In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Australia, New Zealand back Pacific-led security and climate agenda
2. NZ — Solomon Islands PM to visit New Zealand
3. FIJI — Fiji must end ‘slow suicide’ of pollution and waste: Environment Minister Tabuya
4. NEW|CALE — Case dismissed for Pro-Independence Kanak leader Christian Téin
5. PAC — Fiji to host 30th PIDC annual meeting to strengthen regional border security and immigration cooperation
6. PACIFIC— Fiji reaffirms commitment to early childhood development and social protection across the Pacific
7. FIJI — No pre-election pacts say NFP President
8. FIJI — Nadi businessman charged over alleged importation of 2.6 tonnes of cocaine: Fiji Police
9. PNG — PNG Weather forecast warns of longer drier conditions
10. PACIFIC — Taiwan, Pacific allies celebrate ties at cultural gala
11. PACNEWS BIZ — FFA Director-General highlights role of fisheries in sustainable ocean planning at Island States Ocean Summit
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Artificial Intelligence, digital technology transforms Customs
13. PACNEWS BIZ — U.S Bill would bar Presidents from banning commercial fishing in Marine National monuments
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Pacific nations adopt first Regional Climate Relocation Framework
15. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Tuvalu youth on edge over social issues
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Australia, New Zealand back Pacific-led security and climate agenda
NOOSA, 08 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — Australia and New Zealand have reaffirmed their commitment to Pacific-led regionalism, climate action and security cooperation, pledging stronger support for Pacific priorities ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Palau later this year.
In a joint statement following the Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting 2026 in Queensland, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the peace, stability and prosperity of Pacific nations and territories were closely linked and required continued cooperation through regional institutions.
The two leaders reaffirmed their support for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as the region’s premier political body and committed to working alongside Pacific countries to advance regional priorities.
“Prime Ministers recognised that the peace, stability and prosperity of all countries and territories in the Pacific is interconnected. As founding members of the PIF, they reaffirmed their commitment to working in partnership with fellow Pacific countries and supporting Pacific-led regionalism, with the PIF at the apex of Pacific-led regional architecture.”
The leaders also committed to supporting Palau’s hosting of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in 2026, while Albanese welcomed New Zealand’s hosting of the Forum in 2027.
Climate change featured prominently in the discussions, with Luxon welcoming Australia’s efforts to elevate Pacific concerns on the global stage through its role as COP31 President of Negotiations.
“Prime Minister Luxon welcomed Australia’s leadership to amplify Pacific voices on the impacts of climate change through its role as COP31 President of Negotiations, and by partnering with Fiji and Tuvalu to deliver the Pacific Pre-COP and Leaders’ Event in October.”
Albanese thanked New Zealand for supporting the Leaders’ Event and both leaders reaffirmed their backing for the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its implementation plan.
They also reiterated support for the Blue Pacific being recognised as an Ocean of Peace and called on international partners to engage with the region in ways that respect Pacific institutions and priorities.
“Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Pacific’s priorities set out in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its Implementation Plan, as well as to the Blue Pacific being an Ocean of Peace. They called on the international community to engage in the Pacific in ways that respect and strengthen regional norms and institutions and respond to Pacific-led approaches to peace and security.”
Security cooperation was another major focus, with the leaders highlighting the growing role of regional policing and defence mechanisms.
Reflecting on Luxon’s visit to the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) Hub in Brisbane’s Pinkenba suburb on 05 June, the leaders acknowledged the work of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police, the PPI and the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) in strengthening regional policing capabilities.
“Prime Ministers acknowledged the important role of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police and the PPI in enhancing strategic collaboration and policing capabilities in the region, and the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) in providing a Pacific-led response to regional challenges.”
Albanese also welcomed New Zealand’s offer to host PPSG observers during the 2027 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting.
The two leaders praised the establishment of the Pacific Response Group (PRG), describing it as a regional asset designed to improve Pacific-led responses to disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
“Prime Ministers commended the establishment of the Pacific Response Group (PRG) as a regional asset bringing together regional militaries to strengthen Pacific-led responses to Pacific humanitarian crises and disasters.”
Albanese welcomed New Zealand’s decision to assume hosting responsibilities for the PRG headquarters from Australia on 01 July 2026.
The leaders noted recent progress in regional security cooperation, including the endorsement of a Regional Operations Deployment Framework by Pacific security officials for consideration by Forum leaders.
Both governments also expressed concern about the growing threat posed by transnational, serious and organised crime across the Pacific.
“Prime Ministers acknowledged the impact of transnational, serious and organised crime (TSOC) on Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, and confirmed that combatting TSOC, including drug trafficking to and through the Pacific, is a shared challenge and an urgent priority.”
The leaders backed calls from Pacific Islands Forum leaders for a coordinated regional response to organised crime and welcomed progress made through the inaugural Pacific Police Ministers’ Meeting and Transnational Crime Summit held in Fiji.
They further highlighted the importance of close coordination in monitoring maritime areas and addressing risks posed by military vessel activity and illicit drug trafficking at sea.
The statement also recognised a series of new bilateral security arrangements across the Pacific.
Albanese welcomed the Niue-New Zealand Political Declaration and the Cook Islands-New Zealand Declaration on Defence and Security, while Luxon welcomed Australia’s Pukpuk Treaty with Papua New Guinea and Canberra’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Solomon Islands.
The joint statement signals continued alignment between Australia and New Zealand on Pacific security, climate action and regional cooperation as both countries seek to deepen engagement with Pacific nations through Pacific-led institutions and frameworks…. PACNEWS
NZ – DIPLOMACY: NZ GOVT PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Solomon Islands PM to visit New Zealand
WELLINGTON, 08 JUNE 2026 (NZ GOVT) — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale will visit New Zealand this week for talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
“It’s only been a few weeks since Wale became Prime Minister, so I’m pleased to welcome him to New Zealand so soon,” PM Luxon said.
“Solomon Islands is an important partner for us, and a country I enjoyed visiting last year.”
“I’m looking forward to hearing Prime Minister Wale’s priorities and finding ways we can work more closely together.”
New Zealand has a longstanding partnership with Solomon Islands covering education, economic development, fisheries and policing.
Prime Minister Wale will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela and Education Minister Stephen Kumi.
He will also meet Foreign Minister Winston Peters and spend time with the Solomon Islands community in New Zealand…. PACNEWS
FIJI – WASTE CRISIS: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Fiji must end ‘slow suicide’ of pollution and waste: Environment Minister Tabuya
SUVA, 08 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Lynda Tabuya, has issued a blunt warning that the country cannot claim to be climate resilient while pollution and poor waste management continue to damage the country’s rivers, reefs and ecosystems.
In her World Environment Day 2026 Ministerial statement, Tabuya said Fiji was at a critical crossroads as it joined the global community under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
“But let me be clear: we cannot claim to be inspired by nature while we are slowly strangling it with our own waste,” she said.
Tabuya said nature was not simply a backdrop for tourism or photographs but Fiji’s lifeline in the fight against climate change.
“The mangroves that block storm surges, the rivers that fill our kettles and tanoa with clean water, the reefs that feed our children, these are not ‘nice to haves.’ They are our first and last line of defence in the face of an escalating climate crisis. And right now, plastic, pollution, and poor waste management are harming our greatest allies from the inside out,” said Tabuya.
She said protecting nature and tackling waste were inseparable challenges for Fiji.
“We cannot talk about climate resilience while our rivers choke on discarded wrappers. We cannot promise a sustainable future while our marine ecosystems digest our negligence. Every piece of rubbish you drop on a roadside today will likely end up in an ocean that is already under major strain.”
Tabuya described waste as more than an environmental issue, calling it a public health, biodiversity and economic problem.
“The Ministry has finalised the National Integrated Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy 2026-2035. This is our roadmap out of the landfill and into a circular economy. It recognises a simple truth: waste is not just an eyesore. It is a public health emergency, a biodiversity loss accelerator, and an economic failure.”
She announced the launch of Fiji’s first National Plastics Inventory and the expansion of the Trashboom programme, saying the initiatives would provide critical data to guide future action.
“We are also launching Fiji’s first National Plastics Inventory and strengthening our Trashboom initiatives. These are not just limited projects. They are intelligence-gathering missions. Because we know that we cannot manage what we do not measure.”
While acknowledging the value of river-based waste collection systems, Tabuya said they were not the solution to Fiji’s broader waste problem.
“Every bottle pulled from a river before it reaches the sea is a small victory. But let’s be honest—these booms are catching our excuses, not solving our problem. The real solution lies upstream: in our homes, shops, and habits.”
She said government was progressing Container Deposit Regulations and measures to make producers more accountable for plastic waste but stressed that policy alone would not solve the problem.
“We are advancing the Container Deposit Regulations (CDR), a system that will pay you back for doing the right thing. We are pushing producers to take responsibility for the plastic they force onto our islands. We are training businesses to stop seeing waste as garbage and start seeing it as a misplaced resource.”
Tabuya delivered a direct message to businesses, young people and households, urging immediate changes in behaviour.
“To businesses: Stop wrapping everything in single-use plastic and calling it ‘convenience.’ Your convenience is killing our reefs and is driving harm that will result in much more than inconvenience.”
“To our youth: You have the most to lose. Do not wait for global treaties. Lead local behaviour change, and yes, we must call out littering in our communities.”
“To every household: Separating your rubbish is not optional. Burning plastic in your backyard is poisoning your neighbours’ lungs. Throwing rubbish into the river is an act of environmental vandalism,” she said.
She warned that continuing with current practices would have serious consequences for future generations.
“We cannot go on with ‘business as usual.’ That phrase has become a euphemism for slow suicide.”
“When you choose to litter, you are not just making a mess. You are voting for flooded villages, poisoned fish, and a future where our children must be taught what a clean river used to look like,” said Tabuya.
Tabuya pledged stronger enforcement and greater international engagement, including Fiji’s participation in negotiations on a Global Plastics Treaty.
“On this World Environment Day 2026, I assure you that this Ministry will enforce stricter regulations, empower our municipalities, and fight for Fiji on the global stage, including in the context of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.”
However, she said every Fijian must also take responsibility.
“But here is my demand in return be inspired by nature, not just in your words, but in your actions.”
She urged people to reduce plastic use, dispose of waste responsibly and challenge behaviour that harms the environment.
“The Fiji we want to rediscover and preserve is the Fiji the world wants to visit and experience. A paradise of clean rivers, healthy reefs, thriving communities.”
Tabuya said Fiji’s environmental laws and policies were among the strongest in the Pacific, but success would depend on collective action and individual responsibility.
“Our nation recognises the right to a clean and healthy environment as a distinct human right that we must collectively seek to support and protect. Our environmental legislation and policy frameworks are some of the strongest in the region yet we must continue to rise to the challenge and be bold and laser-focused when it comes to delivering true and meaningful change,” said Tabuya…. PACNEWS
NEW|CALE – COURTS: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Case dismissed for Pro-Independence Kanak leader Christian Téin
PARIS/NOUMEA, 08 JUNE 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — A court in Paris has dropped all charges against pro-independence Kanak leader Christian Téin and 13 others in their alleged role in the May 2024 civil unrest in New Caledonia.
In announcing their ruling on Friday in Paris to French national media, the panel of judges said they had based their decision on “insufficient” evidence (amounting to a “no case to answer”) for all of the 14 accused.
The ruling came after almost two years of investigation on this case, which followed the grave civil unrest that broke out in New Caledonia mid-May 2024.
At the time, Téin was the leader of a group called CCAT (Field Action Coordinating Group) which was set up by pro-independence party Union Calédonienne a few months earlier.
Public prosecutors had alleged at one stage that CCAT was an “organised structure” and that its “order givers” had carried out a plan to “destabilise (New Caledonia’s) economic, administrative and public State services.”
Following the latest ruling, Public Prosecution has lodged an appeal.
In June 2024, Téin and other CCAT leaders were arrested in Nouméa and flown to mainland France, where they served pre-trial jail terms of up to one year.
Téin was allowed to return to New Caledonia in December 2025…. PACNEWS
PAC – IMMIGRATION/BORDER SECURITY MEET: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Fiji to host 30th PIDC annual meeting to strengthen regional border security and immigration cooperation
SUVA, 08 JUNE 2026 (PIDC) — Fiji will host the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) Regular Annual Meeting (RAM) in Suva from today bringing together Heads of Immigration, Senior Government Officials, and Partners from across the Pacific and beyond.
Held in Suva from 08 – 11 June 2026 under the theme “Innovation, Security and Partnerships for a Secure Pacific Border”, the meeting will serve as a key platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic action on emerging immigration, migration, and border management challenges facing the region.
This year’s meeting also marks a significant milestone—the 30th anniversary of the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC).
Established in 1996 in Fiji, PIDC has evolved into a key regional mechanism supporting cooperation, information sharing, and capacity building among immigration agencies across the Pacific.
The meeting takes place at a critical time, as Pacific countries continue to navigate increasing mobility, evolving security threats, and the impacts of climate change.
It also builds on recent regional efforts to strengthen cooperation among immigration and law enforcement agencies in addressing transnational crime and emerging security risks.
Outcomes from the PIDC RAM are expected to contribute to strengthened collaboration and practical solutions that support a more secure, connected, and resilient Pacific region, in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent…. PACNEWS
PAC – EARLY CHILDHOOD: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Fiji reaffirms commitment to early childhood development and social protection across the Pacific
SUVA, 08 JUNE 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — Fiji has reaffirmed its strong commitment to Early Childhood Development (ECD), at the 2026 Pacific Island Forum Women Leaders Meeting last week, recognising that investing in children from an early age is critical to building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Pacific region.
Speaking during discussions on Early Childhood Development in the Pacific: A Foundation for Progressing the Status of Pacific Children, Permanent Secretary for Justice and Acting Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, Selina Kuruleca stated that Fiji supported recommendations to strengthen ECD across the region and welcomed plans to develop an ECD and Status of Pacific Children Report in 2027.
Kuruleca highlighted the importance of ensuring that research and surveys used to measure children’s wellbeing are based on reliable and statistically significant data. This will help provide an accurate picture of the challenges and opportunities facing Pacific children and ensure all countries are properly represented.
She reaffirmed that child neglect, violence, poverty, and family instability are serious threats to children’s wellbeing and the future development of Pacific nations. Fiji noted that women often carry the greatest caregiving responsibilities during times of economic hardship, natural disasters, health emergencies, and social crises.
Fiji’s commitment is supported by a strong legal and policy framework, including the Child Care and Protection Act 2024, the Family Law Act, the Domestic Violence Act, the National Child Safeguarding Policy, and other national strategies that promote child welfare, gender equality, and family resilience.
The Government is also investing in a Child Wellbeing Centre in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Fiji. This centre is to provide a safe space where children and families can access counselling, psychosocial support, protection services, and other assistance.
Kuruleca highlighted the importance of prevention and early intervention, noting that strong partnerships between government agencies, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, and development partners are helping strengthen families and communities. Programmes delivered by organisations such as Frank Hilton Organisation, Medical Services Pacific, and Empower Pacific provide parenting support, counselling, health services, and outreach programmes across the country.
Recognising the important role schools play in safeguarding children, Kuruleca pointed to ongoing school health programmes that provide free health screenings, dental and eye checks, immunisations, and health education.
Initiatives such as the HPV vaccination programme for Year 8 students continue to support the long-term health and wellbeing of young people.
She stressed that protecting children requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Through coordinated efforts involving health workers, teachers, police, welfare officers, community leaders, and service providers, children and families at risk can receive timely support and protection.
Kuruleca also emphasised that child protection is not only a welfare issue but also human rights, development, health, education and national security priority…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FIJI TIMES/FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
No pre-election pacts say President
SUVA, 08 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES/FIJI SUN) — Fiji’s National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad has ruled out any pre-election agreements or political pacts with other parties ahead of the next general election, while reaffirming the party’s commitment to completing its term in government as part of the current coalition.
Speaking at the NFP Working Committee meeting in Rakiraki on Saturday, Prasad said a recent Management Board decision would not affect the party’s existing coalition arrangements with the People’s Alliance and SODELPA.
“I want to make this very clear, the Management Board’s decision does not in any way impact the understanding and the memorandum of understanding with the People’s Alliance, as well as the coalition agreement,” he said.
Prof Prasad said the NFP would remain committed to the coalition government until the end of its term.
“We will continue to the end of the term of this government as a coalition.”
However, he made it clear that under Fiji’s current electoral system, each political party would contest the next election independently.
“Under the current electoral system, every party will contest the polls on their own.”
While ruling out pre-election arrangements, Prof Prasad said the NFP aimed to play a more influential role in any post-election coalition negotiations.
“It is our objective to ensure that we have an inclusive government, by the people, for the people, like what we have now.”
“We want to be a leading force post-election in any post-election arrangement that we are going to enter.”
Prof Prasad also used the meeting to defend the Coalition Government’s record since taking office in December 2022, arguing that it had transformed Fiji’s political landscape despite facing criticism and setbacks.
“Despite the many criticisms, despite some of the failures, missteps, side steps, this Coalition Government, with the very active participation of the National Federation Party, has changed the practice of politics in this country.”
He pointed to what he described as improvements in democratic freedoms and media independence under the current administration.
“We now have real democracy. We now have real media freedom.”
As an example, Prof Prasad highlighted one of the first decisions made by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka after taking office.
“The first act by the government, by Prime Minister Rabuka, was to lift the ban on Professor Brij Lal and his wife Padma, so that she could bring his ashes back to Fiji.”
The comments come as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2026 General Election, with coalition arrangements expected to be a key issue in the lead-up to the polls
Meanwhile, NFP vice-president Lenora Qereqeretabua says the party must begin thinking seriously about its next chapter by preparing a new generation of leaders.
Speaking during the party’s working committee meeting in Rakiraki, Qereqeretabua said respect for past achievements should not prevent the party from planning for the future.
“Every successful political movement eventually reaches a point where renewal becomes necessary. Every organisation must ask itself whether it is developing or not,” she said.
The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs said leadership change was inevitable and the key question was whether the party was preparing for it responsibly and with its long-term interests in mind.
“Strong political parties do not fear succession because they understand that leadership renewal is a sign of confidence, not weakness,” she said.
“They identify capable individuals, give them responsibility, expose them to decision-making and allow them to develop the skills and experience required for leadership.”
She said institutions became stronger when leadership was continually renewed and refreshed.
“We must begin to prepare new leaders to take on greater responsibility within the party,” she said.
“We must create opportunities for new voices to emerge and for new ideas to be heard. We must ensure that the future direction of the party is not determined by circumstance or crisis, but by thoughtful planning and deliberate preparation.”
Qereqeretabua said leadership renewal should be viewed as an opportunity to build on the party’s achievements and strengthen its appeal to future generations.
“The true measure of any leader is whether the organisation remains strong after they have left office,” she said.
“If we are serious about the future of the National Federation Party, then we must be equally serious about building the leadership that will carry the party forward over the next decade and beyond.”
“We inherited it from those who came before us, and we have an obligation to leave it stronger than when we found it,” she said.
“That requires us to think beyond our own roles and beyond our own time in leadership. Renewal is not a threat to legacy, but one of the most important ways of preserving it,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DRUGS FIGHT: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Nadi businessman charged over alleged importation of 2.6 tonnes of cocaine: Fiji Police
NADI, 08 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN) — A Nadi businessman will appear in court today charged in connection with the alleged importation of more than 2.6 tonnes of cocaine seized in Vatia earlier this year.
The Fiji Police Force confirmed that, following consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the man has been charged with one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and one count of possession of properties suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Police allege that between 01 November 2025, and 15 January 2026, the accused, together with others, facilitated the unlawful importation of more than 2.6 tonnes of cocaine into Fiji.
It is further alleged that during the same period, the accused and others were unlawfully in possession of the drugs at Vatia Wharf in Tavua.
Police said a search conducted at the accused’s residence in Nadi on 05 June led to the discovery and seizure of large sums of local and foreign currency suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Tavua Magistrates Court on Monday…. PACNEWS
PNG – WEATHER WATCH: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
PNG Weather forecast warns of longer drier conditions
PORT MORESBY, 08 JUNE 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Sometime between August and October, people should begin to see drier conditions around the country, according to the Papua New Guinea National Weather Service assistant director Kasis Inape.
“The dry season has started and some provinces are picking it up because they have been experiencing dry weather since November last year,” he said.
“Those provinces are the ones seeing more dry conditions already.”
Inape said some provinces were still having rain, however.
“The dry season has already started.
“The normal cycle is from April to September.
“We’re also seeing that we have El Nino coming on board which will make it much worse because it’s happening together with the dry season.”
He said that scientists were predicting a “super El Nino”.
“El Nino and La Nina are normal climate variability events that happen every five to seven years. Now it’s becoming more frequent and more intense,” Inape said.
He explained that the factor that “drives El Nino is the moisture”.
“The oceans are a good conductor of heat.
“They capture the energy in the oceans and slowly release it.
“That’s why you have thunderstorms, tropical cyclones.”
Inape said they had been observing in the past five years the warmest year on record, meaning that a lot of heat had been stored in the ocean.
“When you have a lot of heat in the ocean, that energy has to go somewhere else. That creates disasters,” Inape said.
“As long as the ocean depth is bigger, it will take a longer time for it to dissipate and produce all these impacts.”
He added that most of the models were showing the onset of a “super El Nino,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: TAIWAN NEWS PACNEWS 1: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Taiwan, Pacific allies celebrate ties at cultural gala
TAIPEI, 08 JUNE 2026 (TAIWAN NEWS) — President William Lai has highlighted Taiwan’s cooperation with its Pacific allies and their shared democratic values, saying the Pacific Ocean has long served as a bridge connecting the nations.
At the Pacific Cultural Gala in Taipei jointly organised by the Pacific Taiwan Ambassadors Group (PTAG), which consists of the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, Lai thanked the diplomatic representatives for making the event possible.
“We are all maritime nations,” Lai said, adding that Taiwan and its Pacific partners are bound together by the values of freedom and democracy.
“The Pacific has never been a barrier. It has always been the greatest bridge that connects us,” he said.
Recalling state visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau months after taking office in May 2024, Lai said he witnessed cooperation between Taiwan and its allies in areas including education, healthcare, telecommunications infrastructure, and maritime rescue operations.
Lai pledged to further deepen cooperation with Taiwan’s Pacific allies.
In her speech, Marshall Islands Ambassador Anjanette Kattil, who also serves as dean of the PTAG, said the Pacific and Taiwan are connected by deep Austronesian roots and longstanding friendships.
She also reaffirmed the three allies’ support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international community and praised Taiwan’s contributions to global development, humanitarian assistance, public health, technological innovation, and regional prosperity.
Describing climate change as the greatest challenge facing Pacific peoples, Kattil cited rising sea levels, increasingly severe weather events and changes to ocean environments, and called for greater international cooperation to address the issue.
The three Pacific nations remain committed to working with Taiwan toward a free, resilient, and prosperous future, she said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 08 Jun 2026
FFA Director-General highlights role of fisheries in sustainable ocean planning at Island States Ocean Summit
TOKYO, 08 JUNE 2026 (FFA) — The Director-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Noan David Pakop, participated in the Island States Ocean Summit (ISOS) in Tokyo, Japan from 03 – 04 June 2026, joining leaders, policymakers, scientists and development partners to discuss pathways for sustainable ocean planning and management.
Pakop contributed to a panel discussion on Nature and Food Systems, where he highlighted the central role of fisheries in supporting food security, livelihoods, economic development and ecosystem health across Pacific Island countries.
The centrality of fisheries and oceans to Pacific livelihoods and identity was also highlighted by Pacific Leaders during the summit’s high level opening segment
Drawing on the Pacific region’s experience in collective fisheries management, Pakop noted that sustainable ocean planning and management can elevate efforts already in place at the sectoral and regional levels, pointing to nearly five decades of regional cooperation through the FFA and its Members in managing and stewarding one of the world’s largest ocean regions with sustainable and productive tuna fisheries.
He emphasised that sustainable fisheries must be recognised as a core pillar of ocean planning, noting that fisheries are fundamental to Pacific economies, food systems and community wellbeing. He further highlighted the importance of integrated governance, stronger coordination across sectors, improved use of science and traditional knowledge, and sustained investment in implementation.
Pakop also shared the Pacific’s tuna fisheries management model as a practical example of how ecosystem stewardship and economic development can be advanced together through science-based management, regional cooperation and effective compliance systems.
He noted that initiatives such as the East New Britain Initiative further demonstrate the potential of integrated approaches that connect fisheries, investment, infrastructure, markets and sustainable development.
“The Pacific experience demonstrates that healthy oceans, sustainable fisheries, food security and economic prosperity are mutually reinforcing objectives. The success of sustainable ocean planning will ultimately be measured by whether it delivers real benefits for people while strengthening stewardship of the ocean for future generations,” Pakop said.
The Island States Ocean Summit is co-hosted by The Nippon Foundation, the Government of Japan and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and brought together leaders and stakeholders from island and coastal states to advance dialogue on sustainable ocean planning and management…. PACNEWS
PAC – CUSTOMS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 08 Jun 2026
Artificial Intelligence, digital technology transforms Customs
SIGATOKA, 08 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Advances in artificial intelligence and digital technology are enabling customs administrations to improve trade facilitation, strengthen enforcement and enhance revenue collection simultaneously.
Addressing the 28th Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) Annual Conference last week, World Customs Organisation (WCO) Deputy Secretary-General Ricardo Treviño said technology was transforming the way customs agencies operate around the world.
“We are now seeing exponential growth in the use of technology to digitise procedures and solutions, including those based on artificial intelligence, which allow customs organisations to produce results and process volumes of information that were previously impossible for humans to manage,” Treviño said.
He said the WCO was moving away from the traditional approach of balancing competing priorities, where achieving one objective often came at the expense of another.
“The work that we’re doing is no longer about finding a balance in achieving these objectives because balance means sacrificing, to a certain degree, some aspects to achieve another.
“What we want to do now is achieve all these objectives in full, and with the current technologies and the approach we are taking within the WCO, this is both feasible and achievable,” he said.
The WCO’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan focuses on three key objectives:
• Trade facilitation;
• Fair revenue collection; and
• Protecting societies.
Treviño said better use of data and emerging technologies would help customs agencies facilitate legitimate trade, strengthen enforcement efforts and ensure fair revenue collection while responding to society’s needs.
He also said maritime trade security was becoming an increasingly important area of focus for customs administrations.
“There are very interesting topics that are also of interest to the wider WCO membership, including how to balance trade facilitation and enforcement and address security risks related to maritime trade.
“This is an area where the WCO is investing significant effort, together with our members, to develop best-practice solutions and exchange ideas on how we can address these opportunities and risks,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: WIRES PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 08 Jun 2026
U.S Bill would bar Presidents from banning commercial fishing in marine national monuments
WASHINGTON, 08 JUNE 2026 (WIRES) — U.S Bill would bar Presidents from banning commercial fishing in Marine National Monuments Legislation advancing through the U.S Congress would forbid presidents from using executive power to outlaw commercial fishing inside marine national monuments, instead requiring that such fishing be governed under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).
Over successive administrations, presidents have invoked the Antiquities Act to unilaterally designate marine national monuments or modify their protective measures, a practice that commercial fishing interests have long opposed when it leads to fishing bans.
Former President Barack Obama barred commercial fishing in the roughly 5,000-square-mile Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument upon its creation in 2016.
Later presidents have shifted between permitting commercial fishing and reinstating prohibitions; most recently, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that again allowed commercial fishing in that monument.
In February, Trump posted on his Truth Social account that he had reversed the commercial fishing restrictions during his first term, but that his successor foolishly reinstated them.
He declared that he had signed a presidential proclamation to unleash commercial fishing in the Atlantic Ocean under an America First Fishing Policy.
Trump has also worked to eliminate a commercial fishing ban in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, and with his encouragement, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council has moved to restore commercial fishing access in portions of several marine national monuments.
U.S Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) has introduced a bill that would bar presidents from using the Antiquities Act to prohibit fishing in a marine national monument, clarifying that fishing would be managed under the MSA in those areas.
At a 03 June hearing before the U.S House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, U.S Representative Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) voiced support for the measure. Hageman stated that some of the most serious misuses of the Antiquities Act have occurred in the U.S exclusive economic zone, and that marine national monuments in the Western Pacific and off New England have severely limited commercial fishing access, harming American seafood competitiveness and coastal communities.
Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Tim Petty, who also backed the bill during the hearing, contended that existing regulatory frameworks protect fish populations and habitats in those areas. Petty noted that the MSA, together with the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and other laws, provides enforceable, adaptive, and science-based mechanisms adequate for proper care and management of monument objects.
He added that NOAA will continue to depend on regional fishery management councils as key advisors to ensure fishing rules are crafted with local knowledge and stakeholder input.
American Tunaboat Association Executive Director William Gibbons-Fly, a witness at the hearing, attributed the decline of the American tuna fleet in the Western Pacific to marine national monuments.
He pointed out that roughly 53 percent of the U.S EEZ in the Pacific Islands Region falls within marine national monuments, and that the U.S Pacific purse seine fleet has dropped from 34 vessels a few years ago to just 15 vessels currently operating. Some lawmakers have urged Trump to restore commercial fishing bans in the monuments.
In March, nine Democratic senators signed a joint letter asking the president to rescind his order that resumed commercial fishing in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
The senators argued that New Englanders broadly support permanently protected ocean areas, and that multiple studies indicate well-managed marine protected areas with fishing bans have minimal or no negative economic effects on commercial fishermen.
They also noted that when the Trump administration opened the monument to fishing in 2020, 99 percent of fishing activity still occurred outside its boundaries…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Pacific nations adopt first Regional Climate Relocation Framework
Pacific governments have launched the world’s first regional framework for planned climate relocation, creating new guidance for communities facing displacement from rising seas, coastal erosion, and intensifying storms.
By Olya K-Mehri
SUVA, 08 JUNE 2026 (THE DIPLOMAT) — In March 2026, Pacific governments launched new regional guidance on climate-related planned relocation, the Pacific Regional Guidance on Planned Relocation (PAC-GIPR), to help governments and communities manage displacement while protecting human rights, cultural identity, and local decision-making.
The guidance builds on the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (PRFCM), endorsed by Pacific leaders in 2023, and its Implementation Plan 2025-2030, adopted in August 2025 to support practical action on climate mobility across the region. According to Human Rights Watch, the guidance recognises planned relocation as a measure of last resort when communities can no longer safely adapt to climate impacts where they live, while emphasizing community participation, Indigenous rights and cultural preservation throughout the relocation process.
Unlike emergency evacuations following disasters, planned relocation involves the long-term movement of communities from areas that are expected to become increasingly unsafe due to climate change.
The initiative comes as climate-related migration becomes a more pressing issue across the Pacific. Environmental pressures such as sea-level rise, coastal flooding, droughts, and extreme weather events are affecting livelihoods and forcing some communities to move in search of safety and economic opportunity.
Nowhere is this challenge more visible than in low-lying Pacific Island nations. Countries such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands face growing risks from rising sea levels that threaten homes, infrastructure, freshwater supplies, and agricultural land. While governments continue investing in adaptation measures, experts acknowledge that some communities may eventually need to relocate.
Some Pacific communities have already begun relocating, underscoring how long governments have been grappling with the realities of climate displacement and the need for coordinated guidance on climate-related relocation. In Fiji, the village of Vunidogoloa was moved inland in 2014 after years of coastal erosion and flooding, becoming one of the first communities in the region to undergo government-supported climate relocation. The experience highlighted both the opportunities and challenges involved in moving communities while preserving social ties and cultural identity.
The new regional guidance aims to ensure that such moves are carefully planned rather than conducted as emergency responses after disasters. The framework emphasises community consultation, protection of Indigenous rights, access to funding, and preservation of cultural heritage throughout the relocation process.
The issue extends beyond the Pacific Islands, with climate-related risks playing a growing role in migration decisions across Asia. A 2026 study published in Discover Oceans found that floods, cyclones, riverbank erosion, and saltwater intrusion are contributing to migration from vulnerable coastal areas in Bangladesh. Researchers concluded that environmental pressures are becoming an increasingly significant factor in decisions to move, particularly among populations whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and fishing. Research has also identified social and psychological impacts associated with displacement, including stress, anxiety and feelings of loss linked to leaving homes, communities, and traditional ways of life.
International organisations are now recognizing climate mobility as a major policy challenge. According to the United Nations University, climate-induced migration is becoming a growing governance, development and security issue across Asia and the Pacific. However, legal protections for people displaced by climate change remain fragmented, and many countries lack comprehensive policies to address future migration pressures.
Experts caution that climate change is rarely the sole factor driving migration. Economic opportunities, education, family connections, and political conditions often influence decisions to move. In many cases, environmental pressures compound existing social and economic challenges, contributing to decisions about whether and where people relocate.
For Pacific governments, the adoption of the new relocation guidance marks a shift from reacting to disasters toward planning for long-term climate realities. Rather than waiting until communities face immediate threats, policymakers are seeking ways to prepare for potential relocation while ensuring that affected populations remain at the centre of decision-making.
As climate impacts intensify across the region, the Pacific framework may provide a model for other countries confronting similar challenges. As rising seas reshape coastlines around the world, the Pacific’s experiment with planned relocation may become one of the most closely watched tests of how societies can manage climate-driven migration while preserving dignity, livelihoods and cultural identity…. PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Tuvalu youth on edge over social issues
FUNAFUTI, 08 JUNE 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Tuvalu is often described as a place on the edge—of rising seas, of climate catastrophe, of disappearing altogether. But listen to its youngest citizens, and they will tell you that there are equally important and pertinent issues worthy of attention: unemployment, unequal development, and a growing sense that their voices are not really being heard.
A survey of young Tuvaluans has painted a complicated picture of wanting to believe in leadership but is struggling to.
The survey, carried out between March and April this year, wherein a link was circulated to a range of questions gauging sentiments on governance. It reached people from all nine inhabited islands. More than half of those who took part were students, and the majority were female.
Work is the real problem
When asked what pushed families into poverty in Tuvalu, three out of four respondents gave the same answer: No jobs.
Seventy-six percent identified unemployment as the leading cause of poverty. That was followed by economic instability (46 percent) and lack of education (41 percent).
A young person from Nukufetau, one of the more remote outer islands, put it plainly in an open-ended response: “Development is more concentrated in Funafuti than the outer islands. Outer island people do not have the same benefits.”
Funafuti, the capital, is where most government offices are. It is where the main hospital is. It is where the jobs are. It’s where it’s all happening. The hope is that this can be translated to outer islands as well.
Forty-four percent of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the benefits of development have been shared fairly across the country. Only a quarter agreed.
Leaders know what they are doing – but not for everyone
When asked to rate Prime Minister Feleti Teo, the numbers were not unkind. Of all respondents, 29 percent said he was doing a “good” job, and 26 percent said, “very good”. Only 11 percent rated him bad or very bad.
But behind those numbers lies a more complicated emotion.
Respondents were asked how political leadership made them feel. Only 26 percent said leaders know what they are doing. Twenty-one percent said they feel confident about the future. But 18 percent said leaders only look after the rich. Fifteen percent said leaders only look after themselves. And 12 percent said they are simply worried.
One number stands out: 38 percent of respondents—and an even higher proportion of the younger respondents—believe only a few people have a real say in how the country is run. They named members of Parliament, those with position, wealthy individuals, and government officials as the ones who truly matter.
Spend less on travel, more on us
The survey also asked young people how they would spend public money if they had the choice. Answers were informative:
More spending on healthcare (58 percent), education (52 percent), outer island development (45 percent), and infrastructure (38 percent).
Less spending on government travel and overseas trips (52 percent), ministerial allowances and vehicles (48 percent), and non-essential administrative costs (35 percent).
Only a quarter of respondents agreed that public funds are managed efficiently. A third disagreed.
Voting yes, but trusting slowly
Despite the scepticism, voting intention is surprisingly high. Nearly 70 percent said they plan to vote in the next national election. Among the 18-to-25 age group, that figure rises to almost 80 percent.
Civic duty, the right to choose leaders, and a desire for change were the main reasons given.
Fifteen percent said they will not vote. Some cited a lack of interest. Others said they live overseas. And some said they simply do not trust the system.
Culture, rights, and speaking freely
Perhaps the most interesting finding was on human rights. Exactly half of respondents believe human rights are protected in Tuvalu. But 31 percent were unsure, and 15 percent said no.
When asked what stands in the way of greater human rights, the most common answer—chosen by 41 percent—was “culture and tradition”. That was well ahead of “lack of education” (26 percent).
That finding suggests a real tension that young Tuvaluans are navigating valuing their traditions, but a frustration with constraints on individual expression.
Asked whether they feel free to express their opinions publicly, 58 percent agreed or strongly agreed.
A warning in the data
The survey results are not at this stage a cause for alarm, but they do provide some direction.
Without action on jobs, outer island development, transparent governance, and meaningful political participation, Tuvalu risks losing its young people—either to Funafuti, overseas, or to apathy…. PACNEWS
