In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Australia, PNG push ahead with Pukpuk treaty as Wong backs U.S-Iran Deal
2. PACIFIC — Regional security pact proposal gets support
3. PACIFIC — Decarbonisation necessary for a sustainable future, Pacific experts warn
4. PACIFIC — Papua New Guinea eyes supplying oil and gas to Pacific island nations
5. PALAU — Taiwan to post criminal investigator at Palau Embassy to combat transnational crime
6. UN — Hate speech is ‘first step down the path of dehumanisation’
7. GUAM — Senators behind AI-gate must be held accountable, Guam Democrats demand
8. PACNEWS BIZ — New EU seafood regulation to affect 97 percent of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Islands PM Wale pushes for lower costs during Telekom Board and management meeting
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Islands Finance Minister suspends pre-release of goods at Ports and warehouses
11. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Fiji and Panama lead global initiative to protect the Ocean’s “Twilight Zone”
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Bonn Climate Conference: Civil Society calls for tripling of adaptation finance
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — U.S Embassy Suva and Fiji National UniversityLaunch Executive Public Leadership Course
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Australia, PNG push ahead with Pukpuk treaty as Wong backs U.S-Iran Deal
ADELAIDE, 18 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — Australia and Papua New Guinea have reaffirmed their commitment to bringing the Pukpuk Treaty into force, with Foreign Ministers Penny Wong and Justin Tkatchenko describing the alliance as a major step in strengthening regional security, economic cooperation and stability across the Pacific.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Adelaide on Wednesday, Wong said both countries had completed their domestic processes and were now looking forward to the treaty formally entering into force.
“Papua New Guinea and Australia are more than just neighbours. We’re close friends. We’re bound by shared history and trust,” Wong said.
She noted that 2025 marked 50 years of Papua New Guinea’s independence and highlighted the growing partnership between the two countries.
“And we also made an historic decision to become allies. And I want to thank again Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Marape, Deputy Prime Minister Rosso, Foreign Minister Tkatchenko, the whole of the Papua New Guinea Government for proposing the Pukpuk Treaty.”
“It’s such an honour to be part of that Alliance with Papua New Guinea and we look forward to our leaders bringing the Treaty into force in the near future. Both of our countries have gone through our domestic processes so we look forward to the Treaty coming into force.”
Wong stressed that the alliance extends beyond defence cooperation.
“I want to emphasise it’s an Alliance that is about more than defence. It deepens cooperation in health, education, infrastructure and trade, all of which are about our two countries working together for peace, for stability and prosperity in our region.”
Tkatchenko said the treaty reflected the closest relationship the two countries had enjoyed since Papua New Guinea’s independence.
“Papua New Guinea is not only an ally, we’re in partnership with friends that goes back many, many years.”
“And with that, our relationship is the strongest that it’s ever been since our independence with the Marape-Albanese shared understanding between governments.”
“We look forward to the final implementation of the Pukpuk Treaty, our alliance. This strengthens our security, strengthens our social well-being, and ensures that Australia and Papua New Guinea will be closer than ever before, looking after each other in these very challenging times.”
Tkatchenko also credited Wong and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for advancing the relationship.
“So, your leadership, Penny, in bringing us together with your Prime Minister is not a mistake. It’s well overdue and we look forward to our continual partnership, our continual relationship for the benefit of both our peoples.”
The ministers also addressed the recent agreement between the United States and Iran, with Wong welcoming the development and describing it as important for global and regional energy security.
“We know reliable energy supply is an important part of a stable region, and in this context can I indicate Australia welcomes the deal this week between the United States and Iran.”
“We have long called for de-escalation and an end to this conflict. We do believe it’s gone on too long, and we are very pleased that an agreement has been reached.”
Wong said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz was critical for global energy markets and Pacific economies.
“Obviously, restraint and dialogue will be central to securing a lasting agreement.”
“The Government also welcomes, as I’m sure all Australians do, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the restoration of freedom of navigation.”
“It’s really important that supply flows through the Strait freely without barriers, tolls or impediments. We want critical energy supplies to flow where they are most needed, including to our region and including to the Pacific. It matters to all of us.”
Asked about the impact of the Middle East conflict on Papua New Guinea and the government’s fuel subsidy programme, Tkatchenko said the effects of the crisis were felt globally despite PNG’s distance from the region.
“On the international side of things, any peace deal is most important. We need to have peace and stability in the whole world, basically.”
“Even though Papua New Guinea is so far away from Iran and from this crisis, it affects us greatly.”
Tkatchenko said the PNG Government had committed more than K100 million (US$22 million) to subsidise fuel prices and maintain affordability.
“Our government has put subsidies in for fuel for our people, over 100 million Kina (US$2 million).”
“And I can say without fear or favour, that our fuel prices are nearly the lowest in the world, only three Kina for a litre of diesel.”
“So that really assists our people greatly in these uncertain times when it comes to fuel security.”
He also moved to reassure Papua New Guineans about future fuel supplies.
“We are secure, we produce our own fuel, we sell our own fuel and our suppliers and our contractors have guaranteed that our fuel supply is secure now and into the future.”
When asked whether PNG would seek Australian support or extend the fuel subsidy programme beyond its current expiry date, Tkatchenko said no assistance had been requested.
“We have not asked Australia for support, as we do not need it at this point in time.”
“And we look forward to ensuring that now that Trump and the American government have come to some sort of agreement, which we look forward to seeing in detail, this will make it so much easier for all of us, said Tkatchenko…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Regional security pact proposal gets support
ADELAIDE, 18 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — Australia and Papua New Guinea have thrown their support behind greater Pacific security cooperation, with both countries endorsing efforts to explore a regional security pact proposed by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
The ministers were questioned in Adelaide on Wednesday about a proposal floated by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele for a regional security pact.
Tkatchenko said regional cooperation remained essential to maintaining stability in the Pacific.
“Look, for our region, we all need to work together in partnership.”
“And Australia’s been doing a fantastic job in signing up all different Pacific Island countries with treaties and defence cooperation agreements and what have you to ensure is that the whole region works together as one.”
“And we’re all for that.”
He said the Australia-PNG alliance could serve as a model for other Pacific countries.
“The historical alliance that we now have with Australia and Papua New Guinea sets the tone and also sets the precedent for the other countries which are now following suit.”
“So, yes, it’s a great idea for all of us to work together as one.”
Responding to the same question, Wong said regional security should continue to be anchored within the Pacific Islands Forum framework.
“Well, first can I just say, I’ll pick up where Justin left off, which is the meaning of the Alliance, and not just between us, but what it means to the region.”
“Papua New Guinea is after Australia, the largest Pacific country, it’s the largest Pacific Island nation. And it is a leader in the region, and Prime Minister Marape and his cabinet have led this.”
“And the point that Minister Tkatchenko is making is the really critical one, which is we all have a role in assuring stability and security in our region, and we believe that that security is best provided within the PIF family.”
“It is from that principle which enables security, and that is one of the foundational principles of Pukpuk,” she said.
Asked what had been achieved during the visit, Tkatchenko said discussions covered a broad range of strategic issues affecting both countries and the wider Pacific region.
“Basically, I’ve come here to see Penny’s backyard, number one. And it was a wonderful invitation for me to come to Adelaide for the first time in nearly 30 years.”
“We discussed the security in the region. We discussed the upcoming entry into force of the Pukpuk Treaty in Sydney coming in the next weeks with both our Prime Ministers.”
“We discussed our regional situation and the situation of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea as well with their independence push and the vote coming up there. And you know, fuel security and also things moving forward for the benefit of both our countries,” he said.
Tkatchenko said Australia remained Papua New Guinea’s principal security partner and that the alliance between the two countries had entered a new phase.
“So, Australia is our traditional security partner.”
“Now we’ve taken it to a level where we have one ‘banis’, meaning one fence and two houses. In that security pact where we’re together as one.”
“The security issues of Australia will be a concern for Papua New Guinea. And Papua New Guinea’s security issues are a concern for Australia.”
“So, we all work together in partnership to ensure that we have a mutual understanding and agreement.”
The PNG Foreign Minister also outlined plans for greater defence cooperation, including opportunities for Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defence Force.
“We’re going to have many thousands of Papua New Guineans entering into the Australian Defence Force over the next 10 years to assist in the security of partnership going together in that regard.”
“And that’s a process that is new and we’re walking through how we will succeed to do that,” he said.
He said the success of the partnership depended on both countries maintaining a common approach to regional security challenges.
“The most important thing is that we’re all on the same page. We’re all together as one and why change something that’s working well? I think that’s the situation.”
Tkatchenko praised cooperation between the governments of Prime Minister James Marape and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying it was contributing to regional peace and security.
“Local politics, whatever it might be, the Albanese Government with our government under James Marape is working very, very well for peace and security in the region, not only for Australia, but also for all the other Pacific Island countries as well.”
“We assist and work together as one so that we can all have an understanding that what we’re doing is not just for Australia, it’s not just for Papua New Guinea.”
“But it’s for all the other island nations as well, especially our brothers and sisters in the Solomon Islands as well, working with them.”
“They’re all part of the program and the process of making our area a safe and secure place now and into the future,” he said.
The discussion also turned to the impact of recent disruptions in global fuel markets and whether the easing of tensions in the Middle East could reduce fuel pressures across the Pacific.
Asked if she was hopeful that recent developments would ease the fuel shock experienced in the region, Wong said Pacific nations had been heavily affected because of their dependence on fuel supplies linked to Asian refineries.
“Of course. I mean, you’ve heard me speak about, the Prime Minister speak about the fact that we are, because of the nature of the way the global market works, how much of the oil coming through the Strait is bound for the refineries of Asia from where most of us get most of our fuel.”
“Obviously, it’s had a disproportionate impact on our region,” said Wong.
Wong said the effects of recent disruptions could continue for some time but expressed optimism that fuel markets would stabilise.
“I would assume that there will still be a tail on the disruption.”
“But we certainly are hopeful that we see fuel supplies returning to normal in the very near future and that it would be a good thing for the people of our region and for the people of Australia,” she said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DECARBONISATION: PACIFIC SECURITY COLLEGE PACNEWS 3: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Decarbonisation necessary for a sustainable future, Pacific experts warn
SUVA, 18 JUNE 2026 (PACIFIC SECURITY COLLEGE) — Energy experts from across the Pacific have warned the transition to renewable energy must learn from the past, speaking at a panel during the Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue.
The current fuel crisis has shown the critical importance of fast tracking the energy transition, the panellists said. But they urged policymakers to heed the lessons of the past, including the importance of community leadership.
The Regional cooperation for the energy transition panel included Pacific Community’s Deputy Director of the Georesources and Energy Programme, Ngedikes Olai Uludong; Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa’s Manager of the Environment and Renewable Energy Division, Toleafoa Annie Tuisuga; Pacific Community’s Coordinator of the Office of the Pacific Energy Regulator Alliance, Antony Garae; and Micronesian Centre for Sustainable Transport Scientific and Technical Adviser, Dr Peter Nuttall.
Tuisaga pointed to the uneven effects of rising fuel prices in Samoa and the importance of responding to the short-term crisis without undermining the region’s longer term climate ambitions.
“The fuel crisis doesn’t hit everyone the same. It’s obviously felt hardest in the low socio-economic households. It’s felt hardest in our rural areas and our outer areas,” she said.
“For our regional response, it’s crucial for us to think beyond emergency fuel supply logistics – important as that is – and also look at accelerating the kind of locally-led renewable alternatives that reduce our underlying dependency [on fuel].”
Dr Nuttall said he didn’t know whether to “laugh or cry about this current crisis”, noting that the region experienced similar fuel shocks previously, in the 1980s and then in 2008.
“Here we are in another oil crisis, and everyone is surprised. But the reality was that this was always going to happen, and we are totally unprepared for something that we should be so prepared for.”
Dr Nuttall advocated for a prompt shift to low carbon shipping, noting that if there had been a regional focus on renewable energy 15 years ago, many countries would not be experiencing the transportation crisis they are presently.
He described decarbonising shipping as “the most important economic decision this region makes going into the future.”
“It just requires prioritisation, the local willingness, and the access to the finance,” he said.
“We’re the most import-dependent region in the world. As long as we’re going to rely on those imports and not change the way we operate our most essential transport modality, nothing else is going to change.
“The only way we get a global transition is when it is cheaper to have alternatives to fossil oil – that means the price of world shipping has to go up. The era of cheap fuel is over, so we need to learn really fast from this and react to it.”
Uludong, the first woman to head the energy portfolio at SPC, said the region needed a plan for tackling the fuel crisis in the short, medium and long term.
“What a regional response could look like is in the immediate to address the coordinated fuel access for critical services. In the medium term, it’s important to look at regional information sharing … everyone wants solutions and to make informed decisions, but without data, you don’t have available information to make those decisions.
“In the long term, what that could look like is looking at the reduction of being so dependent on fossil fuels and looking at alternative sources of energy – that includes renewables, which includes electrification.”
Tuisuga observed that implementing renewable energy solutions is not always straightforward.
“EVs are being identified as an option for a greener transport sector, but we’re also mindful of bringing in so many when you’re just connecting or charging them to the grid, and your grid is mostly diesel,” she said.
Uludong pointed to other opportunities for changing how the Pacific uses energy, citing the Blue Concrete Initiative, an effort to transition away from the expensive importing of cement to low carbon concrete.
“Long-term solutions could be built on from these small pilot projects that we have,” she said. “In terms of how we then reduce our dependency on importing fuel, importing oil – how can we reduce that by finding solutions in different spaces, and learning from each of the islands?”
Garae shared his experience of working as the Deputy Director of Vanuatu’s National Green Energy Fund, which has delivered more than 300 small-scale energy access projects.
“It started off with supporting the education sector, the health sector, promoting microsystems or solar home systems to electrify the schools and health centres – especially in the remote islands,” he said.
The fund also offers additional subsidies, depending on the needs of the relevant public institution, and strives to serve nearby communities.
“We try as much as possible to [electrify] households that reside within close proximity of the schools or health centres,” Garae added.
He noted that one easy way to manage energy usage is often overlooked.
“Promoting energy efficiency and conservation at home, even in offices, [can] reduce the demand for utilities to ramp up the generators,” he said. “If we were to promote end-use efficiency, we reduce the demand,” said Garae…. PACNEWS
PAC – FUEL CRISIS: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Papua New Guinea eyes supplying oil and gas to Pacific island nations
SUVA, 16 JUNE 2026 (PACFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Papua New Guinea plans to increase its oil and gas production to supply its Pacific island neighbors and alleviate the burden shouldered by the fuel-dependent region due to the global crisis triggered by the war in Iran.
The recent agreement between the U.S and Iran to cease hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz may have paved the way for oil price stabilisation, but island leaders noted that the volatility of global geopolitics underscored the need to enhance regional cooperation in building economic resilience.
At the 2026 Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue in Suva, regional leaders tackled inflation and the surging cost of living that weighed on Pacific Islanders, resulting from the U.S-Iran war, which broke out in February.
Thomas Opa, PNG’s finance minister, said that, as a small producer of oil and gas, the South Pacific nation is also exploring strategies to assist smaller Pacific Island states, whose economic security is at risk.
“Our prime minister in the recent Pacific Energy and Transport meeting in Port Moresby indicated Papua New Guinea’s intention to build smaller refineries to not only support fuel security in storage tanks and fuel security in our country, but also how we can contribute to our smaller Pacific island countries,” Opa said.
Papua New Guinea’s oil exports, including crude oil and petroleum gas, are a major driver of the South Pacific nation’s economy, with petroleum gas leading in export value.
In 2024, PNG’s top oil-related exports included petroleum gas valued at approximately US $5.36 billion and crude petroleum at US$838 million. Its oil exports are primarily directed to China, Japan, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan.
Pacific island countries are highly vulnerable to disruptions in the oil sector due to their lack of domestic production and limited storage capacity.
According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, oil supplies around 80 percent of the Pacific’s total energy, with some countries relying on it for as much as 98 percent.
Most refined fuel in the Pacific comes from Singapore, Korea and Japan.
“Pacific island nations spend roughly 5 percent to 15 percent of GDP on net oil and gas imports, thus increasing oil prices combined with heavy oil dependency exacerbate already fragile economies and have the potential to massively increase national debt distress risk across the Pacific,” CSIS said.
“Papua New Guinea stands as an exception thanks to its role as a net exporter of liquified natural gas, where rising prices are poised to boost government revenue and planned LNG projects can become more attractive,” it added.
But even as an oil producer, PNG was not spared from the impact of the crisis.
“The increase in fuel prices has really affected not only the people on the mainland who will now buy more fuel at the bowser, but it also affects business and if the business is not growing, they cannot make a profit, they cannot employ people,” Opa said. “So, it has broader implications for the well-being of people. This is a concern that affects Papua New Guinea.”
PNG has instituted a fuel subsidy to alleviate pressure, but Opa said it is a temporary measure that does not offer a long-term, sustainable solution.
Simon Kofe, Tuvalu’s minister for transport and energy, said the global fuel crisis was “a wake-up call” to accelerate the transition to low or zero carbon.
“We do a lot of advocacies on the international stage, but what are we doing on the local level to achieve that transition?” Kofe asked. “It’s no longer just an environmental issue; it’s now become a security issue for us.”
Tingika Elikana, the Cook Islands’ foreign affairs minister, said regional security is tied to economic stability.
He attributed the Cook Islands’ economic growth to tourism and “15 years of unbroken political stability.”
“None of that stability comes from military capacity,” he said, noting the value of extending the definition of security beyond defence capabilities.
“If we take what’s happening around the world with the use of military power and might, then we can’t really stand up to these people. But what we have is economic stability and the need to stabilize for the resilience and further development of our countries,” Elikana added.
Charmaine Scotty, Nauru’s minister for Women’s and Social Development Affairs, suggested leveraging the Pacific islands’ human resources to create new opportunities.
“The Pacific’s greatest resource is not beneath our oceans or on our lands. It is our people: educating them, developing their skills, providing them with leadership, empowering our youth – must remain central to our economic agenda,” she said…. PACNEWS
PALAU – TRANSNATIONAL CRIME: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Taiwan to post criminal investigator at Palau Embassy to combat transnational crime
KOROR, 18 JUNE 2026 (ISLAND TIMES) — Taiwan will assign an agent from its Criminal Bureau of Investigation to its embassy in Palau to help local law enforcement combat a growing wave of transnational crime that officials say is originating from Asia, Taiwan’s Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao and Palau’s Minister of Justice Jennifer Olegeriil announced last week.
Taiwan Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao at recent visit to Palau disclosed that the Republic of China (ROC-Taiwan) will post an agent from its Investigation Bureau to Palau to support its law enforcement efforts.
Hsiao, who disclosed the initiative during a recent address to Taiwan’s National Congress before reaffirming it during her visit to Palau, said the posting is part of a broader expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two Pacific allies.
“We will have members of our Investigation Bureau, of our Ministry of Justice, being posted here in our embassy to work with your law enforcement to support them, whether it is in information exchange, training or law enforcement,” Hsiao said.
Olegeriil said the partnership fills a critical gap in Palau’s capacity to investigate organised crime networks with roots in the region.
“That engagement, that partnership, brings a unique and specialized focus in terms of how we’re responding to transnational organised crime and where we’ve identified it,” Olegeriil said.
She added that Taiwan’s investigators would provide Palau with access to intelligence databases and regional networks that local officers currently lack.
MOJ Minister Olegeriil said the partnership fills a critical gap in Palau’s capacity to investigate organised crime.
“They have access to tons and volumes of data that will be very useful to our investigation in terms of that specific region,” Olegeriil said.
The minister said the arrangement revives a similar partnership that had lapsed, and that the renewed effort came through a formal request from President Surangel Whipps Jr. and her office. The primary threats Palau faces, she said, include drug trafficking, human trafficking and other forms of organised crime traced to China-based networks.
Hsiao also highlighted Taiwan’s experience with cybersecurity as a potential area of expanded cooperation. Taiwan, she said, recorded more than 170 million attempted cyberattacks in the first quarter of this year alone, giving it hard-won expertise in countering digital threats and state-sponsored disinformation campaigns.
“Cyber security is definitely an important area,” Hsiao said, noting that Taiwan participates in the Global Cooperation and Training Framework alongside Japan, Australia and Canada, and plans to include Palau in upcoming workshops.
Olegeriil framed the Taiwan partnership as one part of a broader network of security arrangements.
She noted that Australia remains Palau’s primary partner in police capacity building, training and maritime patrol operations, while Japan provides critical support for maritime surveillance through vessels including the Kedam supplementary patrol boats. The United States, both officials noted, remains the primary security partner for both nations under existing compact and alliance frameworks.
“We are also coordinating some new initiatives and efforts so that we can all live in a secure, stable and peaceful environment,” Hsiao said.
Olegeriil also called on Taiwan, along with Australia and Japan, to go beyond infrastructure and development aid by encouraging private investors from their countries to participate in Palau’s economy, saying economic resilience is inseparable from security.
“You need to also be bringing in investors from your countries,” she said…. PACNEWS
UN – HATE SPEECH: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Hate speech is ‘first step down the path of dehumanisation’
SUVA, 18 JUNE 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — As online platforms continue to fuel a surge in real-world violence against vulnerable communities, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is warning that freedom of expression must never be used to justify hate speech.
“Hate speech is the first step down the path of dehumanisation,” declared Guterres in his message marking the 2026 International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
It is a “tool of division,” he said, for targeting specific groups, including women, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ people, persons with disabilities and many other minorities, often for political gain.
“In our digital age, hate speech spreads faster than ever, amplified by unregulated platforms and intensified by artificial intelligence,” he continued.
“Too many algorithms reward outrage and division, incentivising lies for likes and promoting violence for views. Anonymity online also makes it harder to hold perpetrators to account.”
Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section at UN-Women in New York, told UN News that rapid technological developments are facilitating the spread of hate speech and the kinds of conservative, retrograde views about women that are shared online.
“The manosphere is not a single website or community,” she said.
“It is a wider ecosystem of algorithm-driven content that can spread misogyny and opposition to gender equality and women’s rights very quickly, and makes it seem pretty normal or acceptable.”
Whilst acknowledging that artificial intelligence did not create misogyny, Mingeirou is convinced that it is amplifying hatred against women. “Abusers can now create and spread deepfakes, sexualised synthetic images, impersonation content and other forms of image-based abuse faster, cheaper and with less technical skill.”
The UN Secretary-General has long rejected the argument that taking a stand on the issue is an infringement on freedom of speech. In 2019, in response to the alarming rise of hate speech around the world, he launched the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
The strategy aims to coordinate efforts across the United Nations system to identify, prevent and confront hate speech whilst respecting international human rights standards. “Freedom of expression,” he says, “must never be an excuse for harmful messages.”
More recently, the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity propose a vision of a world in which global information flows are no longer dominated by a small group of companies based in a handful of countries.
The principles call for people to have greater control over the media they choose to consume, their own online experiences, and how their personal data is used…. PACNEWS
GUAM – POLITICS: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Senators behind AI-gate must be held accountable, Guam Democrats demand
HAGATNA, 18 JUNE 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The contract with a Guam company to provide AI-assisted bill-drafting services for the Guam legislature may already have been terminated, but two senators said the Republican leaders behind the contract still have a lot to explain about the “sweetheart arrangement.”
Sen. Chris Barnett, a Democrat, questioned why the Guam legislature needed to pay TRST-Guam LLC when the vendor failed to meet the basic terms of the contract and has not provided any access and training on using the platform.
Vice Speaker V. Anthony Ada terminated the legislature’s contract effective 09 June.
Barnett said the termination of the contract suggested that Ada, Speaker Frank F. Blas Jr., Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane and TRST-Guam might have been aware of the transaction anomaly.
“They should still be held accountable for this breach of the public’s trust in the name of special interest political patronage,” said Barnett in a news release. “It is mind-boggling that the Republican leadership would bind and expose the legislative body to an unvetted, unsecured, and untested AI platform.”
The controversy emerged at the height of the primary campaign.
Blas and Ada are seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
Barnett pointed out that GovGuam’s Office of Technology and other officials have warned against trusting inexperienced AI vendors, yet TRST-Guam LLC has not yet proven that it meets the basic parameters for certification and that the authenticity of the services it recommends is recogniSed by regulatory entities.
Barnett said most senatorial offices have not heard from TRST-Guam LLC, despite the contract’s claim that the system has been activated and training on the platform would be provided to senatorial offices by 01 June.
“I question what compensation, if any, is due to the vendor,” he said.
Barnett pointed out that senators can already avail themselves of AI drafting services for free or for much, much less than what TRST-Guam was charging the legislature.
The contract’s value was not known at the time. The platform was intended for a six-month rental, including other fees and charges.
Barnett said the unresolved ethics complaints about the contract should still be addressed.
Blas has reportedly assigned Sen. Shawn Gumataotao to lead the Ethics Committee investigation into these complaints.
Barnett noted a potential conflict of interest.
Gumataotao is chairman of the Republican Party of Guam and assigning him to investigate a contract involving two GOP governor candidates and a sitting Republican senator “is an egregious conflict of interest,” he said.
Barnett said the continued silence of the Republican leadership on this matter has left many unanswered questions.
“The vendor’s political ties to the Republican majority expose this contract for what it really was—an election-year political payday. It’s clear the Republicans have to buy loyalty from those who have switched sides, but the Legislature must not be used as a political piggy bank to bankroll the Republicans on their quest for Adelup,” he added.
Blas and Ada have not responded to our request for comment as of this writing.
Earlier, Senator Therese Terlaje said the law used as the basis for the contract—Public Law 38-119—was enacted to meet the legislature’s cybersecurity and IT needs, not for AI bill drafting services.
Terlaje, a Democratic candidate for governor, said Public Law 38-119 was passed on the promise it would deliver cybersecurity for the Legislature.
Ada, who authored the bill, and other legislative personnel had emphasised the need for cybersecurity during deliberations on the measure.
Yet Ada never disclosed during deliberations that the funds to be appropriated by that bill would be used for AI bill drafting, Terlaje said.
Nor did he disclose that he planned all along to enter into a contract as soon as April 1 for AI bill drafting using those funds, she added.
The legislature’s director also failed to submit a plan for the use of the funds allocated under the bill, Terlaje said. A plan would have clearly indicated whether cybersecurity or an AI bill drafting contract was the true intent, she added.
Ada’s bill passed the legislature on 27 March and Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed it into law on 08 April.
Terlaje said the AI bill-drafting contract became effective on 01 April, seven days before the governor signed the bill into law.
Terlaje said the language of the bill was specific to “cybersecurity and automation,” including “to make its information available to the public,” and AI for chatbots, data management and tracking, never indicating AI research or bill drafting for senators.
In light of this contradiction, Terlaje has asked the legislative counsel whether funds authorized by P.L. 38-119 may be used for an AI bill-drafting contract.
Also, in light of the reported non-competitive nature of the AI bill-drafting contract, she has asked the Legislative Counsel whether the contract’s procurement is authorized by the Standing Rules and Guam law.
Terlaje believes transparency in legislative proceedings should be the Guam Legislature’s priority “over unnecessary and undisclosed bill drafting contracts…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 28 Jun 2026
New EU seafood regulation to affect 97 percent of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels
SUVA/HONIARA, 18 JUNE 2026 (FFA) — National Competent Authority officials from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu met in Suva for a two-week technical training on new European Union (EU) food safety requirements introduced under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449, which entered into force on 27 January 2026.
The regulation introduces new technical requirements for freezer vessels and is expected to affect approximately 97 percent of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels currently authorised to export to the EU.
The training, which ran from 25 May – 04 June was designed to strengthen the capacity of National Competent Authorities – government-designated entities with the legal power to perform specific tasks such as certification, regulation and oversight.
The training aimed to support industry compliance and maintain access to the valuable EU seafood market. Organised by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) through the EU-funded Pacific–European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP II) – the second phase of a regional programme supporting sustainable ocean governance and fisheries management across the Pacific.
During the opening, the representative from the European Union Delegation to the Pacific thanked FFA for convening the training and supporting national authorities in developing important food safety competencies.
The regulation was introduced after EU auditors found freezer vessels across the global supply chain failing to reach the required -18°C in brine. In some cases, cannery-grade tuna frozen at higher temperatures had been marketed for direct human consumption, raising food safety concerns.
Ratu Jope Tamani speaking to the participants during the training.
“When tuna is not frozen correctly, bacteria produce histamine in the fish flesh, a toxin that cannot be removed by cooking or further processing and that causes scombroid poisoning, with symptoms ranging from rashes and nausea to severe allergic reaction,” FFA Market Access Specialist, Ratu Jope Tamani said.
The EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed recorded a rising number of such cases, resulting in the regulation.
Under 2025/1449, tuna is now split into two market categories. Fish frozen at temperatures above -18°C, including tuna frozen to around -9°C, may only be supplied to canneries. Fish intended for direct human consumption such as sashimi, fresh tuna steaks and premium market products must reach minus -18°C or colder. Brine freezer vessels must install real-time electronic temperature monitoring and submit validated freezing capacity plans before they can be listed on the EU’s approved register.
Ratu Jope said the training was a direct response to what the regulation demands.
“The compliance responsibility sits with the National Competent Authority of our Pacific Island nations. Our job is to make sure they have the technical knowledge to carry it out. That is what protects our countries’ place in the EU market and the revenue that comes with it,” Ratu Jope said.
Taina Rauvala, Head of Fiji’s Food Safety Unit and National Competent Authority said compliance would not be straightforward for all operators.
“There is some pushback expected from those using brine freezing. Getting the NCA and industry on the same page is our immediate challenge.”
Fiji’s tuna enters the EU duty-free under Fiji’s Interim Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.
“Europe has the strictest food safety rules in the world. If Fiji loses the EU’s trust, that trade deal disappears and the damage would hurt workers, families and businesses right across the country,” Ms Rauvala says. “Getting into the EU market can be straightforward. Staying in is the hard part. It takes commitment from the government, the NCA and industry consistently, not just at audit time.”
Solomon Islands National Chief Health Inspector Patricia Soqoilo said technical knowledge was her department’s most pressing need.
“It is not enough to know what the law says. Our officers need to understand how freezing works on a vessel, the engineering, the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) controls, the critical control points. You need the right people, with the right knowledge, properly resourced. All three matter.”
Kiribati already has automatic temperature recording devices, qualified engineering personnel and traceability systems in place.
“Regional support like this has significantly impacted our level of skills and competencies,” said Tereere Tioti, Director of the Competent Authority of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources.
“It strengthens our ability to conduct official controls, respond to emerging regulatory changes and safeguard Kiribati’s reputation in global markets.”
For Tuvalu, a nation that earns from its ocean primarily through fishing licence fees, EU market access represents a meaningful step towards direct export revenue.
“Compliance is non-negotiable,” said National Competent Authority Technical Officer Alipate Momoka. “We are not asking for easier rules. We are asking for the knowledge and support to meet the rules that exist.”
The training programme, delivered by Ratu Jope and consultant Cushla Hogarth, covered vessel engineering, refrigeration systems, time and temperature controls, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles and EU audit requirements.
FFA has conducted similar training in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, with Papua New Guinea to follow…. PACNEWS
SOL – TELECOMMUNICATON: SOL GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Solomon Islands PM Wale pushes for lower costs during Telekom Board and management meeting
HONIARA, 18 JUNE 2026 (SOL GOVT) — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale today met with the Board and Management of Our Telekom to discuss ways to work together and improve telecommunications services across the country.
At the meeting, the Prime Minister delivered a clear message: telecommunications costs must come down as the cost of living continues to rise.
“This has been my consistent message to all service providers since assuming office,” Prime Minister Wale said.
“We must think of the people of this country who are struggling to afford three meals a day. How do we serve them?”
While acknowledging the broader economic pressures affecting pricing across many sectors, the Prime Minister said some costs remain unreasonably high for ordinary citizens.
“We all have a stake in lowering the cost of living in this country. Government must also play its part through reforms aimed at reducing costs in other key service areas,” he said.
Prime Minister Wale emphasised the need for a collaborative and practical approach, noting that all stakeholders must work together to determine what is achievable and reasonable.
“Every part of our economy needs to come down,” he stressed.
He added that discussions to address high costs across the economy are already underway with relevant stakeholders.
In response, Chairman of Our Telekom Board, Baoro Laxton Koraua, acknowledged the concerns raised by the Prime Minister.
“We will take home your concerns with gratitude,” Koraua said.
Koraua also highlighted Our Telekom’s substantial contributions to the national economy and the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) over the last decade.
He also identified external cost drivers, specifically high electricity tariffs and bandwidth costs, as major factors influencing the company’s current pricing structure.
Despite these operational challenges, Koraua assured the Prime Minister that Our Telekom is actively exploring strategic measures to address the Government’s concerns and reduce the financial burden on consumers…. PACNEWS
SOL – PORTS: SOL GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Solomon Islands Finance Minister suspends pre-release of goods at Ports and warehouses
HONIARA, 18 JUNE 2026 (SOL GOVT) — Solomon Islands Minister of Finance and Treasury Gordon Darcy Lilo, has ordered the immediate suspension of pre-release arrangements for all goods at ports, container terminals, and bond warehouses.
Effective 02 June 2026, Customs and Excise will only release goods after all duties and taxes are paid in full, or after a formal exemption order is issued by the Revenue and Customs Exemption Committee.
Minister Lilo said the directive strengthens compliance, protects government revenue, and ensures exemption decisions are made through the proper legal process.
Importers of perishable goods must pay all taxes and duties in advance to avoid delays and spoilage.
“This action reflects the Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources,” the Minister said.
All customs officers and stakeholders have been instructed to implement the directive without delay…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Fiji and Panama lead global initiative to protect the Ocean’s “Twilight Zone”
New Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge Calls for Better Stewardship of the Ocean’s Food Warehouse and Carbon Pumpce
MOMBASA,18 JUNE 2026 (OCEAN CONSERVANCY) — At the Our Ocean Conference today, Fiji and Panama launched a new global commitment to protect one of the ocean’s most critical ecosystems.
Spanning the area 200-1,000 meters (220-1,100 yards) beneath the ocean surface, the “twilight zone” is home to an abundance of marine life that serves a central role in the ocean’s food web and helps to regulate the world’s climate.
The newly announced Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge calls on countries to take concrete steps to protect the zone from emerging threats like fishing and deep-sea mining and fill knowledge gaps about this still-mysterious ocean layer.
‘The twilight zone serves as a gateway between the ocean’s surface and the deep sea,” said Ocean Conservancy’s Vice President of Conservation Chris Dorsett.
“Under threat from climate change, growing commercial interests for the production of fish meal and health supplements, and other activities, this ocean layer urgently deserves a spotlight. By pledging to protect and study the mesopelagic zone, Fiji and Panama are setting a model for the world to follow.”
Ocean Conservancy is leading the initiative with the Marine Conservation Institute and Environmental Defence Fund. Whales, dolphins, seabirds, sharks and fishes feast on species from the twilight zone.
Commercially valuable species like tuna and swordfish are particularly dependent on marine animals like lanternfish, squid and shrimp populating this ocean layer. With improving technology and increasing demand for fish protein, industries are exploring ways to exploit these deep-sea animals for uses like fish oil and pet food.
“Without a healthy, functioning twilight zone, the health of the entire ocean is at risk,” said Eduardo Carrasquilla, administrator general of the aquatic resource’s authority of Panama.
“Panama is fully committed to safeguarding all ocean layers — from the surface to the deepest trenches. Protecting the mesopelagic zone doesn’t just protect biodiversity and an important food source. It also helps the ocean to lock away carbon, making it an action we all must stand behind”.
“As a Pacific island state deeply dependent on healthy marine ecosystems, Fiji strongly believes in the critical importance of protecting the ocean twilight zone for the long-term health of our ocean and the well-being of Pacific communities,” said Sivendra Michael, Fiji’s permanent secretary for environment and climate change.
Ocean Conservancy analysis found that the mesopelagic zone is the primary food source for Kenya’s tuna and swordfish fisheries. In particular, species from the twilight zone make up as much as 81 percent of swordfish diets and 46 percent of yellowfin tuna diets. With the Kenyan industry reporting US$3.3 million in earnings in 2023 and supporting hundreds of local fishermen, the depletion of these species would have serious impacts on local incomes.
The twilight zone comprises just 20 percent of the ocean’s volume, but by some estimates is home to upwards of 90% of the ocean’s fish biomass. This means that if you were to measure all of the marine life in this layer together on one scale, they would weigh far more than all the animals in the rest of the ocean put together.
‘Marine life in the twilight zone does more than provide food,” said Lance Morgan, president of the Marine Conservation Institute. “Everyday, billions of mesopelagic animals migrate to the surface to feed, transporting carbon back down, creating the ocean’s biological carbon pump. They transfer an estimated two to six gigatons of carbon per year from the surface to the deep sea, on the low end, an amount equivalent to double the emissions produced annually by all cars worldwide. Most of this carbon stays in the twilight zone or sinks even deeper, reducing atmospheric CO₂.”
Populations of commercially important small fish such as anchovies are expected to decline in a changing climate, driving the fishing industry to look at other alternatives such as those species found in the mesopelagic zone. Lanternfish, smaller than a pencil but rich in omega-3 fatty acids, have emerged as an attractive substitute for use in aquaculture, pet food, and human health supplements. They currently account for 60 percent of all deep-sea fish, with a total biomass of approximately 600 million tons across the ocean. Beyond fishing pressure, the zone faces additional threats from climate change, including warming waters and deoxygenation, and from the prospect of deep-sea mining.
Kristin Kleisner, associate vice president of ocean science at Environmental Defence Fund, said, “What’s so alarming about the increased commercial interest in the twilight zone is that we still have so much to learn about this part of the ocean and the unique ecosystems it contains. We have only cataloged a fraction of the species living in this layer, and we don’t fully understand their role in ocean food webs and the ocean’s carbon cycling, but we know enough to know that protecting this zone is essential for a healthy ocean and a thriving planet.”
Portugal and Vanuatu Express Support for the Challenge
In addition to Panama and Fiji officially joining the challenge, Portugal and Vanuatu recognised the importance of the mesopelagic zone and expressed their support for the overarching goals of the challenge.
“Portugal is a maritime nation, by geography, by history, and by heart,” said Salvador Malheiro, Portugal’s secretary of state for fisheries and maritime affairs.
“Leading by example is the only effective way to advance international ocean governance. We look forward to working closely with partner nations to turn the goals of the Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge into regular ocean management.”
“The mesopelagic zone is not only a reservoir of biodiversity — it is also central to the ocean’s role in regulating the global climate, transferring significant amounts of carbon to deep waters each year,” said Samson Vilvil Fare, director general of Vanuatu’s ministry of fisheries, oceans and maritime affairs. “Protecting this function is critical for the future of our planet.”.
The Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge
The Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge is a voluntary initiative of willing governments, with support from conservation organisations, research institutions and other groups engaged in protecting the twilight zone. Participating governments commit to:
*Applying a precautionary approach to the expansion of fishing and other potentially harmful activities targeting or impacting twilight zone species.
*Advancing scientific understanding of the little-understood mesopelagic zone.
*Establishing robust management frameworks to ensure any future activities are sustainable, transparent and consistent with international obligations.
*Advocating for the inclusion of language recognizing the importance of the mesopelagic zone and the need for a precautionary management approach in relevant decision documents, including the United Nations General Assembly Sustainable Fisheries Resolution…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
U.S Embassy Suva and Fiji National UniversityLaunch Executive Public Leadership Course
SUVA, 18 JUNE 2026 (US EMBASSY) — The U.S Embassy in Suva and the Fiji National University (FNU) announced the launch of the Executive Public Leadership Course, a strategic educational initiative that builds on the State Partnership Programme between the U.S state of Nevada’s National Guard and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, which was established in 2019.
This course brings world-class leadership education to military and civilian leaders from Nevada and Fiji at the FNU’s Nasinu Campus, College of Business, Hospitality, and Tourism Studies (CBHTS). The inaugural course will run 15-26 June.
The launch ceremony on 17 June featured Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka, U.S Embassy Suva Chargé d’Affaires John Degory, FNU Vice Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, and other officials from both nations, underscoring the strategic importance of this partnership to both nations’ interests.
Chargé d’Affaires John Degory noted that this class comes at a historic moment: “As the United States celebrates 250 years of Independence this year, we reflect not only on our founding ideals of liberty, democracy, and freedom, but look forward to building a future with even stronger partnerships across the Blue Pacific that the United States and Fiji call home. This leadership course embodies the forward-looking, optimistic spirit of the U.S.-Fiji relationship and will foster even greater cooperation between our nations in the future.”
Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba said the Executive Public Leadership Course reflects the Fiji National University’s commitment to developing ethical, adaptive and future-ready leaders capable of navigating increasingly complex national, regional, and global challenges: “At the Fiji National University, we believe leadership is not only about authority, but about service, integrity and the ability to inspire positive change. This course reflects our commitment to preparing leaders who can respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Through this partnership, FNU is proud to contribute to strengthening leadership capacity while reinforcing Fiji’s role as a hub for regional education, dialogue, and professional development.”
This programme represents a unique collaboration between the Nevada National Guard State Partnership Program, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), and the Fiji National University.
The partnership leverages the existing strong academic relationship between CSN and FNU to deliver cutting-edge leadership education that will enhance mutual understanding and interoperability between Fijian and U.S military and government partners.
The course will accommodate up to 35 participants, including officers from the RFMF and RFMF Territorial Forces, Nevada National Guard members, and leaders from Fijian government ministries and organisations spanning corrections, defence, agriculture, education, and police services. The curriculum will address critical leadership competencies including emotional intelligence, leading organisational change, power and influence, and collaborative problem-solving skills that enhance our partners’ capabilities and strengthen our collective security.
The programme has been developed to meet rigorous academic standards while addressing real-world leadership challenges.
The course is facilitated by subject matter experts from both Nevada and Fiji, ensuring a rich exchange of perspectives and best practices that benefit both American and Fijian participants. The program will be housed within FNU’s College of Humanities, Education, and Law and the Ratu Mara Centre for Leadership, Governance, and Security.
Following this initial pilot programme, the Executive Public Leadership Course will run twice annually, alternating between Fiji and Nevada, beginning in 2027.
This reciprocal arrangement fosters understanding of U.S values and institutions while developing deep, strategic ties between the U.S. and Fijian militaries…. PACNEWS
