In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Australia helps Pacific Islands dodge worst of aid cuts
2. PACIFIC — Expert says Pacific seabed minerals becoming next test of regional sovereignty
3. TONGA — Semisi Sika bids farewell to Cabinet ahead of Tongatapu 2 by-election
4. GUAM — U.S offers disaster loans to Guam’s nonprofits but nixes aid for households hit by Sinlaku
5. TONGA — Tonga to prepare as El Niño approaches
6. FIJI — New political party rules to strengthen transparency, Fiji Electoral Commission
7. TONGA — Nurses complete first UCSF fellowship to improve healthcare quality
8. PACNEWS BIZ — FFA Annual Report: A New Chapter for Pacific Fisheries
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Third PCRIC drought insurance payout for Tonga to boost preparedness
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Tonga Govt launches US$19.36 million rural innovation project to support communities
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji eyes $500m package for economic reforms
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Energy Fiji Limited signs deal for solar and battery project
13. PACNEWS BIZ — IMO supports Vanuatu in strengthening maritime security
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Forced online scams: IOM warns trafficking networks are booming
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Pacific surveyors build GNSS skills for land, disaster and coastal work
PAC – AID: AAP PACNEWS 2: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Australia helps Pacific Islands dodge worst of aid cuts
SYDNEY, 29 JULY 2026 (AAP)—International funding and financing for the Pacific Islands has largely avoided the worst of aid cuts as Australia leads the way, according to a new report.
As competition among the major powers for influence in the key region remains intense, the Lowy Institute’s ninth annual Pacific Aid Map report shows Australia was by far the leading provider of grants and loans to the region in 2024.
Australia disbursed US$1.5 billion of aid in the Pacific, more than three times that of the next-biggest contributing nation New Zealand and accounting for 37 percent of all development finance.
The report, labelled “the most comprehensive account ever created”’, tracks more than 50,000 projects worth US$60 billion in official development finance over the sprawling Pacific Islands region.
It showed total funding for the Pacific was expected to fall from US$4.1 billion in 2024 to US$3.8 billion in 2025.
That means a return to pre-pandemic levels, which the institute said is ”a modest reduction given major global aid cuts”.
International aid has slumped after US President Donald Trump shut down the world’s largest funding agency for humanitarian and development aid in 2025.
Western nations, including the UK, France, Germany and Canada, also cut aid around the same time, leaving much of the developing world without some key sources of funding.
The Pacific region, long ignored by major powers, is now a major source of contest between China and the U.S, with Washington’s ally Australia actively exerting its “soft power” influence amid Beijing’s increasing overtures to seek diplomatic recognition.
The report shows that in 2024, Chinese grant commitments reached a record high to almost double their pre-pandemic average, with funding pumped into Pacific education and health infrastructure.
Still, new loan commitments from Beijing have plunged from an average of US$360 million a year during the 2010s to around US$90 million annually this decade, amid increasing concern from Western critics that China has been practising “debt-trap diplomacy”.
“A decade ago, China was the region’s dominant bilateral lender and infrastructure funder. Australia now holds that position,” the report’s lead author Riley Duke said.
Steady support from Australia, multilateral development banks and renewed U.S funding have led to the better position for the region, according to the institute’s research.
“As other donors retreat and repeated economic shocks hit the region, Australia’s large and sustained support has been a stabilising factor for Pacific economies,” Duke said.
While the numbers appear positive, the report highlights the threat of a lost decade of development due to the limited capacity to absorb global shocks without outside support.
The institute found average incomes have stalled across the Pacific for nearly a decade.
The Australian Council for International Development said Australian leadership in the Pacific remained critical but should extend to growing global humanitarian needs.
The council’s chief executive Matthew Maury said aid shouldn’t be viewed only through a strategic or geopolitical lens.
“Effective development cooperation is about reducing poverty, strengthening resilience and supporting locally led development so communities are better able to withstand future crises,” Maury told AAP.
Maury said Australia’s choices matter even more as many traditional donors reduce their aid budgets…..PACNEWS
PAC – DEEP SEA MINING: PMN PACNEWS 2: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Expert says Pacific seabed minerals becoming next test of regional sovereignty
CHRITCHURCH, 29 JULY 2026 (PMN)—Deep sea mining is emerging as the next major test of Pacific sovereignty with growing interest from global powers adding a new layer to regional competition, says Professor Steven Ratuva from the University of Canterbury.
He says growing interest from global powers is putting fresh pressure on Pacific nations to protect their sovereignty and decide how their ocean resources are managed.
His comments come as deep sea mining talks at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) ended in Jamaica this week without agreement on new rules, with concerns growing over gaps in scientific knowledge, environmental protections and governance.
Conservation groups say the lack of progress strengthens calls from governments for a pause on deep sea mining until stronger safeguards are in place.
Ratuva says deep sea mining is no longer just an environmental or economic debate but one that is increasingly shaping regional security and foreign policy.
Speaking on Pacific Mornings, the Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies- Ratuva said countries needed to carefully weigh both the environmental and political consequences as international interest in seabed minerals grows.
“There are a lot of things which are happening in the Pacific like deep sea mining, which has a lot of geopolitical implications as well.”
Ratuva pointed to the Cook Islands as one example where strategic competition is already taking shape.
“In the case of Cook Islands, for instance, New Zealand and America and China are competing for the deep sea mining.”
The Cook Islands has strengthened cooperation with the United States through a Strategic Framework for Critical Minerals Research and Supply Chain Security.
Prime Minister and Minister for Seabed Minerals, Mark Brown, said the agreement was about giving the Cook Islands greater choice while keeping control firmly in local hands.
“This Framework gives the Cook Islands options,” his statement read. “It establishes a platform for genuine collaboration, strengthens our strategic relationships, and ensures that any development occurs on our terms, under our laws, and in a way that delivers long-term value for our people and our partners.”
The Cook Islands government has stressed the framework is non-binding and does not authorise mining or commercial extraction.
It says any future exploration or development would remain subject to Cook Islands laws, environmental assessments and national decision-making.
Pacific Islands Forum Acting Secretary-General Desna Solofa said differing views on deep sea mining reflected the region’s diversity while reinforcing the importance of Pacific-led decision-making.
“Our diverse perspectives reflect our sovereign choices, our varied capacities, and our shared desire to protect the health of our Pacific ocean for generations to come,” she said in her address at the regional Deep Seabed Sustainable Blue Growth Initiative Workshop in Suva.
Solofa said the region remained guided by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and that discussions should continue through “open dialogue, trust, and respect”.
For many Pacific communities, the debate is not only about future economic opportunities but also about protecting an ocean that is central to culture, identity and livelihoods.
Ratuva said the issue was not only about potential economic gains but also about how Pacific countries manage relationships with larger powers seeking access to the region.
“American companies are already in the Cook Islands and so forth. And all around the Pacific, countries are gearing up for that.”
He said both the environmental and geopolitical consequences still needed careful assessment.
“And so the implications in terms of environmental implications and geopolitical implications still have to be assessed.”
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has also urged caution, saying deep sea mining should not move ahead until stronger environmental safeguards are in place.
“Palau supports a precautionary approach until robust environmental safeguards are in place,” he said at the World Ocean Summit in Montreal, Canada.
Critics argue the growing interest in seabed minerals is also tied to wider strategic competition.
Adam Wolfenden, Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) Deputy Coordinator said the Cook Islands-US framework reflected a wider strategic contest over critical minerals.
“This framework will give the U.S clear access to pursue its military and geopolitical interests in deep sea minerals, bringing the Cook Islands squarely into its zero-sum competition with China,” he said in a statement.
Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) deputy Coordinator Adam Wolfenden says the growing focus on seabed minerals is linked to wider geopolitical competition between major powers.
Wolfenden said while national governments had the right to make their own decisions, the risks posed by deep sea mining demanded a regional response.
“While there is a need for national decisions to be determined nationally, there is a need for a regional response to the regional dangers posed by any activation of deep sea mining.”
As Pacific governments weigh the opportunities and risks of seabed minerals, Ratuva says the debate is becoming about more than resource development.
He says it is about who shapes the Pacific’s future and whether countries can protect their sovereignty and ocean resources as global competition grows….PACNEWS
TONGA – POLITICS: TALANOAOTONGA PACNEWS 2: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Semisi Sika bids farewell to Cabinet ahead of Tongatapu 2 by-election
NUKU’ALOFA, 29 JULY 2026 (TALANOA’OTONGA)—Tonga’s Minister for Tourism and Infrastructure Semisi Sika has attended his final Cabinet meeting before leaving government following the Court of Appeal decision that upheld the cancellation of his Tongatapu 2 parliamentary election victory.
In a statement shared last Friday,Sika said he submitted his resignation ahead of his official removal from Parliament on 03 August, allowing time for a smooth handover of his ministerial responsibilities to his successor.
Sika said his final Cabinet session was marked by an emotional farewell from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who approached him after the meeting and offered the words, “’Ofa atu” — an expression of goodwill and affection.
He described the moment as a deeply meaningful conclusion to his political service.
The Ministry of Infrastructure also held a farewell gathering for Sika, thanking him for his leadership during his time as Minister.
Sika’s departure follows the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of his appeal against a Supreme Court ruling that declared his Tongatapu 2 election void.
The court found breaches of electoral expense rules, including failing to properly declare a contribution linked to Suliana Dance Academy and exceeding the legal campaign spending limit of TOP$20,000(US$8,322).
The courts found no allegation of bribery in the case. The decision means a by-election will be required for the Tongatapu 2 constituency.
Sika, a long-serving politician who has previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and held ministerial portfolios, thanked supporters and reflected on his years of public service.
The Electoral Commission is expected to oversee the process for selecting a new representative for Tongatapu 2, while Sika’s resignation brings his current Cabinet role to an end….PACNEWS
GUAM – DISASTER LOAN: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Wed 29 Jul 2026
U.S offers disaster loans to Guam’s nonprofits but nixes aid for households hit by Sinlaku
HAGATNA, 29 JULY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —The U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined that Typhoon Sinlaku did not cause damage severe enough to warrant the awarding of aid under the federal Individuals and Households Programme to Guam.
While FEMA denied Guam’s request for individual assistance, the U.S Small Business Administration has opened the disaster loan application process for private nonprofit organisations, authorised under President Trump’s major disaster declaration on 30 June related to Sinlaku, which made landfall on 14 April.
According to SBA’s notice posted last week on the Federal Register, private nonprofit organisations providing “essential services of a governmental nature” are eligible for ‘physical’ and ‘economic injury’ loans.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall on Guam on 14 April, with sustained winds near 145 mph and gusts approaching 175 mph. Its eyewall moved directly over Saipan and Tinian, striking as a strong Category 4 typhoon that left the Northern Mariana Islands in shambles and without power and water for months.
Trump declared a major disaster for Guam and the CNMI.
The government of Guam has estimated that Sinlaku cost millions in damage.
“However, based on a thorough review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the impact to individuals and households from this event is not of such severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of Individual Assistance under FEMA-4921-DR,” David Arnold, acting associate administrator for FEMA Office of Response and Recovery, wrote in a 10 July letter to Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.
While describing FEMA’s decision as “disappointing,” the governor’s office noted that it is consistent with a broader shift in federal disaster policy under the Trump administration.
Last year, Trump signed an executive order creating a “National Resilience Strategy,” shifting disaster preparedness and response power to state and local governments and reducing FEMA’s role.
The governor said she will ask FEMA to reconsider its decision to deny Guam’s request, saying the federal agency’s findings did not represent “the very real hardships experienced by Guam families following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.”
“The people of Guam know what this storm did to their homes, their livelihoods, and their communities,” Leon Guerrero said.
GovGuam has 30 days from the date of the decision to appeal, with additional information justifying FEMA’s reversal.
“We respectfully disagree with FEMA’s determination and will use every opportunity available to demonstrate why our families qualify for this assistance. Our responsibility is to advocate relentlessly for the people we serve, and that is exactly what we intend to do,” she added.
Lieutenant Governor Joshua Tenorio said FEMA’s decision underscores the importance of preparing Guam for an evolving federal landscape while continuing to pursue every available source of assistance.
“We have consistently warned that federal disaster policy was changing and that states and territories would increasingly be expected to shoulder more of the burden for disaster recovery,” he said.
“That reality makes it even more important that Guam remain fiscally strong, resilient, and prepared. At the same time, we will continue fighting for every federal resource available under the law.”
Meanwhile, the Guam Recovery Office Tuesday launched a preliminary damage assessment to determine any residential destruction caused by Typhoon Bavi, which barrelled through Guam earlier this month.
From 28 – 31 July, inspection teams from FEMA, SBA and mayors’ representatives will conduct residential site visits “to validate disaster-related housing damage reported following Super Typhoon Bavi.”
“The assessment will help confirm Guam’s initial damage assessment findings and support the Territory’s request for federal disaster assistance,” according to the recovery office……PACNEWS
TONGA – WEATHER WATCH: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 2: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Tonga to prepare as El Niño approaches
NUKU’ALOFA, 29 JULY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—Tongans have been warned to collect and store water as the country braces for significant changes in temperatures, rainfall patterns, drought, and tropical cyclone activity in the next three to six months.
The Tonga Meteorological Services (Tonga Met) declared a state of El Niño on 19 June following sustained ocean warming across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, alongside shifts in ocean-atmospheric circulation.
After tracking five months of climate indicators, Tonga Met confirmed that key ocean temperatures crossed crucial thresholds, with the Niño 3.4 index rising to +0.92 °C by mid-June, confirming that an El Niño event was well underway.
Climate models predict that Pacific Ocean waters will continue to warm through January 2027 but for the people of Tonga this means they will encounter several climate impacts over the coming months.
According to Tonga’s latest climate outlook the Kingdom will likely experience:
*A high likelihood of widespread rainfall deficits and drought risk. Below-average rainfall is expected across all island divisions, especially for communities that are relying heavily on rainwater storage tanks.
*High likelihood for an increased in Tropical Cyclones to occur in Tonga this upcoming Tropical Cyclone season (November 2026 – April 2027) with a strong likelihood of at least two reaching severe strength (Category 3 to 5)
*And an increased likelihood for marine heat wave and subsequent coral bleaching to affect all Tonga waters
Tonga Met and relevant stakeholders said they would coordinate a whole-of-government approach including water security planning, emergency response frameworks, and drought preparedness as part of the Kingdom’s preparation for the El Niño event…PACNEWS
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 2: Wed 29 Jul 2026
New political party rules to strengthen transparency, Fiji Electoral Commission
SUVA, 29 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN) —The Fiji Electoral Commission is developing a new set of rules and procedures for political parties in a move aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and consistency ahead of Fiji’s next general election.
Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili said the framework would formally document procedures that had been discussed for years but had never been clearly set out.
“We have been talking about this since 2014,” Justice Ratuvili said.
“It doesn’t mean there have been no subsidiary regulations. There have been no rules, so we are really excited. The Commission will continue developing new procedures for more legitimate functions.”
Justice Ratuvili said the commission was reviewing the rules governing political parties to ensure they aligned with Fiji’s legal framework and provided greater clarity for all stakeholders.
He said the commission had already advised the relevant authorities of the process and would continue refining the procedures before they were made public.
“These will be published on our website. This is not the first time that the Electoral Commission has developed rules and procedures,” he said.
Justice Ratuvili said the initiative reflected the commission’s commitment to strengthening public confidence in Fiji’s electoral system.
“This reinforces our commitment to transparency, consistency and accountability,” he said.
“We encourage all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with these rules and procedures once they are published.”
He said the commission would continue engaging with political parties and other stakeholders as it finalised the framework.
The new rules and procedures are expected to provide clearer guidance on how the Electoral Commission carries out its responsibilities, particularly in relation to the administration and oversight of political parties, as Fiji prepares for future elections…. PACNEWS
TONGA – HEALTH: TALANOAOTONGA PACNEWS 2: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Nurses complete first UCSF fellowship to improve healthcare quality
NUKU’ALOFA, 29 JULY 2026 (TALANOAOTONGA)—Tonga’s Ministry of Health has celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of a nursing fellowship designed to strengthen healthcare leadership and improve the quality of patient care across the Kingdom.
The inaugural University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)–Tonga Ministry of Health Quality Improvement Fellowship began in 2025 as a collaboration between the UCSF Centre for Global Nursing and Tonga’s Ministry of Health.
The nine-month programme combined an intensive in-person workshop in Tonga with monthly virtual mentoring sessions, supporting nurse leaders to develop and implement locally focused healthcare improvement projects.
The fellowship was established by Tonga’s Chief Nursing Officer Mele Inu Filise, together with UCSF’s Dr Rebecca Silvers and Dr Adam Cooper, to build nursing leadership capacity and strengthen quality improvement practices within Tonga’s health system.
Over the course of the programme, the first cohort worked on projects addressing key health priorities, including diabetes care, human papillomavirus (HPV) education and vaccination, medication safety, and nursing student training and clinical education.
The Ministry of Health said the graduates had demonstrated leadership and innovation through their projects, creating a foundation for continued improvements in healthcare delivery.
The eight inaugural fellows represented nursing educators and leaders from across Tonga, including Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Vava‘u, and Tonga National University facilities.
Following the graduation ceremony, the ministry launched the second fellowship cohort. Members of the first cohort will return as coaches and mentors, helping to support future participants and ensure the programme continues to be locally driven.
The Ministry of Health said it plans to expand the initiative into a multidisciplinary programme in the future, extending quality improvement training beyond nursing to support wider health system development in Tonga…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Jul 2026
FFA Annual Report: A New Chapter for Pacific Fisheries
HONIARA, 29 JULY 2026 (FFA)—The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has released its 2024–2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of strong regional cooperation, meaningful achievements and continued leadership in sustainable fisheries management across the Blue Pacific.
The report marks an important milestone for the Secretariat. It is the first Annual Report presented by Director-General Noan David Pakop and comes as FFA prepares to embark on a new Strategic Plan that will help shape its work over the next five years.
It also comes at a time when the Pacific is facing some of its biggest challenges – from climate change and changing tuna distribution to increasing pressure on ocean resources and a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Yet, if the past year has shown anything, it is that regional cooperation remains one of the Pacific’s greatest strengths.
For almost five decades, FFA Members have shown what can be achieved when Pacific countries work together. That partnership has helped protect the world’s largest tuna fishery, strengthen the region’s influence in international fisheries management and deliver lasting benefits for Pacific people.
This past year was another reminder of what that cooperation can achieve.
The Pacific’s four key tuna stocks remain healthy, with Members continuing to make important decisions that will protect them well into the future. New Target Reference Points for Skipjack and South Pacific Albacore were adopted, while work continued on harvest strategies for Bigeye and Yellowfin tuna. Behind those technical decisions is something much simpler – the shared responsibility of ensuring Pacific tuna continues to support future generations.
But healthy tuna stocks are only part of the story.
As Director-General Noan David Pakop reflects in his first Annual Report, the next challenge is making sure the benefits from those fisheries stay in the Pacific. While the Pacific region supplies more than half of the world’s tuna, much of its value is still realised elsewhere. Creating more jobs, attracting investment and growing local industries are now just as important as protecting the resource itself.
That thinking is already shaping FFA’s work.
Across the region, Members continued strengthening market access, improving labour standards and supporting initiatives that encourage more value-added processing and investment. The East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) is one example of that shift – looking beyond fisheries management to how tuna can create broader economic opportunities for Pacific communities.
The year also saw continued progress in protecting the region’s fisheries.
Regional surveillance operations remained a cornerstone of FFA’s work, supported by new technologies such as the Electronic Port State Measures system and the Electronic Vessel Register. Together with stronger national legislation and closer cooperation between Members, these efforts have helped reduce the impact of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing across the Pacific.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes. It is found in long hours at sea, in negotiations around regional meeting tables, in fisheries officers inspecting vessels, and in the technical advice provided to Members every day. During the reporting period alone, FFA delivered more than 300 Member support activities covering legal advice, fisheries management, monitoring, surveillance, investment and capacity building. These may not always make headlines, but they are essential to helping Members achieve their own national priorities.
Inside the Secretariat, there has also been a renewed focus on ensuring FFA remains fit for purpose.
The Independent Refresh and Performance Review, together with improvements to governance, systems and workforce capability, is helping build a more response, efficient and future-focussed organisation. Increased donor confidence, reflected in a 38 percent growth in funding, provides further recognition of that work.
The year ahead will bring no shortage of challenges. Climate change will continue to reshape the region’s fisheries, competition for marine resources will grow and expectations from Members will continue to evolve.
But this Annual Report is also a reminder that FFA has never faced those challenges alone.
Its strength has always come from the willingness of Pacific countries to work together, share knowledge and speak with one voice. That spirit has shaped the Agency for nearly five decades and will continue to guide it as it begins its next chapter.
Ultimately, FFA’s success won’t be measured by the number of meetings held or policies developed. It will be measured by whether Pacific fisheries continue to create opportunities, strengthen livelihoods and improve the lives of Pacific people……PACNEWS
TONGA – INSURANCE PAYMENT: TALANOAOTONGA PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Third PCRIC drought insurance payout for Tonga to boost preparedness
NUKU’ALOFA, 29 JULY 2026 (TALANOAOTONGA)—Tonga has received a third drought preparedness insurance payout from the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC), with funding aimed at helping vulnerable communities prepare before dry conditions worsen in parts of the country.
Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua accepted the payment of US$33,978 (TOP$78,981) on Friday.
The payout will support early drought preparedness measures in Ha’apai, which received US$18,480, and Tongatapu, allocated US$15,498.
The funds are intended to strengthen community resilience through anticipatory action before drought conditions intensify.
The cheque was presented by PCRIC Board Chair Siosiua ‘Utoikamanu, Chief Executive Officer ‘Aholotu Palu and Chief Finance Officer Kilisitina Tuaimei’api. They were joined by representatives of PCRIC’s development partners, including Akihiko Nakano for the Government of Japan and Melissa Williams for the United Kingdom, alongside Laitia Fifita of the Tonga Meteorological Services.
The Government said the funding reflects the value of disaster risk financing that provides rapid access to resources before emergencies escalate. Officials acknowledged PCRIC and its international partners for supporting resilience-building and ensuring funding is available when climate hazards threaten communities.
The latest payment follows earlier drought insurance payouts triggered in the Niua Islands after below-average rainfall, making Tonga one of the first Pacific countries to receive support under PCRIC’s drought insurance mechanism.
The scheme provides pre-arranged finance based on weather conditions rather than damage assessments, allowing governments to act quickly.
As climate change increases the frequency and severity of drought across the Pacific, Tonga continues expanding financial tools designed to strengthen preparedness and reduce the social and economic impacts of extreme weather events….PACNEWS
TONGA – INNOVATION PROJECT: TALANOAOTONGA PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Tonga Govt launches US$19.36 million rural innovation project to support communities
NUKU’ALOFA, 29 JULY 2026 (TALANOAOTONGA)—Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua has launched the Tonga Rural Innovation Project III (TRIP III), a US$19.36 million (about $47 million pa’anga) initiative aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods, climate resilience and economic opportunities across the Kingdom over the next six years.
The programme is expected to benefit 122 rural communities and more than 35,000 people through investments in agriculture, community development and disaster preparedness.
It comes as Tonga continues to address the impacts of climate change and natural disasters on its rural economy.
Speaking at the launch, Lord Fakafanua said the future of rural communities depended on creating greater opportunities for young people and women.
“The future of our rural communities depends on the opportunities we create today for our youth and women,” he said, describing them as central to building resilient communities and a stronger rural economy.
TRIP III will support small-scale farmers through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable natural resource management, improved food security and stronger links to markets.
The project also includes community planning, agribusiness development, institutional capacity building and disaster recovery support.
According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the programme builds on earlier phases of the Tonga Rural Innovation Project, which supported thousands of rural households through community gardens, sustainable land management and livelihood initiatives.
TRIP III is expected to expand those efforts while placing greater emphasis on women, youth and climate resilience.
Government and development partners say the investment is designed to help rural communities adapt to future challenges while creating more sustainable sources of income.
Implementation is expected to continue through 2032, with support from IFAD, the Government of Tonga and other financing partners…..PACNEWS
FIJI – ECONOMIC REFORMS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Fiji eyes $500m package for economic reforms
SUVA, 29 JULY 2029 (FIJI TIMES)—Fiji is expected to receive a combined US$230million (aboutFJD$500million) in budget support financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank.
The funding is aimed at helping Government strengthen its finances, improve climate and disaster resilience and advance key reforms before moving into major infrastructure investments.
The package comprises US$80million from the AIIB and $US150million from the World Bank, and is intended to support Government’s reform programme by strengthening economic resilience, improving public financial management and creating a more enabling environment for private-sector growth.
Minister for Finance Immanuel Esrom said the financing was not entirely made up of loans, with the package including both loan and grant funding.
He said the AIIB component had already been allocated in the budget and would support government programs over the current and previous financial years.
“The loans come with a purpose,” he said.
“This support complements our commitment to prudent fiscal management, climate resilience and creating a more enabling environment for businesses and investment.”
Esrom said the loan portion was policy-based financing, continuing support first introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen Fiji’s financial systems and climate resilience.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said discussions with the AIIB and World Bank formed part of the Government’s broader infrastructure development plans, with project proposals still being finalised by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works.
Addressing criticism that the Government was increasing national debt through borrowing,Rabuka said no loan agreements had been signed yet and discussions were still taking place with potential development partners.
“Any future borrowing would be considered alongside the Government’s debt repayment commitments to ensure they remained sustainable,” Rabuka said.
Meanwhile, AIIB president Zou Jiayi reaffirmed the bank’s long-term commitment to Fiji…..PACNEWS
FIJI – SOLAR PROJECT: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Energy Fiji Limited signs deal for solar and battery project
SUVA, 29 JULY 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Neoteric Investments (Fiji) Pte Limited to advance the development of a major grid-connected solar power plant and battery energy storage system in Ba.
The agreement, signed on Friday establishes a framework for both parties to complete the technical, commercial, financial, environmental and regulatory assessments required before entering into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
If completed, the project could deliver up to 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic generation supported by a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), helping strengthen Fiji’s electricity network, improve energy security and support the country’s transition to renewable energy.
Under the agreement, EFL and Neoteric aim to finalise the Power Purchase Agreement within the next six months, subject to due diligence and regulatory approvals. Construction is expected to begin immediately after financial close, with commissioning targeted within 24 months, or earlier if possible.
EFL Chief Executive Officer Fatiaki Gibson said the agreement marked another significant step towards achieving Fiji’s renewable energy goals.
“This agreement reflects the confidence that private investors continue to place in Fiji and in EFL’s long-term renewable energy programme,” Gibson said.
“More importantly, it demonstrates that our strategy is moving beyond planning into implementation through genuine partnerships that will deliver real infrastructure and long-term benefits for our customers.”
Gibson said the proposed development forms part of EFL’s broader investment programme, which includes transmission upgrades, hydropower projects, solar generation, battery storage and modernisation of the national electricity grid.
“We are working closely with Government, development partners, financiers and the private sector to build an electricity system that is more reliable, more resilient and increasingly powered by renewable energy.”
“Every milestone achieved brings us closer to delivering affordable, secure and sustainable electricity for future generations,” he said.
EFL said the final size and configuration of the project will be confirmed following detailed technical and commercial assessments to ensure it delivers long-term value for electricity customers…..PACNEWS
VAN – SHIPPING: IMO PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Jul 2026
IMO supports Vanuatu in strengthening maritime security
PORT VILA, 29 JULY 2026 (IMO)—Vanuatu has taken steps to strengthen its maritime security framework, supported by an IMO needs-assessment mission to the ports of Port Vila and Luganville (20-24 July).
Conducted in consultation with key national stakeholders, the mission focused on supporting Vanuatu’s implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, covering national maritime security governance, oversight arrangements and port facility security.
As a Small Island Developing State, Vanuatu relies on safe, secure and resilient maritime transport as a critical enabler of sustainable development, trade, tourism, supply-chain continuity and access to essential goods and services.
The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code is mandatory under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS, Chapter XI-2), setting mandatory security requirements and recommended guidelines to protect international shipping and port facilities from security threats.
Participants reviewed Vanuatu’s national maritime and port security arrangements, including policy, governance, legal implementation, oversight responsibilities and operational processes. Port facilities in Port Vila and Luganville were also assessed, covering physical and operational security measures, and port facility security assessments and plans.
The activity supported Vanuatu in identifying practical measures to further strengthen the implementation of the ISPS Code, resulting in targeted recommendations to enhance long-term maritime security resilience.
The mission was delivered under IMO’s Enhanced Global Maritime Security Thematic Programme (ITCP), which supports Member States in implementing and maintaining effective maritime and port security measures. It complemented IMO’s wider, coordinated support to Vanuatu in strengthening maritime administrative frameworks, institutional arrangements and national capacity for the effective implementation of IMO instruments, while focusing specifically on SOLAS chapter XI-2 and ISPS Code implementation.
The activity supported the Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA), with guidance from the Ports and Harbours Department, the Office of the Attorney General, the Biosecurity Department, the Department of Fisheries, port facility representatives, and other relevant national authorities….PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Forced online scams: IOM warns trafficking networks are booming
GENEVA, 29 JULY 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) –A job advert can hide a criminal network, and a single click can lead to a nightmare.
Hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked every year on the promise of legitimate work abroad, only to be held captive and forced into online scam operations.
The UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) issued an alert on Tuesday over the rapidly expanding, multibillion-dollar criminal industry that turns job seekers into forced cybercriminals.
International enterprise
“We’re seeing victims from over 80 different countries being trafficked into the scam centres, which are specifically playing out across Asia,” said Amy Pope, IOM Director General, briefing journalists in Geneva.
Recruiters target people who speak good English and often hold degrees, she said, advertising what look like ordinary jobs on social media.
Once victims arrive, they are locked inside compounds, stripped of their passports and phones, and put under constant watch.
Many are beaten or threatened and forced – through violence and debt bondage – to run scam operations targeting people worldwide. “They’re often subjected to physical or mental abuse. They are often unable to leave,” Pope said.
‘Too good to be true’
The warning signs are there for anyone willing to look, she added: “What often presents as something that looks like an ideal job opportunity is just too good to be true.” One red flag IOM has identified is travel on a tourist visa rather than a work permit – a question every applicant should ask before departure.
Crucially, IOM insists that people forced to run scams from inside these compounds are trafficking victims, not criminals, and should be protected rather than prosecuted.
“We’re seeing many of the survivors of trafficking actually being identified as criminals, but in reality, they are the victims of this crime,” Pope said.
Though the scam centres are based in Asia, traffickers recruit globally through social media. Between 2022 and 2025, IOM assisted more than 3,500 victims of forced criminality in South-East Asia, drawn from 39 countries – most from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Kenya and Bangladesh.
Staggering scam
Rescue is only the start of recovery: survivors often return home facing trauma, stigma, debt, missing documents and fear of prosecution.
The scale is staggering. New UN Office on Drugs and Crime data put 2025 losses from scam offences across East and South-East Asia, Australia and New Zealand at between US$88.3 billion and US$114.1 billion – dwarfing the resources devoted to fighting trafficking. “Unless we take the issue quite seriously, we anticipate it will continue to grow,” Pope warned.
IOM is calling for greater investment in victim protection, safe return and reintegration, and wider public awareness of traffickers’ tactics….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
Pacific surveyors build GNSS skills for land, disaster and coastal work
NADI, 29 JULY 2026 (SPC)— Surveyors and geospatial specialists from government agencies across the Pacific met in Nadi this week for a five-day regional training on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, strengthening the skills their countries use to manage land, plan for disasters and monitor their coastlines.
The training focused on operating and maintaining GNSS, and on applying it to national priorities such as land administration, disaster risk management, and marine and coastal monitoring. It was the first regional training of its kind.
“What I learned here will help us update our topography maps which date a few years back now,” said Esther Kase, PNG National Mapping Bureau’s participant.
Delivered by technical experts from regional and international partner organisations, including the Pacific Community (SPC) and Geoscience Australia, with support from the Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac), the five-day regional training gathered geospatial and surveying professionals from government agencies across the Pacific in Nadi, Fiji.
COSPPac also provided the specialised equipment, giving participants hands-on practice.
“The hands-on experience has really boosted my confidence, and I can see how it could help address Tonga’s surveying backlog, which has been an ongoing challenge, especially as surveying is becoming a declining profession,” said Ansela Fifita from the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Spatial Planning & Natural Resources, Tonga.
“I hope we can apply what we’ve learned from this training to improve surveying practices and make better use of this technology in the future.”
In field exercises, participants established experience in operating Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) and Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GNSS systems and were encouraged to explore practical applications in cadastral surveying, coastal monitoring, vertical land motion studies, and disaster risk mapping.
In field exercises, participants established survey benchmarks, conducted control surveys, connected to CORS services, collected and verified field data, and carried out data processing and reporting. The exercises showed how RTK NGSS can support national geospatial work and decision-making.
“Everyone was very focused and keen to learn,” said trainer Kris Halewood, Operations Officer at Geoscience Australia.
The training also strengthened professional networks across the region, connecting GNSS practitioners from different countries who can continue to support one another.
“At SPC, we often speak about the importance of ensuring that the investments we make are useful, usable and used. This is a guiding principle of COSPPac and one that is particularly relevant to the work we are discussing [here]”, said Zulfikar Begg, Project Manager, COSPPac, SPC.
The training is part of continuing regional work to build geospatial and surveying skills that Pacific countries own and lead…..PACNEWS
