In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Wong backs Pacific led regional security talks, says Forum will shape region’s future
2. PACIFIC — Pacific ministers to debate China missile statement as diplomats meet in Fiji
3. PACIFIC — Pacific foreign ministers to discuss Solomons’ idea for regional security treaty
4. MARSH — Nuclear justice, climate resilience top Marshall Islands president’s parliamentary agenda
5. PACIFIC — ‘They can lease the seabed but not our identity’: American Sāmoa fights back
6. PACIFIC — Fiji, SPC strengthen Science partnership ahead of Pre-COP31 and COP31
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific worker boom plan shelved as New Zealand government keeps RSE cap in place
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Maewo High Chief shares insight into giant taro tower origin story and million-vatu harvest
9. PACNEWS BIZ — JSB endorses transfer of revenue-raising powers to Bougainville
10 PACNEWS BIZ — Energy Fiji seeks $500m
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Emergency savings gap highlights need for stronger financial protection for Pasifika
12. PACNEWS BIZ — U.S military, federal contractors struggle to navigate barriers in unfamiliar environments in the Pacific
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Trapped ships in Strait of Hormuz face a different kind of attack
14. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Strengthening El Niño to push 49 million more people into acute hunger
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Papua New Guinea receives first shipment of HPV vaccines to protect girls and women from cervical cancer
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security in Kiribati
17. PACNEWS DIGEST — National Species Symposium: Strengthening national capacity for species conservation in PNG through the Red List training workshop
18. PACNEWS DIGEST — Hiroshima fosters hope, 81 years on from nuclear catastrophe
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Wong backs Pacific-led regional security talks, says Forum will shape region’s future
SUVA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)—Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has backed discussions on a Pacific-wide security framework, saying regional security should be driven by Pacific nations as Forum foreign ministers met in Fiji amid growing geopolitical competition.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suva, Wong said security and stability would be a key focus of discussions, including proposals led by Solomon Islands for a region-wide security arrangement.
“There are many things we want to discuss, but obviously one of them is how do we make sure that our region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous and how do we ensure the future of the region is determined by the people of the region?
“And one aspect of that is what leaders have said for a long time, which is security should be provided from within the Pacific,” Wong said.
She said Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale had raised the question of how Pacific countries could turn that principle into action.
“What Prime Minister Wale of the Solomon Islands has pointed out is let’s work out how we give effect to that.”
Wong said Australia had already begun strengthening regional security cooperation through agreements with Pacific countries.
“Certainly, we’ve started that through the work we’ve done, our alliances with Papua New Guinea and Fiji and agreements with a number of other countries, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Naoero. But I’m sure those issues will be a point of discussion,” Wong said.
Asked about support for a regional security arrangement, Wong said Australia remained focused on rebuilding trust and strengthening partnerships across the Pacific.
“We’ve been very focused on making sure we engage in the rebuilding of trust and rebuilding Australia’s reputation, strategic position in the Pacific.
“You’ve seen that in the relationships, as I said, with Papua New Guinea and Fiji, agreements with Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Naoero
“And we’ve got more work to do. We’ve announced that we do want to engage with and negotiate with both Tonga and Solomon Islands. Obviously, there’ll be a lot of work there that we want to do with them in partnership,” Wong said.
On China’s intercontinental ballistic missile test last month, Wong said Pacific leaders had already made their concerns clear.
“First, I would make the point that the majority of the Pacific Islands Forum did express concerns over China’s ballistic missile test.”
“And I hope China does take note of the very clear response from leaders and Ministers in the Pacific about that test, which, you know, we’ve been very clear it was a test which was destabilising,” Wong said.
She said Pacific leaders had consistently called for the region to remain an Ocean of Peace.
“And in a region where leaders have said we want an Ocean of Peace, it’s really important that partners respect that and we will continue to encourage that respect.”
Wong said any reference to the issue in the Forum communique would be decided by Pacific foreign ministers.
“In terms of the PIF, that’s ultimately a matter for the Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers. I’m sure it will be discussed today, how people will deal with it and it will obviously be a discussion.
“But I would say to you that I think the Pacific Islands Forum members have already spoken very clearly about this,” she said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: REUTERS PACNEWS 3: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Pacific ministers to debate China missile statemen as diplomats meet in Fiji
SUVA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (REUTETS)— Pacific Island foreign ministers are expected to debate on Friday whether to issue a joint statement on China’s July missile launch, with New Zealand pushing for a response but acknowledging divisions could prevent agreement, New Zealand’s foreign minister said.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters told a media conference that talks at the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Minister’s meeting in Suva would test whether members could overcome “predetermined” positions on the issue.
“We’ll see whether logic prevails in this debate, or whether the debate has already been settled by people having a predetermined position from which they will not move,” Peters said.
China’s test-firing of a missile into the Pacific in July alarmed regional powers but initially failed to produce a unified response from Pacific Island governments, underscoring divisions over how to confront growing strategic competition in the region.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela, who is the current chair of the forum, told leaders at the start of the meeting that the Pacific’s agenda must continue to be “conceived by the Pacific, shaped by the Pacific and only by the Pacific.”
He added that officials, who have met for several days this week, have consistently reinforced that the challenges confronting the region are increasingly interconnected.
Officials have reaffirmed “even as our strategic environment becomes more complex. The specific response should not be fragmentation or division. It should create regional solidarity, strong consensus, and continue confidence,” Houenipwela added.
Peters earlier said New Zealand had been pushing for a joint statement responding to the missile test, but declined to identify countries resisting it.
The debate comes after Pacific leaders last year backed an “Ocean of Peace” declaration, which called for the region to remain peaceful amid intensifying strategic competition.
He described the absence of a unified regional response when the issue first emerged as a “missed opportunity,” although he said it was not too late for the forum to act.
Ministers may also discuss the forum’s engagement with external dialogue partners, energy security and proposals affecting the grouping’s future institutional arrangements…..PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 3: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Pacific foreign ministers to discuss Solomons’ idea for regional security treaty
SUVA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — A proposal from the Solomon Islands government for a regional security treaty is being considered by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) foreign ministers in Suva on Friday, RNZ Pacific understands.
The treaty proposal forms a key agenda item at the day-long annual meeting – the outcomes of which help determine what will be discussed at the Forum leaders’ meeting in Palau at the end of the month.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who is also PIF chair, began promoting the concept of a regional security agreement soon after he was elected leader by his country’s parliament in May.
The idea gained pace in early June after the new Wale visited his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Canberra.
In an address he delivered at the PIF headquarters in Suva last month, Wale highlighted the need for the region to consider “bold ideas that strengthen our collective security and provide greater certainty for future generations”.
He also told ABC there was “a growing consensus” among leaders he had spoken with of “gaps that such an architecture would help plug”.
However, political experts warn a collective security treaty could change regional decision-making processes and norms by introducing mandatory consultation.
Currently, decision making and policy processes on regional security through the Forum are guided by principles enshrined in regional declarations like Biketawa, Boe, and the Ocean of Peace.
This regional cooperation is not underpinned by an international legal agreement, except in certain instances like nuclear issues, which are covered by the Treaty of Rarotonga, and fisheries surveillance under the Niue Treaty.
The PIF, through its 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, describes this type of political cooperation as the “Pacific Way”. It involves “consensus-based decision making, whilst respecting sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in national affairs”.
According to RNZ Pacific sources, those pushing for the Solomons security treaty intend to codify the existing regional security legal and policy framework, including the three declarations mentioned above.
Codification would involve setting rules that govern regional security cooperation.
Massey University Centre for Defence and Security Studies associate professor Anna Powles said the existing Forum architecture and declarations and agreements, like Biketawa, preserve sovereignty and substantial national discretion.
“The proposed treaty would convert political commitments into obligations under international law, which poses a series of questions from what obligations it creates, whether decisions remain consensual, and whether it regulates existing bilateral security partnerships.”
Powles emphasised the need for governments to carefully consider what was being put on the table through the proposed agreement.
This included which decisions governments were agreeing to share, the obligations they were committing to, and whether the proposed treaty could restrict their ability to respond to national circumstances.
“Depending on what the Wale proposal contains and seeks to do, a treaty in the current geopolitical climate could risk narrowing the Pacific concept of security from the Boe Declaration, which recognises climate change as the existential threat.
“There will be concern in parts of the region that the proposed treaty could become another geopolitical instrument through which certain states seek to limit their competitors.”
Regarding shifts in the policy and decision-making processes, Powles said the wording of the treaty would be critical.
“A formal collective security treaty could change regional decision-making and consensus by introducing mandatory consultation,” she said.
“Governments might be legally required to notify and consult other members about an emerging security threat, or a proposed security arrangement with an external power.”
The key question would then be who or what country would be given a formal role in determining whether an issue constituted a regional security concern, she said.
“The treaty would need to establish how collective action is authorised. If consensus is retained, every member would continue to have an effective veto.
“Members could be required to notify or consult the region before entering bilateral security agreements involving foreign police, military personnel [and] bases, or strategic infrastructure.”
Powles also suggested a stronger version of the treaty may be needed to achieve this, which would have the potential to “significantly reduce individual governments’ freedom of action” and “probably be the treaty’s most politically contested feature”.
“The key distinction is between consensus over adopting the treaty and decision-making after it enters into force, or if the treaty simply consolidates existing declarations, preserves consensus and makes participation in regional responses voluntary. Its principal effect would be to give existing commitments a more durable legal form.”
Pacific historian and Auckland University of Technology lecturer Marco de Jong highlighted the potential trade-offs around a regional security treaty.
“There are a range of competing priorities when it comes to the formulation of a treaty.
“On the one hand, it may be to codify long-standing norms and principles, which have guided regional security cooperation thus far.
“Alternatively, it might be to embed, and serve as a chapeau for, the emerging regional security architecture, which is predominantly being driven by Australia,” he said.
“Another option is that it might seek to elevate the types of confidence-building or transparency mechanisms, and strategic-trust mechanisms, which have been in bilateral agreements to the regional level.”
De Jong said those scenarios meant vastly different things for the region.
“All three of those potential purposes are in tension when it comes to genuine, Pacific-led regional security.”
Both De Jong and Powles urged careful consideration and discussion on the treaty proposal.
“For instance, what problem does a treaty solve that existing declarations cannot,” Powles asked.
“Which provisions or obligations would be legally binding? How will the tradition and spirit of consensus be upheld? Who will pay for the operationalisation of the treaty? Where does oversight sit? Will the Pacific Islands Forum have oversight? How will disputes be resolved, and can a state withdraw?”
Following Friday’s meeting, regional leaders are due to gather in Palau for the week-long PIF Leaders’ Meeting beginning 30 August.
This is expected to be one of the Forum’s largest leaders’ summits, with dialogue partners set to attend – a departure from last year where then-host Solomon Islands excluded dialogue partners….PACNEWS
MARSH – NUKE LEGACY: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 3: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Nuclear justice, climate resilience top Marshall Islands president’s parliamentary agenda
MAJURO, 07 AUGUST 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) —Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine called for stronger national security, climate adaptation and public-sector reform as parliament resumed, warning that geopolitical tensions, extreme weather and rising living costs were placing growing pressure on the Pacific Island nation.
Addressing the Nitijela, the country’s parliament, Heine outlined a broad government programme that included maritime surveillance, drug-trafficking prevention, resilient infrastructure, healthcare reform, education and renewed efforts to document the legacy of U.S nuclear testing.
“The Marshall Islands is facing rapid global change, geopolitical tension, rising living costs, climate disruption and pressure on small island economies,” she said.
Security and maritime enforcement were central to the address. The government recently held its first National Security and Substance and Drug Summit, bringing together traditional leaders, churches, young people and government agencies to develop a national framework for preventing drug trafficking and limiting its effects on communities.
Heine also highlighted the arrival of RMIS Jelmae, a patrol vessel donated by Australia. The vessel is expected to support maritime surveillance, fisheries protection and enforcement across the Marshall Islands’ vast ocean territory.
Climate risks remain acute for the country’s widely dispersed atolls.
Heine urged residents to prepare for changing El Niño conditions, including possible drought in the northern islands and heavier rainfall in Majuro and the southern atolls.
The government has completed a national oil-spill contingency plan with assistance from the U.S Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Under an Adaptation Fund-backed water project, 161 climate-resilient storage units have been installed or are being prepared, creating about 2.7 million gallons of additional storage capacity.
More than 100 of the systems are already serving communities, providing about 1.4 million gallons of available storage.
The programme has reached nearly 1,000 households and about 4,700 people, while almost 3,000 residents have received training in water conservation, climate awareness and emergency preparedness.
Infrastructure plans include a new parliamentary chamber, a future national capital building, police headquarters, a correctional facility and projects under the Majuro Master Plan.
Heine said the government had approved the purchase of two Cessna 408 aircraft to improve emergency medical transport and links between Majuro and the outer islands.
The first aircraft has begun operating in Wotje, with services expected to expand as airport improvements are completed.
“Rising fuel, food and transport costs continued to weigh on households and public finances”
“The country has secured emergency assistance from the World Bank and is pursuing tax reforms supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“The Monetary Authority of the Marshall Islands is also being strengthened to improve financial regulation, payment systems and economic stability,” she said.
The government’s social assistance programmes have provided three months of support to 1,239 older people and people with disabilities.
More than 40,000 residents, over 95 percent of the population, received assistance in the first distribution under a national economic support programme.
Heine cited several education initiatives, including the relocation of Lukwon Elementary School on Mili Atoll, described as the country’s first school moved because of climate change.
The government has translated 128 reading books into Marshallese, introduced health and hygiene programmes in 86 public schools and established an early-childhood education diploma that incorporates climate resilience.
More than 100 students graduated from the University of the South Pacific, while 77 students supported by the Marshall Islands Scholarship, Grant and Loan Board completed their studies, the highest number recorded by the board.
Heine also recognised Makaira Silk Jibas, the first Marshallese student admitted to a Harvard University graduate programme in human development and education.
In healthcare, the government has introduced HPV screening, approved a national strategy on non-communicable diseases and established the country’s first national autism referral system.
But Heine acknowledged persistent problems in hospital management and said the government was examining reforms to improve administration, patient safety and medical services.
The president also emphasised the Marshall Islands’ role in international shipping and ocean governance. Its maritime registry now covers more than 217 million gross tonnes and about 6,500 vessels, making it one of the world’s largest ship registries. The country has retained recognition under the U.S Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP 21 programme for 22 years.
Nuclear justice remained a central issue in the president’s domestic and foreign-policy agenda.
The government has completed initial work on a national nuclear museum and research facility intended to preserve the history and experiences of communities affected by the United States’ nuclear testing programme in the Marshall Islands.
Heine also pointed to the country’s work at the United Nations Human Rights Council and at an 80th-anniversary Nuclear Legacy Summer Camp, where young people studied the nation’s nuclear history and its continuing campaign for justice.
She thanked the United States, Taiwan, Australia and Japan, as well as international financial institutions, Pacific organisations and UN agencies, for their support.
With a Constitutional Convention ahead, Heine urged national unity and continued public participation.
“Together, with commitment and determination, we will continue building the Marshall Islands according to our needs and for the benefit of our children and future generations.”….PACNEWS
PAC – DEEP SEA MINING: PMN PACNEWS 3: Fri 07 Aug 2026
‘They can lease the seabed but not our identity’: American Sāmoa fights back
PAGOPAGO, 07 AUGUST 2026 (PMN)—American Sāmoa is the latest Pacific territory to find itself at the centre of the growing battle over deep sea mining.
Governments, scientists and communities across the region remain divided over whether deep sea mining should go ahead.
While countries including Palau, Fiji and Sāmoa support a moratorium or precautionary pause on seabed mining, others such as the Cook Islands are exploring the industry’s potential economic benefits.
The debate has become one of the Pacific’s most closely watched environmental issues. Many leaders argue the science is still too uncertain to justify mining the ocean floor.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General and former Naeoro President, Baron Waqa, has previously argued seabed minerals could provide new opportunities for Pacific economies.
“We see this new mining of these nodules to be something that will benefit the world of tomorrow,” he said during discussions on seabed mining.
“I believe that Nauru will benefit greatly. My government continues to look for other revenue sources for Nauru, not just now, but for the future.”
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has also defended seabed exploration as a way to create jobs and keep people living in the islands.
“If we want our people to stay, if we want to show them that there is a future, here in our country – then come and help us pick our golden apples that have been waiting for the right time to be harvested,” he said during public consultations ahead of a Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.
“This new industry will provide us the opportunity to diversify our economy.”
Now, American Sāmoa is facing its own fight after the United States moved a step closer to opening more than 31 million acres (12.5 million hectares) of federal waters to deep sea mineral exploration despite more than 76,000 public submissions opposing the proposal.
Dr Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, of the local environmental group Finafinau, told Andre Fa’aoso on Pacific Mornings the proposal goes far beyond minerals and economics.
“They can schedule a lease but they’ll never take that piece away from us,” she said.
“Our genealogy will always be tied to this ocean. It doesn’t matter geopolitical boundaries or statuses, American Sāmoan people, this is our ocean, this is our history.”
The founder of Finafinau was responding after the U.S Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Proposed Leasing Notice, moving one step closer to auctioning exploration rights for more than 31 million acres of federal waters east of Ta’u Island.
The proposed lease sale is scheduled for 19 November 2026.
The area contains polymetallic nodules rich in minerals including nickel, cobalt and copper, which the United States says are needed for electric vehicle batteries, advanced technology and national security.
Supporters of seabed mining argue those minerals are essential for the global shift to cleaner energy.
Brown has also said: “We are an ocean nation. Our country is 99.99 percent ocean… The World Bank estimates that more than 3 billion tonnes of minerals and metals will be needed by the year 2050… By us helping the world, we also help protect ourselves.”
But Suluai-Mahuka says the ocean is central to Sāmoan life.
“The ocean is not a resource, but a source, identity, culture, history… inheritance. Our families depend on the ocean’s health and wealth.”
She said fishing, spear fishing and work in the territory’s tuna canneries all rely on healthy seas.
“We need to be stewards of the land and the ocean because it takes care of us as well.”
But many Pacific academics and environmental advocates say the risks remain too great.
Speaking an academic symposium, Professor Steven Ratuva, Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at Canterbury University, has warned: “Deep Sea mining is extraction for the sake of profit. It tramples the very things that make us Indigenous, that tie us to our land and moana [ocean]…”
The proposal has already drawn more than 76,000 public submissions, most opposing the project.
Suluai-Mahuka says local people have largely been left out of the decision-making process.
“There have not been meetings between the federal government and actual community. They’ve only been talking to the American Sāmoa government officials.”
She said the current consultation period allows only Governor Pulaaliʻi Nikolao Pula to formally comment during a 60-day review period ending in September.
“It should be open to everyone because it’s not the governor or just the government that’s to have to deal with all the consequences if deep sea mining proceeds.”
Opposition is also growing among churches.
The Congregational Christian Church of American Sāmoa (CCCAS), which represents over 120 congregations across the Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and the United States, has unanimously backed a resolution calling for a precautionary moratorium on deep sea mining.
General Secretary Rev Nafatali Falealii said the church viewed the issue as much more than an economic decision.
“As a Pacific church whose identity is inseparably tied to the ocean, we heard with deep concern about the growing threat posed by proposed and ongoing seabed mining,” his statement read.
“It may bring irreversible harm to marine biodiversity, fisheries, and the health of ocean systems, with profound consequences for Indigenous communities whose cultures, livelihoods, and spiritual heritage are rooted in the moana.”
Fiji is among the Pacific countries calling for a precautionary pause on deep sea mining.
The Fiji government has also maintained its support for a precautionary pause, saying: “Fiji’s position is clear: we support a precautionary pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining in international waters until there is sufficient scientific evidence to show that mining can be carried out safely without irreversible damage to marine ecosystems.”
Suluai-Mahuka says the proposal could affect far more than American Sāmoa.
“Whatever happens to American Sāmoa’s waters will not be an isolated event. Our currents run far and wide.”
She is calling on Pacific governments and communities to stand together.
“I know that a lot of the Pacific nations have already taken a stance for a moratorium or precautionary pause. I think we could still amplify that because all of the waters connect us.
“As Pacific islands, we stand together in this in terms of being stewards of the ocean,” Suluai-Mahuka said.
If the federal government proceeds after reviewing the Governor Pula’s submission, a final leasing notice is expected in October ahead of the proposed lease auction on 19 November…..PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: FIJI GOVT/PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Fiji, SPC strengthen Science partnership ahead of Pre-COP31 and COP31
SUVA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI GOVT/PACNEWS)— Fiji is strengthening its partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) to ensure science underpins the country’s climate advocacy and adaptation efforts ahead of Pre-COP31 and COP31.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya delivered the message during a visit to the Pacific Community’s office in Narere, where she was briefed on SPC’s scientific and technical work supporting Fiji and the wider Pacific on climate change.
“Science is one of our strongest tools in the fight against climate change. It empowers Fiji and the Pacific to speak with evidence, advocate with confidence and deliver solutions that protect our people, our ocean and our future,” Tabuya said.
The visit gave the Minister an overview of SPC’s work across climate science, oceans, fisheries, agriculture, geoscience and climate finance, highlighting how scientific evidence is supporting Pacific countries to strengthen resilience and guide policy decisions.
Tabuya also toured SPC’s Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT), where she viewed its collection of Pacific plant species and seed conservation programme.
She was also shown an interactive scientific model demonstrating the projected impacts of sea-level rise on Tuvalu, highlighting the role of science in assessing climate risks and supporting adaptation planning.
SPC Deputy Director-General Dr Andrew Jones said the Pacific continues to play a leading role in responding to climate change.
“The Pacific is not just on the frontline of climate change, it is helping lead the response. SPC’s Pacific-led science is generating the evidence the world needs to protect our ocean and invest in a more resilient future, and we are privileged to serve Pacific countries through this work,” he said.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said it values SPC as a trusted Pacific-owned scientific and technical organisation and looks forward to continuing its partnership to strengthen Pacific voices, promote science-based climate action and deliver outcomes at Pre-COP31 and COP31….PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – RSE SCHEME: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Pacific worker boom plan shelved as New Zealand government keeps RSE cap in place
WELLINGTON, 07 AUGUST 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford wanted to scrap annual limits on Pacific migrant workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, but apparently could not get the sign-off from Cabinet.
Stanford made her case in a meeting last month, according to papers released on Wednesday, proposing it would reduce administration costs for RSE employers, while increasing remittances sent back to the Pacific.
Stanford recently announced a swathe of technical changes to the RSE scheme, such as allowing workers to apply for migrant exploitation protection visas, and extending how long an employer could stay in the scheme if they treated their staff properly.
Her office told RNZ Pacific it was considered, but ultimately put aside ahead of the announcement. A decision on the proposal was absent from the decision minutes, suggesting it never got past the committee stage.
Stanford’s office argued that a limitless scheme would foster a “manageable” increase in workers, though it noted it could further crowd out New Zealand workers – a common criticism of the seasonal worker schemes.
“On balance, I consider this risk low and able to be mitigated,” the proposal read.
“Officials will monitor RSE volumes and proportions of the overall workforce and I expect regular reporting on volumes will help identify if there is a need to resume using the cap.”
A disdain for the cap from the horticulture industry was flagged, in that the process of allocating how many workers an employer could hire was unfair and complex.
It was noted Pacific partners had mixed views on the proposal, but that no partners expressed “strong concerns” about removing it.
Meanwhile, employers regard the number of beds they can provide as their own effective cap, the paper argued.
It suggested employers were generally prioritising New Zealand workers – who still make up three-quarters of the horticulture workforce, thus explaining why the number of RSE workers coming to New Zealand is typically a few thousand fewer than the cap itself.
“Worker volumes have plateaued since 2022 despite cap increases,” it noted.
“Since the cap was first met in 2013, it has consistently been increased in response to demand, suggesting it has rarely been an effective or enduring mechanism for limiting RSE volumes.”
Increasing the cap from 19,500 to 20,750 workers for the 2024/25 season featured in the National-ACT coalition agreement when the current term of government began. That level remains today.
At the last general election in 2023, the ACT Party campaigned on scrapping limits, while Stanford’s National party campaigned on a smaller increase.
ACT celebrated the RSE changes in a press release from its Agriculture spokesperson, Andrew Hoggard, last week.
“Fruit doesn’t wait around for forms to be processed. When it’s ready to pick, growers need workers in the orchard,” he said.
“The government has listened to growers who have been saying the RSE scheme has become too hard to use,” he said…. PACNEWS
VAN – AGRICULTURE: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Maewo High Chief shares insight into giant taro tower origin story and million-vatu harvest
PORT VILA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST)—A towering display made up of thousands of taro corms has become one of the standout attractions at the Vanuatu National Agriculture Expo 2026 on Maewo Island, not only for its size but for the cultural story it tells about the island’s origins and its deep connection to agriculture.
The giant taro tower, unveiled during the opening of the week-long expo, was conceived by Maewo High Chief Rasa Ure, who said the idea was inspired by the island’s traditional history of how taro first came to Maewo.
“The idea of the tower came from me when we heard that the National Agriculture Expo would be held here on Maewo,” Chief Ure said.
“We know Maewo is the place of taro, so when we met to organise the programme, I thought we should come up with something new.”
Rather than creating an ordinary display, the chief said he wanted to build something that reflected the island’s customs and traditions.
“I went back to the story of Maewo and how it received its first taro. I followed our history and came up with the idea that we would design something that followed that history,” he explained.
The structure itself was carefully designed to represent the traditional story.
“If you look at the top of the tower, there is a moon, a sun and a bird. We built the tower in the shape of a taro on a Nangai tree,” he said.
“When I first said I would put taro on the Nangai tree, people didn’t understand what I meant, but I had the history in mind and we started building it.”
Chief Ure said smaller versions of the structure have long been part of traditional ceremonies in Maewo villages, but this is the first time it has been presented on a national stage.
“It is not the first time we have made it. We have been doing it here in our nakamals, but this is the first time we have displayed it outside for the whole nation to see.”
According to the chief, the tower tells the ancient story of how the moon took pity on the people of Maewo, who survived on only one type of food known as Saua.
“The moon came close to the island, saw the people and felt sorry for them. It cried, and the first tear that fell became the taro. Every tear that followed became the crops that now grow on this island,” he said.
The bird featured on the tower also plays an important role in the legend.
Chief Ure explained that birds were believed to be the island’s first farmers, with one bird named Wangkale capable of planting taro, while another called Manuare eventually carried taro to Gaua before later returning it to Maewo.
He said the traditional canoe used during the opening ceremony also formed part of the historical story.
“That is why we built the canoe during the opening ceremony. It also highlights our history.”
For Chief Ure, the message behind the display goes beyond tradition and agriculture.
“We came up with the main idea that Agriculture is ‘Agree’ to have a ‘Culture’—we agree and we have a culture,” he said.
“The main reason is to highlight our thinking because we will not feed ourselves with rice or potatoes. We feed ourselves with taro, bananas and our own food.”
“That is why we have to come back to our culture so that the policies the government makes are based on our culture and our own stories for Vanuatu.”
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) says the tower is not only culturally significant but also represents the economic value of Maewo’s agricultural production.
Director of DARD Antoine Ravo said the structure contains 4,715 taro corms, weighing a combined 6,642 kilograms, or 6.6 tonnes, contributed by communities across the island.
He said the tower showcases 175 different varieties of taro, demonstrating the rich diversity of the crop grown on Maewo.
Director Ravo estimated that if the taro were sold on the local market, where bundles of four taro sell for around VT1,000(US$8.36), the entire display would be worth approximately VT1,178,750.
“The communities and their leaders contributed 175 varieties of taro. If we divide the 4,715 taro into bundles of four and calculate them at the domestic market price, the value of this tower is around VT1,178,750(US$9,861)” he said.
The taro tower stands as both a cultural monument and a symbol of the agricultural heritage that Maewo is showcasing during this year’s National Agriculture Expo, bringing together history, tradition and the economic importance of one of Vanuatu’s staple crops…..PACNEWS
B/VILLE – REVENUE RAISING POWER: ABG GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 07 Aug 2026
JSB endorses transfer of revenue-raising powers to Bougainville
PORT MORESBY, 07 AUGUST 2026 (ABG GOVT) —The Papua New Guinea – Bougainville Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) has endorsed the full transfer of revenue generated in Bougainville from fisheries, mining, forestry, land and other relevant taxes to the Autonomous Bougainville Government, by 31 December 2026.
The resolutions were reached during the JSB meeting held at Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby this week and co-chaired by Prime Minister James Marape, and ABG President Ishmael Toroama.
The JSB took note of the ABG’s agenda tabled at the JSB, relating to taxation, revenue streams, statutory fees and related fiscal powers, as well as proposals to strengthen Bougainville’s fisheries governance and marine resource benefit-sharing framework.
To progress these priorities, the JSB directed the Chief Secretaries of both governments to exercise full oversight, coordination and accountability for all technical agency-to-agency engagements relating to taxation, customs and excise, fisheries, revenue streams, statutory fees and charges, and other fiscal and economic matters affecting Bougainville.
The Chief Secretaries have also been tasked with presenting a comprehensive joint progress report at a future JSB meeting for consideration and further direction……PACNEWS
FIJI – RENEWABLE ENERGY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Energy Fiji seeks $500m
SUVA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES) —Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) is seeking US$230 million (approx$FJD508m) in financing through a proposed World Bank-supported project aimed at accelerating Fiji’s transition to renewable energy, according to newly released World Bank documents.
The documents reveal that the proposed Fiji Energy Transformation Project has an estimated total cost of US$230m and is expected to go before the World Bank’s Board in May 2027.
The project lists Fiji’s Ministry of Finance as the borrower, with the Ministry for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport and Energy Fiji Ltd as the implementing agencies.
According to the World Bank, the project’s objective is “to accelerate renewable energy development and energy transition in Fiji”.
The bank said the project would support EFL to invest in solar power generation, power grid infrastructure and technical assistance, while also advancing reforms to attract greater private sector investment into solar energy.
“The proposed project will support Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL), national utility in Fiji, to invest in solar power, power grid infrastructure, and technical assistance, as well as power sector reform to engage private sector in investing in solar power,” the document states.
The World Bank has classified both the project’s environmental and social risks as “substantial”, citing the ecological sensitivity of proposed project areas in Vanua Levu and Taveuni, where major transmission lines and renewable energy infrastructure are expected to be developed.
The report notes that much of the land required for transmission corridors and solar facilities is likely to be iTaukei customary land, meaning extensive consultation with landowners and compliance with international environmental and social safeguards will be required.
The documents also highlight concerns about potential impacts on biodiversity, including threatened bird species, forests, coral reefs and mangroves, as well as risks associated with battery energy storage systems, hazardous waste and Fiji’s exposure to cyclones and flooding.
On the social side, the World Bank said the project could involve land acquisition, economic displacement, labour influx into remote communities and gender-related risks that would require detailed mitigation measures.
“Social risks are rated substantial, driven by the complexity of customary land tenure on predominantly iTaukei land, the potential for involuntary resettlement and economic displacement of customary land users, labour influx into remote and underserved communities, and supply chain risks,” the review states.
Before the project can proceed, the World Bank said a range of environmental and social assessments, including stakeholder engagement plans, biodiversity studies, resettlement frameworks and Indigenous Peoples planning frameworks, must be completed before appraisal and construction began….PACNEWS
PAC – FINANCIAL PROTECTION: PMN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Emergency savings gap highlights need for stronger financial protection for Pasifika
AUCKLAND, 07 AUGUST 2026 (PMN)—For generations, Pacific families have turned to each other when times are tough through church, family and community support.
But with rising costs and growing financial pressure in Aotearoa New Zealand, experts say families also need to build their own safety nets before unexpected events happen.
New research from the Retirement Commission – Te Ara Ahunga Ora – shows 62 percent of New Zealanders now have an emergency fund, compared with just 44 percent of Pacific people.
In an interview on Pacific Mornings, Retirement Commissioner David Boyle said an emergency fund helps families prepare for the “expected unexpected” moments in life from a major car repair to sudden bills or loss of income.
“Even saving a dollar a day or a dollar a week or just something to get started will help avoid borrowing so much at a high cost when the unexpected happens,” Boyle says.
He says having savings behind you is not just about money, but also confidence and peace of mind.
New Retirement Commission research released during Money Month shows 44 percent of Pacific people have an emergency fund, compared with 62 percent of New Zealanders overall. Photo/Retirement Commission
“There’s a very high connection between your own wellbeing and financial wellbeing,” Boyle says.
“If households are thinking about money every night and worrying about the next bill that’s coming up or the next unexpected event, that has quite a material impact on your own wellbeing.”
For Pacific families, building financial resilience can also mean understanding where insurance fits alongside savings.
Daniel Fifita, Principal Adviser and founder of ONA Insurance Brokers, says insurance can provide another layer of protection when families face serious events such as illness, injury or death.
“Having an emergency fund is a great start, but insurance is the kind of backstop after that,” Fifita told PMN.
“Your emergency fund finishes, then your insurance kind of takes over.”
Across the Pacific, insurance is also increasingly being used as a tool to strengthen resilience when communities face major shocks.
In Tuvalu, a new high-tide parametric insurance scheme recently delivered its first payout to 409 households affected by coastal flooding while Tonga has received climate insurance support to help respond to drought impacts.
The programmes are designed to provide faster financial support when disasters strike, showing how Pacific communities are exploring new ways to prepare before crises happen.
For Pacific families living in Aotearoa, Fifita says the same principle applies – having protection in place before hardship arrives.
After more than a decade working in the insurance industry, Fifita says one of the biggest barriers for Pasifika is often a lack of understanding about what insurance actually covers.
“It’s more of an educational approach, so the client can make an informed decision about whether they want to go ahead or not,” he says.
He says personal insurance is different from general insurance, which covers things like cars and household items.
“Whereas personal insurance or life insurance ensures you, ensures you the person. So if anything happens to you, the person, sickness, illness, injury, then there’s certain options available that can help out from a financial standpoint.”
Fifita says Pacific families should not feel pressured to immediately buy insurance but start by having honest conversations about their financial situation.
“Having a conversation doesn’t lock you into anything,” he says. “Start to learn about how insurance works and when you get to a stage where you deem it as a priority, then that’s when we can take the next steps.”
He says Pacific communities have traditionally relied on collective support when tragedy strikes, but families living in New Zealand also need to adapt to today’s financial realities.
“We come from a communal kind of help. When tragedy strikes, the village pulls together to make things happen,” Fifita says.
“Whereas now we’re living in New Zealand, it’s a lot more westernised. There’s a lot more obligations around bills and things like that.”
Both Fifita and Boyle say the first step is simply starting the conversation – whether that means putting aside a small amount regularly, seeking budgeting support, or learning more about financial protection.
Boyle says recent savers are already seeing the benefits. “Any time’s a great time to start, doesn’t matter at what age or stage in life that you’re at,” he says.
The Retirement Commission’s message for Money Month is that building financial confidence does not happen overnight but small steps today can help families handle the challenges of tomorrow……PACNEWS
PAC – FEDERAL CONTRACTORS: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 07 Aug 2026
U.S military, federal contractors struggle to navigate barriers in unfamiliar environments in the Pacific
HAGATNA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—Federal contractors hustle to fill orders, source materials and recruit workers, with project completion deadlines to beat.
A surge in the Department of War’s spending authority entails more contract awards for critical infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region.
The US$1.3 trillion National Defence Authorisation Act for fiscal 2027 authorises approximately $2.5 billion for Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, where the department has lined up projects crucial to national defence transformation against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical tensions in the region.
“We’re not just executing projects. We’re trying to get operational capability at locations, not just here in Guam and the second island chain, but across the entire theater,” said LieutenantColonel Robert B. Bouffard, command civil engineer at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces.
Guam gets the lion’s share of the total spending authorisation for the region. The NDAA authorises US$1.8 billion for the construction of the missile defence system, which consists of mobile components to be installed in 16 locations across the island.
The missile defence project is on top of previously planned projects associated with the U.S-Japan agreement involving the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. Several projects have either been completed or are ongoing at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz.
At the 2026 SAME Guam Post Industry Forum held at Dusit Thani Resort last month, military officials highlighted Guam’s key position as a cornerstone of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, requiring resilient infrastructure, coordinated planning and industry capacity.
Amid China’s growing threats in the region, the Pentagon is expanding logistics capabilities to the CNMI and the freely associated states, where it seeks to upgrade existing infrastructure and public facilities for joint civilian-military use.
The 2027 spending policy measure authorizes US$153 million for various projects in the CNMI, including the reconstruction of Tinian’s World War II airfield; US$384.5 million for port improvements in Palau; and US$169.2 million for airport and harbor rehabilitation in Yap.
“As we look at those locations, we’re not building something that we’re just going to walk away from in a few years,” Bouffard said, adding that the military aims for long-term use of facilities.
The FY2027 NDAA requires a study on the potential benefits of establishing a strategic partnership to assist the U.S. Pacific Command in identifying dual-use infrastructure projects across the Indo-Pacific.
“We don’t have enough military to be able to sustain all those, but we’re making sure that they’re operational for years to come,” Bouffard added.
More than their logistical value, these strategic islands form another layer of defence, enabling U.S forces to sustain the fight in the event of conflicts.
While the rapidly changing regional environment calls for acceleration of defence-capability building, military contractors struggle to pick up speed due to a host of barriers, many of which are inherent to isolated locations.
The lack of manpower in Guam and other Pacific islands has always been a chief snag. “This is an extremely challenging labor market,” said Laurie Scott, director of strategic client alignment at ECC.
Exacerbating the labor shortage is the challenge of maintaining a workforce that can keep up with shifting engineering standards that meet the military’s increasingly complex requirements.
“The type of infrastructure we’re building is way more complicated than what we built decades ago,” Scott said. “We’re talking about ICD 705 compliant facilities. We’re talking about hangars that are supporting autonomous platforms.”
The building industry itself needs to keep pace with changing demands, Scott added. “Everybody needs to understand the assignment.”
Location is a major issue as well. Surrounded by water, the region’s isolation and distance from the U.S mainland pose an organic problem that bumps construction costs and limits the availability of material supplies. These have been an albatross for the industry and are “very difficult” to overcome, said Frank Blaz, chief of staff for 356 Theater Support Group of the U.S Air Force.
“It creates this challenge for what can be placed there within that context,” he said.
“It doesn’t help within (the Pacific Command) that the way to get from point A to point B is through the ocean and through the air. It’s not like the (continental U.S) problem set or the Europe problem set where you can just get on a roadway and bring your assets to locations.”
Scott endorsed the design-bid-build method, which he said can help mitigate the costs and limitations of material supplies.
“It’s really, really important to understand if there’s an opportunity to locally source material,” he said. “And if there is material that has to come from outside of a local source, is there an opportunity to identify a world-established supply chain?”
Blaz said “appreciating the problem set of small island nations” and collaborating with them are integral “toward our success holistically for all the Department of War.”
Another impediment to speed is tied to the nature of working in an unfamiliar territory. Differing rules and various environmental challenges in different jurisdictions often cause projects to hit a snag. The National Environmental Protection Act requires that every project go through a review process. Environmental disturbance, particularly in archeological areas, often creates a sore spot between the military and host communities, if not locking projects in lengthy litigation.
“We’re not out here trying to just destroy the environment,” Bouffard said, stressing the need for stakeholders to figure out how to navigate the sticking points. “I think the key is making sure that we all have a common goal and a focus on the mission execution.”
Cultural barriers can also cause uncertainties. “I don’t want to necessarily say it’s the culture, but it is. We’ve got a lot of folks on both sides in the federal workspace. There’s a lot of unknowns,” Brian Weinstein, senior principal at Staniec, said at the industry forum.
“When people get challenged with timelines… they’re going to fall back on what they know how to do. So it’s a matter of changing that organisational culture to bring everybody along and say, you know what, we’re all in this together.”
Blaz acknowledged that disagreements over how to accomplish work can get in the way of a project’s movement. “We have a lot of different partners and they don’t do things the way we do,” he said. “It’s the culture in the Pacific, right? It’s definitely not the same culture that we would have in NorthCom or SouthCom.”
Recognizing and appreciating the difference is key. Adjusting perspectives is the first step to arriving at a solution, Blaz said. “We have to get out of that installation mindset. It’s not an installation,” he said. “I think the Joint Region Marianas does an excellent job in being able to navigate within that kind of mindset.”
Attitude adjustment is particularly important when working in a sovereign nation, Blaz said. “Maybe we’re dealing with some of their properties. It’s theirs. (They’re) our partner, our ally, a close state.”
Weinstein underscored the importance of developing mutual trust.
“That trust between contractors and government is part of that culture of change and shift to we’re-in-this-together (mindset),” he said. “Maybe we’re going to stumble and bumble a little bit initially, but we’re all going to figure it out and move along together.”….PACNEWS
UN – SHIPPING: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 07 Aug 2026
Trapped ships in Strait of Hormuz face a different kind of attack
TEHRAN/LONDON, 07 AUGUST 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—The UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) warned that ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S-Iran war could become an “ecological timebomb,” increasing the risk of invasive species spreading to new marine environments once shipping resumes.
The concern centres on “biofouling” – the buildup of marine organisms such as algae and small animals on ship hulls. Vessels that remain stationary for extended periods face an increased risk of biofouling.
“There is a risk of a transfer of species if ships are unable to remove fouling before moving out of an area or after a prolonged period of time in one area,” said IMO spokesperson Natasha Brown. “The IMO recommends that ship operators follow the IMO biofouling guidelines as far as possible.”
The IMO said biofouling has become a growing global problem due to increased shipping and trade, warning that the impacts of invasive aquatic species have been “devastating” in some regions because they are difficult to remove once established.
“Bioinvasions are actually continuing at an alarming rate and there are new areas being invaded all the time,” the agency warned.
The IMO is developing a legally binding treaty aimed at improving management of ship biofouling and reducing risks……PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Strengthening El Niño to push 49 million more people into acute hunger
ROME, 07 AUGUST 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —Nearly 50 million more people in highly vulnerable communities globally are set to be pushed into acute hunger because of the strengthening El Niño weather phenomenon, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said this week.
In response, the agency and partners are boosting efforts in eight countries to protect some of the most vulnerable communities who are already struggling with poverty, conflict, joblessness and repeated climate extremes.
Priorities include preparing for floods, droughts and storms before they hit.
“El Niño is a massive threat to the food security of millions who are already vulnerable,” said Carl Skau, WFP’s Acting Executive Director.
“The sooner we help families to prepare for these climate shocks, the greater our ability to save lives and protect livelihoods.”
Acute hunger refers to people who are unable to meet their daily food needs.
Learning from past El Niños
WFP noted that the 2015-2016 El Niño impacted the food security of 60 to 100 million people. Early projections indicate that the 2026-2027 El Niño could push at least 49 million more people into acute food insecurity by the end of next year.
After analysing 45 countries already considered food insecure – and where El Niño will significantly influence rainfall patterns, temperatures, floods and droughts – the agency expects the total number of acutely food-insecure people to rise from 225 million to 274 million people, an increase of approximately 22 percent.
Parts of Central America and southern Africa are expected to bear the brunt of climate extremes, although significant impacts are also forecast in eastern Africa and South and Southeast Asia.
WFP stressed the variety of El Niño’s impact: “Some countries are already experiencing below-average rainfall, flooding and unusually hot temperatures, while others are expected to face deteriorating conditions during upcoming planting seasons and harvests.”
WFP report findings:
*Latin America and the Caribbean could see one of the sharpest rises in food insecurity, with more than 16 million people affected.
*Central America is projected to have the largest proportional increase (83.1 percent) of all areas analysed in the report.
*East and Southern Africa face substantial risks, particularly where upcoming rainy seasons are critical for food production. More than 18 million people could see their food security deteriorate, representing a 26 percent increase.
*Southern African countries are particularly exposed because many households depend on rain-fed subsistence agriculture.
*Asia and the Pacific could see significant impacts in several already vulnerable countries with an estimated 8.2 million additional people facing acute food insecurity.
*West and Central Africa are also at risk with food insecurity projected to increase by 12 percent, affecting nearly six million additional people.
WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have already appealed for increased support to help at-risk communities prepare for El Niño to help protect lives, livelihoods and food security before emergencies escalate.
Investment multiplier
El Niño is expected to peak between September and December 2026, but the effects will be felt throughout 2027 in many countries, owing to impacts on future harvests. “Drought, flooding and extreme temperatures are already putting communities at risk,” WFP warned.
Working closely with FAO, OCHA and other partners, WFP has active prevention plans in more than 50 countries and is supporting governments and communities to reduce risks.
Since May, WFP has triggered anticipatory action plans in South Sudan, Chad, Mauritania, Uganda, Guatemala and El Salvador, providing more than US$14 million in lifesaving responses to support half a million people. This includes scaling its pre-arranged financing mechanisms such as disaster risk insurance, credit, and digital payments, to make more money available at lower cost.
These efforts help communities and governments prepare for and withstand sudden shocks while reducing future humanitarian needs. In fact, experiences from prior El Niño events have shown that US$1 invested in anticipatory programmes can save between US$3 and US$7 in avoided losses and response costs…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Papua New Guinea receives first shipment of HPV vaccines to protect girls and women from cervical cancer
PORT MORESBY, 07 AUGUST 2026 (UNICEF PNG) — Papua New Guinea has taken an important step towards preventing cervical cancer, with the arrival of the country’s first shipment of 100,000 human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine vials.
The vaccines will support the introduction of HPV vaccination into the national immunisation programme, protecting girls from the leading cause of cervical cancer. A further 180,000 vials will arrive after the first shipment, bringing the total to 280,000 vials.
The Government of Papua New Guinea allocated PGK 6.2 million in the 2026 National Budget to support the introduction of the HPV vaccine, with additional co-financing support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The National Department of Health, working closely with the National Department of Education and Provincial Health Authorities, is leading the planning and delivery of the vaccination programme.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is providing technical support for policy development, programme planning, health worker training, monitoring and evaluation, while UNICEF is supporting vaccine procurement and delivery, cold chain and supply systems, programme planning, and engagement with families and communities.
The first phase of the programme, expected to start on 10 September 2026, will vaccinate approximately 60,000 girls aged 9 to 14 years across two provinces, before progressively expanding to additional provinces as vaccine supplies arrive and implementation capacity increases.
Secretary for Health, Pascoe Kase, said the arrival of the vaccines marked a significant milestone in protecting the health of Papua New Guinean girls and women.
“Too many Papua New Guinean women continue to lose their lives to cervical cancer, despite it being one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Introducing the HPV vaccine into our national immunisation programme is a major investment in the health of our girls and future generations of women.”
“This programme demonstrates what can be achieved through strong Government leadership and partnership with our development partners. Our focus now is to ensure every eligible girl has the opportunity to receive this life-saving vaccine”.
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in Papua New Guinea. The country has the second-highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in the Pacific region and the twelfth-highest globally. Every year, an estimated 1,053 women develop cervical cancer and approximately 650 lose their lives to the disease, placing a devastating but largely preventable burden on families and communities.
HPV vaccination is an essential part of eliminating cervical cancer. By working together to deliver vaccines reliably and expand access to screening, early diagnosis, treatment and care, Papua New Guinea can safeguard the health of girls and women for generations to come.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus. While most HPV infections resolve naturally, persistent infection with certain types of HPV can cause changes to cervical cells that may develop into cancer over time. The HPV vaccine protects against the HPV types responsible for most cervical cancers, has an excellent global safety record, does not affect fertility, and provides the greatest protection when administered before exposure to the virus.
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV responsible for most cervical cancers. It has a strong global safety record and does not affect fertility.
The World Health Organisation’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer calls for:
*90 percent of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15.
*70 percent of women to be screened using a high-performance test by the ages of 35 and 45.
*90 percent of women identified with cervical disease to receive appropriate treatment and care…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security in Kiribati
By Dr Teatao Tira, Principal Country Officer for Kiribati, Pacific Department, Asian Development Bank
Introduction
MANILA/TARAWA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (ADB)—Food security in Kiribati is fundamentally constrained by its geography and high climate vulnerability.
As a low-lying coral atoll nation, Kiribati faces extremely scarce arable land, poor soil fertility, and limited freshwater resources, making large-scale agriculture largely unviable. Only around 2.5 percent of total land area—approximately 340 square kilometers—is suitable for cultivation, placing Kiribati among the least fertile countries globally (World Bank, 2023).
As a result, domestic food production has been insufficient to meet the demand, particularly in South Tarawa where over half of Kiribati’s population lives, and imported foods are critical to keep people nourished. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, total food imports were valued at about US$55 million. Rice and raw sugar, made up 19 percent of the food import, highlighting heavy dependence on imported staple foods and ultra-processed foods. Overall, food imports have consistently accounted for more than one-third of total merchandise imports. (Centre for Collective Learning, 2024).
Nutrition Dilemma
Weak domestic food production continues to compromise diet quality and nutrition outcomes. Limited availability of locally produced, nutrient-dense foods has led to diets marked by minimal fruit and vegetable consumption and heavy reliance on imported staples, particularly rice, sugar, and ultra-processed foods.
Nutrition indicators demonstrate a clear double burden of undernutrition combined with overweight and obesity. According to the Kiribati National Statistics Office (2025), almost half of the population is obese. In addition, Kiribati faces a very high burden of non-communicable diseases with a 44 percent probability of premature death (ages 30–70).
Child malnutrition also persists with around 15 percent of children under 5 years old stunted and 3.5 percent wasted. (Kiribati National Statistics, 2025; UNICEF, 2025; Global Nutrition Report 2024).
While diets are marginally more diverse in rural areas, overall nutritional quality remains poor. Households spend an average of US$5.60 per person per day on food, accounting for around half of the total daily expenditure. (Kiribati National Statistics, 2025.)
Policy Actions
Kiribati is strengthening food and nutrition security through a multisectoral policy framework anchored in the Kiribati Agriculture Strategy (2020–2030) and complementary health and fiscal measures, including noncommunicable disease strategies and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. These policies prioritise reducing the double burden of malnutrition—persistent child undernutrition alongside high adult obesity—by promoting household food security, increasing local food production, reducing reliance on imported foods, and integrating nutrition education, vitamin A supplementation, community health services, and water and sanitation programmes.
Current programmes also include community-based food production (home gardens), fisheries management, and climate-resilient food security initiatives supported by development partners (e.g., UNDP, FAO, UNICEF), which emphasise sustainable coastal fisheries, local agriculture, and behavioral change towards healthier diets.
However, implementation is constrained by structural challenges.
*Limited arable land, poor soil quality, and scarce freshwater severely restrict agricultural productivity.
*High dependence on imported, low-nutrient foods persists due to cost and availability issues.
*Climate change (drought, sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion) increasingly damages crops, fisheries, and water systems.
Additional constraints include weak institutional and human resource capacity, fragmented coordination across sectors, insufficient data for monitoring, and high levels of food insecurity (affecting around 41 percent of the population), compounded by geographic isolation and high transport costs. These factors collectively limit the scale, consistency, and sustainability of policy implementation despite strong strategic intent. (Kiribati National Statistics Office, 2021).
Recommendations
Addressing policy challenges requires practical, context-specific approaches for Kiribati. Policies promoting healthier diets, particularly locally produced, nutrient-rich foods, should be complemented by targeted social protection programs through cash payouts to support supplemental food for children under 5 years old, small grant programs to support nutritional gardening, and subsidies on nutritious food products to help vulnerable households manage rising food costs. Strengthening food and nutrition security requires a coordinated approach that integrates sustainable production, climate resilience, and efficient supply chains.
The government aims to improve access to nutritious foods, particularly for vulnerable groups, through
*climate-smart agriculture (including drought-resistant crops, improved irrigation, and soil management);
*integrated farming systems;
*strengthened value chains; and
*expanded community-based initiatives such as home gardens and school feeding programmes.
These efforts are supported by nutrition education and the promotion of resilient traditional crops. Complementary adaptive measures, including early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and targeted farmer support, will further enhance resilience to climate variability.
A key strategic initiative is the development of the 5,500-acre Natoavatu Estate in Fiji as a large-scale horticultural hub to produce high-demand fruits and vegetables that are difficult to cultivate domestically. The government intends to utilise this estate as an offshore production base to complement local agriculture. With targeted investment, the estate is expected to support commercial-scale, climate-resilient farming, alongside efficient logistics and cold-chain systems to ensure reliable supply to Kiribati. The initiative has the potential to promote agribusiness development and public–private partnerships, contributing to diversified food supply, price stability, and strengthened food and nutrition security over the medium to long term.
Strengthening nutrition and food security in Kiribati will require sustained efforts from the Kiribati government, development partners, and communities over an extended period. Building climate-resilient food systems will be an important part of improving nutrition and health outcomes for the Kiribati people and ensuring their resilience against future shocks….PACNEWS
Dr Teatao T. Tira is a medical doctor by training and a seasoned public sector executive specialising in health systems. With more than 2 decades of leadership experience across government and development sectors, he has spearheaded national reforms in health policy, infrastructure, and service delivery, holding senior positions, including Secretary and Director. He holds an MBBS from the Fiji School of Medicine, along with a Master of Public Health and an MBA from James Cook University, Australia.
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
National Species Symposium: Strengthening national capacity for species conservation in PNG through the Red List training workshop
PORT MORESBY, 07 AUGUST 2026 (IUCN)—From 14–16 July 2026, the IUCN SSC Centre for Species Survival (CSS) Papua New Guinea hosted the National Species Symposium in Port Moresby.
The symposium brought together 120 participants, including representatives of government agencies, leaders of communities, students, professors, universities, non-governmental organisations, conservation institutions, zoological organisations, and private-sector partners, creating a unique platform for collaboration across the country.
Under the umbrella ‘Aligning conservation priorities for species conservation in Papua New Guinea’, the event aimed to strengthen collaboration among conservation stakeholders, integrate scientific research with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), support national capacity building, and advance the development of Papua New Guinea’s National Red List Project. The symposium also highlighted the role of the IUCN SSC Centre for Species Survival (CSS) Papua New Guinea in promoting coordinated conservation action through the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Assess–Plan–Act framework.
During the first day, participants exchanged knowledge and experiences through presentations and discussions focused on terrestrial and marine conservation, community engagement, threatened species recovery, and conservation planning, working throughout Papua New Guinea and the broader Oceania region. The event provided opportunities to establish new partnerships, strengthen existing collaborations, and build a stronger and more coordinated national conservation community.
Contributing to the National Red List Project
Mayerlin Ramos, IUCN SSC Centres for Species Survival Coordinator, supported the event’s organisation and production and contributed to the National Red List Project and IUCN Red List training workshop.
The event dedicated two days to the development of national expertise in species assessment methodologies. The workshop introduced participants to the work of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, providing an overview of the global network of experts dedicated to species conservation and the role that the CSS network plays in translating global expertise into local action.
The workshop was led and facilitated by Tim Lyons, an experienced Red List trainer from the National Red List working group and Species Survival Officer for the IUCN SSC CSS Corals, supporting the delivery of sessions covering the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, regional assessment methodologies, case studies, practical exercises, and discussions on the application of Red List methodologies within the national context of Papua New Guinea. Participants gained both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in applying internationally recognised standards for species assessments.
This workshop also helped to establish the foundations for a coordinated national network of assessors. Building local expertise is fundamental to ensuring that species assessments remain scientifically robust, locally relevant, and sustainable over the long term. This approach reflects the broader vision of the CSS model: strengthening local leadership while connecting practitioners with global expertise and resources.
The symposium acknowledged the importance of traditional ecological knowledge in species conservation through dedicated presentations and workshops that explored integrating Indigenous knowledge systems with scientific methodologies, emphasising the value of community participation and locally led conservation strategies.
Next steps
The National Species Symposium marked an important milestone in Papua New Guinea’s conservation journey and laid the groundwork for the implementation of the country’s 2026-2029 National Red List Project. This work has contributed to building a stronger national conservation network, ensuring Papua New Guinea’s remarkable species receive the attention and protection they deserve…..PACNEWS
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Hiroshima fosters hope, 81 years on from nuclear catastrophe
HIROSHIMA, 07 AUGUST 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —Eighty-one years ago on Thursday, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, reducing the city to ruins, killing tens of thousands of people and bringing the world “face to face with the catastrophic power of nuclear war”.
It was an act that must never be repeated, said the UN chief for disarmament affairs, at a memorial ceremony in the Japanese city.
“Hiroshima stands as an inspiring example of resilience, renewal and hope,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“Across generations, its people remind us that, even after the darkest moments, we can choose and build a different future.”
Just two days later, a second nuclear bomb targeted Nagasaki on 8 August 1945. The two blasts killed around 120,000 people, with a similar number dying later of burn and radiation injuries, and left behind 650,000 survivors, known as the hibakusha.
Nuclear sabre rattling
Providing a snapshot of the current nuclear weapon landscape, she said deepening geopolitical division, rising mistrust and intensifying competition are straining the norms and guardrails that have helped prevent a “nuclear cataclysm”.
The decades-long trend in nuclear arsenal reductions is reversing, the global norm against nuclear testing is under threat and worldwide, military spending jumped to US$2.9 trillion in 2025, she warned.
“Nuclear sabres are being rattled once again in the name of power and coercion,” the UN disarmament chief said, noting that the UN was founded to rid the world of the scourge of war, with the General Assembly’s very first resolution in 1946 aiming at eliminating nuclear weapons.
Promise unfulfilled, but achievable
“That promise remains unfulfilled, but not unachievable,” Nakamitsu said, emphasising that peace is not secured through fear and might, but through trust, sustained investment in dialogue, diplomacy, and international cooperation, an unwavering commitment to international law and bolstering the global disarmament regime.
Peace is also achieved through all States – especially the nuclear armed – taking action to reduce risks, rebuild confidence, and advance towards total disarmament. There also needs to be “a firm rejection of the zero-sum logic that nuclear weapons are the ultimate guarantee of security, when they are in fact the very opposite.”
She called for clarity and conviction on the 81st anniversary: “Let’s choose dialogue over division, cooperation over confrontation and common security over narrow advantage, and let’s move closer to a world where the tragedy of Hiroshima is never repeated.”
The second the world changed forever
The remains of a wristwatch found in the ruins of Hiroshima, Japan, recorded the moment of the atomic bomb explosion at 8:15am local time on 06 August 1945.
We’ve been back through the UN Photo archive to find some of the most compelling and disturbing images related to the bombings: from the instant the world’s first atomic explosion occurred to the decades of hard work by survivors to ensure it never happens again…..PACNEWS
