In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific nations warn UN sea-level rise declaration falls short
2. NZ — Former NZ PM Clark criticises New Zealand for abstaining on UN pandemic declaration
3. FIJI — Up to three cyclones forecast for Fiji this season
4. PNG — PNG wants concrete actions on climate at Cop 31: Kaupa
5. FIJI — Fiji rights coalition questions legal authority for referendum date
6. FIJI — Standards have slipped in legal profession, says former A-G
7. FIJI — Indonesian hospital ship treats 504 patients during Fiji visit
8. S|KOREA — Fiji youth leader takes peace message to global forum
9. PACNEWS BIZ — 800 million young people face a future without jobs
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji lifts seasonal ban on kawakawa and donu
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Electricity access must be built into the Pacific’s energy transition
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Australia supports Telikom PNG with K28 million grant
13. PACNEWS BIZ — PCRIC promotes disaster financial protection for Pacific nations at World Bank, IMF meetings
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji public invited to scrutinise proposed Sigatoka iron sands mining project
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Know Mercury, Manage Mercury: Empowering Pacific Island Countries
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — Global action to end violence against children is lagging behind risks: UN expert
PAC – SEA LEVEL RISE/CLIMATE CHANGE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Pacific nations warn UN sea-level rise declaration falls short
NEW YORK, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)— Pacific nations have warned that the first United Nations Declaration on Sea Level Rise falls short of the legal protections and climate action needed to safeguard vulnerable island states, despite welcoming its adoption by consensus.
Speaking during the UN General Assembly debate on 12 October, Pacific representatives highlighted gaps in the declaration on maritime boundaries, continuity of statehood, human rights, climate finance and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Papua New Guinea delivered the strongest criticism, warning that negotiations had weakened important provisions to secure agreement from all countries.
“The purpose of consensus should be to confer broad legitimacy. It should not become a veto by attrition,” PNG told the Assembly.
PNG said the process had forced the majority to accept weaker language to accommodate a small number of countries whose short-term economic interests remained tied to high greenhouse gas emissions.
“This veto by attrition transfers the price of consensus to the most vulnerable states,” its representative said.
Despite the shortcomings, PNG joined the consensus adopting the declaration, describing sea-level rise as an issue directly affecting the lives, livelihoods and future of its people.
The declaration, adopted on 24 September 2026, establishes a shared political framework for international action on rising seas. However, Pacific countries stressed that adoption must lead to practical measures and stronger protection under international law.
Speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Palau said rising seas were already affecting coastal communities, freshwater resources, food security and critical infrastructure across the region.
The representative called for accessible, predictable and adequate climate finance, including international support to capitalise the Pacific Resilience Facility, which the region has identified as a priority investment mechanism.
Palau also urged urgent global emissions reductions to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature goal within reach.
“Every fraction of a degree matters, particularly for countries and communities already experiencing the consequences of climate change,” Palau told the Assembly.
Kiribati, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States, highlighted the need to protect the human rights of people affected by sea-level rise, including the principle of non-refoulement, which protects people from being returned to places where they face serious harm.
Kiribati said climate finance must reach affected communities in good time and through processes that are simple to access.
Tuvalu stressed that rising seas must not undermine its statehood, sovereignty or maritime entitlements, warning that the physical changes to its territory could not be allowed to erase its rights under international law.
“Our rights under international law cannot be allowed to sink with our islands. Our maritime entitlement must endure,” Tuvalu said.
The country described sea-level rise as an existential threat, with seawater entering homes, contaminating freshwater, damaging crops and infrastructure, eroding coastlines and washing away ancestral graves.
Tuvalu called for accessible adaptation finance on better terms to support coastal protection, land reclamation and land elevation, alongside continued recognition of the continuity of statehood and the stability of maritime zones.
Vanuatu also called for stronger implementation, saying the declaration must mark the beginning of action rather than the end of negotiations.
Vanuatu told the Assembly that sea levels around the country could rise by up to 122 centimetres by the end of the century, potentially making more territory uninhabitable.
It cited the 2025 International Court of Justice advisory opinion on states’ obligations regarding climate change, saying the court had confirmed legal obligations to prevent significant harm to the climate system, cooperate in good faith and protect human rights.
Vanuatu called for time-bound national and regional action, scaled-up and predictable finance, technology and capacity-building support, and community-led approaches to climate mobility that protect people’s dignity, culture and choices.
“Small islands are showing that the way forward under international law” is possible in the face of unprecedented challenges, Vanuatu said.
The country also warned of continuing gaps in legal frameworks, planned relocation pathways, finance and political commitment.
The Pacific interventions reaffirmed the region’s position that rising seas must not extinguish statehood, sovereignty, established maritime zones or rights under international law.
The countries also pointed to earlier Pacific Islands Forum declarations in 2021 and 2023, which set out the region’s position on preserving maritime zones and ensuring continuity of statehood despite climate-related sea-level rise.
While welcoming the declaration as an important international achievement, Pacific representatives said its value would depend on implementation, stronger climate action and resources reaching the communities most affected.
For the Pacific, the central challenge remains ensuring that rising seas do not threaten the legal identity and rights of island nations, while global action keeps pace with the physical impacts of climate change…..PACNEWS
NZ – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Former NZ PM Clark criticises New Zealand for abstaining on UN pandemic declaration
NEW YORK/WELLINGTON 14 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — New Zealand has abstained from voting on a United Nations General Assembly political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, citing concerns over national sovereignty and its position on international health agreements.
New Zealand Permanent Representative to the United Nations Victoria Hallum said the country supported efforts to strengthen global health systems and improve preparedness for future pandemics but could not support parts of the declaration.
In an explanation of vote, Hallum said New Zealand objected to paragraph one, which welcomes the adoption of the World Health Organisation’s Pandemic Agreement and the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations.
“It is very important to New Zealand that its sovereign decision making on health is protected,” Hallum said.
She said New Zealand did not support language welcoming the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement, noting that any decision to sign and ratify the agreement would be subject to a full National Interest Test under domestic procedures.
New Zealand had also rejected the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations 2005, saying it was not currently in a position to accept them.
The declaration was adopted by the General Assembly with 153 votes in favour, three against and two abstentions, according to former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.
Clark criticised New Zealand’s abstention in a post on X, linking the decision to the political influence of New Zealand First and its appeal to anti-vaccination voters.
“How low can NZ go?” Clark wrote, describing the outcome as “Humiliating for NZ”.
Her comments contrasted with the Government’s explanation that its position was based on protecting national decision-making over health policy and its objections to specific language in the declaration.
New Zealand thanked the permanent representatives of Armenia and Rwanda, who led efforts to present the declaration, and asked that its explanation of vote be included in the official meeting record.
The declaration seeks to strengthen national, regional and international cooperation on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. As a political declaration, it sets out commitments and priorities but is not legally binding…..PACNEWS
FIJI – WEATHER WATCH: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Up to three cyclones forecast for Fiji this season
SUVA, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fiji is expected to experience a near-normal tropical cyclone season, with up to three cyclones forecast to pass through the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Of these, one to two could reach severe Category 3 to Category 5 strength.
According to the Fiji Meteorological Service’s Tropical Seasonal Outlook 2026-2027, two to three tropical cyclones are likely to pass through Fiji’s EEZ during the 2026-27 season.
Of these systems, one to two are expected to intensify into severe tropical cyclones, reaching Category 3 to Category 5 strength.
The outlook states that all parts of Fiji face an equal risk of being affected by tropical cyclones, underscoring the need for communities nationwide to remain vigilant throughout the season.
“Two to three tropical cyclones are likely to pass through Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone during the 2026-27 tropical cyclone season,” the outlook states.
“Of these, one to two tropical cyclones are likely to reach severe Category 3-5 intensity.”
Tropical cyclone activity typically peaks between January and February. However, the report warns that storms can develop at any time during the season and that out-of-season cyclones cannot be ruled out.
The forecast was developed using three past seasons with similar climate conditions: 1982-83, 1997-98 and 2015-16.
Based on these analogue years, forecasters expect near-normal tropical cyclone activity in Fiji, which is usually affected by about two cyclones each season.
The weather office has also cautioned against focusing solely on named cyclones, noting that tropical depressions and disturbances can cause significant damage.
“It does not take a direct hit or a severe tropical cyclone to cause considerable damage or life-threatening weather,” the outlook states.
“Tropical disturbances or depressions that do not attain cyclone intensity can and have previously caused strong winds, widespread heavy rainfall, landslides and flooding.”
The report highlights the significant impacts tropical depressions have historically had in Fiji, particularly through heavy rainfall and severe flooding.
Officials are urging residents to remain alert throughout the cyclone season and take all weather advisories and warnings seriously.
“All communities should remain alert and prepared throughout the tropical cyclone season and take heed of all advisories whenever they are issued,” the outlook states….PACNEWS
PNG – COP31: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 3: Wed 14 Oct 2026
PNG wants concrete actions on climate at Cop 31: Kaupa
PORT MORESBY, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Papua New Guinea wants to see the Conference of the Parties (Cop-31) in Antalya, Turkey, deliver concrete climate change action, accessible finance and a transition that recognises the development realities of Pacific Island countries.
Following the Pre-Cop-31 ministerial plenary in Nadi, Fiji, Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister John Kaupa reaffirmed PNG’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the urgent need to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal within reach.
“Cop31 must be an implementation Cop,” he said.
“We have negotiated frameworks and established mechanisms.
“What is now required is political commitment to make them work, with clear responsibilities, accessible financing and measurable delivery.”
He said that climate finance must move from pledges to disbursement, with more grants and highly concessional funding, simpler access requirements and stronger support for national institutions.
Funding must reach communities facing floods, coastal erosion, extreme weather and displacement, rather than add unsustainable debt burdens.
Many parts of Papua New Guinea still depend on diesel-generated electricity, particularly in remote areas.
Expanding affordable renewable energy requires investment in infrastructure, technology, skills and reliable energy access.
He called for stronger mitigation ambition by major emitters, practical improvements to the mitigation work programme and greater recognition of the climate contribution of high-forest, low-deforestation countries such as PNG.
“Our forests and oceans are globally significant, but our communities are already experiencing climate impacts. Cop31 must connect global ambition with practical support that protects lives, livelihoods and development,” Kaupa said.
He acknowledged Fiji, Tuvalu and Australia for facilitating the Pacific Pre-Cop31 process and Turkey for its leadership as Cop- 31 host.
Kaupa said the country would work with Pacific partners and all parties to secure a balanced, ambitious and implementable outcome….PACNEWS
FIJI – REFERENDUM: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Fiji rights coalition questions legal authority for referendum date
SUVA, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)—The NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) has questioned the constitutional authority behind Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s announcement that Fiji’s national referendum will be held on 09 December, saying the process must comply with constitutional and legal requirements.
The coalition said uncertainty over the respective roles of the Prime Minister, Parliament, the President and the Electoral Commission raised concerns about the legality of the proposed referendum timetable.
The coalition said the Constitution Amendment Bill had yet to complete its parliamentary process, raising questions about whether the requirements for formally initiating the referendum had been met.
“Who has the constitutional authority to announce and formally initiate a referendum?” the coalition asked in a statement.
It said Section 160(2) to (5) of Fiji’s 2013 Constitution sets out the procedures for constitutional amendments, including the parliamentary process, notification by the Speaker to the President, and referral by the President to the Electoral Commission to conduct a referendum.
The coalition said public participation in constitutional decisions was important but must be supported by legality, transparency and due process.
It also warned that referendums on sensitive social issues could amplify prejudice and reduce complex policy questions to a simple “Yes or No” choice.
The coalition argued that the proposed timetable required careful scrutiny, adequate preparation and sufficient time for public debate and civic education.
It also raised concerns about a reported request to suspend general election campaigning while preparations for the referendum were under way.
The coalition referred to Section 15(2) of the National Referendum Act 2026, saying the provision gives the Electoral Commission responsibility to consider whether general election campaigning should be suspended.
It said decisions affecting electoral processes must be made by the legally authorised institution, exercising its independent judgement in accordance with the law.
The coalition called for immediate clarification of the legal authority for announcing the referendum date and the steps required before the vote could formally proceed.
It also urged respect for the separate constitutional responsibilities of Parliament, the Speaker, the President and the Electoral Commission, as well as protection of the Commission’s independence.
The group said the final referendum proposals and question should be published well ahead of voting day to allow sufficient time for public discussion and independent civic education.
It called for information to be provided in iTaukei, Fiji Hindi and English, as well as accessible formats, so voters could understand the proposals and their implications.
“Fijians deserve certainty that the rules governing such a significant national decision are being respected,” the coalition said.
The NGOCHR said a referendum must not only reflect the will of the people but also be conducted through a lawful and constitutionally sound process.
Its members include the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, Citizens’ Constitutional Forum, femLINKpacific, Social Empowerment Education Programme and DIVA for Equality Fiji. The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre serves as the coalition’s current chair and secretariat…..PACNEWS
FIJI – LEGAL PROFESSION: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Standards have slipped in legal profession, says former A-G
SUVA, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Standards have slipped in Fiji’s legal profession, says newly elected Fiji Law Society(FLS) president Graham Leung.
Leung, who is also the former Attorney-General, urged lawyers to remember the oath they took when admitted to the Bar.
Leung, elected president on 30 September, said integrity was essential to the profession.
“Over the years standards have slipped in so many ways in so many areas and it’s an effort to bring things back to a position where you would like it to be,” he said.
Asked what advice he would give lawyers after several were questioned in court, Mr Leung said his message was simple.
He said he had told the Society’s secretariat that a continuing legal education seminar in the new year should focus on legal ethics and etiquette at the Bar.
Topics would include dress, punctuality, courtroom behaviour and respect for fellow lawyers and the public.
“You can’t be administering or practicing law if you’re breaking the law,” he said.
Fiji now has three law schools, but Mr Leung said there were too many lawyers and not enough jobs for them.
“We should be producing more farmers, more tradesmen, more young men and women in vocational areas of plastering, tiling, electricians, carpenters,” he said.
“This country doesn’t need more lawyers, it needs more tradesmen and tradeswomen.”
Leung made similar remarks at the Fiji Law Society Convention in 2024, when he was Attorney-General.
Leung said membership of the Fiji Law Society was now voluntary and the organisation received no Government grants.
He said he wanted to expand services for members, but the Society needed more funding and was exploring ways to increase its income.
“We’re not a political party. We don’t make political statements,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the referendum and Constitution Amendment Bill process will continue despite the departure of acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.
Rabuka confirmed that he had accepted Turaga’s resignation following the publication of an explicit video featuring Turaga and his wife on his Facebook Story.
Asked whether the resignation would jeopardise the process, Rabuka said: “No, it shouldn’t.”
He said he had not asked Turaga for an explanation.
“I just told him that there is a video that has been leaked. He straightforwardly came up with an apology,” Rabuka said.
No replacement has been appointed to the acting Attorney-General’s role.
Rabuka said legal advice to the Government would now come directly from the Solicitor-General’s office.
“We have a team in Cabinet that is already legally qualified, but not constitutionally were filed to Attorney-General,” he said.
Section 96 of the 2013 Constitution sets out the qualifications for the Attorney-General, including at least 15 years’ practice as a legal practitioner.
The Prime Minister may appoint a qualified person to act in the role, with notice published in the Gazette.
Turaga remains a People’s Alliance (PA) member and Member of Parliament.
Rabuka also confirmed he would continue participating in party discussions through special committees.
“Anybody can be a member of the committee, not necessarily the Attorney-General,” he said.
Turaga was removed as Attorney-General in June 2024 and returned in an acting capacity in June 2025. At the time, Rabuka described him as the only qualified person in Cabinet for the position.
PA general secretary Sila Balawa declined to comment on the Prime Minister’s remarks.
Asked whether the party would investigate Turaga, as it did with Minister Lynda Tabuya, Balawa said the party would follow its constitution.
“We have mechanisms within the party constitution. We’ll just have to follow the party constitution,” he said.
Tabuya was removed from Cabinet on 26 December 2024, following the leak of a private video. In February 2025, the party’s executive council decided not to expel her.
The PA constitution requires complaints to be made in writing. The Legal and National Discipline Sub-Committee then has 21 days to deliberate.
Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale would not confirm whether the commission had received complaints about the recent video.
He said the law prevented the commission from disclosing complaint numbers to protect victims, whether they were ministers or members of the public.
On claims that phones had been hacked, Mr Batiwale said the commission could not comment on any ongoin investigation….PACNEWS
FIJI – NAVY HOSPITAL SHIP: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 3: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Indonesian hospital ship treats 504 patients during Fiji visit
SUVA, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—The Indonesian Navy hospital ship KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 has wrapped up its Fiji visit after two days of medical services that reached 504 patients in Suva.
The visit, which ended on October 12, saw the ship’s medical team work alongside Fiji’s Ministry of Health to provide public healthcare services before continuing its regional deployment to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Under the theme “Bridging Nations, Serving Humanity”, the mission combined medical assistance with professional exchanges and efforts to deepen cooperation between Fiji and Indonesia.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito Darma Simamora, said the hospital ship’s work demonstrated how the two countries could translate their partnership into practical outcomes for Pacific communities.
“In just two days, the team attended 504 patients, a remarkable achievement indeed,” he said.
The medical services were delivered in collaboration with Fiji’s Ministry of Health, with the ship providing general medical consultations, dental care, radiology and non-communicable disease screening.
Simamora said the programme also created opportunities for professional exchanges between Indonesian medical personnel and their Fijian counterparts.
The ship’s visit coincided with Fiji’s Independence Day celebrations, with Fiji’s Minister for Immigration, Viliame Naupoto, describing the healthcare mission as a meaningful contribution to the national celebrations.
“There could be no more fitting gift to our people on our national day than the gift of health, well-being and renewed hope,” Naupoto said.
He thanked the Indonesian Government, the Indonesian Embassy in Suva and the ship’s crew for providing accessible medical services to the public.
Naupoto said the mission involved 316 crew members, including naval personnel, doctors, nurses, mid-level officers and university students.
He also acknowledged the cooperation between the visiting medical team and local healthcare workers, saying the experience had strengthened professional collaboration.
The hospital ship’s visit formed part of Indonesia’s 2026 World Visit deployment, which includes stops across the South Pacific as the country seeks to strengthen maritime diplomacy and international cooperation.
First Admiral Victor Pardamean Y. Siagian, assistant for planning to the commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, said the deployment reflected Indonesia’s commitment to building closer relationships with Pacific countries.
“As maritime nations, Indonesia and Fiji share a joint responsibility to promote a maritime domain that is secure, stable, peaceful and prosperous,” he said.
He said the visit provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation through dialogue, mutual respect and exchanges between the two countries.
Simamora said Indonesia’s engagement with the Pacific was founded on mutual respect, equality and shared aspirations, adding that its partnership with the region should extend beyond diplomatic statements to practical cooperation.
As a strategic partner of the Pacific Islands Forum, Indonesia recognised the region’s pursuit of a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Blue Pacific, he said.
He also pointed to the potential for Indonesia’s hospital ships to support future humanitarian missions in the wider Pacific, including possible visits linked to future Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meetings.
The vessel is one of three hospital ships operated by Indonesia, giving the country a platform to deliver medical assistance while building relationships with island nations across the region.
The visit highlights the practical role Indonesia’s hospital ship is playing in the Pacific, bringing medical services directly to communities while strengthening ties between regional neighbours….PACNEWS
S|KOREA – PEACE PROGRAMME: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 3: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Fiji youth leader takes peace message to global forum
SEOUL, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—A Fijian youth leader is calling for young people to take a leading role in building peace after joining youth representatives from 43 countries at an international programme in Seoul, South Korea.
National Youth Council of Fiji chairwoman Laisani Sepo was among participants at the International Youth Peace Program, held from September 17 to 19, which challenged young people to turn lessons from war, culture and faith into practical peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
Organised by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the programme brought together 100 young people under the theme “We, the Living Legacy of Peace”.
For Sepo, the experience offered a closer look at the human cost of conflict and the responsibility of young people to prevent future violence.
During a visit to the War Memorial of Korea, delegates explored exhibitions on the Korean War, the role of the United Nations and the experiences of those affected by conflict.
“The young ones were trying to protect their areas and willing to give up their lives even though they saw the risk, the death in front of them,” Sepo said.
“It takes strong willpower to keep moving forward despite the challenges and criticism we may face in building peace.”
The programme was structured around three stages — Discover, Learn and Act — encouraging participants to reflect on the consequences of conflict, understand different cultural and religious perspectives, and develop practical plans for their communities.
Visits to Insadong, Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung Palace exposed participants to South Korea’s cultural heritage and prompted discussions on inheritance, respect, responsibility, change and harmony.
Delegates also took part in a roundtable discussion on the role of young people in promoting peace and preventing religious and ethnic differences from being used to justify violence.
They examined peace-related teachings from Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, before developing regional strategies and individual action plans for next year.
The discussions reinforced the message that young people must be recognised as active contributors to peacebuilding rather than leaders whose responsibilities begin only in the future.
Andrew Junior Mwima, chief executive of the Mental Health and Anti-Drug Abuse Organisation, said young people who were often drawn into armed conflicts should also be at the forefront of efforts to prevent them.
“Youths are not the future leaders. We are the leaders of today,” Mwima said.
HWPL secretary-general Kang Tae-ho said the programme aimed to ensure participants translated their experiences into action when they returned to their respective countries.
“Peace is not a legacy we inherit, but a legacy we must pass on to future generations forever,” he said.
“I hope participants will take the answers they found in Korea and turn them into action in their own countries.”
HWPL is a non-governmental organisation with special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
For Fiji, Sepo’s participation brought a Pacific youth perspective to an international discussion on peace, leadership, and the next generation’s responsibility to build more peaceful communities…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
UN – UNEMPLOYMENT: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 14 Oct 2026
800 million young people face a future without jobs
NEW YORK/BANGKOK, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—Approximately 800 million young people entering the labour market in developing economies over the coming years will not find jobs unless countries act, the head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) warned on Tuesday, as the agency launched two initiatives to boost investment and employment.
“If you look at the next 15 years, there will be 1.2 billion young people graduating from school, going into the labour market,” UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo told a press briefing in New York from Bangkok, where he is attending the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings.
“Unfortunately, for only 400 million of these, there will be jobs. For 800 million of these, there will not be jobs.”
De Croo said the gap was driven by demographics – in many developing countries, the median age is between 18 and 25 – and that the job projections were based on the current state of technology.
“That is not going to go by itself. This is the result of policy,” he said.
Of the two initiatives, the Investment Accelerator will help governments improve investment policies and legal frameworks, build pipelines of investment-ready projects and move them from preparation to implementation.
The Jobs for Prosperity Facility will help countries identify sectors with strong job-creation potential, align skills with what employers need and tackle barriers to business investment and hiring.
Asked whether artificial intelligence (AI) was a factor, De Croo said the projections could change through active labour policies, noting that sectors such as care, agriculture and tourism would still create many jobs even as AI accelerates.
“Job creation is actually the only real sustainable way for people to grow out of poverty,” he said.
Both initiatives are backed by expanded partnerships with the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, with pilot initiatives already underway in Nepal, Yemen, Haiti, Lebanon and Ghana.
The launch comes as many developing countries face what Mr. De Croo called a “triple shock”: high energy costs, one of the most pronounced El Niño events since 1950, and very high borrowing costs.
According to a new UNDP report, No Time to Recover, the median developing country now spends 9.5percent of total government income on interest payments alone.
For the first time since 2010, the number of people living in multidimensional poverty – which measures not only income but also access to electricity, water, health care and education – has risen.
“Those numbers should absolutely be a wake-up call to all of us,” De Croo said.
While the global economy has proved more resilient than expected, that resilience is not shared equally, he added.
“Some countries have still quite strong economic fundamentals. Others do not have the fundamentals to withstand further shocks.”….PACNEWS
FIJI – FISHERIES: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Fiji lifts seasonal ban on kawakawa and donu
SUVA, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fishers, vendors and buyers in Fiji can resume the harvesting and sale of kawakawa and donu following the end of the seasonal fishing ban on 30 September.
The Ministry of Fisheries has confirmed that the ban on kawakawa (grouper) and donu (coral trout) has ended, allowing the public to legally catch, sell and purchase the two fish species.
The Ministry issued the clarification after reports of confusion among members of the public over whether the restriction remained in force.
It said the confusion appeared to stem from a separate seasonal ban on grouper currently in place in Solomon Islands.
“The Solomon Islands measure applies only within that country’s waters and has no effect on fishing or trade in Fiji,” the Ministry said.
Fiji’s seasonal ban was introduced as a conservation measure to protect breeding stocks of kawakawa and donu during their critical spawning period.
Protecting the species during spawning helps maintain healthy fish populations and supports the long-term sustainability of Fiji’s reef fisheries, which provide livelihoods for fishing communities.
With harvesting restrictions lifted, the Ministry is urging fishers and communities to continue practising sustainable fishing.
It encouraged fishers to harvest responsibly, return juvenile and undersized fish to the water, respect tabu areas and marine protected areas, and report illegal fishing activities to the Ministry.
The Ministry thanked fishers, vendors and communities for their cooperation during the seasonal ban, stressing the importance of collective efforts to protect Fiji’s reef fisheries for future generations….PACNEWS
FIJI – ENERGY SECURITY: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Electricity access must be built into the Pacific’s energy transition
SUVA, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) —The World Bank Group report, toward a Secure, Affordable, and Resilient Energy Future: Roadmaps for the Pacific Islands, ranks electricity access alongside renewable energy as a regional priority.
A renewable transition that leaves remote communities without electricity will not meet the Pacific’s development priorities.
About 41 percent of the combined population across Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Tonga lacks access to electricity services. Most people without access live in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Chuuk.
The barrier is not a lack of ambition. Geography makes conventional grid expansion costly: the Pacific Island Countries comprise around 1,000 islands spread across 180 million square kilometres of ocean.
Remote and small populations, high infrastructure costs and limited economies of scale make extending grids to some communities difficult to justify. Off-grid solutions also face affordability, maintenance and climate-resilience challenges.
National figures show both progress and unfinished work. Fiji reached 99percent access in 2023, while Tonga reached 100percent. Papua New Guinea’s access rate rose to just over 21percent in 2023, still far below its 70percent target for 2030. The national figures do not erase rural and outer-island gaps, which require targeted solutions.
Governments should match each setting with practical options: grid densification where it can extend service, and mini-grids, stand-alone solar and other decentralised solutions where distance and cost make conventional expansion difficult. The roadmaps identify targeted subsidies, off-grid concessions, and improved land and community engagement as measures needed to accelerate access.
Access also depends on utilities that can maintain and expand networks. The report identifies weak utility finances, limited institutional capacity and insufficient investment as barriers. Tariffs that fail to cover the costs of efficient service delivery can undermine utility sustainability, while irregular adjustments and delayed public-sector payments add pressure. Expanding access without addressing these constraints risks leaving infrastructure without the resources needed to maintain it.
The transition requires substantial financing. The five countries need an estimated US$2 billion through 2030 for generation, resilient grids, storage and electricity access.
Concessional finance remains critical for rural electrification and other projects that are not yet fully viable for private investors. Funding should support practical, sequenced plans that connect investment with stronger institutions and durable service.
Energy access and energy security are linked: reliable, affordable power supports households and businesses, while renewable energy can reduce exposure to imported fuel costs.
Success should be measured not only by how much renewable generation is added, but by whether people in remote communities gain dependable electricity and whether utilities can sustain that service….PACNEWS
PNG – GRANT: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Australia supports Telikom PNG with K28 million grant
PORT MORESBY, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The Australian government will provide a US$6.3 million (about K28.5 million) grant to Telikom PNG – the State-owned telecommunication company – to support its systems and operations.
Australian High Commissioner Ewen McDonald said during an agreement signing in Port Moresby that the grant came under the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).
Telikom chief executive officer Amos Tepi said the industry was evolving rapidly.
“Customers expect faster, simpler, and more digital experiences.
Businesses require secure and reliable connectivity,” he said.
“Government is increasingly delivering its services through digital platforms.
“This grant will strengthen the capability of a national digital wallet and e-wallet (electronic-wallet) platform to promote financial inclusion and secure digital payments.
“This grant will strengthen our artificial intelligence Cloud Data Centre capability, supporting sovereign data hosting, cloud services, artificial intelligence applications, and government digital services.
“This grant will strengthen Starlink services through Telikom’s role as a national reseller, extending connectivity to remote and underserved communities throughout PNG.”
Tepi said that in the next 12-18 months, management would deliver the programme of work carefully, transparently, and in cooperation with the AIFFP, Kumul Consolidated Holdings and the board.
State Enterprises Minister William Duma thanked Australia for the support.
“This grant is non-repayable. It requires no borrowing, no sovereign guarantee and no additional funding from the shareholder,” he said.
“It strengthens a State-owned company without adding to the burden on our national budget.
“Only a special and close friend like Australia can generously give us grants such as this.
“This grant also went through the proper compliance process.
“Use this grant well.
“Report on it honestly, and deliver what you have promised, on time.
“The people of PNG own this company, and they will judge it by its results,” Duma said…..PACNEWS
PAC – FINANCIAL PROTECTION: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 14 Oct 2026
PCRIC promotes disaster financial protection for Pacific nations at World Bank, IMF meetings
BANGKOK, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)— The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) has highlighted the importance of financial protection against natural disasters as Pacific Island countries prepare for intensifying climate risks and a possible El Niño event.
PCRIC attended the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Bangkok, held under the theme “Empowering People, Building Resilience”, to promote disaster risk financing as a key tool for strengthening Pacific resilience.
The organisation also participated in the CVFV20 Ministerial Dialogue, reinforcing its commitment to supporting climate-vulnerable countries and advancing regional disaster financing solutions.
During the meetings, PCRIC held bilateral discussions with Pacific finance ministers and senior officials, emphasising the need for governments to strengthen financial preparedness before disasters strike.
PCRIC said a proactive approach to disaster financing was essential to protecting communities and reducing the economic and humanitarian consequences of natural hazards.
As the Pacific’s dedicated regional financial protection institution providing pooled parametric insurance coverage, PCRIC enables participating governments to access rapid payouts following qualifying disasters.
These funds can help governments finance immediate relief efforts, respond to urgent community needs and reduce delays in mobilising resources after a disaster.
PCRIC said rapid access to financing was particularly important for Pacific island countries, which face significant exposure to climate-related hazards and the economic costs of extreme weather events.
Its participation in the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings and the CVFV20 dialogue reflects its efforts to strengthen partnerships with governments and development partners on disaster risk financing.
PCRIC said it would continue working with regional leaders and partners to improve financial preparedness and protect lives, livelihoods and national economies from the growing impacts of climate change….PACNEWS
FIJI – MINING PROJECT: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Fiji public invited to scrutinise proposed Sigatoka iron sands mining project
SIGATOKA, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Members of the public have been given until October 30 to submit their views on a proposed iron sands mining project at Kulukulu in Sigatoka.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has announced that the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed SPL 1495 – Kulukulu Sands, Sigatoka Iron Sands Project by Magma Mines Pte Ltd is now available for public review.
According to a public notice issued by the Ministry, the Department of Environment has received the EIA report and is inviting members of the public to examine the document before submitting their comments.
The review process is being conducted under the Environment Management (Amendment) Act 2025, which allows members of the public to inspect the report within 21 days of its submission to the EIA Administrator or Director of Environment.
Physical copies of the report have been made available since October 2 at four locations.
These include the Department of Environment’s Western Division office at Level 1, Peekays Building, 61 Vitogo Parade in Lautoka; the Kulukulu Police Post; the Sigatoka Town Council; and the Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Office in Sigatoka.
The Ministry has advised that comments and feedback must be submitted before October 30, 2026.
It also warned that submissions received after 21 working days from the date the EIA report was made available for public review would be considered invalid.
The proposed project involves iron sands development in the Kulukulu area of Sigatoka.
The EIA public review provides an opportunity for residents, landowners, community groups and other interested stakeholders to examine the project’s potential environmental impacts and raise concerns before further decisions are made.
Members of the public can submit their comments to the Department of Environment through doewest8@gmail.com or contact 3311 699 for further information……PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Know Mercury, Manage Mercury: Empowering Pacific Island Countries
NADI, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (SPREP)—The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), in partnership with the Minamata Convention Secretariat and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), facilitated a 2-day capacity building workshop on the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global environmental treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury and its compounds. It establishes measures to control and reduce mercury use, emissions and releases throughout its lifecycle, including in products, industrial processes, waste management and trade.
The workshop aims to strengthen the capacity of Pacific Island countries to understand their obligations under the Convention, improve mercury management practices, and advance practical actions to safeguard communities, marine ecosystems and future generation.
The workshop builds on previous regional initiatives aimed at advancing a Mercury-Free Pacific, including the Minamata Initial Assessments and the Pacific Regional Mercury Action Plan established under the GEF ISLANDS Pacific Project.
The Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) project, funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF), and implemented by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), assist Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in their efforts to accede to and effectively implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The projects support participating countries in developing national mercury profiles and implementing measures identified in their MIA’s.
Opening the workshop, SPREP’s Director Waste Management and Pollution Control Programme, Anthony Talouli highlighted that mercury is real and present threat to “our health, our environment, and our food security”.
The workshop brings together representatives from 14 Pacific Island Countries, along with Mr. Richard Guitearo from the Minamata Convention Secretariat, and Mr. Jiasheng Liu from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
SPREP, through the GEF ISLANDS Project Management Unit, will be building on this initiative through the introduction of a Legislative Guideline to assist Pacific Island Countries in the domestication of national obligation to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. …PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Global action to end violence against children is lagging behind risks: UN expert
NEW YORK, 14 OCTOBER 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —The UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children has called for stronger global action to protect boys and girls caught up in a growing number of crises, as current efforts fall short.
“Almost 45 million children are displaced because of conflict, but also because of natural disasters, because of the climate crisis,” said Najat Maalla M’jid, briefing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.
Food insecurity and the rapid spread of technology are also hampering efforts to reduce violence against children, M’jid noted, after delivering her final report to the General Assembly, which she described as “a wake-up call” for greater mobilisation.
Her presentation to Member States coincided with the 20th anniversary of the first-ever UN global study on violence against children. Although the world has changed since then, she highlighted “ongoing complex multiple crises” facing the international community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young lives caught in crises
Today, one in five children lives in extreme poverty “and not only in the poor countries but also in the wealthy countries despite all the money put in cash transfers, cash benefits, and so on”, she said.
Other issues of concern include rising prices globally and food insecurity, while some countries are seeing a pushback against human rights.
Added to this is what she called “the wonderful, very, very quick spread of technology, including AI, that offers opportunity but opens huge avenues for child sexual exploitation, but also cyberbullying, deepfakes and enrollment in criminal activities”.
A clear message
M’jid began her remarks by reflecting on the 2006 UN study, which showed that violence against children occurs in every country and across all settings, whether at home, school, in the community and beyond.
She recalled the years of work and engagement – including with children and young people – to produce the document.
“This landmark study really highlights two big principles: violence is always preventable and violence is never justifiable,” she said, noting that these messages were also reiterated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Efforts falling short
The Special Representative said the past two decades have brought legal and policy reforms, but also “many difficulties to effectively ensure their implementation and to make services accessible to children and their caregivers”.
She pointed to “lessons learned”, such as the importance of having strong political commitment that translates into services that uphold child protection and well-being, with a dedicated budget.
She also hailed the increasing participation of children and youth at all levels, as well as stronger integrated services in all regions.
“But the problem is that it is not put at scale, that we are not going fast,” she said. “The problem is our solutions are always lagging behind the risks.”
‘Children are not waiting’
Twenty years after the first UN General Assembly report on child violence, success in combating it still depends on effective multilateralism, M’jid said, specifically, how can children again unite the world to ensure their protection and well-being.
She announced that 55 countries have joined the Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence against Children, “and more are coming”.
Launched in 2024, the State-led platform aims to support countries in translating political commitments into concrete actions through measures such as peer learning, strengthening co-operation, and sharing practices.
M’jid concluded her remarks by stressing that children and young people are part of the solution to ending the violence they suffer.
“Children are not waiting,” she said. “Children are already taking action,” he said….PACNEWS
