In this bulletin:
1. UN — UN Chief warns El Niño is intensifying climate crisis as extreme heat escalates
2. UN — Strong El Niño ahead, UN weather agency warns
3. VAN — Vanuatu Government maintains firm position on Matthew and Hunter
4. VAN — EU assesses security risks linked to Vanuatu citizenship scheme
5. VAN — Vanuatu, PNG break ground on new chancery as PM Marape pledges land and infrastructure
6. FIJI — Australia embraces Pacific identity
7. NAOERO — Marshall Islands studies Naoero Healthcare model during high-level visit
8. PACIFIC — Australian foreign Minister Wong emphasises strategic importance of Indigenous ties to Pacific
9. FIJI — Solar Scholars pay it forward with new solar energy system for disaster response centre
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Fewer workers leaving PALM jobs
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Public funds misuse risks Vanuatu’s development, says former PM Kilman
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Seasonal work in NZ helping Tongans build businesses back home
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Sea cucumber harvest in Fiji extended until January 2027
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Tax Crimes Taskforce steps up Joint action against tax fraud in Fiji
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — A fairer Pacific migration system starts with Kiribati — Part 1
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — Marshall Islands moves to strengthen single-use plastics legislation
UN – EL NINO: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
UN Chief warns El Niño is intensifying climate crisis as extreme heat escalates
NEW YORK, 03 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS) — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that El Niño is intensifying the global climate crisis, with new forecasts showing hotter-than-normal conditions across nearly every land area on Earth through October and raising the risk of record-breaking temperatures and worsening impacts worldwide.
Speaking at a press conference in New York, Guterres said the world was facing an escalating crisis driven by climate change and a strengthening El Niño.
“Two months ago, I warned that El Niño was arriving on our doorstep.
“Now it is inside the house – and turning up the heat,” he said.
He said record-breaking heat, devastating wildfires and rising sea-surface temperatures had already marked the northern summer, but warned that “this is only a warm-up act.”
Citing new forecasts from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Guterres said El Niño is strengthening while Pacific waters driving the weather pattern have “never been this warm this early in an El Niño.”
“Taken together, that risks shattering every seasonal record – and driving even more severe effects worldwide.
“We are in uncharted territory,” he emphasised.
Guterres said El Niño affects not only temperatures but also global rainfall, with India’s monsoon already running well below average and hotter, drier conditions forecast across Central America, the Caribbean, parts of South America, South Asia, the Southwest Pacific, Europe and Africa.
“The verdict is clear: the climate crisis is in overdrive.”
“What we do know is deeply alarming: heat is claiming lives on a growing scale, day after day, in every region of the world,” he stressed.
He said extreme heat is placing billions of people at risk, disrupting economies, infrastructure and food supplies, while disproportionately affecting children, older people, persons with disabilities, outdoor workers and vulnerable communities.
“Extreme heat is widening inequalities, deepening hunger, weakening economies, and pushing development further out of reach.”
Guterres said more action is needed in four key areas: protecting people through heat-health action plans and early warning systems, making workplaces safer, designing cities and infrastructure to withstand rising temperatures, and addressing the root cause of the crisis by reducing fossil fuel use.
“We hear much about record heat, drought, and wildfires – but not enough about the real change that is driving these events – the accelerating climate crisis powered by fossil fuels,” he said.
He warned that continued investment in fossil fuels would make future heatwaves more severe.
“Every new fossil fuel project approved today makes tomorrow’s heatwaves more dangerous, and our world less secure.”
Guterres warned that the world can no longer delay action.
“Today’s findings show that extreme heat is not a future threat.
“It is here. It is becoming more dangerous.
“And unless we act – to protect people and tackle the root cause of the crisis – it will become deadlier still.
“The warm-up act is over. We cannot afford to wait for the main event,” he said…. PACNEWS
UN – WEATHER WATCH: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Strong El Niño ahead, UN weather agency warns
GENEVA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — As much of the world faces grapples with above normal temperatures and major rainfall changes, the UN Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warned on Friday that El Niño, a powerful climate pattern shaping global weather, will intensify starting next month.
Multi-model forecasts indicate expected anomalies related to seasonal-average sea-surface temperature to exceed 2.9°C in key monitoring regions, according to WMO.
“El Niño is strengthening, adding fuel to a planet already on fire with scorching heat domes, apocalyptic wildfires and record hot seas,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.
“El Niño is not just on our doorstep; it is inside the house and turning up the heat, and this is only a warm-up act.”
He said fossil fuels are “fanning the flames of this crisis”, and expansion must stop.
“More coal, oil and gas will lead to a more combustible future,” he warned.
“Unless we act to protect people and tackle the root cause of the crisis, the dangers will become deadlier still. The warm-up act is over. We cannot afford to wait for the main event.”
The WMO is stepping up coordination, climate information services and early warning to help those affected prepare for potential impacts, including governments, humanitarian agencies, such climate-sensitive sectors as agriculture and health as well as vulnerable communities.
“El Niño is one of the most closely monitored climate phenomena in the world, but forecasts in themselves do not prevent hazards, people do,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
She said this El Niño is developing against the backdrop of unprecedented ocean heat and rising temperatures, but governments and communities have a window of opportunity to anticipate risks and act before impacts unfold.
“The decisions we make today will shape the impacts we experience tomorrow,” she said, adding that WMO and its members are committed to ensuring that credible and relevant climate information reaches those that need it most…. PACNEWS
VAN – DIPLOMACY: VBTC PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Vanuatu Government maintains firm position on Matthew and Hunter
PORT VILA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (VBTC) — The Prime Minister Jotham Napat has reaffirmed Vanuatu’s position on the disputed Matthew and Hunter Islands, saying the country’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable.
He said Vanuatu believes in friendship, international law and diplomacy, but will continue defending its territorial integrity for future generations.
“We believe in friendship and international law, but we also believe we must always protect our sovereignty. Sovereignty is something every generation has a responsibility to defend,” he said during Vanuatu’s 46th Independence anniversary last week.
Napat said the Government will continue pursuing peaceful solutions through Melanesian solidarity and cultural diplomacy, pointing to the Mota Lava Treaty with Solomon Islands as an example of regional cooperation.
He added that no island or part of Vanuatu would ever be left behind…. PACNEWS
VAN – CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMME: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
EU assesses security risks linked to Vanuatu citizenship scheme
PORT VILA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The European Union (EU) continues to assess security risks linked to Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment scheme, with the EU Ambassador to the Pacific saying the bloc remains engaged with the Vanuatu Government on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures.
EU Ambassador to the Pacific based in Fiji, Barbara Plinkert, who also covers Vanuatu, said the issue is being discussed because of potential security risks if passport screening processes are not sufficiently thorough.
Speaking to the Vanuatu Daily Post before departing Vanuatu, Ambassador Plinkert said the EU’s concern relates to ensuring that people who obtain citizenship through investment schemes undergo proper screening before potentially gaining access to the EU.
“We’re very glad that there is an ongoing dialogue between the EU and Vanuatu on this topic. For us, the reason why we’re looking at that is because it is a security risk for the European Union,” she said.
“If screening is not done very diligently in terms of people receiving a passport of any country, and then if there is a possibility for these people who receive a passport to enter the European Union, then we have a security risk that we need to look at,” she said.
Ambassador Plinkert said this was the reason the EU continues to discuss the issue with the Vanuatu Government.
She said, in the context of anti-money laundering, it is important that people receiving Vanuatu passports through the citizenship by investment scheme have a genuine connection to the country.
“It’s important that someone who receives a Vanuatu passport is actually physically present and really does business here or is a citizen of Vanuatu. Otherwise, it’s not clear what the activities are, so these are the concerns that the EU has with any citizenship by investment scheme,” she said.
Within the EU, there had been a court case involving one of its member states over a citizenship by investment scheme, resulting in an order for the country to revise its programme.
She said the EU’s discussions with Vanuatu are focused on addressing concerns around screening, transparency, and financial controls.
The ambassador’s comments came during her visit to Vanuatu this week as part of regular engagements to review cooperation between the EU and Vanuatu Government and other partners.
She said the EU has a large cooperation portfolio with Vanuatu, with agriculture being one of the principal areas of support.
The EU’s Vanuatu Value Chain (VaVaC) programme has a budget of €18.5 million and aims to strengthen the country’s agriculture sector by supporting agribusinesses and expanding opportunities for farmers.
“The second phase of this programme, with the €18.5 million, was launched last year and is now starting to get underway,” she said.
“This programme really helps to develop Vanuatu’s agriculture sector and also agribusinesses so that the economic base of Vanuatu in the agriculture sector is expanded and more farmers and agribusinesses can participate in Vanuatu’s economy.”
Ambassador Plinkert said the EU has already disbursed the first instalment of €5 million (US$5.77 million) and is currently assessing a request for a second instalment of €3.5 million (US$4.04 million).
She said the EU hopes the next disbursement will take place in September this year.
The ambassador said the programme is progressing well, with the EU looking forward to seeing results in supporting agribusinesses and small and medium-sized businesses in the agriculture sector.
Another major area of EU support is education, through a school rehabilitation programme launched following the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Lola.
She said the EU worked with the Government to rehabilitate schools while also improving their ability to serve as emergency shelters during future natural disasters.
“We developed this programme together with UNICEF. UNICEF is implementing it. It is a large programme of €10 million (US$11.54 million),” she said.
Ambassador Plinkert said she had discussed progress of the programme with the Minister of Education and UNICEF during her visit.
A number of schools have been selected for rehabilitation, with initial works underway across Pentecost and Malekula.
She said EU cooperation extends beyond agriculture and education, including climate change, disaster preparedness, gender equality, fisheries and ocean governance.
During her visit, she visited the new Geohazards Department within the Ministry of Climate Change, which has received EU support.
Ambassador Plinkert said the EU’s climate change cooperation with Vanuatu is a key area of partnership.
The support has helped the Geohazards Department strengthen its operations through the provision of software and training to improve monitoring of seismic activity and early warning systems.
She said the support is expected to contribute to improved preparedness for natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and cyclones.
The EU is also supporting regional programmes addressing gender-based violence, including the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls, which is co-financed with Australia and implemented in Vanuatu.
Ambassador Plinkert said she attended a workshop organised by ActionAid together with UN Women examining the links between climate change and gender-based violence.
She said the workshop brought together women from across Vanuatu to discuss the issue and identify activities to support women and their livelihoods.
The EU also cooperates with Vanuatu in ocean-related areas, including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, ocean monitoring, and economic development.
Ambassador Plinkert said Vanuatu is close to joining the EU Economic Partnership Agreement, which will provide quota and duty-free access for Vanuatu businesses exporting goods to the EU.
She said all preparatory work for the agreement has been completed and it is now awaiting notification from Vanuatu before entering into force.
Ambassador Plinkert described EU-Vanuatu relations as dynamic and stable, with cooperation continuing across a wide range of sectors…. PACNEWS
VAN – DIPLOMACY: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Vanuatu, PNG break ground on new chancery as PM Marape pledges land and infrastructure
PORT VILA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — Papua New Guinea has announced a package of reciprocal commitments, including land for Vanuatu’s future High Commission in Port Moresby and funding to rehabilitate Port Vila’s Kumul Highway, following groundbreaking for its new chancery in Port Vila.
This marked a historic milestone for Melanesian solidarity, as the governments of Vanuatu and PNG formally broke ground ceremony for the new PNG High Commission Chancery.
The landmark ceremony during Vanuatu’s 46th Independence Anniversary celebrations signalled an enduring bond forged in history and mutual regional respect.
The physical site of the new compound carries immense local significance, as the development transforms two plots occupied by dilapidated former police housing located directly adjacent to the Vanuatu Correctional Services container city compound and the Independence Park precinct.
The property deeds were formally handed over to the PNG delegation during the afternoon event.
In a deeply personal address, Vanuatu Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat warmly welcomed PNG PM James Marape.
PM Napat said Chief James Marape is his brother from a different mother, declaring that the two nations have become part of history and have grown stronger together.
He expressed profound gratitude for PNG’s unwavering support for Vanuatu since independence, and even before the country gained independence.
Reflecting on the historical roots of their bilateral relationship, PM Napat highlighted that the gift of land was an act of deep appreciation for PNG’s military intervention during the 1980 Santo Rebellion.
He noted that the leadership at the time authorised the deployment of a vanguard of 300 soldiers to protect Vanuatu’s sovereign birth. Napat remarked in emotional Bislama that what Vanuatu is doing is insignificant compared with what PNG gave them, calling the land donation an inheritance sealed in blood.
To match the property gift with concrete financial backing, Vanuatu has formally allocated VT100 million from its national budget to support the construction of the chancery.
Accepting the prime land, PM Marape expressed profound gratitude on behalf of his delegation and the PNG citizens living in Vanuatu.
He emphasised that the groundbreaking lays the foundation leading up to Vanuatu’s 50th Independence anniversary in four years’ time. Marape said Vanuatu is giving its heart to PNG, adding that the gift is worth more than money because having land in the heart of Port Vila reflects the true bond between the two countries.
In response to Vanuatu’s generosity, PM Marape announced that PNG will reciprocate by granting land and assistance for Vanuatu to construct its own diplomatic mission in Port Moresby, with the aim of holding a reciprocal groundbreaking by Vanuatu’s 47th Independence anniversary next year.
Marape also pledged to send PNG’s National Department of Works to partner with Vanuatu’s infrastructure team to fully fund the rehabilitation of Port Vila’s Kumul Highway in preparation for Vanuatu’s 50th Independence anniversary in 2030.
PNG will also assist Vanuatu with the construction of a 10-car ferry base in Port Moresby to boost maritime capacity.
Beyond infrastructure, the bilateral discussions yielded broader cooperation in education scholarships, civil aviation, and investment, with PNG Superfund companies invited to partner with local landowners to develop Vanuatu’s tourism, fisheries and agriculture sectors.
Marape invoked the legacies of Pacific leaders Father Walter Lini, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Barak Sopé and Sir Julius Chan, noting that the two nations have always stood side by side.
He concluded his address by weaving their respective independence days together into an enduring bond, noting that every 16 September, when PNG celebrates its independence in Port Moresby, it will remember that Vanuatu gifted the land during its 30 July Independence celebrations.
Closing the ceremony, Marape shared a tribal metaphor, explaining that a fireplace is more important than the sun because the sun shines for only 12 hours a day, while a fireplace provides lasting warmth, bringing people together for discussion and shared meals.
Underscoring the significance of the bilateral engagement, the visiting delegation from Port Moresby included key political, diplomatic, and family figures. PM Marape was accompanied by his wife, Rachel Marape, and son, Maga Jui Marape, alongside Minister of Defence Elias Kapavore and Governor of New Ireland Province Byron Chan.
Diplomatic representation was strengthened by Vanuatu Consul to PNG Ridley Joseph and PNG High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Vaburi Riu, highlighting the deep institutional commitment behind this new chapter in Melanesian diplomacy…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Australia embraces Pacific identity
SUVA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Australia now sees itself as part of the Pacific, a shift that has reshaped its approach to engaging with the region.
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts appearing on the Lens@177, said Australia’s understanding of its place in the Pacific had evolved significantly over the past two decades, influencing how it works with Pacific Island countries, including Fiji.
Responding to a question on whether China’s growing presence in the Pacific had made Australia a better partner for the region, oberts said the biggest change had come from Australia’s own reassessment of its identity and interests.
“So, I first joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and trained in Australia 26 years ago and my first posting was Samoa” Roberts said.
“But what I think has really changed in those 26 years I’ve worked is Australia, is a realisation in Australia that we are part of the Pacific and that we’re connected, and that our interests are here.
“Definitely when I joined (Fiji), there was much more focus in other areas.”
Roberts said Australia’s approach was also reflected in the way it viewed regional security, pointing to the adoption of the Ocean of Peace Declaration by Pacific Islands Forum leaders last year.
He said the declaration emphasised addressing security challenges through a Pacific-led response and in the “Pacific way”.
“Australia’s recognition that it was part of the Pacific also meant acknowledging this regional approach and working with Pacific nations collectively on security and other shared issues.”
He said the shift was less about external competition and more about Australia’s recognition that it belonged in the Pacific and shared common interests with its neighbours.
Meanwhile, the focus of infrastructure investment in the Pacific should not only be on the amount of funding provided, but on ensuring projects are sustainable, high quality and guided by clear principles.
Roberts said infrastructure development in the region should be centred on delivering projects that are fit for purpose, avoid unsustainable financial pressures and support local industries.
Roberts said there were many partners involved in infrastructure development in Fiji and the wider Pacific, including Australia, the Asian Development Bank, other countries, and the private sector.
He said the priority should be ensuring communities received quality infrastructure that provided long-term benefits.
“One of the key principles for infrastructure financing was responsible lending,” he said.
“Australia only supports projects where countries were able to manage their financial commitments.”
He said while debt challenges were not an issue in Fiji, there had been situations elsewhere where countries had struggled to repay loans and faced financial pressures.
“Infrastructure projects also need to meet high standards to ensure they remain effective and do not deteriorate due to poor quality construction.”
He added that supporting local industries was another important consideration, highlighting Australia’s work following Tropical Cyclone Winston, particularly the construction of schools on Vanua Levu through local partners.
“I think it’s great to have lots of infrastructure investment in the Pacific, and there’s heaps of players who are keen to do it.
“But I think having those principles is really, important,” he said…. PACNEWS
NAOERO – DIPLOMACY: NAEORO GOVT PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Marshall Islands studies Naoero Healthcare model during high-level visit
YAREN, 03 AUGUST 2026 (NAEORO GOVT) — A high-level delegation from the Republic of the Marshall Islands has visited the Republic of Naoero to study its new healthcare initiative and assess its potential through a medical feasibility mission.
The delegation, led by Chief Secretary Kino Kabua, included Public Service Commission Chairman Jendikdik Paul, Secretary for Health and Human Services Francyne Wase, Special Envoy for Health Dr Wilfred Alik, Neri Wase from the Finance Department, and Sylvester Leoak from the Health Department.
The visit enabled the delegation to gain a better understanding of Naoero’s healthcare initiative, including the engagement of an external agency to strengthen the delivery of medical services and improve the health and well-being of the people of Naoero.
During the visit, the delegation met with relevant officials to discuss healthcare development, service delivery, and opportunities for cooperation and knowledge sharing between the two countries.
The Marshall Islands delegation also joined President David Adeang in a community cycling ride and took part in the Public Service Walk on 30 July, highlighting the shared commitment of both countries to promoting healthy and active lifestyles.
The visit further strengthened the close friendship between Naoero and the Marshall Islands and reaffirmed their shared commitment to improving public health and advancing cooperation for the benefit of their peoples…. PACNEWS
PAC – INDEGENEOUS TIES: ABC PACIFIC PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Australian foreign Minister Wong emphasises strategic importance of Indigenous ties to Pacific
GULKULA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (ABC PACIFIC) — Historic relationships formed over hundreds of years between First Nations peoples and their Pacific neighbours offer Australia a “strategic national advantage”, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has told Garma Festival.
“Centuries before Europeans arrived, First Nations people connected Australia with the world,” Wong told those gathered in north-east Arnhem Land for the second day of the nation’s largest Indigenous gathering.
“As Australia’s foreign minister, I am proud that this history — once under-utilised — is now part of Australia’s foreign policy.”
Wong used her keynote address to emphasise her “shared vision for the Pacific region”, acknowledging Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmão and leaders from the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau, and Tonga in the audience.
Appearing on behalf of the prime minister, who was absent from the festival, Wong rejected the idea of Australia as a ‘monoculture’ and emphasised Australia’s “common ground” with other countries.
“We are not a monoculture and never have been,” she said.
“That is why the Albanese Labor government has been determined to include more of Australia’s history and voices in our foreign policy.”
As a Yanyuwa woman, Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy described her own family’s cultural and trade connections to the people of Macassar.
“We taught them about the trees to use for the ropes to make,” she said in her keynote address.
“They taught us about the sails. We showed them where the trepang was.
“They would live with us for many, many seasons before they went back. And we would do the same.”
On the 50th anniversary of land rights, McCarthy described the “alien moment” of her family having to prove their connections to the land.
“It was 50 years ago that the Yanyuwa people, my families, were the first to be tested under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act Northern Territory,” she said.
“I was only a little girl, but I remember my grandfathers, my Mimi (grandmother) and my Kurdis (grandfathers), my kujakas (mothers) all thinking and talking about how they were going to prove they were Yanyuwa and that they belonged to this land around the Borroloola region.
“”How did they explain that their relationship has been there for thousands of years?”
McCarthy acknowledged the previous announcement made by Gumatj Corporation leader Djawa Yunupiŋu.
Yunupiŋu used his Garma Festival speech to announce the creation of a breakaway remote Northern Territory land council to help drive direct economic development for his people.
“”We are going to the top of the mountain,” Yunupiŋu said.
The creation of the Dilak Land Council would put the ability to make economic development decisions into the hands of his people, and away from the powerful Northern Land Council (NLC) which oversees communities across much of the Top End.
Cape York Institute leader Noel Pearson used his keynote address to call for an overhaul of how remote Aboriginal communities are managed.
Pearson last spoke at Garma festival in 2023, the year of the Voice referendum.
“The Uluru Statement from the Heart was our prayer to the Australian people,” he said on Saturday.
“There was hope in its words.
“The statement was written with love. It stands as probably the most beautiful unrequited letter of love in Australian political history.
“For those of us who urged faith, hope and love, there is an account to be given for the hopes raised, the faith urged and the love lost in the referendum.”
Pearson said he stood at Garma “with great reluctance” three years after the failed Voice referendum.
“What right has anyone to raise hopes when those hopes were so badly misplaced? What right has anyone to offer a vision that turns out to be a mirage?” he asked.
“That is the source of my hesitation to speak of these things. But I cannot allow the failure of the referendum to excuse me from my responsibility.”
He referred to a map from the Australian Electoral Commission in the wake of the referendum that showed where the majority of voters of yes marked in blue and no marked in orange.
“The blue dots that voted Yes correspond with remote and discrete indigenous communities in Far Northern Queensland and the Torres Strait, the Northern Territory and the central and western deserts, and the northern and desert regions of Western Australia,” Pearson said.
He called for a “fundamental structural reform to the governmental jurisdiction” of these blue-dot communities in remote Australia to become “the sole jurisdiction of the Commonwealth”.
“These communities and their lands would still come under the shared jurisdiction of the relevant states and territories for most functions governed by the state’s constitutional responsibilities, but the administrative relationship for Aboriginal affairs would lie with the Commonwealth,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – SOLAR ENERGY: 350.ORG PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Solar Scholars pay it forward with new solar energy system for disaster response centre
SUVA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (350.ORG) — The Fiji Solar Scholars, a group of community leaders trained in basic solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, put their lessons into practice by installing a new solar PV system at the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) in Suva.
The installation included a two-day training from 30-31July to equip FCOSS staff with the skills to operate and maintain the system themselves.
The new solar PV system will provide the Fiji Council of Social Services with free, renewable energy to power appliances in the case of a power outage, as well as financial relief from high electricity bills. The FCOSS office is a key coordination hub for civil society disaster response and recovery services, a job that is made difficult when power cuts occur.
Vani Catanasiga, Executive Director at Fiji Council of Social Services says, “We wanted to ensure that our capacity for disaster coordination during disaster responses would be fully intact even in times when power supply was not in place. We wanted to ensure that we continue to support communities at risk, communities at the frontlines, and many of them rely on us to convey information to authorities like the Disaster Management Office. For us, having this capacity is essential, but we just didn’t have the technical knowledge or network to access it.
On top of that, having seen what communities struggle with in terms of energy prices, and the volatility of market prices, it is important to provide this not only to staff of FCOSS, but also to volunteers. We hope that 350.org Pacific can continue this work in other divisions.”
Fenton Lutunatabua, Pacific and Caribbean Programme Lead at 350.org says, “Every Fijian knows what it’s like to live through a cyclone and pray that the power stays on. This is about giving emergency energy to those that help our communities after a disaster, and eventually seeing it replicated out into the vulnerable communities that need it most. Distributed solar energy has the potential to address the excessive cost of living, energy poverty, and disaster response needs.
350.org Pacific has also consistently called for a Pacific beyond fossil fuels, and while our leaders push for the finance and political will to make this happen, we are doing what we can to at least make this a reality at community level.”
The Fiji Solar Scholars were part of a group of 14 participants from Fiji, Vanuatu and Tuvalu trained in May 2026 by 350.org Pacific and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), to plan, install and manage a basic solar PV system. This was an initiative to make renewable energy skills accessible for grassroots communities most in need. The cohort installed two similar solar PV systems in Yavulo Kindergarten, Sigatoka and the Fiji Council of Social Services Western Office in Lautoka earlier this year.
This third installation is a response to the intensifying climate and affordability crises, as Pacific Island countries face the economic fall-out of the Iran War, fuel shortages, and mounting climate disasters.
The Solar Scholars programme will continue with installations in Vanuatu and Tuvalu to address these affordability issues, as members of the cohort across the Pacific pass on the skills they’ve learnt and bring safe, affordable renewable energy to their communities…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – PALM WORKERS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Fewer workers leaving PALM jobs
SUVA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Only about three percent of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers are leaving their jobs early, with the rate continuing to fall.
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts said the declining disengagement rate showed the scheme was improving, while acknowledging there were still cases where workers left their employment and required support.
Speaking on The Fiji Times online portal Lens@177, Roberts referred to the recent case of a Fijian PALM worker who disengaged from his job and was found living under a bridge in Australia earlier this year.
“It’s down to about three percent of people leave their employment. If possible, we want to support those people to re-engage, find another job,” he said.
“If not, then we have to all work with the community liaison officers and others to support those people because we don’t want anybody in tough situations.”
He said Australia had also strengthened compliance measures to ensure employers met their obligations.
Roberts noted that PALM workers were entitled to the same employment conditions as Australian workers.
“That’s the rule. There is a strong compliance system now because this isn’t PALM specific.
“In any sector, sometimes there are employers who don’t do the right thing.”
Roberts said while some employers across different industries failed to do the right thing, compliance systems, community liaison officers and a 24-hour helpline were in place to respond to workplace issues and support workers facing difficulties.
“We don’t want anybody in tough situations,” he said…. PACNEWS
VAN- PUBLIC FUNDS: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Public funds misuse risks Vanuatu’s development, says former PM Kilman
PORT VILA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman has called for stronger accountability in the management of public funds, warning that a lack of consequences for misuse of government money risks undermining public trust and national development.
Speaking on the Independence edition of Kava mo Kajap, Kilman said he was disappointed after hearing allegations surrounding the VT180 million(US$1.5 million) fund, saying government money must always be used for the purpose it was allocated.
“I can confirm and assure that nothing like this happened during my time,” Kilman said when asked whether similar issues occurred while he served as a minister and prime minister.
However, he said the issue reflects a wider problem that Vanuatu has experienced since independence.
“It’s sad to see that people in power are misusing money. Funds are made available for a purpose, but instead of using them to grow the economy, they are sometimes used for personal, family or political interests,” he said.
Kilman said a lack of consequences for those who misuse public resources could encourage future leaders to do the same.
“We must hold the people involved responsible. Only then, when we make future leaders, they will not abuse these opportunities,” he said.
The former PM said creating special funds by government is not necessarily wrong, provided they are managed properly and achieve their intended objectives.
“I totally agree that we should have some funds to do that for that purpose, achieving those objectives. But then, you may misuse them, and you’re wrong,” he said.
Kilman said when people see others misusing public funds without facing consequences, it creates a culture where others believe they can also do the same.
“If nothing happens, then people will say, let me do it too,” he said.
He also questioned whether recent constitutional reforms designed to improve political stability have achieved their intended purpose.
Kilman said Articles 17A and 17B were introduced in the hope of creating change, but political realities still make it difficult for MPs to challenge wrongdoing within government.
“If a political party leader is in government and is corrupt, how do you address that? Members cannot come out because of the fear that if they come out of government, they will be sacked from Parliament,” he said.
Kilman said Vanuatu needs stronger systems that ensure leaders are held accountable regardless of their position.
He added that public confidence in government depends on leaders showing responsibility in managing national resources…. PACNEWS
NZ – SEASONAL WORKERS: TVNZ PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Seasonal work in NZ helping Tongans build businesses back home
AUKLAND, 03 AUGUST 2026 (TVNZ) — Tongan Steven Piukala surveys his kingdom with all the satisfaction of seeing his hard work rewarded.
For the last four years Piukala had been part of New Zealand’s RSE (Recognised Seasonal Workers) scheme and had started a number of small businesses from the income he’d earned.
There was his home barbershop, his casava plantation and his piggery, and he’d designed them to keep operating while he was away working in the Waikato seven months of the year.
With the piggery, he ensured the sows were pregnant before he went away and then would sell the piglets upon returning.
He ran his plantation in the same way — when he was home, he harvested and exported his casava crop which had grown while he was away.
“We have jobs here (in Tonga) but not the same income that you get going on the RSE,” he said. “An example the money, that income that I get on the seven months I’m going on the RSE I can get that income if I work in Tonga here for like two years”.
Over the 2025/26 period, 1676 Tongans were in New Zealand working for RSE out of a total of more than 1700. Together with Australia’s PALM scheme, it was estimated the schemes signed up around 20 percent of working Tongan males.
While some Pacific countries had expressed concern about their country being stripped of workers, Tongan officials had no such reservations.
The temporary work schemes came under Internal Affairs, with chief executive Akanesi Polotu Paunga saying the benefits for families and their communities was clear to see.
“We cannot stop the opportunity to assist families that go abroad to work…you can’t stop workers from moving on to greener pastures so you just have to keep recruiting.” she said.
What she would like to see was upskilling of the workers in New Zealand.
More Tongans went to Australia on the PALM scheme than New Zealand — a 70:30 ratio. Australia offered opportunities in different industries and up to a four-year visa for 21-year-olds and older, while in New Zealand the work was mostly in horticulture and just for a season for those over the age of 18.
Steven Piukala had worked for both schemes but said he preferred New Zealand’s shorter RSE contracts because he missed his family.
“I prefer New Zealand, you go on a short term but it’s worth it and also safety in New Zealand is number one on your job site and you get good weather in New Zealand,” he said.
New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture businesses count on Pasifika seasonal workers on the scheme that will next year mark its 20th anniversary. While there is no doubt the RSE has been a win-win in many ways there have been concerns over exploitation of workers and their employment rights.
A recent International Labour Organisation report recommended that New Zealand had to improve in some area including workers being able to change employers and complain without repercussions if their conditions were not up to par.
At last week’s Horticulture New Zealand conference Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced a number of reforms for the scheme, including the flexibility for workers to move between RSE employers in appropriate circumstances.
Work was also underway to strengthen pastoral care and accommodation standards, including internet access so families could stay in touch.
“Consultation on options for change is currently underway with pacific partners and employers, and I expect to take decisions by the end of September,” Stanford said in a statement.
Ministry of Business Immigration and Employment’s (MBIE) National Manager Pacific Loua Fesola-i-Ward told 1News the new reform’s worker protections were being strengthened in response to some of the criticisms about how some employers treated their seasonal workers.
“So, what we’re bringing in is an improved complaint system so that RSE workers have a very clear pathway if they want to make complaints and receive support,” she said.
In Tonga, Steven Piukala had nothing but good to say about RSE. He said providing for his family — including his three children and setting up sustainable businesses for them — meant a lot to him as he wasn’t highly educated.
“From the RSE, from the money, I can be able to do all these things and help to fulfill my plan for the future,” he said.
And that future looked bright…. PACNEWS
FIJI – FISHERIES: FBC NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Sea cucumber harvest in Fiji extended until January 2027
SUVA, 03 AUSGUST 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries has extended the lifting of the ban on the harvest and trade of sea cucumbers, allowing licensed operators to continue harvesting and processing until 31 January 2027.
The extension, under the Offshore Fisheries Management Regulations 2014, took effect from 1 August 2026 and applies to permitted sea cucumber species.
The Ministry says protected species listed under CITES Appendix II remain off-limits, including Black teatfish, White teatfish, Golden sandfish, Amber fish, Sandfish and Prickly redfish.
Only licensed operators are allowed to harvest, land, sell or possess sea cucumbers, while harvesting is restricted to free diving and gleaning. The use of underwater breathing apparatus and hookah diving remains prohibited.
All catches must be landed at designated sites, with approved exporters given six months to purchase, process and export products through HACCP-certified facilities.
The Ministry is warning that anyone who breaches the conditions or deals in banned or undersized species will face penalties…. PACNEWS
FIJI – TAX FRAUD: FCRS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 03 Aug 2026
Tax Crimes Taskforce steps up Joint action against tax fraud in Fiji
SUVA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (FRCS) — The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) Tax Crimes Taskforce has strengthened its interagency efforts to combat tax evasion and financial fraud, with member agencies reaffirming their commitment to closer cooperation on investigations, intelligence sharing and enforcement.
The Taskforce recently held its regular interagency meeting to update participating agencies on its progress in tackling tax-related crimes and financial fraud, including the number of cases referred to law enforcement agencies and the types of tax fraud and non-compliance uncovered through investigations.
Established by FRCS, the Tax Crimes Taskforce is a multi-agency initiative focused on combating serious tax evasion, investigating complex financial fraud and pursuing enforcement action against non-compliant taxpayers.
The Taskforce comprises the Fiji Police Force, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Ministry of Immigration, the Ministry of Justice and the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Participating agencies also reviewed ongoing enforcement activities and discussed emerging trends and risks associated with tax crimes.
A key focus of the meeting was strengthening information-sharing mechanisms among partner agencies to improve collaboration, intelligence gathering and the effectiveness of investigations.
The discussions also provided an opportunity for agencies to raise operational challenges, share insights and identify areas requiring coordinated action.
The meeting concluded with all participating agencies reaffirming their commitment to work together on information sharing, compliance checks and joint investigations into matters of concern identified by member agencies.
Through continued collaboration, the Taskforce aims to strengthen enforcement efforts, deter tax crimes, support the integrity of Fiji’s tax system and help reduce the national tax gap…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
A fairer Pacific migration system starts with Kiribati — Part 1
By Dr Amota Ataneka
TARAWA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (DEVPOLICY.ORG) — This is the first in a three-part series in which the author, an I-Kiribati researcher, argues that Australia’s and New Zealand’s Pacific migration schemes are unfair to Kiribati. Part 1 sets out the census evidence.
I sometimes struggle to understand the way Pacific migration is designed in Australia and New Zealand. Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), for example, is a very good idea in principle, but the important question is how Australia decides who receives access, and in what numbers. I believe that decisions around these arrangements should be based on fairness and on objective indicators such as existing migration opportunities, historical census data and the real level of need.
This is why I find the inclusion of the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau in the 2026-27 PEV so difficult to understand. Citizens of these islands already have a special pathway to the United States under Compacts of Free Association (COFA), allowing them to live and work there without needing a visa. I do not hold this against them, and I am genuinely happy whenever Pacific people have strong migration pathways and established diaspora in bigger developed countries. My question is for Australia: when countries that already have such a major migration door open to the United States are also given places under Australia’s very limited Pacific migration program at the expense of countries like Kiribati that have no comparable permanent pathway anywhere, how is that fair, and how does that make sense?
To me, it suggests that PEV is about much more than simply helping Pacific countries with the greatest migration needs and is instead viewed as a strategic and geopolitical tool. If Australia’s genuine objective is to help Pacific nations with the fewest opportunities, then it should increase these quotas for those that lack permanent pathways rather than giving them to those that do not need them.
The same principle applies to policies towards Tuvalu and Kiribati. My argument is not against Tuvalu, and I am genuinely happy for Tuvaluans: we share history, family connections, colonial experience, faith, ocean and the same existential threat from rising seas. My argument is for fairness — fairness based on evidence, not just diplomacy.
In the 2026-27 PEV, Kiribati and Tuvalu each receive 100 places, while each COFA country receives 50. Why are Australia’s limited permanent migration places not more clearly weighted towards countries with fewer existing pathways and larger unmet per capita need? If, as Australia says, allocations take into account “population size, diaspora in Australia [and] existing migration opportunities”, then Kiribati should matter much more in the PEV calculations.
Let me put some census data on the table.
Start with the big picture. According to the 2023 New Zealand Census, there were 4,659 people who identified as I-Kiribati living in New Zealand — a number that has quadrupled since 2006, showing that our people want to move when given the chance. But now look at Tuvalu. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, meeting his Tuvaluan counterpart in March 2026, said he was proud of the 6,500 Tuvaluans living in New Zealand — the largest Tuvaluan diaspora in the world. Tuvalu’s home population is approximately 11,000 people, while Kiribati’s is approximately 138,000. That means roughly 59 percent of Tuvalu’s home population has already settled in New Zealand alone, compared with only around 3.4 percent for Kiribati. Read those numbers again: 59 percent percent versus 3.4 percent.
The same stark disproportion is evident in every country with available data (census microdata on Pacific Web). According to the 2017 Fiji Census, there were 881 Tuvalu-born people living in Fiji — representing another 8 percent of Tuvalu’s population — compared to 1,225 Kiribati-born, which is less than 1 percent of ours. The 2011 Nauru Census counted 194 Kiribati-born versus 45 Tuvalu-born, and the 2021 RMI Census recorded 294 Kiribati-born compared to 36 Tuvalu-born. Adding the measured diaspora figures across Fiji, Nauru and RMI alone, Tuvaluans abroad represent roughly 8. percent of their home population, while I-Kiribati abroad represent just 1.3 percent of ours.
This is the core of my argument, and I want to state it plainly: Tuvaluans have been moving abroad in far higher proportions than I-Kiribati for decades, building their diaspora earlier, more extensively and across more countries. So, it is difficult for me to see the Falepili Union and every preferential migration pathway that Tuvalu has secured stand on the foundation of that long-established presence. Look at the New Zealand Pacific Access Category (PAC): it offers just 75 places per year for Kiribati citizens, the same number as Tuvalu — equal quota, wildly unequal populations. In per capita terms, Tuvalu receives 12 times more PAC slots relative to its population than Kiribati does. I first raised this injustice on social media nearly a decade ago, and nothing has changed.
For me, these numbers are not just statistics. As I discuss in my next article in this series, they match what I have seen with my own eyes.
In Part 2, the author turns from census figures to personal experience in Queensland, and to the Falepili Union between Australia and Tuvalu….PACNEWS
Dr Amota Ataneka is an I-Tungaru (I-Kiribati) researcher who graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Education at James Cook University and now working as a quantitative methodologist at the University of Cincinnati (USA).
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Marshall Islands moves to strengthen single-use plastics legislation
MAJURO, 03 AUGUST 2026 (SPREP) — The Republic of the Marshall Islands is taking the next step in its efforts to tackle plastic pollution by strengthening its legislation to address a wider range of problematic single-use plastic products.
While the country was among the first Pacific Island nations to ban the importation, manufacture, sale and distribution of Styrofoam cups and plates, disposable plastic cups and plates, and plastic shopping bags under the Styrofoam Cups and Plates, and Plastic Products Prohibition, and Container Deposit Act 2016, plastic pollution continues to pose a significant challenge.
Limited land availability, increasing reliance on imported goods and constrained waste management infrastructure have resulted in plastic waste accumulating in landfills, littering coastlines and threatening the country’s fragile marine environment.
To address these growing challenges, the Republic of the Marshall Islands Environmental Protection Authority (RMIEPA), with support from the Australian Government-funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), convened a national workshop in Majuro this week. The workshop brought together 20 representatives from government agencies and key stakeholders to begin consultations on expanding the country’s existing single-use plastics legislation.
The proposed amendments seek to broaden the list of prohibited products to include plastic straws, plastic utensils, coloured single-use plastic cups and plates, and clear single-use plastic products marketed as biodegradable, including cups, plates, takeaway containers and shopping bags.
Participants also agreed to progress the establishment of a national Waste Management Technical Working Group to support implementation of the strengthened legislation and coordinate national efforts to reduce single-use plastics.
The Deputy General Manager of RMIEPA, Beverly Johnson, said strengthening the legislation is a critical step towards protecting the country’s environment and future generations.
“Our existing legislation has laid an important foundation, but the plastic products entering our markets and environment continue to evolve. Expanding the Act will help address today’s most common sources of plastic pollution. This work we do with single-use plastic is hard, but relevant and important for the country and the future of our children,” she said.
Alongside legislative reform, the initiative recognises that long-term success depends on informed and engaged communities.
A second component of the programme will focus on increasing awareness, support and motivation to reduce single-use plastics through community consultations and school outreach programmes, with a particular focus on women, youth and vulnerable populations.
The Project Manager of POLP, Andrea Volentras, said legislation and community action must go hand in hand.
“Laws create the framework for change, but lasting impact happens when communities understand why change matters and are empowered to be part of the solution. By combining stronger legislation with education and awareness, we can help people understand the proposed changes, the impacts of plastic pollution on our environment, and the practical actions they can take at home, in schools and across their communities,” he said.
Following the workshop, the legislative amendment process will continue with the drafting of the proposed changes, followed by Cabinet consideration and wider stakeholder consultations. These consultations will ensure government agencies, businesses and communities have the opportunity to contribute before the amendments are finalised.
Funded by the Australian Government and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), POLP supports Pacific Island countries to transition away from problematic single-use plastics through policy and legislative reform, behaviour change, private-sector engagement and practical solutions that reduce plastic pollution and protect the region’s fragile environment, communities and economies…. PACNEWS
