacific countries face growing global challenges.
Pacific leaders say they are watching closely as political change in Solomon Islands raises wider questions about the region’s future direction.
The talks also focused on how the Middle East crisis is affecting Pacific economies, particularly fuel and energy costs, and the need for a coordinated regional response.
The Forum Secretariat reaffirmed its support for Wale in both his national role and as Forum Chair as leaders continue discussions on shared regional priorities.
Wale has also focused heavily on domestic issues during his campaign, including health, education and government accountability, and has flagged free education as a key priority.
So far, Australia is among the only regional partners to publicly comment on the leadership change.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Wale and said he looked forward to “strengthening our economic, development and security partnership”.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has repeatedly called for the Pacific to remain an “Ocean of Peace” as leaders in the region navigate growing global competition.
For many across the Pacific, the leadership change in Solomon Islands is being seen as another test of how small island nations manage outside pressure while trying to protect their own interests at home.
It is also a reminder that political shifts in Honiara are rarely just local. They often ripple across the wider Pacific region where leaders are now watching closely how Wale sets his direction…. PACNEWS
PAC – UNIVERSITY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Tue 26 May 2026
Bill introduced to establish Pasifika Communities University
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro has introduced a Bill in Parliament to establish the Pasifika Communities University as a new university under an Act of Parliament.
Speaking in Parliament Monday, Radrodro said the proposed legislation seeks to formally establish the Pasifika Communities University (PCU), which will replace the existing Pacific Theological College that has operated for 65 years under a charitable trust structure.
“This Bill is important for two main reasons,” Radrodro told Parliament.
“Firstly, it establishes the Pacific Communities University to respond to the moral fragmentation of Fiji society and the region through its innovative programmes based on indigenous knowledge and learning, and its faith and values-based education.”
He said the university would focus on strengthening ethical and moral values among young people and communities across the Pacific.
“Secondly, through this form of education, it helps our people, especially the younger generation, to build and strengthen the moral fabric and ethical values of our diverse communities,” he said.
Radrodro said the legislation would provide the university with formal legal status under Fiji’s higher education framework.
“This Bill will provide a robust, transparent and affordable statutory framework for the Pasifika Communities University,” he said.
The education minister said the institution would continue its long-standing role in promoting faith, spirituality and indigenous knowledge traditions throughout the Pacific region.
“Since 1961, the university retains its sphere of influence with regards to its faith and spiritual traditions,” he said.
He added that the institution’s mission was to equip future leaders with holistic education, ethical values and soft skills needed to contribute meaningfully to society and address modern challenges facing Pacific communities.
“Leaders with whole-of-life mission equipped with ethical and moral value education will support Pacific societies’ sustainable development plans,” Radrodro said.
The Minister said the Bill is consistent with Section 21 of the Higher Education Act 2008, which allows the Higher Education Commission to recommend the establishment of a university to the Minister for Education.
He said once the Bill is enacted, the university would become subject to the Higher Education Act 2008 and would need to formally apply for registration and financial grants through the Higher Education Commission…. PACNEWS
PNG – OCEAN FLOOR MAPPING: NASA/THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Tue 26 May 2026
Ocean floor seen as a challenge for mapping
PORT MORESBY, 26 MAY 2026 (NASA/THE NATIONAL) — It is a truism among oceanographers that there is more accurate mapping of the surface of the moon and Mars than of the deep-ocean floor.
That’s especially true for the Bismarck Sea, a relatively deep body of water north of Papua New Guinea.
It’s an ocean basin with a geologically complex seafloor rife with faults, volcanic features, rifts, scarps, and active subduction and spreading zones at depths that make high-resolution sonar mapping challenging.
When satellites detected signs of an unexpected submarine volcanic eruption in the Central Bismarck Sea on 08 May 2026, volcanologists were confronted with the reality that no high-resolution maps of the area were available, and relatively little is known about the deep-water eruption setting.
The new eruption is thought to be occurring along the Titan Ridge, about 16km southeast of the location of a submarine eruption in 1972.
However, there is little clarity or consensus among scientists about precisely which volcanic feature may be erupting, the original depth of the currently active vent, or when it last erupted.
Jim Garvin, the chief scientist at National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (Nasa) Goddard Space Flight Centre, said: “The good news is that there are huge opportunities to explore and learn using both government and commercial satellite platforms already in orbit.”
What is known is that seismometres detected a small swarm of earthquakes on 08 May, followed soon after by clear signs of a submarine eruption in satellite observations.
Beginning on 09 May, Nasa’s Aqua and Terra satellites captured optical imagery of white, steam-rich volcanic plumes rising into the atmosphere, while the ocean colour sensor on Nasa’s Pace (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem) satellite revealed discoloured and disturbed water surrounding the eruption site.
On 12 May, the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on Suomi NPP detected thermal anomalies spanning roughly seven square kilometres.
Simon Carn, a volcanologist at Michigan Tech, said: “There must be a lot of hot material near the surface to generate so many thermal anomalies. This suggests a fairly shallow eruption vent – much shallower than what’s implied by the existing bathymetry, which shows water depths of several hundred metres or more.”
Optical satellite imagery shows intense activity in near-surface water, including large plumes of discoloured water and widely distributed steam and ash vents.
“We’re now eagerly waiting to see if a new island is about to be born – something that we’ve only rarely been able to observe with satellites as it happens,” Garvin said.
If a new island does emerge, volcanologists will be watching it closely to see how it evolves…. PACNEWS
UN – HEALTH: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 1: Tue 26 May 2026
Ebola epidemic spreading rapidly and outpacing containment efforts
GENEVA, 26 MAY 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — There are more than 900 suspected cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 220 suspected deaths, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, said on Monday.
The latest outbreak of the deadly disease, which WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern, is spreading faster than health workers can contain it.
In the DRC, the epicentre of the outbreak, WHO has upgraded its national risk assessment from high to very high, and neighbouring countries – including Uganda, where five cases and one death have been confirmed – are at especially high risk.
However, efforts are being hampered, especially in the troubled east of the DRC, by the local community’s distrust of outside authorities, which is significantly increasing the risk of disease transmission.
In recent days, two treatment centres were set on fire in the region, which has been beset by intense fighting, causing the displacement of more than 100,000 people.
Marie Roseline Belizaire, Director of Emergency Response for WHO Africa, told UN News that the attacks are linked to misinformation campaigns circulating on social media, which are significantly slowing case investigations and limiting the ability of healthcare teams to reach affected communities.
Anger at Ebola burial rules
The strict protocols surrounding the burial of suspected Ebola victims have been a cause of anger among the population. Funeral wakes involving more than 50 people have been banned by the authorities in north-east DRC, and armed soldiers and police have been guarding burials carried out by health workers.
According to Dr Belizaire, WHO is working with traditional local leaders and healers to intensify community engagement and improve the safety of outside health workers.
The families of the victims are given access to mourn their loved ones but, in order to protect them from the virus, they are not permitted to touch the body. “We offer the family protective equipment,” explains Dr Belizaire, “so that they can assist in placing their loved one in a body bag and pray over them.”
No vaccines
Even though outbreaks stretch back almost 20 years, there are still no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the Bundibugyo virus.
WHO has recommended prioritising two antibodies in clinical trials, and the evaluation of the antiviral obeldesivir in a clinical trial as a treatment for people who are high-risk contacts.
The UN health agency is urgently scaling up operations on the ground, including contact tracing, establishing treatment centres, strengthening laboratory capacity, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement.
Some US$3.9 million has been released from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help fund these measures…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
TONGA – HOUSING: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
Tonga strengthens community-led housing resilience approach
NUKU’ALOFA, 26 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Tonga is strengthening its community-led housing and resilience approach, with Habitat for Humanity and its partners highlighting growing efforts to place communities at the centre of disaster recovery, housing design and long-term planning.
The programme, implemented by Habitat for Humanity New Zealand in partnership with local organisations and government stakeholders, focuses on participatory planning, skills training and inclusive housing solutions across disaster-affected and vulnerable communities.
Habitat for Humanity New Zealand focal officer Katrina Maofatiaki said the approach reflected lessons from years of rebuilding work in Tonga, particularly following the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami.
She said communities such as Nomuka Island in Ha’apai, which was heavily impacted by the disaster, continued to demonstrate both the scale of recovery needs and the importance of long-term support.
“Rebuilding is not just about houses, it is about lives, safety and restoring dignity for families,” she said.
Maofatiaki said recovery efforts have included collaboration with the Tonga Institute of Science and Technology, where carpentry students and tutors supported the construction of new homes for affected families, alongside community participation in rebuilding work.
She said logistical challenges, including transport constraints and access to materials in outer islands, continue to affect recovery timelines, but partnerships have been critical in reaching remote communities.
A key focus of the programme is community participation, where residents identify their own priorities through structured consultations and planning sessions.
Habitat for Humanity New Zealand said these community workshops help identify risks, including climate impacts, housing vulnerabilities, and infrastructure gaps, before communities themselves develop action plans.
The programme also integrates technical skills training, including carpentry, plumbing and vocational pathways, aimed at strengthening both housing outcomes and local employment opportunities.
Maofatiaki said inclusion is a central part of the model, ensuring women, youth and persons with disabilities are actively involved in decision-making processes.
She said this includes strengthening accessibility considerations in housing design and ensuring marginalised voices are reflected in community action plans.
“Our goal is to ensure communities are not just recipients of aid, but leaders of their own development,” she said.
Local partners, including Live & Learn Tonga and Zalita Project, have also been working with communities on resilience building, gender inclusion and youth engagement, as well as supporting minor housing improvements in vulnerable households.
The programme has also facilitated housing forums in Tonga over recent years, bringing together government agencies, civil society, the private sector and community representatives to improve coordination in the housing and shelter space.
Habitat for Humanity said the next phase of the programme will expand efforts to strengthen disability inclusion, women’s leadership and youth participation, while linking community-level planning more closely with government systems and national housing policy.
It said the aim is to build more resilient, inclusive and affordable housing solutions that reflect the realities of Tonga’s disaster risk environment and the needs of its communities…. PACNEWS
COOKS – MINIMUM WAGE: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
Cook Islands’ new minimum wage offers mild relief but sparks economic anxiety
RAROTONGA, 26 MAY 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) — Cook Islands’ minimum wage increases to $10.50 (US$7.53) hourly, effective 01 July 2026, has sparked intense debate, with workers calling the 50-cent raise insufficient against inflation and businesses warning of price hikes and layoffs.
Prime Minister Mark Brown announced a minimum wage increase from $10 (US$7.17) to $10.50 (US$7.53) per hour while tabling the 2026/27 National Budget in Parliament last Thursday.
From company directors to frontline construction workers, the consensus is clear – a higher wage is desperately needed for survival, yet many fear it will trigger a ripple effect of higher costs, heavier workloads and a greater strain on operational capacity.
For local businesses, the upcoming 01 July implementation brings immediate financial anxiety.
The Chamber of Commerce warned that while the $10.50 (US$7.53) rate was anticipated, its impact on small businesses – many of which are already struggling under immense cost pressures – will require careful monitoring.
Business owners point out that a wage increase affects every facet of their operations.
One local businesswoman, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that a wage hike behaves like a wave, creating an inevitable ripple effect.
To cover the new wage bill, she warns, businesses already struggling with recent fuel and freight hikes will have to find ways to offset expenses, meaning the cost will simply be passed on to consumers.
This sentiment is shared by Raromart general manager Gus Meyer, who accepts the minimum wage adjustment as a necessary baseline against inflation, but insists the government must step in to provide relief for businesses.
Meyer stated that private enterprise cannot continue to do all the heavy lifting alone. He is calling on the government to offset the cashflow shock with tax incentives, such as a 5 percent reduction in company tax or VAT.
He also suggested that the government could increase take-home pay immediately by reducing PAYE (income) tax, specifically targeting secondary employment where workers are currently penalised with higher tax rates for holding two jobs.
“In my experience higher pay doesn’t equal higher productivity, so businesses are paying more for the same or sometimes less, this is when the workers not worth the minimum will be let go and you pay more for the quality,” Meyer told Cook Islands News.
He explained this creates a scenario where businesses pay more for the same or sometimes less output.
However, Meyer acknowledged the human side of the issue, noting that most local businesses already pay above the minimum wage because basic survival requires more as food and fuel prices soar.
For workers on the ground, the extra 50 cents stir mixed emotions, ranging from mild relief to outright frustration.
Annie, a private-sector employee at Raromart, supports the gradual rise but remains realistic, stating bluntly that $10.50 (US$7.53) is “not really an increase”.
For her, the extra money disappears before it even hits her hand.
She noted that the raise does little to alleviate the current cost of living due to various deductions. After paying taxes, contributing to the national superannuation fund and servicing her loan, she has barely anything left, making balancing needs and wants an absolute priority.
Despite this, Annie sees value in the long-term strategy of incremental adjustments, noting that private-sector workers have come to anticipate a 50-cent increase every year.
Raromart staff member Mama Rangi acknowledges and supports the increase but views it as a “repetitive cycle rather than a victory”.
She noted that the minimum wage only rose because petrol and everyday goods became more expensive.
From her perspective, it is “not a win-win situation” – rather, as the minimum wage increases, the cost of living climbs right along with it.
For others, the minimum wage increase exposes deep-rooted pain, particularly in heavy labour sectors like construction.
One local construction worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said the minimum wage is still not enough for families struggling with the ongoing high cost of living.
He believes relief should come from tax cuts rather than just wage hikes, stating that decreasing taxes even slightly could improve families’ quality of life step by step.
Another local worker described an exhausting workplace reality where employers demand extreme physical output without fair compensation.
He explained that whether a job is worth the effort depends entirely on the pay. Given the immense pressure put upon staff, he argued that hard work deserves a fair raise, rather than employers just relying on raw manpower.
The worker issued a poignant reminder to local employers that “staff are reaching their limits” and want businesses to understand they are human beings, not just tools to be used without proper treatment.
While acknowledging that every department within a company has its strengths and weaknesses, he concluded that “low pay is simply not worth the struggle they go through, even if everyone has to start somewhere to make their way to the top”.
From a government employee’s perspective, the $10.50 (US$7.53) rate is a vital step toward helping families afford food, bills and petrol.
They hope it will encourage people to stay in the Cook Islands rather than migrating overseas for better opportunities.
However, the employee noted that wage increases alone cannot stop outward migration, as the cost of living, housing shortages and overall quality of life remain massive factors.
“It could help encourage more people to stay in the Cooks, especially if wages continue to increase over time,” they said.
“A lot of people move overseas because they’re looking for better pay and more opportunities, so improving wages here could make staying more realistic for families and young workers.”
Public consultations were held in March this year to allow the community to engage in discussions with the Minimum Wage Review Panel on the minimum wage and contribute to shaping fair and balanced recommendations for the Minister of Internal Affairs.
The panel members include representatives from Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Chamber of Commerce (employers’ representative), Cook Islands Workers Association (employees’ representative) and a community representative.
The Cook Islands Workers Association has been contacted for comment on the new minimum wage…. PACNEWS
FIJI – HOUSING: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
Fiji leads housing resilience shift
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Fiji is marking five years of community-led housing and resilience work under Habitat for Humanity’s Pacific programme.
At the Pacific Housing Forum, stakeholders say the initiative has strengthened community ownership, improved skills training and increased inclusion in development decision-making.
The programme, implemented by Habitat for Humanity Fiji in partnership with Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga, has focused on strengthening climate-resilient housing through participatory planning, technical training and locally driven infrastructure development.
Habitat for Humanity Fiji Projects and Community Development Manager Losalini Nalawa said the milestone represents not just programme delivery, but the impact of communities leading their own development priorities.
“This is a day of celebration. It has been five years of programming, and we have been honoured to work with Habitat for Humanity New Zealand,” Nalawa said.
She said the initiative was designed around a community-first model, where residents identify their own needs and solutions through structured consultations and workshops.
“Our participatory approach is the key element. It enables community ownership,” she said.
“We are only there for a short time. The key is to hand over knowledge and skills to community members so they can drive it for themselves.”
The programme has reached 17 communities across five provinces in Fiji since 2021, including remote maritime villages and informal settlements, where access to basic infrastructure remains a challenge.
Nalawa said 360 people were trained through Build Back Safer carpentry and plumbing programmes, while 220 women participated in basic plumbing training to improve household resilience and self-reliance.
She said a further 80 participants completed vocational training in partnership with Fiji National University, strengthening long-term employment pathways in construction-related skills.
Across the programme, 26 houses were built, alongside community-selected infrastructure such as footpaths, drainage systems, water supply pipelines, evacuation shelters and sanitation facilities.
Nalawa said while the physical outputs are important, the deeper impact lies in community empowerment and decision-making.
“We are not just talking about houses. It is the knowledge shared and the skills built within communities,” she said.
She said women’s participation had grown significantly through the programme, particularly in community discussions on housing, water and sanitation, and disaster preparedness.
“We are seeing women speak up in village meetings and advocate for their needs and the needs of persons with disabilities,” she said.
Habitat for Humanity New Zealand community engagement lead Jen Johnstone said the programme is anchored in a participatory model that ensures communities lead the planning process from the start.
“We work alongside members of the community to understand their needs, and they are the ones who decide what their priorities are,” Johnstone said.
She said community workshops help identify climate risks, assess vulnerabilities and develop action plans, with a strong focus on inclusion and ensuring marginalised groups are not left behind.
Johnstone said technical training programmes run alongside the community planning process, equipping participants with carpentry, plumbing, and other vocational skills that directly support resilience-building.
She said inclusion is embedded throughout all stages of the programme, with specific efforts to ensure women and persons with disabilities are meaningfully involved in decision-making.
The five-year programme, supported through New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is now transitioning into its next phase, with lessons learned expected to inform future housing and resilience initiatives across Fiji and the wider Pacific…. PACNEWS
FIJI – BUSINESS: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
New toolkit aims to strengthen Fiji business resilience
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Fiji’s business community has been urged to strengthen its disaster preparedness and recovery plans following the launch of a new Business Resilience Toolkit designed to help companies better respond to cyclones, flooding and economic shocks.
The toolkit, launched by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), aims to provide businesses with practical guidance to anticipate, withstand, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies.
The initiative was launched in partnership with the Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council (FBDRC), with support from development partners including the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), UNDP and the Fijian Government.
Speaking at the launch, FCEF Vice President Rowena Taito said the toolkit was developed after months of collaboration and consultation, particularly with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which continue to face repeated disruptions from natural disasters and global economic pressures.
“For businesses in Fiji, disruption is not a distant risk,” Taito said.
“We have lived through cyclones, floods, health crises, supply chain breakdowns and economic shocks.”
She said international disruptions were also increasingly affecting Fiji through rising costs, supply chain pressures and wider economic uncertainty.
Research shows nearly 80 per cent of MSMEs in Fiji are affected by cyclones and flooding at least once every year.
“When a business is disrupted, it is not just revenue at stake,” Taito said.
“It is jobs, livelihoods, families and communities.”
She said the toolkit includes checklists, business continuity templates, disruption assessment forms and recovery guidance tailored specifically for Fiji’s business environment.
The resources are designed to help businesses answer key questions about preparedness, continuity and recovery during emergencies.
“We want every business, from small family enterprises to large organisations, to be able to answer these questions with confidence – are we prepared, do we have a plan, how long can we operate during a disruption and how quickly can we recover?”
Taito pointed to lessons from Tropical Cyclone Winston, saying that larger companies with structured continuity plans recovered faster, while smaller suppliers and businesses within the same value chain struggled.
“If our MSMEs and smaller suppliers are not prepared, the entire value chain is at risk,” she said.
She said the launch marked only the beginning of a wider effort, with FCEF and FBDRC planning awareness sessions, training and outreach programs across urban and rural communities to help businesses use the toolkit effectively.
‘Resilience is not an option’
Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Mitieli Cama, said the launch comes at a critical time as Fiji continues to face increasingly complex risks linked to climate change and economic instability.
“Fiji continues to face an increasingly complex risk environment,” Cama said.
He said tropical cyclones, flooding, coastal hazards and the current food crisis were affecting communities, sectors and businesses across the country.
“As a small island developing state, resilience is not an option for Fiji. It is essential to our national development, our economy and the wellbeing of our people.”
Cama said that while government agencies play an important role in strengthening preparedness and disaster coordination, national resilience cannot be achieved solely by the government.
“It requires strong partnerships across government, the private sector, development partners, civil society and communities,” he said.
He described businesses as critical to Fiji’s disaster response and recovery systems, noting they also serve as employers, transport providers, logistics operators and community supporters during emergencies.
“The ability of businesses to continue operating or recover quickly after a disaster directly affects workers, families and communities across Fiji,” he said.
Cama said the toolkit was especially relevant for rural and maritime communities, where many livelihoods depend on small businesses, farmers, fishers, market vendors and local suppliers who are highly exposed to disasters.
He added that the toolkit also highlighted the importance of business continuity planning and risk financing measures, such as parametric insurance, to help businesses recover more quickly after climate-related events.
“The true value of this toolkit will depend on how widely it is used across Fiji,” he said.
“Preparedness should not be viewed as an additional burden, but as an investment in continuity, jobs, livelihoods and long-term sustainability said Cama…. PACNEWS
FIJI – BROADCASTING INDUSTRY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
FCCC moves to reshape Fiji’s broadcasting industry
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) is seeking consultants to help review and develop a new regulatory framework for Fiji’s broadcasting industry, including the regulation of Digital Terrestrial Television services.
In an Expression of Interest notice, FCCC said it is looking to engage qualified consultants or consulting firms to carry out a comprehensive review, evaluation and development of a broadcasting regulatory framework as part of its Strategic Plan 2026–2030.
The commission said the initiative is aimed at strengthening a fair, safe and competitive marketplace that delivers greater benefits to consumers and industry stakeholders.
According to FCCC, a preliminary assessment of the broadcasting sector identified several areas requiring further review, including colocation services, OTT services and broadcasting infrastructure development and maintenance.
The commission noted that some of these services may fall within the scope of regulated telecommunications services.
FCCC said Digital Terrestrial Television services in particular require further assessment from a competition, pricing and consumer protection perspective.
Through the consultancy, FCCC aims to define Fiji’s broadcasting market, identify issues affecting the sector and establish an appropriate regulatory framework for broadcasting services.
The successful consultant will also assess Fiji’s transition from analogue to digital broadcasting and examine the regulatory implications linked to that shift.
Other key tasks include reviewing existing legislation and policies, consulting industry stakeholders, studying international best practices and developing practical pricing and regulatory tools for Digital Terrestrial Television service rates.
The consultancy will also involve preparing policy recommendations and implementation strategies for FCCC…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Solomon Islands’ Starlink workaround has connectivity lessons for the Pacific
LEO satellite community-sharing has emerged as a response to the cost of internet access.
By Hilman Palaon, Samuel Warunima
HONIARA, 26 MAY 2026 (THE INTERPRETER) — While internet users in many parts of the world debate buffering speeds and data caps, there are communities across the Pacific where the internet does not exist at all – not even a slow service, but one completely absent. That exclusion has proven stubborn. Building terrestrial mobile networks across scattered archipelagos is not merely expensive but in many places is commercially irrational.
The assumption that infrastructure is the binding constraint has long underpinned Pacific development programs: build the network and usage will follow. That same assumption fostered hopes for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites passing over islands that fibre-optic cables will likely never reach. The technology now exists to deliver broadband to virtually any point on earth.
But experience in the Solomon Islands suggests a more difficult reality. The principal barriers are institutional rather than technical. Ownership arrangements, cost-sharing models and the affordability of access for low-income households matter more than cables in the ground or satellites overhead.
The access problem is largely solved, yet the usage problem remains. In much of the Pacific, the deeper barrier is affordability.
The answer may already be taking shape within communities themselves: shared connectivity models that redistribute cost, localise ownership, and keep access within reach of those the market has no incentive to serve.
The access problem is largely solved, yet the usage problem remains.
In Torao’o Village, East Are’are, Solomon Islands, a local operator runs a single Starlink connection from his home, charging neighbours a small fee per session. The demand it serves is striking. A woman from a neighbouring community, Manu Village in central Are’are, recently walked a full day through the bush to reach Torao’o – not in search of food or medicine, but to make a video call to her children in the capital, Honiara.
Before the arrival of LEO services, connectivity in these communities depended on intermittent mobile-network signals or physical travel. Villagers often had to make long journeys to urban centres such as Honiara to carry out basic online tasks: sending messages, accessing banking services, or obtaining information. These trips were costly and uncertain, shaped as much by weather as by transport availability. A single journey typically costs between US$12 and US$37, excluding food and accommodation.
Against that baseline, the community-sharing model is not just workable but economically coherent. The operator pays a monthly Starlink fee of about US$90, which is sustained by users paying small access fees of around US$0.60 to US$1.20 per session. In practice, this generates enough revenue to cover operating costs, fund minor maintenance and provide modest income for the operator.
This connectivity model is reshaping social and family life, enabling villagers to maintain regular contact with relatives in urban centres or overseas at an affordable cost via video calls and messaging platforms.
The new Lowy Institute Policy Brief Low Earth Orbit satellites: Closing the Indo-Pacific digital divide makes this point directly: the promise of LEO technology in the Pacific lies not in universal deployment, but in targeted support for remote communities. Realising that promise will require affordability measures, community gateway models, universal service obligations, and investment in digital literacy, device access, and reliable electricity. Governments must also adopt forward-looking regulatory frameworks to manage competition, strengthen consumer protections, and integrate LEO satellites into national digital strategies as a complement to terrestrial networks.
The emergence of a shared connectivity service has enabled small-scale entrepreneurship, with the operator charging modest fees for internet access and device charging. Some villagers are beginning to experiment with online marketplaces to sell agricultural produce, fish and handicrafts, extending their reach beyond the local community. Young people, in particular, are building digital skills that are increasingly relevant to participation in the digital economy.
For families with children studying in Honiara, connectivity goes beyond convenience, enabling parental involvement at a distance that was previously unmanageable. Mobile banking has reduced the need for costly travel, supporting financial inclusion – allowing school fees to be paid and remittances received without leaving the village. The effects are most visible in education. Students now have access to materials previously out of reach, including digital textbooks and online assignment portals. This does not eliminate the structural gap between rural and urban schooling, but it narrows it.
Local connectivity has reduced tasks that once required days of travel to a matter of minutes. The benefit is not simply speed, but predictability. Residents can check shipping schedules, coordinate travel and respond to disruptions in real time. Social media has also evolved into a practical information channel, used to circulate community notices, report emergencies and distribute health updates.
The woman who walked a day to make a video call is not a symbol of backwardness. She is evidence of a rational response to the absence of accessible connectivity. LEO satellites have brought the internet within reach of some of the Pacific’s most remote communities. Whether it remains within reach will depend less on technology than on policy choices already being made…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
SPREP Message for World Biodiversity Day
APIA, 26 MAY 2026 (SPREP) — This year’s theme for World Biodiversity Day – “Acting Locally for Global Impact” – emphasises connecting grassroots and community-led conservation initiatives directly with the 23 ambitious targets set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
It is timely then to reflect that, in just over three months, from 07 to 11 September, the region’s conservation practitioners and advocates will meet in New Caledonia for the 11th Pacific Islands Nature Conservation Conference.
The Pacific Nature Conference convened every five years, serves as a vital platform for bringing together diverse stakeholders committed to nature conservation across the region. It fosters collaboration and coordinated action to address environmental challenges including biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change while also responding to emerging threats facing Pacific ecosystems, communities and island economies.
The Conference is grounded in the recognition of the central pillar of nature in addressing the planetary crisis. It emphasises integrated approaches that connect environmental stewardship with people, culture and spirituality, placing nature at the heart of sustainable development and regional resilience.
The 11th Pacific Conference builds upon the legacy of the 10th Conference and its Vermoore Declaration, which affirmed our shared commitment and responsibility to uphold the principles of life – principles that sustain balance and strengthen alliances across our region. This gathering is also a moment for reflection. It reminds us that caring for biodiversity extends beyond conservation alone; it is a moral and spiritual practice. In protecting the web of life, we safeguard the foundations of communal well-being, ensuring that our cultures, livelihoods and ecosystems continue to thrive in harmony.
The 11th Nature Conference will create a space for intergenerational exchange, bringing together Pacific youth and indigenous custodians where the aspirations of younger generations are strengthened by cultural and spiritual grounding.
Grounded in local action, the 11th Nature Conference supports implementation of the Pacific Islands Framework for Nature Conservation (2026- 2030) and strengthens national Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs).
This #WorldBiodiversityDay, let’s come together to co-create practical, realistic actions and partnerships that drive real impact for biodiversity conservation across our Blue Pacific Continent.
The 11th Pacific Islands Nature Conservation Conference will be held in New Caledonia from 07 to 11 September 2026…. PACNEWS
Contact linad@sprep.org for more information. Registration information will be released soon.
