In this bulletin:
1. FIJI — Rewa Chief says Fiji’s military immunity call challenges government to deliver accountability
2. UN— Record number of countries present climate progress through transparency reports
3. CNMI — Typhoon Bavi poses ‘significant threat’ to Mariana Islands
4. NZ — Pacific media fear watchdog loss may weaken protection against racist content
5. NAURU — Nauru health chief urges Public to act against dengue
6. PACNEWS BIZ — 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting concludes in Wellington
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Government may import sugar amid shortage fears
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Islands strengthens mining sector integrity through enhanced coordination
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Barbara Edmonds hits back at ACT cuts and defends the Labour Party’s tax proposal
10. PACNEWS DIGEST — Critical minerals can unlock economic opportunities and secure clean energy for all
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — From Port Vila City Council to Parliament: Vanuatu’s Lone Woman in Parliament on Women’s Political Leadership
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Changes needed to procurement to promote skills formation in PNG
FIJI – IMMUNITY/MILITARY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Fri 03 Jul 2026
Rewa chief says Fiji’s military immunity call challenges government to deliver accountability
SUVA, 03 JULY 2026 (PACNEWS)— Rewa Chief Ro Naulu Mataitini has described the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ (RFMF) call to remove constitutional immunity protections as “Fiji’s most courageous act of statesmanship,” saying it places the responsibility on the government to pursue accountability.
The retired United Nations security executive said the RFMF’s submission to the Constitution Review Commission marked a significant shift.
“For decades, Fiji has lived in a house ‘built to protect the architects of rebellion rather than the inhabitants of this nation,’ as RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai put it.
The very institution that once wielded the spear of political intervention has voluntarily reached for the olive branch of justice,” Ro Mataitini said in a post on social media.
Ro Mataitini said the RFMF had taken a step that previous governments had not.
“In an unprecedented submission to the Constitution Review Commission, the RFMF has done what no government in the post-1987 era has mustered the moral fortitude to do: it has asked to be held accountable.”
He said that by calling for the removal of the “Mark of Impunity,’ the RFMF had “not only demonstrated institutional maturity, but has also challenged the political class to finally confront a truth it has long avoided.”
Referring to the RFMF Commander’s submission, Ro Mataitini said the proposal acknowledged the consequences for military personnel.
“The Commander acknowledged that this proposal carries a ‘real cost,’ exposing officers and soldiers to legal risk and the perception among some ranks of a ‘breach of loyalty.’”
“The military is effectively declaring: If we have erred, we are willing to face the courts,” he added.
Mataitini said the RFMF’s position now required a response from the government.
He said previous governments had argued that changing immunity provisions would threaten stability, but that position had now changed.
“The RFMF has now passed the ball firmly to the government’s court.”
“Today, that argument is void.
The military—the very institution whose past actions justified those fears—has declared that such fears are no excuse for inaction,” Ro Mataitini said.
He said the government now had “a historic opportunity to show that it governs for the conscience of the nation, not just the comfort of the powerful.”
“The Commander has proven that institutional survival must never come at the expense of the national soul; the government must now prove that political survival should not either.’
Ro Mataitini also said the proposal was consistent with calls by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga for truth and reconciliation.
“The RFMF’s proposal to replace blanket immunity with conditional immunity—tied to full public disclosure through a strengthened truth and reconciliation process—seeks not vengeance, but truth.”
He said the proposal offered “a pathway that honors international standards while respecting our unique cultural context, prioritizing the nation over any single institution.”
Ro Mataitini said the RFMF Commander’s statement also redefined patriotism.
“The Commander’s assertion that the ‘survival of any single institution can no longer be purchased at the expense of this nation’s soul’ is a profound rebuke to our entire political class.’
“It redefines true patriotism—not as allegiance to a coup leader or a political party, but as the willingness to subject oneself to the same laws as ordinary citizens,” he emphasised.
Looking ahead, Ro Mataitini said the Constitution Review Commission and the government now faced important decisions.
“The Constitutional Review Commission now faces its greatest test. Will it show the ‘moral courage’ Major-General Kalouniwai urged? And will the government embrace its recommendations rather than shy away?”
He said the RFMF had removed a longstanding obstacle to constitutional reform.
“The old excuse that ‘the military will not allow it’ no longer applies—the military is leading the charge.”
Ro Mataitini said that if Parliament did not act, “it will not be protecting the nation from instability; it will be failing citizens who have been denied justice for generations.”
“The RFMF has shown that true strength is the humility to relinquish power.
Now, the government must show that true leadership is the wisdom to use power for redemption. The alternative, as the Commander warned, is a ‘nation of perpetual drifting’—a cost our children should never bear,” he said……PACNEWS
UN- CLIMATE CHANGE: UNFCCC PACNEWS 3: Fri 03 Jul 2026
Record number of countries present climate progress through transparency reports
BONN, 03 JULY 2026 (UNFCCC)—A record 37 countries presented their first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) at the third session of the Facilitative Multilateral Consideration of Progress (FMCP), held during the June Climate Meetings (SB64) in Bonn.
The session marked the largest participation in the FMCP since it began.
Over four working group sessions from 10 to 13 June, Parties shared progress in implementing their national climate plans (NDCs), presenting achievements in mitigation, adaptation and support provided to developing countries.
The dialogue-based process enables countries to share experiences, build mutual trust and learn from one another. Strong participation from ministers and senior officials underscored the growing political importance of transparency under the Paris Agreement.
COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago delivered a statement on behalf of Brazil, highlighting that: “Transparency is indispensable to implementation. Without transparency, there can be no credible way of assessing whether we are delivering on the commitments we have made, learning from best practices and correcting courses where needed. The FMCP reinforces transparency within the climate regime and, in doing so, strengthens the credibility of the UNFCCC by making each party’s progress more visible and comprehensible to all. If implementation is the measure of our collective resolve, transparency is what gives that resolve visibility and credibility.”
Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, serving as President of COP31 Negotiations, highlighted Australia’s ambitious climate targets and progress in the clean energy transition: “In the last six years, we’ve doubled the share of renewable energy in our electricity grids, and with our current policies, we’ll double again to 82 percent by 2030. One in three Australian households draws its energy from its roofs, from rooftop solar. We’re now installing 1,200 batteries in households a day.”
Across the four sessions, countries from every continent provided evidence of their efforts to implement the Paris Agreement.
The first session featured Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil and Türkiye, alongside Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Ireland.
The second brought together Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
The third included Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Sweden and Uruguay.
The final session featured Bhutan, China, Georgia, Ghana, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius and Uzbekistan.
The discussions reflected strong interest in learning from the experiences of presenting Parties.
25 Parties submitted 148 questions to the 37 presenting Parties, with around half focusing on the implementation of mitigation policies and NDCs.
Around one-fifth addressed institutional and legal arrangements for the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), while other topics included climate finance, technology transfer and carbon markets.
The formal sessions were complemented by informal dialogues, which featured 14 rounds of five-minute exchanges, allowing delegates to engage with a wide range of counterparts in a more interactive setting.
As the largest FMCP session to date, FMCP3 demonstrated the growing momentum behind climate transparency and its role in strengthening trust and implementation under the Paris Agreement.
The next session, FMCP4, will take place during COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, where around 40 Parties are expected to share their experiences…..PACNEWS
CNMI – WEATHER WATCH: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 3: Fri 03 Jul 2026
Typhoon Bavi poses ‘significant threat’ to Mariana Islands
SAIPAN, 03 JULY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) governor David Apatang is advising residents of Saipan, Tinian and Rota to stay up-to-date with forecasts as Typhoon Bavi approaches.
An update just after midnight Friday from the National Weather Service in Guam said satellite imagery showed Bavi as a very broad, strengthening storm, forecast to become a typhoon within the next 24 hours.
Bavi is forecast to continue strengthening over the next few days as it moves west-northwest toward the Marianas.
The storm could potentially pass anywhere from south of Guam to north of Anatahan, in the north of the CNMI, and there will be adjustments to the forecast track.
A zone forecast for the Marianas stated tropical storm conditions are possible on Sunday night for Saipan, Tinian and Rota, with typhoon conditions possible on Monday.
“Seas are expected to start building Saturday, as swell from Bavi approaches the Marianas. Seas are expected to become hazardous as soon as Saturday afternoon,” the forecast said.
The storm has prompted officials to cancel the 80th Liberation Day parade.
It comes as some residents are still without electricity following super typhoon Sinlaku.
Sinlaku battered the Marianas and Guam in April, causing widespread devastation to local infrastructure and the economy, and wiping out up to 60 percent of the livestock on Saipan.
The CNMI Public School System – the main organisation that runs all the free, government-funded schools – decided to end the 2025-2026 school year early instead of reopening campuses due to the devastation.
It is only been a couple of weeks since the US Army Corps of Engineers announced on 22 June that its temporary power planning and response team had completed the deinstallation of all emergency generators used to support critical infrastructure after Sinlaku.
Residents and businesses on Saipan have begun extensive storm preparations ahead of what could become the Marianas’ second super typhoon in just over two months following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Long lines formed at gasoline stations Thursday as motorists topped off their fuel tanks, while homeowners flocked to hardware stores for plywood, storm shutters, and other emergency materials.
Supermarkets and other retailers also saw residents stocking up on groceries, bottled water, and other essential supplies, while many homes and businesses were already being boarded up in anticipation of the storm.
The U.S National Weather Service in Guam said Friday that Bavi had strengthened overnight into a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130kph), and that conditions are “optimal for rapid intensification,” which could begin immediately and continue over the next one to two days.
As of 7am local time, Friday, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre placed Bavi about 760 miles (1223 km) east of Guam and 715 miles (1151 km) east-southeast of Saipan, moving west-northwest at 14mph (22kph).
Under the influence of a subtropical ridge to its north, the cyclone is expected to turn westward before resuming a west-northwest track toward the Marianas.
Warning Coordination meteorologist Landon Aydlett said the latest forecast continues to depict “a grim outlook” for the Marianas, particularly Saipan and Tinian, with current projections bringing a super typhoon near or just south of Tinian by mid- to late Monday morning.
The National Weather Service said the current forecast still points to Bavi passing through the Marianas after undergoing rapid intensification over the next two days.
However, Aydlett stressed that the forecast is not a guarantee. He said the storm’s track could still shift south toward Guam or farther north, while changes in its speed and intensity remain possible over the next two to three days.
A direct hit is not guaranteed for any island, but remains a distinct possibility, particularly for Saipan and Tinian.
The National Weather Service said all residents of Guam and the CNMI should prepare for at least tropical storm-force conditions.
Islands closest to the storm’s centre, or those that receive a direct hit, could experience significantly stronger winds, destructive surf, torrential rain and dangerous conditions.
The agency described Bavi as “a significant threat for all of the Mariana Islands” and urged people to take steps now to protect life and property while closely monitoring official forecasts.
A special weather statement also remains in effect for Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, where Bavi is expected to pass to the north.
Forecasters warned those islands could still experience surging west winds, thunderstorms and periods of locally heavy rainfall as the system moves through the western Pacific….PACNEWS
NZ – MEDIA: PMN PACNEWS 3: Fri 03 Jul 2026
Pacific media fear watchdog loss may weaken protection against racist content
AUCKLAND, 03 JULY 2026 (PMN)—Pacific media leaders fear the planned closure of New Zealand’s Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) could leave communities with fewer ways to hold broadcasters to account over racist and harmful content.
Their concerns come after the government confirmed plans to disestablish the independent watchdog, arguing the current system no longer reflects how people consume media.
No closure date has been set, and the BSA will continue operating until new legislation is passed.
For many in the Pacific media sector, the move is worrying because the authority has previously upheld complaints over comments targeting Pasifika.
In 2019, the BSA ruled that Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis-Allan breached broadcasting standards after describing Pacific nations as “nothing but leeches on us”.
The BSA found the radio host’s remarks were discriminatory and likely to cause harm.
In 2024, the authority also upheld complaints against another Newstalk ZB host Kate Hawkesby over comments suggesting Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery, ruling the claims were misleading and harmful.
Stacey Wood, the BSA’s chief executive, says removing the watchdog without replacing it would leave a major gap.
“We don’t agree that a total lack of media regulation is the right answer,” she told Pacific Mornings.
She said the authority gave people a way to challenge harmful broadcasts without going through the courts.
“If there is content that is discriminatory, abusive or harmful, it will be much harder to do anything about it,” she said.
“It opens the gate to material that would currently be a clear breach of standards.”
John Utanga, veteran Pacific journalist and director of Sunpix, believes the authority should have been modernised instead of abolished.
“The BSA needed to be upgraded, not eliminated,” he told PMN News. “We’ve always had a referee to go to and say, ‘Actually, that’s just not right’.”
Without that safeguard, he says, “We have no recourse. It’ll be open slander.”
Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says the BSA was built for a broadcasting world that is “rapidly disappearing”, with audiences now moving between television, podcasts, streaming services and online platforms.
In a statement, he says greater industry self-regulation is the most practical way to oversee news across different platforms, with the New Zealand Media Council expected to become the main regulator for journalism.
But Pacific broadcasters say much online content already falls outside existing rules.
Utanga says influencers are increasingly shaping public opinion without the editorial checks expected in journalism.
“People take an influencer viewpoint as gospel nine times out of 10,” he said.
Lisa Taouma, founder of Coconet TV, says the biggest concern is what comes next.
“Without a statutory complaints body, people would have to go to industry bodies or services like Netsafe,” she said.
Taouma says neither Netsafe nor the Harmful Digital Communications Act provides the same protections as the BSA.
“The big question is what replaces it.”
That answer remains unclear.
The New Zealand Media Council, an industry-funded body covering print and digital news, cannot fine publishers and does not oversee most live television, radio, podcasts or independent online creators.
Wood agrees the current system needs updating but says that should mean reform, not removal.
“We want a solution that suits the realities and harms we’re seeing now, not 1989.”
For Pacific communities, complaint pathways may still exist if the BSA closes but media leaders say none would offer the same independent oversight or legal authority as the current watchdog……PACNEWS
NAURU – DENGUE: PACNEWS/NAURU GOVT PACNEWS 3: Fri 03 Jul 2026
Nauru health chief urges Public to act against dengue
YAREN, 03 JULY 2026 (NAURU GOVT)— Nauru’s Director of Medical Services, Dr Angelique Makutu, is urging the public to take immediate action to prevent dengue, warning that the mosquito-borne disease can be fatal if medical treatment is delayed.
In a public awareness message Dr Makutu said Nauru experienced the devastating impact of the disease during the 2025 dengue outbreak.
“People can die from contracting dengue virus by developing symptoms then complications and coupled with late presentation in seeking medical help.
Naoero experienced this in our battle to stop the Dengue outbreak in 2025 where majority of the patients were children and we lost two precious lives,” she said.
She said dengue is a vector-borne disease spread through the bites of mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.
Dr Makutu said symptoms range from fever, generalised body aches, headache, pain behind the eyes, abdominal pain and vomiting to bleeding tendencies that can lead to haemorrhages and, in severe cases, death.
Calling on the public to take preventive action, she said controlling dengue starts at home and requires community participation.
“It’s paramount to take precautions to fight dengue and its starts at home, and the wider community. Everyone can help keep dengue at bay.”
Dr Makutu urged households to destroy mosquito breeding sites by removing stagnant water, covering water tanks and other water-collecting containers, and keeping surrounding areas clean.
She also encouraged additional protective measures.
“Additional layer of protection includes installing protective screens on windows and doors. Protect yourself by using sleeping nets, mosquito repellents, and wearing of loose clothing with long sleeves or long trousers to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes.”
Dr Makutu said these precautions are especially important during periods when mosquitoes are most active, particularly at dawn and dusk.
“Stop dengue today. Start protecting your family, your community, and Naoero,” she said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 03 Jul 2026
25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting concludes in Wellington
WELLINGTON, 03 JULY 2026 (FFA)—The 25th Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Ministerial Meeting and the 7th Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting (RFMM) concluded on 02 July 2026 with a Ministerial Retreat on the Kapiti Coast, marking the end of a week of discussions on the future of Pacific fisheries and regional cooperation.
Ministers from Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Naoero, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, together with a representative of Palau, met in Wellington on Tuesday 30 June 2026 for the 25th Annual Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting (FFCMIN25).
The Minister from New Caledonia and officials from American Samoa attended as observers. Also present were observers from the Pacific Community (SPC), the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO), the European Union and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
Ministers expressed their gratitude to the outgoing Chair, Mona Ainu’u of Niue, for her leadership and pledged their support to Shane Jones of New Zealand, who assumed the role of FFC Ministerial Chair for 2026-2027.
Ministers also expressed their gratitude to FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop for his strong leadership and to the FFA Secretariat for its continued support to the FFA Membership.
The official FFCMIN25 Communiqué was adopted during the Ministerial Retreat, outlining key priorities and agreements on Pacific fisheries including key fisheries priorities for discussions at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau from 30 August to 4 September 2026.
The Communiqué addresses key regional priorities, including the Interim Executive Summary of the FFA Director-General’s Annual Report 2025–2026, the Fisheries Roadmap, the FFA Strategic Plan 2026–2031, an update on the KPMG Independent Refresh and Performance Review, the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi), South Pacific Albacore, and the Middle East crisis and its impact on Pacific tuna fisheries.
Key Ministerial Endorsements
Interim Executive Summary of the Director-General’s Annual Report 2025–2026
Ministers expressed their gratitude to FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop for his strong leadership and to the FFA Secretariat for its continued support to the FFA Membership, as reflected in the Interim Executive Summary of the Director-General’s Annual Report for 2025 -2026.
Fisheries Roadmap: Offshore Fisheries Report Card
Ministers welcomed the positive trends achieved over the lifetime of the 2015–2026 Fisheries Roadmap, including:
*the continuing healthy status of the four main tuna stocks (skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore);
*the rapid growth in government revenues from the purse seine sector, which has stabilised since 2017; and
*gradual improvements in economic indicators, including onshore processing and regional employment.
FFA Strategic Plan 2026–2031
Ministers approved the FFA Strategic Plan 2026–2031 and welcomed its strategic shift towards maximising economic returns through strengthened regional cooperation while continuing to ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna stocks.
Update on the KPMG Independent Refresh and Performance Review
Ministers strongly supported the progress made in implementing the Review to drive positive change and improve efficiencies across the FFA Secretariat, as outlined in the Change Management Plan.
They commended the oversight provided by the Small Working Group (SWG), comprising Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Tonga and the FFA Director-General, under the leadership of outgoing FFC Ministerial Chair Hon. Mona Ainu’u.
Ministers also welcomed the continuation of the SWG under the leadership of the new FFC Ministerial Chair, New Zealand.
FFA Sustainable Funding
Ministers noted the importance of ensuring the FFA Secretariat remains a high-performing organisation capable of delivering on its objectives and reaffirmed their commitment to providing appropriate resourcing.
They also noted the ongoing work to secure sustainable funding for the Secretariat, including balancing Member contributions with fees paid by the fishing industry, while recognising the significant pressures currently facing the industry.
Ministers acknowledged the continued support of development partners and directed the FFA Secretariat to continue efforts to broaden its funding base, including through new development partners.
East New Britain Initiative (ENBi)
Ministers approved the ENBi Implementation Strategy, providing a structured framework for regional cooperation, equitable participation and inclusive investment to ensure the wealth created by Pacific tuna benefits Pacific people.
They welcomed the establishment of the ENBi Technical Working Group and recognised the importance of engaging closely with the private sector to identify and advance future development opportunities.
Ministers also welcomed the joint work between the FFA Secretariat, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to establish and operationalise the Regional Fisheries Development Fund.
Management of South Pacific Albacore
Ministers commended FFA Members for their leadership in securing the adoption of the South Pacific Albacore Management Procedure at the Twenty-Second Regular Session of the WCPFC in December 2025.
They endorsed the FFA Arrangement for the Proportional Allocation of South Pacific Albacore, bringing into effect the proportional allocation agreed at FFCMIN24.
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the zone-based management approach as the cornerstone of FFA fisheries management and committed to actively advocate this position within regional and international fora, particularly the WCPFC, to increase benefits to coastal States and territories.
Ministers also endorsed work to align the FFCMIN24 proportional allocation with implementation of the WCPFC Management Procedure and reiterated the importance of FFA Members working together to secure adoption of an implementing measure at WCPFC23 in December 2026.
They further recognised the importance of negotiating as one Pacific region at WCPFC23 and supported negotiating the South Pacific Albacore High Seas Allocation as an FFA bloc.
Multilateral Treaty on Fisheries between the Pacific Island Parties and the Government of the United States of America
Ministers acknowledged the continuing strategic importance of the U.S Treaty and welcomed advice confirming receipt of U.S Government payments.
They also welcomed the successful outcome of the 2026 Annual Consultation, which recognised the need to formalise and expedite collaboration on Pacific economic development to address shared priorities under the Treaty.
Middle East Crisis and Impact on Tuna Fisheries
Ministers expressed concern over the Middle East conflict and its impact on the Pacific tuna sector and the operations of the FFA Secretariat.
They directed the FFA Secretariat to continue monitoring the situation closely and keep Members informed of developments.
Appreciation to the Host
Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Chair and the Government of New Zealand for their generous hospitality and the successful hosting of the 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting.
The next annual Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting will be held in the Republic of Palau in 2027….PACNEWS
FIJI – SUGAR INDUSTRY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 03 Jul 2026
Fiji Government may import sugar amid shortage fears
SUVA, 03 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna says Government may still import sugar to meet local demand.
This followed concerns that some supermarkets had little to no sugar on their shelves, even as harvesting gets underway following the standoff between farmers and Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC).
“The demand for sugar, there is demand for sugar,” Tunabuna said.
“If we are not producing sugar to meet the demand we have in the supermarket, we will run out of sugar.”
Asked whether Government would import sugar to fill the gap, Mr Tunabuna confirmed it remained an option being considered.
“Because the demand will be there, the government is probably going to look at some avenues to meet the demand of our people,” he said.
“We have to look at how we will have to service the need our people have. We need sugar.”
Tunabuna said reports from the ground indicated cane deliveries had resumed after weeks of delay.
“According to the reports that I’m getting from my principal agriculture officer in the West, who is also working with our sugar staff, they are already travelling up the field, smoking trucks, some have been taken to the mill,”” he said.
“I’m led to believe from very reasonable sources that harvesting is already underway. It may be slow, as I’ve said, but they have started.”
FSC’s crushing season began Thursday at the Labasa Mill, with northern farmers now able to deliver their sugarcane for processing…PACNEWS
SOL – MINING: UNDP PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 03 Jul 2026
Solomon Islands strengthens mining sector integrity through enhanced coordination
HONIARA, 03 JULY 2026 (UNDP)— As Solomon Islands prepares for increased mining activity and works towards rejoining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), government institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability and inter-agency cooperation to protect the country’s natural resources from corruption, illicit financial flows and revenue leakages.
More than 30 representatives from key government ministries, oversight bodies, law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence institutions, accountability organisations, CSOs and mining companies gathered in Honiara for a national workshop on “Building a Coordinated National Response to Corruption, Illicit Financial Flows and Revenue Leakage in the Mining Sector in Solomon Islands.”
Organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Solomon Islands EITI National Secretariat, the workshop comes under the project Support to the Government of the Solomon Islands to Implement the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.
Participants examined corruption and governance risks, illicit financial flows and revenue leakages, while identifying practical ways to strengthen institutional cooperation, information sharing and coordinated responses among agencies responsible for regulation, revenue administration, financial intelligence, investigations and prosecution.
Opening the workshop on behalf of the Government of Solomon Islands, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Coswal Nelson, emphasised that protecting public revenues generated from natural resources is fundamental to the country’s development ambitions.
“The extractive industries sector has the potential to make an important contribution to our economy. If managed responsibly, it can generate revenue, create opportunities and support our broader national development priorities. But when governance arrangements are weak, opportunities for corruption, illicit financial flows and revenue leakage emerge, reducing the benefits that should reach our people.”
He stressed that no single institution can effectively address these risks on its own: “Each institution represented here holds an important part of the picture. Stronger coordination allows us to identify risks earlier, share information more effectively and respond more quickly. Coordination is not optional – it is essential if we are to safeguard public revenues and strengthen confidence in our institutions.”
Representing the Government of the United Kingdom, the Deputy British High Commissioner, Cameron Millar, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting transparent and accountable management of natural resources through its partnership with Solomon Islands and UNDP.
“Natural resources offer tremendous opportunities for economic development, but international experience demonstrates that without strong governance systems they can also become vulnerable to corruption, opaque ownership structures and significant revenue losses. Strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional cooperation help ensure that resource wealth benefits all citizens.”
He emphasised the sustainable reforms must be nationally led: “The strongest reforms are those designed and led by national institutions. Our role is to support Solomon Islands in building stronger systems that protect public resources, strengthen public trust and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.”
Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Programme Specialist for Inclusive Governance and Economic Growth, Solomon Kalu, highlighted that strengthening integrity in the extractive sector is about more than preventing corruption – it is about ensuring that natural resource wealth contributes to the country’s long-term development.
“The extractive sector is expected to become increasingly important to the future of Solomon Islands. If governed well, it can create jobs, generate revenues and improve the lives of people across the country. But achieving these outcomes requires institutions that work together effectively to prevent corruption, detect illicit financial flows and protect public revenues.”
He stressed that UNDP’s role is to support nationally owned solutions that strengthen governance systems and institutional collaboration: “Today’s workshop is not simply about understanding risks. It is about building stronger partnerships among institutions, improving information sharing and identifying practical actions that will strengthen transparency and accountability across the mining sector. Strong governance is built not only through sound laws and policies but also through effective cooperation between institutions.”
The workshop forms part of UNDP’s broader support Solomon Islands re-engagement with EITI, helping strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance across the extractive industries through technical assistance, institutional capacity development, policy support and multi-stakeholder engagement.
By strengthening governance arrangements across the mining sector, Solomon Islands is laying the foundations for responsible natural resource management, increased public confidence and ensuring that the country’s mineral wealth delivers lasting benefits for present and future generations….PACNEWS
NZ – TAX: PMN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 03 Jul 2026
Barbara Edmonds hits back at ACT cuts and defends the Labour Party’s tax proposal
WELLINGTON, 03 JULY 2206 (PMN)—A Pacific politician says the ACT Party’s plan to cut back on Government departments without considering the impact on communities could come at a cost for Pacific people and essential public services.
ACT recently unveiled plans for a smaller government, wanting to slash departments from 43 to 19.
The restructure plan targets the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), proposing to absorb it into the Department of Home Affairs.
Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Edmonds criticised ACT’s proposal to reduce the number of government agencies from 43 to 19 including folding the MPP into another department.
She said the focus should be on improving services and not removing ministries created to give Pacific communities a stronger voice.
“What the ACT Party wants to do is change the function without thinking about the form of it. What are you going to achieve if you cut back all these ministries, if you cut back the voices of Pacific people, for example, with the Ministry of Pacific Peoples?” Edmonds said.
She said the MPP was created because Pacific communities had been left out of government decision-making.
“If that means that the everyday services that New Zealanders rely on, such as your customs offices,your biosecurity, people through [Department of Conservation] and through [Ministry for Primary Industries], get cut back, then that has a bigger cost to our country.”
In a media release, ACT Party Leader David Seymour defended the proposal saying the current Government structure has become “an expensive, tangled bureaucracy”.
He said a smaller public service would deliver better results for New Zealanders.
Edmonds also defended Labour’s proposed 28 percent Capital Gains Tax on residential investment and commercial property.
She rejected claims that the party’s revenue estimates rely on unrealistic house price growth.
The Budget Economic Fiscal Update 2026 forecasts a house price decline of -0.5 percent for 2026, but projects a recovery of 4.0 percent for 2027.
“So it’s long term averages. We’ve used three percent. That was actually very conservative because at the time that we actually released our policy, it was already at 5 percent.”
Seymour has criticised Labour’s economic strategy, targeting Labour directly at his party rally over the weekend.
He said Labour’s promises are unaffordable and claimed the party has “$18 billion (US$10.25 billion) of unfunded promises”.
Seymour said New Zealand cannot solve its financial pressures by borrowing or raising taxes.
Edmonds rejected that criticism, pointing to Labour’s cost-of-living policies, including its proposed weekly public transport fare cap.
She also accused the National Party of benefitting from significantly larger campaign donations.
“Also, those big ads, that’s very much a symptom of them being well funded and getting lots of donations. In the last election, it was [for every] $7 (US$4) that the National Party raised, Labour could only raise a dollar.
“So it also shows that there is a political game happening where they’ve got large donors putting a lot of money in where they can do these sort of attack ads, spreading misinformation.”
Edmonds said Labour would rely on volunteers, door-knocking and phone calls to reach voters ahead of the general election on Saturday 07 November…..PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Critical minerals can unlock economic opportunities and secure clean energy for all
LONDON, 03 JULY 2206 (COMSEC)–The global transition towards sustainable and climate-resilient growth is reshaping the foundations of economic development, energy systems, and natural resource governance.
As countries seek to achieve their objectives under the Paris Agreement, there is an increasing need to align climate ambition with practical pathways that deliver economic diversification, environmental resilience, and inclusive energy security. Central to these efforts is the sustainable development of energy resources, particularly critical minerals, that underpin the technologies, infrastructure, and industries required for a green economy.
As the last in a series of London Climate Action Week (LCAW) dialogues hosted at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat, World Green Economy Organisation and experts met to discuss how countries can harness their critical minerals wealth to not only support the global energy transition but also to create environmentally resilient economies, strengthen communities, and foster inclusive growth.
Critical minerals are the bedrock of the clean energy economy
During his keynote address, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), stressed that critical minerals are the bedrock of the clean energy economy, underpinning solar panels, wind turbines, EV batteries, and grid infrastructure for reliable and sustainable development. He congratulated the Secretariat for its work in this space spanning more than 60 years.
Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Programmes, Amb Tanmaya Lal, explained that even though critical minerals are found in relative abundance, their processing and supply chains are currently highly concentrated geographically. Given the heightened global geopolitical tensions, instances of deliberate supply chain disruptions have exposed strategic vulnerabilities. He said:
“The Commonwealth has a unique position in the critical minerals landscape. Nearly half of the 56 Commonwealth members are resource-rich countries. Its membership also includes large producing countries, major processing and refining jurisdictions, manufacturing economies, and significant consumer markets. Three of the ten largest importers of critical minerals are Commonwealth members.
“Commonwealth leadership on critical minerals has also been reinforced through the stewardship of many of its members in global forums such as Mineral Security Partnership and Quad Critical Minerals Initiative. At Canada’s G7 Presidency last year, the group adopted the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan and South Africa’s G20 Presidency last year led to the adoption of G20 Critical Minerals Framework.”
Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), said that critical minerals are no longer mere chemistry on a periodic table, but is also the physics of geopolitics, and he advocate for the democratisation of data – open geoscience data platforms – to lower entry levels to the industrial opportunities offered by critical minerals.
Dr Ekpen Omonbude, Senior Policy Advisor, Inter-Governmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), also raised the importance of domestic conditions for “getting the deal right,” such as a regulatory framework, flexible licensing regime and pretax viability of doing business in critical minerals.
Critical minerals for energy transition
At the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, leaders recognised the importance of critical minerals for the energy transition, and renewed commitment to support members in the sustainable and equitable development of natural resources. The Commonwealth Critical Minerals Alliance (CCMA) followed and is a member-led platform for knowledge sharing and collaborations and includes 17 mineral-rich commonwealth countries.
Support for the sustainable development of natural resources
The Commonwealth Secretariat has provided technical support to countries on the sustainable development of natural resources including minerals. Over 20 countries have received support for mining sector policies, taxation systems, sector reforms, legal drafting – including legislation, regulations and contracts – and negotiations. These enabling frameworks and contracts paved the way for trillions of dollars of investments and the development of mining projects whilst simultaneously protecting the environment and communities….PACNEWS
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The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
From Port Vila City Council to Parliament: Vanuatu’s Lone Woman in Parliament on Women’s Political Leadership
PORT VILA, 03 JULY 2026 (UN WOMEN ASIA & PACIFIC) —Marie Louise Milne is a Member of Parliament of Vanuatu since 2025, serving in the Parliamentary Secretariat.
Formerly elected to the Port Vila Municipal Council, she has extensive experience in local governance and is deeply engaged in women’s political participation, gender equality, enhanced civic engagement, and capacity building for young women leaders, promoting inclusive, people-centreed legislation nationwide.
Marie Louise Milne did not imagine she would one day become the only woman serving in Vanuatu’s Parliament. Elected just over a year ago to represent Port Vila, the capital, the moment marked not just a personal achievement but another historic breakthrough for women in her country.
Her path into politics was neither quick nor accidental.
“I did not step into politics overnight,” she explains.
For years, she worked alongside her husband through his own political journey, as Member of Parliament, minister, and deputy prime minister.
“I accompanied him to meetings, to negotiations and observed how decisions were taken for the benefit of our nation.” What others saw as the role of a political spouse was actually solid preparation: “When the time came for me to step forward, I carried with me the lessons learned in those years of quiet observation and active support to my husband.”
Milne’s formal political path began with a reserved seat in the Port Vila City Council, where she was twice elected and served for seven years, including as deputy mayor. Those years were foundational.
“It took me 15 years to be involved as a servant of my community, then as a servant in local government, and now in the national Parliament,” she says. “What helped me stand is my campaign team, my community, and the trust that I gained.”
But challenges came too, especially during her campaign. “Because of our culture, people say politics is not for women, it’s for men,” she recalls. In those moments, community leaders stepped in.
“The chiefs said: think of a canoe—you have the canoe and you have the paddle. Without the paddle, the canoe cannot go where you want. It’s the same with a plane. You need both wings to take people where they need to go.” Milne knew trust was essential and anchored in community.
“You gain the trust of the chiefs through your actions. You must show results.” On intergenerational collaboration, she is clear: “We need the wisdom of our older women. We need the vision of our current leaders, and we need the energy of youth, our future leaders.”
Her victory in Port Vila was important.
“In my constituency, there were 32 candidates—31 male and I was the only female. There were only five seats, and I took the last seat. I am proud to be the only woman Member of Parliament in Vanuatu.”
But that pride comes with a purpose to strengthen women’s representation. “The battle is yet to be won. We need to work together in partnership with men so women can have a voice in Parliament. When women’s voices are heard, everybody benefits.”
Milne believes that advancing women’s leadership requires three commitments: “Mentorship, opportunities, and partnership.” Experienced leaders must guide and mentor young women. Real spaces—not symbolic ones—must be created for them to lead, including through special measures and quotas, which Milne sees “as stepping stones that prepare leaders”. And men and women, younger and older generations must see one another as allies, not competitors.
“We are in 2025. It is our time. Don’t wait for permission to lead. Speak with your heart.”
The Convening took place under the WYDE | Women’s Leadership initiative, funded by the European Union, which is a collaborative global effort aimed at advancing women’s full and effective political participation and decision-making at all levels, especially those most often left furthest behind…..PACNEWS
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The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Changes needed to procurement to promote skills formation in PNG
By Richard Curtain
PORT MORESBY, 03 JULY 2026 (DEVPOLICY.ORG)—The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have both recently made changes to their construction procurement policies. These aim to promote more employment and skills development for the residents of the countries receiving the loans.
But do these changes go far enough to have a major impact? Are the new requirements sufficient to provide the social licence that foreign firms and the multilateral agencies want? Will the changes overcome the reputational damage caused by the past reliance of construction firms on imported skilled workers for large projects?
The PNG Government, in its national budget papers for 2025, has forecast for each year to 2029 the cost of its major investment in the Connect PNG Infrastructure Programme. This includes the construction of roads, bridges, airstrips, school buildings, health facilities, maritime ports and coastal wharves, and improving electrical access and refurbishing renewable energy infrastructure.
Large international companies have also committed to significant infrastructure investment into the future, as shown in the data presented for the PNG Government’s Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme. Private sector investment in large resource projects including Wafi-Golpu, Frieda River and Papua LNG are also expected to go ahead. These projects will drive strong demand for technical and professional workers over the next decade. For PNG skilled workers to be employed in place of imported workers, the PNG Government and the loan providers will have to make a concerted effort to make this happen.
The World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, announced on 01 August 2025, after a week-long visit to Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Australia, that the Bank was making a major change in its procurement requirements for infrastructure projects. These changes require companies bidding for international civil works contracts for construction, transport and energy infrastructure to commit to ensuring that 30 percent of their labour cost is expended on employing a local workforce.
The goal of the change is to boost domestic job creation and skills development. The World Bank’s expectation is that the focus on aggregate labour costs, rather than on local-worker headcount, will promote a preference by contractors for more skilled workers.
On 16 September 2025, the President of the ADB announced a similar requirement in its construction contracts to achieve “meaningful local job participation on projects the ADB finances”. This involves a requirement in construction contracts for a local-labour quota of at least half of all person-days worked. Compared to the World Bank’s new requirement, this quota is a blunter instrument, as explained below. However, the ADB is also instituting two other measures to enhance the capacity of local firms and to help them respond to the contract requirements. Still, these changes alone do not address the skills imbalance between local and foreign workers.
Charles Kenny from the Centre for Global Development has criticised the World Bank’s new procurement requirement. He judges that it is not likely to “have much effect on contracting decisions or employment, nor any on broader development outcomes”. He notes that the World Bank has not provided any evidence that increased local employment will result. Nor has the Bank provided any data from its projects on whether the requirement will change the skill mix of workers engaged in-country.
My research for the ADB in 2016 showed that foreign companies employed local workers but at a low skill-level and often with high turnover. That research found that the most common practice for foreign road and bridge construction firms is to hire workers from local villages while the firms are working in the vicinity. Young men are hired as security guards and women are hired to collect rocks for gabions (cages of wire mesh) used as retaining walls. As a risk minimisation strategy, foreign firms preferred to import skilled workers to operate equipment and perform jobs requiring trade skills.
These imported skilled workers account for much of the labour cost of a large project. The question that needs to be answered is how much of the labour cost. Research by Peter Johnson, based on PNG evidence, has shown that between 1990 and 2002, two-thirds of the wages (68 percent) paid by Porgera Joint Venture went to international employees and one-third (32 percent) went to PNG national employees. This indicates that the World Bank’s new mandate for 30 percent of labour costs to be allocated to local workers may be too low to change the existing skill imbalance. For PNG, a 30 percent labour cost requirement is not likely, in many cases, to encourage contractors to offer higher-skilled, better paid jobs for local workers.
The new contract arrangements need to deliver an outcome that addresses directly the local skills shortage. Procurement requirements should include setting up and supporting skills training linked to established training providers. The ADB has also recently developed an alternative, more direct way of providing the skills needed. International firms, as part of their contractual requirements, are required to form relationships with training providers to provide traineeships.
The ADB approach, called Build4Skills, is to set up traineeships for skills development by integrating them into ADB-funded infrastructure projects in the energy, transport, water, urban and social sector. The traineeships are to be financed from the project loan, typically by earmarking 0.5 percent of selected civil works contract budgets. This ensures predictable and sustainable funding and the easy integration of training resources into project costs. This is a more efficient way of producing skills outcomes compared with the ADB’s past practice of funding training programs separately with little involvement from construction employers.
Two pilot projects in Mongolia and Pakistan have shown that this integrated approach has made it easier for the ADB and partner firms to include skills development in infrastructure investments. These changes have been at little extra cost and have achieved better coordination between the employer and training providers.
The social licence foreign firms and the multilateral development banks are seeking has to be based on real measurable outcomes achieved through skills formation. Simple metrics about outputs which offer only a one-off, short-term benefit will have little impact….PACNEWS
Dr Richard Curtain is a research associate, and recent former research fellow, with the Development Policy Centre. He is an expert on Pacific labour markets and migration.
