In this bulletin:
1. FIJI — Australia and Fiji upgrade relationship with alliance
2. UN — El Niño forecast to intensify, increasing likelihood of extreme weather
3. W|PAPUA — Indonesian troops recover body of U.S pilot slain by rebels in West Papua
4. PNG — Tabitha Suwae named as acting Chief Ombudsman
5. W|PAPUA — Jayapura Hospital ready to become Papua New Guinea referral hub
6. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Revenue and Customs nears annual revenue target after strong 11-month performance
7. PACNEWS BIZ — ANZ strengthens Pacific leadership with new Country Head appointments
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Westpac questions long-term future of Fiji’s sugar industry
9. PACNEWS BIZ — U.S invests K131 million in satellites
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Lae-based media company thriving
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — Pasifika Women Aboard The ‘Floating University’ Champion Data-Driven Ocean Management
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Global push for AI governance amid warnings of ‘catastrophic harm’
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: AAP/ABC NEWS PACNEWS 3: Mon 06 Jul 2026
Australia and Fiji upgrade relationship with alliance
SUVA, 06 JULY 2026 (AAP/ABC NEWS) — Australia and Fiji have sealed a new defence alliance, marking a major diplomatic win for Anthony Albanese against China for influence in the Pacific.
The prime minister inked Fiji as Australia’s fourth regional ally in a signing ceremony with counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka at State House in Suva on Monday.
The Ocean of Peace alliance and Vuvale Union agreement join the list of deals finalised by the Albanese government with Pacific nations.
Australia has mutual defence pacts with the U.S, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, called the PukPuk treaty, coming into effect on Wednesday.
The the key provisions of the new alliance signed with Australia and Fiji today: “Article 5 – Consultation: In the event of a security-related development that threatens the sovereignty, peace or stability of a Party, the Parties shall consult at the request of any Party and consider whether any measures should be taken in relation to the threat.”
“Article 6 – Mutual defence: Each Party recognises that an armed attack on any of the Parties within the Pacific would be dangerous to each other’s peace and security as well as the security of the Pacific and declares that it would act to meet the common danger, in accordance with its domestic processes.”
The document also makes it clear that this new alliance is open to other Pacific nations — although the ABC has been told only Pacific nations with standing militaries could be included (Tonga, New Zealand and Fiji).
But it’s already clear this document will play a key role in the government’s attempt to build a web of security treaties with nations across the region to butrose its strategic position.
“The alliance reinforces Australia and Fiji’s commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and secure region,” said Australia’s foreign affairs department.
“The purpose of this treaty is to recognise and affirm the commitment between the parties to protect their sovereignty, secure their mutual defence and security interests and contribute to the stability and security of the Pacific,” the deal reads.
Ahead of the alliance’s unveiling, the prime minister drank kava out of a shell during a traditional ceremony.
Albanese thanked Rabuka for the warm welcome and for honouring Australia.
“Our countries share such strong cultural and people to people links demonstrated here today with representatives joining me from the Yolngu Nation in Northern Australia,” he said.
“Our partnership is strong, from my Vuvale (family) to yours, Vinaka (thank you).”
Albanese arrived in Fiji on Sunday evening.
In an attempt to bolster Australia’s key relationships in the region, Albanese will also host the leaders of PNG and Tonga in Brisbane at the final State of Origin game on Wednesday.
Following his visit to Fiji, Albanese will head to the Solomon Islands to meet with his counterpart Matthew Wale after the two nations agreed to further discussions on a security deal.
While visiting Honiara on Tuesday, Albanese will participate in the Solomon Islands’ 48th Independence Day celebrations.
The trip follows the sealing of a long-awaited $500 million (US$346 million) deal with Vanuatu, called the Nakamal Agreement.
Under the agreement, Port Vila agreed to close the door on foreign military bases in its territory.
The pacts form a key part of an attempt to stave off Chinese influence in the Pacific.
Later in the week, Albanese will travel to Melbourne to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi will appear at a major community event at Marvel Stadium on Thursday, with tens of thousands of members of the Indian diaspora expected to attend…. PACNEWS
UN – WEATHER WATCH: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Wed 01 Jul 2026
El Niño forecast to intensify, increasing likelihood of extreme weather
GENEVA, 06 JUNE 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — More blistering heatwaves and other weather extremes are becoming increasingly likely across the world now and in coming months, linked to strengthening El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific, the UN World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Friday.
“El Niño will also give an extra boost to global temperatures,” said WMO scientist Alvaro Silva. “We know that during El Niño years, the global temperatures normally reach record levels.”
According to WMO’s monthly Global Seasonal Climate Update, strong El Niño conditions are expected to develop rapidly from July to September, with “high confidence” in this outlook.
It is based on multi-model forecasting from WMO partners which indicates a “consistent and significant warming of ocean temperatures” across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, with seasonal-average sea-surface temperature anomalies expected to exceed 2°C in monitored regions.
On land, the outlook is equally worrying. “It’s the first week of July, it’s the start of what is traditionally the hottest month of the year,” WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis told journalists in Geneva. “And yet already in June we’ve seen record-breaking temperatures in many parts of Europe; just as an example, Germany last weekend saw a new national temperature record of 41.7°C.”
The WMO update highlights a “prolonged and dangerous heatwave” in the central and eastern United States until the end of this week and into the Independence Day weekend, flagged by the US National Weather Service.
In addition, there are likely to be drier than average conditions in Central America and the Caribbean, along with North and South America.
Drier weather patterns are also forecast in parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia during the monsoon season, but wetter conditions are anticipated during the rainy season from September to December in East Africa. It is also possible that East Africa may be wetter than normal and face flooding because of another important climate driver, the Indian Ocean Dipole, which WMO describes as a possible development.
The El Niño alert has prompted an “unprecedented mobilisation” by WMO, its members worldwide and partners in regional climate centres, to support governments by providing timely forecasts to save lives and protect livelihoods, the agency said.
“We have a window to act for preparedness for early action. And this window is narrowing in some regions,” WMO’s Silva said. For areas where drought is anticipated, priorities include ensuring that there is enough water for agriculture, energy production and other key activities.
El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO); they are one of the most powerful climate drivers.
The naturally occurring phenomenon is characterized by above-average sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
El Niño events typically occur every two to seven years and usually last between nine and 12 months. They often begin developing between March and June, reach peak intensity between November and February, and exert their strongest influence on global temperatures in the year following their onset.
The effects of El Niño vary depending on the intensity, duration, the time of year and also how it interacts with other climate variability modes, including the Indian Ocean Dipole.
Not all regions of the world are affected, and even within a region, impacts can be different. “Even when ENSO is neutral, extreme weather can still occur,” WMO explains.
The agency classifies El Niño and La Niña events as weak, moderate, strong or very strong.
“The intensity of El Niño is important because it increases the likelihood of extreme weather and climate events in different parts of the world…on top of long-term climate change due to human activities,” WMO’s Silva stressed.… PACNEWS
W|PAPUA – SLAIN PILOT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES PACNEWS 3: Mon 06 Jul 2026
Indonesian troops recover body of U.S pilot slain by rebels in West Papua
JAYAPURA, 06 JULY 2026 (THE WASHINGTON TIMES) — Indonesian security forces recovered the body of an American pilot killed by rebels last week in the restive province of West Papua, according to footage posted online by Jakarta.
Nicholas F. Goselin, a pilot for an Indonesian aviation company, was killed by the secessionist West Papua Liberation Army after landing at Ipdeheik Airstrip near the village of Balinggama last Thursday.
The aircraft he piloted was subsequently burned on the strip, which photos show was carved into a jungled hillside.
Seven Papuan civilians, including three women, who were in the aircraft with him were unharmed.
Bodycam footage shows a squad of heavily armed and armored troops from an Indonesian police-army task force fanning out tactically from a helicopter in highland terrain.
The clip cuts to the troops wrapping a body dressed in khaki trousers and a pale blue shirt in a tarpaulin, before evacuating, again by helicopter.
The recovery operation took place last Friday. The video was released over the weekend.
According to The Associated Press, rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom said the aircraft flown by Goselin violated an announced ban on civilian flights in areas the separatist group considers its operational zone.
“The shooting of pilot Nicholas F. Goselin is a warning to the UN, the United States and the Netherlands to promptly resolve the conflict in Papua,” the spokesperson said, according to independent Indonesian media Tempo.
The Netherlands colonised West Papua prior to 1969, when it was taken over by Indonesia.
The U.S Embassy in Jakarta has not commented publicly on the American’s death.
Goselin was flying a civilian aircraft. Rebels claim even civilian planes are being used for military operations.
Due to the rugged terrain of the Papuan highlands, aircraft, both fixed-wing and rotary, are key modes of transport.
“Aviation serves as a vital lifeline in the remote regions of Papua, and it is devastating to see those who dedicate their lives to this mission targeted in such a manner,” wrote Aviation 24/7, a specialist group with 273,000 followers, on social media.
Goselin was a pilot for Indonesian company PT Associated Mission Aviation. PT AMA states on its website that it services over 400 destinations across West Papua, using largely light aircraft.
Goselin, a Connecticut native, had previously flown as a bush pilot in that state.
He is not the first overseas pilot to fall afoul of rebels in one of East Asia’s least-reported low-intensity conflicts.
A New Zealand pilot was abducted by rebels in 2023 and held for 19 months before his release was secured by negotiations. Another pilot from New Zealand was abducted and killed in 2024.
Resource-rich West Papua, formerly a Dutch colony, was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, sparking a simmering, decades-long conflict.
It flared into renewed violence in 2025, after rebels killed 18 employees of a gold mine, sparking retaliation from Indonesian forces.
Indonesia-controlled West Papua, and the nearby independent states of Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea, are ethnically Melanesian-Papuan and predominantly Christian. Indonesia is ethnic Southeast Asian and majority Muslim.
Jakarta has long kept a close watch over the area, fearing that secessionism could spill over into other parts of the vast Indonesian archipelago, home to 288 million.
It was also mindful, particularly after the fall of pro-U.S. regimes in Saigon and Phnom Penh in 1975, of communist influence taking hold on its southwestern flank.
That threat was a factor in Indonesia’s invasion of former Portuguese colony Timor-Leste in 1975, leading to decades of brutal guerrilla warfare before the territory was finally granted independence in 2002…. PACNEWS
PNG – OBUDSMAN: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 3: Mon 06 Jul 2026
Tabitha Suwae named as acting Chief Ombudsman
PORT MORESBY, 06 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Tabitha Suwae has been appointed Papua New Guinea acting Chief Ombudsman, taking over from Richard Pagen whose six-year term in the position ended Friday.
Prime Minister James Marape said that the Ombudsman appointments committee endorsed Suwae to accept the position in an acting capacity while a recruitment process continued for the substantive position.
Marape, the committee’s chairman, congratulated Suwae on her appointment, confident that her “extensive experience, professionalism and commitment to the Constitution would ensure that the commission continued to discharge its responsibilities with independence and integrity”.
“Appointments based on merit, transparency and integrity are central to that reset,” Marape said.
“We are building governance systems that outlive governments and individuals, ensuring our institutions remain strong, independent and resilient for generations to come.”
He supports the committee’s decision to advertise the position.
“Constitutional offices such as the Ombudsman Commission must be filled through open competition so that the most qualified Papua New Guineans have the opportunity to serve,” he added.
“Vacancies are openly advertised, independent selection panels assess applicants, and appointment committees consider those who emerge through a competitive process.
“Merit must always be the guiding principle in appointments to our key constitutional offices.”
Suwae, a career public servant who has served in the Ombudsman Commission since 2024, said that she planned to fulfil the roles and functions of the commission.
She thanked Pagen for his service and contribution to building the commission’s capacity to 200-plus personnel at its headquarters in Port Moresby and regional offices.
“We will all now have to collectively work to build on the legacy he (Pagen) has left to us,” Suwae said.
“We must ensure that the commission continues what he has started and move it to the next level.
“I trust that we can do it,” she said…. PACNEWS
W|PAPUA – HEALTH: ANTARA PACNEWS 3: Mon 06 Jul 2026
Jayapura Hospital ready to become Papua New Guinea referral hub
JAYAPURA, 06 JULY 2026 (ANTARA) — Jayapura Regional General Hospital (RSUD) is ready to become a referral hospital for Papua New Guinea through a cross-border healthcare partnership that is currently being explored with the Papua Provincial Government and national health authorities.
Acting Director of Jayapura Hospital, Andreas Pekey, stated in Jayapura last Friday that the collaboration was explored after a delegation from the Papua New Guinea Department of Health and the management of Vanimo Hospital in West Sepik Province visited Jayapura Hospital.
“The visit is the first step in establishing healthcare service collaboration, especially for communities in border areas who require referral medical services with more comprehensive facilities,” he said.
According to Pekey, Jayapura Hospital is ready to become a referral hospital for the people of Papua New Guinea. It has healthcare personnel, specialist doctors, and service facilities to meet the needs of patients from neighboring countries.
“Jayapura’s geographic location, which shares a direct border with Papua New Guinea, makes cross-border healthcare collaboration have great potential to improve access to healthcare for communities in both regions,” he said.
He explained that in addition to strengthening bilateral relations in the health sector, the collaboration is also expected to improve the quality of hospital services through the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and capacity building of human resources in the health sector.
“The implementation of the collaboration will follow the provisions established by the central government and the governments of both countries, including patient referral mechanisms, financing, and other administrative aspects,” he said.
He added that his office is strongly committed to continuously improving the quality of healthcare services to provide fast, safe, and high-quality services to both the Papuan people and patients from border regions, including Papua New Guinea.
“We hope the collaboration can be realised soon so that Papua New Guineans who need referral healthcare services can receive optimal care at Jayapura Regional Hospital,” he said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – REVENUE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 06 Jul 2026
Fiji Revenue and Customs near annual revenue target after strong 11-month performance
SUVA, 06 JULY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has collected $3.226 billion (US$1.613 billion) in net revenue during the first 11 months of the 2025-2026 financial year, putting the Government on track to meet, and potentially exceed, its annual revenue target.
The revenue collected to the end of June is $156.9 million (US$78.45 million), or 5.1 percent, above the year-to-date forecast and $52.3 million (US$26.15 million), or 1.6 percent, higher than the same period last year.
With the Government’s annual net revenue target set at approximately $3.37 billion (US$1,685 billion) for the financial year ending 31 July 2026, FRCS has already achieved 95.7 percent of that target with one month remaining.
For June alone, FRCS collected $430.1 million (US$215.05 million), exceeding the monthly forecast by $75.8 million (US$37.9 million) (21.4 percent) and surpassing collections for June last year by $49.6 million (US$24,8 million) (13 percent).
FRCS Chief Executive Officer Udit Singh said the results reflected the resilience of Fiji’s revenue base despite ongoing global and domestic economic challenges.
“The Reserve Bank has recently highlighted a more cautious outlook for economic growth due to global uncertainty, higher fuel prices and geopolitical developments. Against that backdrop, these results are encouraging and reflect the resilience of Fiji’s taxpayers, businesses and the broader economy.”
The strongest contributors to revenue growth were Company Income Tax, PAYE and Value Added Tax, supported by positive performances in Excise Duty, Capital Gains Tax and Departure Tax.
Singh said the figures pointed to more than just higher prices.
“While imported inflation and higher prices have contributed to growth in some revenue lines, the overall performance has been driven by a combination of genuine economic activity, resilient businesses, sustained employment and stronger tax compliance.”
He said FRCS had continued to strengthen intelligence-led compliance, debt recovery, audit programmes and digital risk management to ensure a fair and effective tax system.
FRCS also processed legitimate taxpayer refunds efficiently, with refunds accounting for 8 percent of gross revenue, helping businesses maintain cash flow while protecting the integrity of the tax system.
Looking ahead, Singh said FRCS would continue monitoring both domestic and international economic developments, particularly the impact of recent fuel supply challenges and global economic uncertainty.
“While the economic outlook remains cautious, the strength of revenue collections over the first eleven months provides confidence that Fiji enters the new financial year from a solid fiscal position.”
He also thanked taxpayers, employers, importers, exporters, customs brokers and the wider business community for their continued commitment to voluntary tax compliance.
“These results reflect the partnership between FRCS and Fiji’s taxpayers. Every dollar collected supports essential public services, national infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development. We thank all compliant taxpayers for the important role they play in building a stronger Fiji,” said Singh…. PACNEWS
PAC – BANK: ANZ PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 06 Jul 2026
ANZ strengthens Pacific leadership with new Country Head appointments
SUVA, 06 JULY 2026 (ANZ) — ANZ today announced leadership changes across its Pacific business, reinforcing its commitment to strong, regionally connected leadership and long-term growth in the Pacific.
Subject to regulatory and government approvals, Terence Low will be appointed Country Head Samoa, while Sucharu Tandon will be appointed Country Head Vanuatu. These appointments will take effect from September 2026.
In addition to his role as Country Head Vanuatu, Sucharu Tandon will assume expanded regional leadership across ANZ Pacific Retail and ANZ Kiribati, with the Head of Retail Pacific and Country Head of Kiribati reporting directly to him. In addition to his role as Country Head Samoa, Terence Low will assume expanded regional leadership across ANZ Cooks and ANZ Tonga with respective Country Heads reporting directly to him.
ANZ Regional Executive Pacific, Sarah Stubbings, said the changes reflect the strength of ANZ’s leadership bench and its continued focus on building capability across the region.
“These appointments recognise two highly experienced leaders who have both delivered strong outcomes in complex environments and are deeply committed to the Pacific,” Stubbings said.
“Terence and Sucharu bring complementary strengths and a strong understanding of our customers, our people and the communities we serve. Their appointments will further strengthen collaboration across our markets and support delivery of our Pacific strategy.”
“These changes strengthen how we operate as a regional business, ensuring we have the right leadership structures in place to support our customers and continue building a well-managed, high-performing franchise across the Pacific,” Stubbings said.
ANZ confirmed there will be a structured transition process to ensure continuity for customers, employees and stakeholders.
“It will be business as usual for our customers in Samoa and Vanuatu throughout this transition,” Stubbings said.
“The Pacific remains a core part of ANZ’s international network. We are focused on strengthening performance, maintaining strong risk and governance standards, and continuing to invest in the capability of our people and our business.”
ANZ has a long-standing presence in the Pacific and operates across eight markets, supporting regional economic development, financial inclusion and digital banking access.
Sucharu Tandon is a senior banking executive and board director with more than 20 years’ international experience across developed and emerging markets, including Australia, Samoa and India, and earlier career exposure to North America, the UK and Asia with JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.
He is recognised for leading transformation, building strong stakeholder partnerships and delivering disciplined outcomes in complex, regulated environments.
He is currently Country Head Samoa, with regional responsibilities across the Cook Islands and Tonga, where he leads strategy, performance, risk and customer outcomes.
Over the past three years, Sucharu has strengthened the Samoa business by improving performance discipline, deepening customer focus and building trusted relationships with government, regulators, customers and community partners.
He brings a collaborative leadership style and a global perspective grounded in respect for local cultures, with a focus on sustainable growth, financial wellbeing and digital innovation.
Sucharu will relocate to Vanuatu with his wife, Maree, and they are looking forward to becoming part of the community and embracing the culture and traditions of Vanuatu.
Terence Low is a highly experienced banking leader with more than 30 years of experience across the Pacific, including roles in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.
Over the past four years as Country Head Vanuatu, Terence has led a significant transformation of the business, positioning it for sustainable growth.
He also led ANZ’s response following the December 2024 Port Vila earthquake, swiftly restoring operations and leading ANZ’s recovery efforts on the ground.
Terence is known for his focus on operational discipline, strong team leadership and delivering outcomes in complex environments. He is recognised for leading with transparency and building trust through change.
Terence and his wife Luisa have strong personal ties to Samoa and are looking forward to reconnecting with their heritage and becoming part of the local community…. PACNEWS
FIJI – SUGAR INDUSTRY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 06 Jul 2026
Westpac questions long-term future of Fiji’s sugar industry
SUVA, 06 JULY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Westpac says Fiji faces a difficult decision over the long-term future of its sugar industry, warning that continuing to invest heavily in the sector may not be sustainable without major reforms and a gradual transition to alternative livelihoods.
In its Fiji FY2026-27 National Budget Review, Westpac said Fiji’s sugar industry has become increasingly uncompetitive since losing preferential European Union sugar prices.
“Fiji no longer benefits from the preferential prices once offered by the European Union, which at one stage paid nearly three times the prevailing world market price for sugar.”
The report says Fiji now competes with major sugar-producing countries such as India, Brazil and Australia, all of which enjoy significant competitive advantages.
“Today, Fiji must compete against large-scale producers such as India and Brazil, which benefit from lower labour costs, greater economies of scale, larger state subsidies and more advanced technology.”
Westpac noted that Fiji has restructured its sugar industry before, with mills opening and closing over time as economic conditions changed.
“The big question is whether Fiji should keep directing money into sugar or help farmers shift to other livelihoods.”
The report said mechanisation alone has not solved the industry’s challenges, particularly in hilly areas where harvesting remains difficult.
It also warned that mechanically harvested cane contains more “extraneous matter,” reducing sugar yields because Fiji’s ageing mills were designed primarily to process manually harvested cane.
Westpac said small farm sizes, long distances from mills and ports, and continued dependence on manual labour have further undermined the industry’s competitiveness.
Despite these challenges, the bank said the industry could not simply be shut down because thousands of families still depend on it.
“Fiji cannot shut the industry overnight because 10,000 growers depend on it, that is about one percent of the population, or four percent if you count family members.”
Instead, Westpac recommended a gradual, long-term transition.
“Reforms are needed to assist existing farmers and industry participants to gradually transition to alternative income sources.”
While describing mechanisation as essential to improving profitability, the report said achieving that goal would require substantial capital investment that Fiji currently lacks.
“Such transition will require a gradual long-term roadmap, said the Westpac bank budget review…. PACNEWS
PNG – STATELLITE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 06 Jul 2026
U.S invests K131 million in satellites
PORT MORESBY, 06 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — The United States (U.S) has allocated US$30 million (about K131 million) to support satellite connectivity in Papua New Guinea, according to U.S Embassy Foreign Assistance chief, Angelica Beata.
“This year, the U.S is proud to invest US$30 million in satellite internet connectivity across Papua New Guinea – a transformative commitment that will bring high – speed, low-latency internet to hundreds of remote health facilities, schools, and government offices.
“This investment reflects our American foreign policy goals: we do not just open markets; we build the infrastructure that allows others to thrive within them,” Beata said.
The U.S Embassy welcomed Port Moresby residents in celebrating the launching of Starlink at the American Corner in Waigani.
Starlink would be available to visitors as a free resource that can be used to research opportunities for study in the U.S and attend programming activities such as the Coding Club hosted recently by International Visitors Leadership Programme alumna, Samania Ned.
With the addition of high-speed internet at the Corner, the embassy will now have the ability to broadcast select programmes, bring U.S programming content to audiences both within and beyond the National Capital District.
To celebrate the launch and demonstrate the new capability, the embassy hosted an in-person and live streamed lecture “Kinship as Method: Rethinking Ethics, Collaboration, and Knowledge Production in Anthropology” by distinguished anthropologist and scholar, Dr Paige West.
The lecture highlighted how kinship can shape ethical and collaborative research in anthropology.
The discussions were focused on the importance of building trust, respecting local knowledge, and working in genuine partnership with communities to produce knowledge that is inclusive and mutually beneficial…. PACNEWS
PNG – MEDIA: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 06 Jul 2026
Lae-based media company thriving
LAE, 06 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — When Geshom Wana established the Red-Ant Piksa in 2019, he wanted to build more than a creative service company.
“The inspiration behind Red-Ant Piksa comes from the principles of the ant,” he said.
“Ants work hard, work together, save, build and stay organised. Those are the values we wanted our business to represent.”
Wana wanted to create opportunities for young people to prove local talent could compete professionally in the digital and creative industries.
Today, the Lae-based business provides graphic design, photography, videography, printing, branding, architectural drafting, livestreaming and digital marketing services to clients across the country, with operations now extending to Port Moresby.
Red-Ant Piksa reflects the values that guide the business.
Wana said the word “Red” symbolised the impact the company hoped to leave on clients.
“You don’t notice a red ant until it bites you. We are ordinary people, but once clients work with us, they experience the quality of our service,” he said.
“Piksa” is a Tok Pisin word for picture, representing the company’s focus on visual communication through photography, video production, graphic design, architecture and marketing.
The business started in Lae before relocating to Mt Hagen in 2020, where Red-Ant Piksa secured its first video production assignment with the Western Highlands Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist church.
During that period, the company also provided photography services and printed identification cards for the International Education Agency in Mt Hagen.
From 2021 to 2024, the business expanded its operations in Lae, building a strong client base.
In 2025, Wana tested the Port Moresby market and the move proved successful.
“Today, our point of hire is either Lae or Port Moresby,” he said.
Like many small business owners, Wana said the early years were challenging.
“The biggest challenges were improving our skills, purchasing equipment, finding a place to work and attracting clients,” he said.
Wana credits much of the company’s growth to faith and the support of people who believed in him.
“My biggest mentor is God. God worked through people like Pastor Harold Kalava and his family, Jeremy Mark and his family from Lake Media, Garry Aka in Mt Hagen, and my own family,” he said.
“Few individuals who have made this journey so beautiful are Dean Sioni, David Andra, Joel Messel, Marscho Sorong, Saul Wapi, Stanley Seimoni, my Partner Delilah Hukau, and many more who have been supportive towards this journey.”
Wana said his first professional camera, a Nikon D5300, was given to him by older brother Jayson.
“That camera was our first baby step,” he said.
Wana also acknowledged Tent City Seventh-day Adventist church in Lae as an important part of his development.
“My biggest training ground was my home church. That’s where I developed my skills,” he recalled.
“During those early years, there were times when I stayed with families who supported and encouraged me while I worked to establish the business.”
Since then, Red-Ant Piksa has completed projects for organisations including Adra PNG, Water Aid PNG, MiBank, BSP Agent Services, the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy, Lae International Hotel, New Ireland Provincial Health Authority, and several Seventh-day Adventist institutions.
Wana thanked Adra PNG for contributing to the company’s growth by providing opportunities to work on projects in Vanuatu.
“We are very grateful to Adra PNG. They believed in us, supported us, and helped us grow,” he said.
Wana hoped Red-Ant Piksa will continue creating opportunities for young Papua New Guineans.
“Our vision is to encourage young people to use their skills to build businesses and improve their livelihoods,” he said.
“Today, we are ready to take on projects involving design, photography, video production, livestreaming, marketing, consultancy and training,” said Wana…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Pasifika Women Aboard The ‘Floating University’ Champion Data-Driven Ocean Management
By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist
WELLINGTON, 06 JULY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — Having researched data available will assist Pacific Island nations manage their ocean resources, prepare well for natural hazards and ensure the right decisions are made.
That’s the verdict of three Pasifika students who spent 26 days on board the research vessel RV Tangaroa, in a joint partnership project between the Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) and the Pacific Community (SPC).
The RV Tangaroa is New Zealand’s only ice-strengthened, deep-water research ship and serves as a floating lab. It maps the seabed, studies marine life, and conducts climate research across the Pacific and Antarctica.
In the past 26 days, Ueakeia Tofinga of Kiribati, Vanuatu’s Jessica Maoh and Solomon Islands’ Florence Townshend joined the RV Tangaroa crew and the scientific research team on a trip that covered the ocean around the Pacific Island region. It was part of the ‘Floating University’, which aims to giving early-career Pacific Ocean professionals the chance to experience life and science at sea while building skills and connections across the region.
Earth Science New Zealand’s Pacific strategy and engagement advisor Molly Powers-Tora told RNZ Pacific at the institution’s main office at Evans Bay in Wellington voyages like this challenge students with a mix of practical and classroom-based activities, with scientists, technicians and crew all contributing, supported by expert guests who join via satellite.
She said the primary purpose of the voyage is going up to maintain the tsunami buoys around the island nations so that Earth Science New Zealand is “able to monitor tsunamis and protect the region, so we have a really good understanding of movements and seismic threats in the region”.
“We see that as a platform to do other critical research that supports better understanding of the region, because we’re going up into these same areas year after year, that’s where the idea to start monitoring what zooplankton, crabs, what growth we see on the different buoys as we bring them on board, monitoring, checking out the micro plastics.
“So, we’re actually building a data set that will provide some great insights into changes, and possible changes due to changing climate, to changing salinity, because we have that regular data set.
“The opportunity of bringing Pacific Islanders aboard the voyage and exposing them to the whole life at sea, to the whole systems and science that’s happening on the voyage. We don’t know, maybe what seeds might be planted in that opportunity.”
Kiribati’s Tofinga, who works as a hydrography coordinator for the Kiribati Hydrographic Unit, under the Marine Division, said doing the research work she witnessed during the voyage and getting the data from those reseaches would benefit her island country manage its marine resources.
“I would say that this research would be beneficial and even having data on microplastics and how that is affecting marine life in Kiribati,” she said.
She said the experience presented her with a lot of knowledge, especially onw the importance of collecting data and translating that into information that can advice informed decisions.
“It really gives me like an overall idea of how to collect data, clean the data, and what it’s like to be on work on board with scientists and what they do,” she stated.
“I think the highlight of the trip for me is the science people sharing their PhD research journey because I’m getting to do a research but I don’t know where to to start, and you know, but yeah, sharing their journey with us was very helpful, and it’s made realise that if they can do it we can too.”
Motivation to further career
Vanuatu’s Maoh said her experience has moved her to chase her lawyer degree and work on having legislations and laws that can enusre data is used to help manage the ocean and its resources in her home country.
She also wants to make sure that more locals, islanders from around the Pacific, do get into research and are able to translate data so that the information can then help their own in the work they do around managing and protecting natural resources.
“I can say that it has motivated me to further pursue my career, maybe going to masters or even into PhD, not because it’s something that I’ve seen people have, and I wanted to have it, but because I believe that there are career gaps in our country, and in the regional level, there’s career gaps as well.
“We, islanders need to fill those gaps, rather than having people from outside come in to fill this without fully understanding our context and our regional customs and tradition is one thing.
“As a Pacific Islander, I would love to see more people in spaces like this and work that involve science and ocean, and my background is in law, and connecting law and science to develop policy is something that I hope to do in the future.
“And translating that to suit our local context is something that I would love to see myself do in the future, and this voyage has taught me a lot, and I will need time to go back and grasp all the things that I’ve learned, but yes, one take away from this is that it has motivated me to elevate.”
Maoh said the journey allowed her to experience first time being on board scientific research vessel and added it has been “very insightful … and this opportunity has allowed me to be in a space where I get to experience that and see that firsthand”.
“I would say that before the voyage I didn’t know what set of expectations I would have. But I would say that I’ve learned more in the past three weeks than in nine months to 11 months in my career.”
Overcoming challenges
Solomon Islands’ Townshend said the journey had a personal touch on her, especially overcoming her fears of the sea and sea sickness.
“As a Solomon Islander I was expecting that I would be strong when we go out to sea, because having an islander background, I was, oh yeah thinking I can do this, I’ll be okay,” she revealed.
“But I have had challenges with seasickness, yeah, and I think that is my main challenge I have come across,” she said.
“And the trip has helped me overcome this challenge and I’ve learned that it is important to understand your limits and don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Townshend said learning how to conduct research and then understanding the data gathered from the work one was a big experience for her.
She is a university graduate and is on attachment with the Fisheries Ministry back home.
The voyage experience, especially working with the scientists on the vessel, has confirmed to her the importance of research of having researched data made available that can help decisions made.
Powers-Tora said she is excited with their co-horts for this journey period and said if they are able to help Pacific youths interested in ocean research then they would be doing the region a big favour.
“Each individual is going to take that forward in a different way in their different career journeys, but I can definitely say, just listening to the three, it’s filling my heart with hope for the region,” she said.
“I know one of our speakers, Jackie Evans, who’s with Wildlife Conservation Society, formerly from Cook Islands Marai Moana program, said when we asked her what gives her hope about the future, it’s young people like you, and everything that you’re doing, and the ambitions, and the thoughtfulness, that’s what we really need.
“I think, even more to support our marine resources, is to build a really strong network of young Pacific people to take us forward into the next area. This programme is one small part of that, but we’re really privileged, I think, to be able to support it.”
The programme will continue annually and Earth Science New Zealand will be calling for expressions of interest for 2027 from the Pacific in the next few months…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Global push for AI governance amid warnings of ‘catastrophic harm’
GENEVA, 06 JULY 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — Can artificial intelligence benefit all of humanity – safely, fairly and without causing “catastrophic harm”? That is the question at the heart of a major UN summit opening in Geneva on Monday.
Governments, tech companies, academics and civil society will spend two days at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance wrestling with how to regulate a technology that is evolving faster than the rules meant to contain it.
AI, if used responsibly, could bring transformational benefits to people across the world, but there are also fears the revolutionary technology is creating new dangers; And while it continues to evolve at a lightning pace, the safeguards needed to regulate it are struggling to keep up.
Ahead of the meeting UN News spoke to four of the participants; Two co-chairs of the Dialogue and two co-chairs of the UN’s Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence which has just published a report on the opportunities and risks of AI.
They spoke about the benefits but also the risks associated with AI and the need to agree on some form of universally accepted global guardrails.
Yoshua Bengio (Scientific Panel): AI is approaching or surpassing human capabilities in many domains. It is outpacing both scientific understanding and governments’ ability to adapt. There have been incredible advances which are changing the world and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping.
Ambassador Rein Tammsaar of Estonia (Global Dialogue): For many countries in the world, AI could be a great equaliser. It can support economic development, advance competitiveness, support science and health systems. Machine learning in general could benefit productivity. This is the potential.
AmbassadorEgriselda López of El Salavador (Global Dialogue): AI can be a tool for governments to better improve their work and the delivery of services.
Rein Tammsaar: AI is a tool that millions of people around the world can benefit from. But at the same time, if it gets into the wrong hands, it could also be used for coercive purposes, to erode trust in governments, undermine democratic structures, and for propaganda and against information integrity.
Maria Ressa (Scientific Panel): The first generation of AI was used in social media, and that pushed lies faster. If it’s laced with fear, anger and hate, it spreads virally. Information integrity is the core of the battle. If you can’t tell fact from fiction, you cannot have a democracy.
This is the dilemma we face, and it’s the reason I call it an ‘information Armageddon’.
Yoshua Bengio: With growing evidence of deceptive AI behaviour, science currently cannot guarantee that as capabilities continue to increase, AI will not cause catastrophic harm, either on its own or due to malicious users.
Rein Tammsaar: The frontier developers are basically concentrated in two countries [US and China]. This leaves other countries with a lot of questions.
Developing countries, in particular, are worried that in the worst-case scenario, the AI divide would leave them behind. Its development is unfolding with such a speed that they may not be able to recover and to catch up.
Egriselda López: The AI divide is real. Some countries have very strong infrastructure and strong skills and research capacities. Whereas there are others that are still struggling with issues like connectivity and public infrastructure.
Maria Ressa: The world cannot govern what it cannot understand. The Panel’s report provides independent science, drawn from every region, and available to every government. Its message is clear: the potential is great, but the risks are real, and the cost of waiting is rising.
Yoshua Bengio: I would like more governments around the world to understand the scenarios for the future development of AI. We don’t have the right national or even international governance tools, and we don’t have good ways to steer the benefits so that they are shared by everyone. To act effectively, global policymakers must understand these systems
Egriselda López: The Global Dialogue is the first platform in the United Nations for the discussion of AI governance. It’s also an opportunity for Member States to come together to have an inclusive discussion; But not only governments, it’s also about bringing together different stakeholders.
Maria Ressa: Not one country can actually deal with this technology on its own; It needs to be a multilateral solution. And the body that is set up that could do this is the United Nations. Now the question is, will its Member States move?
The UN and AI
The Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence is made up of 40 experts from every region of the world serving in their personal capacity. The Panel published its first report on 01 July.
The Panel’s work feeds into the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which is taking place in Geneva from 06-07 July 2026, where the international community will discuss international approaches to managing the technology…. PACNEWS
