In this bulletin:
1. COMMONWEALTH— Democratic, economic and environmental resilience integral to Commonwealth prosperity, new report finds
2. PACIFIC — SPC delivers EUR46m in ocean projects across 20 Pacific countries
3. SOL — Solomon Islands faces high risk of money laundering
4. FIJI — Fiji National University Bill aims to strengthen governance and autonomy
5. FIJI — Parliament urged to establish independent legal office
6. TONGA — 33,000 new books heading to Tonga’s schools in 2027
7. FIJI — Samuela Moce appointed Fiji’s new Secretary to Cabinet
8. AUST — Aust PM Anthony Albanese eyes backpacker scheme overhaul in UK leader talks
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Fisheries Minister Bainivalu backs $20m guarantee to keep PAFCO operating
10. PACNEWS BIZ — ExxonMobil urged to re-think Papua New Guinea gas project
11. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG and Fiji to formalise ICT cooperation
12. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Speaking with Climate Youth Negotiators from across the Pacific
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — US$202 million Commonwealth Nature Initiative launched in Antigua and Barbuda to support protection of world’s lands and oceans by 2030 target
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — New Fiji Parliament Mobile Broadcasting system launched
ATG – COMMONWEALTH REPORT: COMSEC PACNEWS 2: Tue 03 Nov 2026
Democratic, economic and environmental resilience integral to Commonwealth prosperity, new report finds
ST. JOHN’S, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (COMSEC) — Commonwealth countries need to build greater democratic, economic and environmental resilience if they are to prosper amid escalating conflict, weak growth and climate pressures, according to a new Commonwealth report.
The ‘State of the Commonwealth Report 2026: Resilience through Diversity’ was launched on 2 November at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, held during the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
The report, commissioned by the Commonwealth Secretariat, examines the pressures facing the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries, home to one-third of the world’s population. It looks at areas where Commonwealth co-operation can make the greatest difference, focusing on three interconnected areas: democracy, the economy and the environment.
Democratic safeguards, civic freedoms and public trust are under growing pressure, while artificial intelligence and disinformation are creating new challenges, the report finds. Commonwealth countries have shown resilience compared with wider global trends; however, women, young people and other under-represented groups still lack an equal voice in political life.
On the economy, slower growth, rising debt, geopolitical tensions and technological change are disrupting trade, investment and finance flows. As development assistance declines, many countries need diverse trade and investment links and better access to affordable finance and technology.
Climate change, biodiversity loss and damaged ecosystems are also threatening food and water security, livelihoods and infrastructure. Many of the countries most exposed have the least access to the finance and technology they need to adapt and respond.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said: “Conflict, economic insecurity and climate change are testing every country. For millions, the hope of a better future is moving further out of reach. No country can meet these challenges alone. Co-operation, founded on shared values and collective interest, is vital for building the resilience and the prosperity our people expect.
“This report sets out a shared agenda for resilience and prosperity through stronger democracies that build trust, economies that protect livelihoods and create opportunity, and a healthy environment that sustains our communities.
“CHOGM 2026 is our opportunity to rally around big, bold, ambitious transformative agendas and partnerships that match the scale of our challenges and the expectations of the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion people.”
The report identifies the need for closer co-operation among Commonwealth democratic institutions, including sharing expertise on AI, cybersecurity and election integrity, alongside greater support for political inclusion, human rights and the rule of law.
On the economy, it recommends strengthening trade and investment links across the Commonwealth and forging closer partnerships on green and digital technologies. On the environment, it encourages countries to share tried-and-tested approaches to climate adaptation, improve access to climate finance and collaborate more closely on oceans, food and water security.
Across all three areas, the report stresses that resilience depends on more people having a voice in the decisions that affect them, particularly women, young people, persons with disabilities and Indigenous communities.
The report argues that the Commonwealth can turn its shared strengths into greater resilience by strengthening institutions at home, sharing knowledge and experience across countries, and building wider coalitions for international reform. It underlines that the Commonwealth’s future relevance will depend on whether it can translate that advantage into tangible results for its member countries…. PACNEWS
PAC – OCEANS FLAGSHIP REPORT: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Tue 03 Nov 2026
SPC delivers EUR46m in ocean projects across 20 Pacific countries
By Pita Ligaiula
SUVA, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Pacific Community (SPC) delivered EUR46 million (US$53 million) in ocean-related projects across 20 Pacific Island countries and territories in 2025, strengthening fisheries management, marine conservation, ocean science and regional capacity to address growing ocean challenges.
SPC’s inaugural ‘Ocean Flagship Report 2025’ shows that the organisation implemented 105 ocean-related projects during the year, representing 32 percent of its total budget, with a combined project portfolio valued at EUR341 million (US$381 million) over their lifetimes.
The projects focused on five key areas: sustainable fisheries and ocean livelihoods, marine ecosystem protection, ocean safety and forecasting, ocean leadership and community engagement, and sustainable ocean financing.
SPC Director-General Dr Paula Vivili said the Ocean Flagship demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to supporting Pacific countries in protecting and sustainably managing their ocean resources.
“These results belong first and foremost to our members,” Dr Vivili said in the report.
The report said SPC’s ocean-related work benefited 20 Pacific countries and territories, trained 1,771 stakeholders, produced 103 technical and scientific papers and made more than 600 data and knowledge tools available to Pacific countries.
Under its productive ocean programme, SPC delivered 51 projects worth more than EUR25 million (US$27.97 million), supporting sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and marine-based livelihoods.
The report found that all four main Western and Central Pacific tuna stocks – South Pacific albacore, bigeye, skipjack and yellowfin – remained biologically healthy, with no overfishing occurring.
It also highlighted progress in fisheries management, including the adoption of a management procedure for South Pacific albacore at the 22nd meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in 2025.
In Fiji, seven sustainable small-scale coastal aquaculture enterprises were established through grants and technical assistance from SPC, while trials for small pelagic fish and baitfish were initiated.
Under its clean, healthy and resilient ocean programme, SPC delivered 32 projects worth more than EUR13 million (US$14.54 million).
Seven Pacific countries received direct assistance to develop national aquatic biosecurity plans to strengthen protection against aquatic diseases, invasive species and pathogens.
SPC also supported regional efforts to address marine pollution through the development of the Pacific One Maritime Framework, which was endorsed by regional ministers in May 2026.
The framework aims to improve maritime safety, security, capacity-building and equitable access to shipping while addressing threats from marine pollution, waste and litter.
For a safer and more predictable ocean, SPC delivered 47 projects worth more than EUR21 million (US$23.50 million), supporting ocean observation, forecasting, disaster preparedness and maritime transport.
Tonga, Cook Islands and Fiji improved their climate change and geospatial services through SPC technical assistance, while Fiji and Vanuatu strengthened disaster risk information for responding to seismic events.
Thirty-six scientists and technicians from 10 Pacific countries also improved their capacity to monitor ocean acidification and generate data to support international reporting.
The report further highlighted progress in securing Pacific maritime boundaries, with Fiji and Solomon Islands endorsing a joint extended continental shelf submission for the Melanesian Borderland Plateau.
Samoa and France, Tuvalu and Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands and Kiribati also signed maritime boundary treaties with SPC support.
On ocean leadership, 19 Early Career Ocean Professionals were placed in national ocean offices and related institutions in Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The placements included 14 women and five men, with three former participants subsequently securing permanent positions with their governments.
SPC also supported 10 Pacific countries in adopting or establishing national ocean policies or marine spatial plans, strengthening coordinated management of ocean resources.
On sustainable ocean financing, SPC secured more than EUR92 million (US$102.96 million) through over 10 new partnerships to support the region’s ocean priorities.
It also provided technical assistance to Pacific countries to access US$22.893 million in multilateral climate finance during 2025 and secured US$107.4 million for the Regional Tuna Programme.
However, the report acknowledged gaps in measuring the long-term impact of its ocean programmes, particularly in traditional knowledge and community engagement.
It said outcome data remained inconsistent or unavailable for several activities, making it difficult to fully assess the results of the organisation’s work.
SPC said future reporting would expand to include more divisions and improve how traditional knowledge, community participation and cross-divisional collaboration are measured.
The Ocean Flagship supports the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and SPC’s Strategic Plan 2022–2031, with the broader goal of balancing the sustainable use of ocean resources with marine protection…. PACNEWS
SOL – MONEY LAUNDERING: SIBC PACNEWS 2: Tue 03 Nov 2026
Solomon Islands faces high risk of money laundering
HONIARA, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (SIBC) — Solomon Islands faces a high risk of money laundering, with corruption, illegal logging, illegal gold smuggling, fraud and cybercrime among the major threats identified in the National Risk Assessment.
The assessment was presented in Honiara last week by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), through the Solomon Islands Financial Intelligence Unit (SIFIU), with technical support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Dr Ramandeep Chhina, a Certified Financial Crime Specialist and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, told SIBC News that the assessment identified six major money laundering threats: corruption, illegal logging, illegal gold smuggling, illegal fishing, tax evasion, and fraud and cybercrime.
“The overall risk of money laundering to the country has been high,” Dr Chhina said.
She said fraud, scams and cyber-enabled crime had emerged as particularly serious concerns in recent years.
“The major one also, which is also the highest risk, is the threat from fraud, scams and cyber-enabled crime, which were particularly serious concerns. They emerged as a major threat to the country in recent years,” she said.
The assessment also found that parts of the financial system could be vulnerable to exploitation by criminals.
Banks and money transfer services were identified as highly vulnerable to potential misuse for money laundering. Outside the financial sector, casinos and dealers in precious metals and stones were also assessed as highly vulnerable.
However, Dr Chhina clarified that these findings did not mean the businesses were already being used for criminal activities.
“It’s not that they are being misused, but it’s that there are gaps, there are vulnerabilities, which can be exploited,” she said.
The assessment also raised concerns about company ownership transparency, particularly the difficulty of identifying and verifying the individuals who ultimately own or control businesses.
Tom Ha’aute of the SIFIU at CBSI said addressing the identified risks would require stronger systems, better coordination among agencies and sufficient resources to tackle financial crime.
He said reforms were needed across agencies responsible for anti-money laundering and related operational functions to ensure the country’s systems could respond effectively to emerging threats.
Ha’aute also emphasised the importance of cooperation and information-sharing among stakeholders across different sectors to help identify and investigate criminal activities linked to money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.
He said agencies needed adequate capacity and resources to carry out their responsibilities effectively, alongside stronger cooperation with regional and international counterparts.
The recommendations are reflected in a strategy and action plan being developed to address the issues identified in the national risk assessment.
Dr Chhina said the findings would help guide measures to strengthen monitoring, close existing gaps and make it harder for criminals to exploit the country’s financial system.
“The strategy and the action plan mainly focuses on how we can mitigate this risk, how we can address these gaps,” she said.
The assessment rated the risk of terrorist financing as low and the risk of proliferation financing as medium-low.
The findings highlight the need to strengthen Solomon Islands’ defences against financial crime and safeguard public confidence in the country’s financial system…. PACNEWS
FIJI – UNIVERSITY BILL: PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 2: Tue 03 Nov 2026
Fiji National University Bill aims to strengthen governance and autonomy
SUVA, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT) — The Fiji National University Act 2026 is expected to strengthen the university’s governance, institutional independence and accountability while improving its capacity to deliver education and research for Fiji and the wider Pacific.
Presenting the Bill No. 27 of 2026 for its second reading in Parliament, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the proposed legislation would provide a modern framework for the management and operation of FNU.
Rabuka said the changes would clarify the responsibilities of the University Council, Senate, Vice-Chancellor and other statutory bodies while limiting excessive powers of the Council.
The legislation also provides for greater institutional autonomy, allowing FNU to manage its academic, administrative and financial affairs while maintaining accountability for public resources.
“A key feature of the legislation is the protection of academic freedom, allowing students and staff to pursue research, challenge established ideas and express scholarly views without improper interference,” Rabuka said.
He said the new framework would align FNU with international higher education standards, strengthen academic excellence and improve the international accreditation and recognition of its qualifications.
The Bill also aims to strengthen the university’s contribution to national development through research, technical and vocational education, professional training and apprenticeships.
It provides for stronger partnerships with government, industry and communities to ensure graduates acquire skills relevant to current and future labour market demands.
Through its National Training and Productivity Centre, FNU will continue to support workforce development and provide training to meet the country’s skills requirements.
The proposed legislation also safeguards existing students’ rights, staff entitlements, university assets, contracts and academic programmes during the transition to the new legislative framework.
Financial accountability will be strengthened through budgetary controls, independent audits and reporting requirements to Parliament.
Rabuka said the legislation was not simply about strengthening the university as an institution, but also about building national capacity and expanding opportunities for future generations.
He said a stronger FNU would be better positioned to deliver quality education, research, innovation and community services for Fiji and the wider Pacific region…. PACNEWS
FIJI – PARLIAMENT: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Tue 03 Nov 2026
Parliament urged to establish independent legal office
SUVA, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji’s Parliament has been urged to establish a dedicated Parliamentary Counsel Office to provide independent legal advice, legislative drafting services and procedural support to Members of Parliament.
The recommendation is contained in the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence’s review of Parliament’s 2023–2024 Annual Report that was tabled in Parliament Monday.
The committee found that Parliament currently does not have a dedicated Parliamentary Counsel or specialised legal drafting unit to assist MPs in carrying out their legislative responsibilities.
It recommended that establishing such an office be prioritised to strengthen Parliament’s institutional independence and legislative capacity.
“The Parliament prioritise the establishment of a dedicated Parliamentary Counsel Office to provide independent legal advice, legislative drafting services and procedural support to Members of Parliament, thereby strengthening Parliament’s institutional independence and legislative capacity,” the report stated.
The committee acknowledged that Parliament had made significant progress towards greater administrative and institutional independence.
These developments included amendments to Standing Orders to strengthen committee scrutiny, approximately $4 million (US$2 million) invested in independent information and communications technology infrastructure, and the adoption of digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
However, several major reforms remain outstanding.
These include the enactment of a Parliamentary Bill, procurement of an independent accounting system and development of a stand-alone parliamentary precinct.
The committee also noted that the Parliamentary Secretariat was continuing efforts to establish a specialised legal support function, consistent with practices in other parliamentary jurisdictions.
It further found that while progress had been made in implementing recommendations arising from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Democratic Legislature Benchmarks assessment, important reforms remained incomplete.
This included reviewing legislation governing parliamentary powers and privileges, developing training frameworks for MPs, strengthening parliamentary legal support and addressing long-term office-space requirements…. PACNEWS
TONGA – EDUCATION: TALANOAOTONGA PACNEWS 2: Tue 03 Nov 2026
33,000 new books heading to Tonga’s schools in 2027
NUKU’ALOFA, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (TALANOAOTONGA) — More than 33,000 children’s books are being prepared for delivery to schools across Tonga, in a project aimed at strengthening reading resources and encouraging literacy among young learners.
The collection includes 220 unique titles in two languages, with the books expected to arrive by sea in Nuku’alofa in December 2026 before distribution to schools in 2027.
The initiative is being delivered by Library For All and Save the Children Australia through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) programme, working with Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training.
Library For All visited Tonga in September 2025 to work with Save the Children Tonga, the Ministry of Education, local teachers and language experts on the reading needs of Tongan children.
The books have since been translated and adapted, with culturally relevant illustrations intended to make the stories more meaningful to young readers.
Printing, collating and binding are now underway.
The collection will reach non-government schools as well as other schools across the country, according to the organisations involved.
Ministry of Education and Training chief executive ‘Isikeli Oko said the project would give teachers additional classroom resources and extend access to reading materials.
“When a child learns to love reading, the whole family and community benefit,” he said.
He described the project as an investment in Tonga’s future.
The initiative comes amid wider efforts to improve literacy in Tonga’s education system.
The Ministry’s reporting on the 2025 Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) highlighted continuing regional challenges in reading, with fewer than half of Year 4 learners across the Pacific meeting expected reading standards.
Tonga’s education priorities under the Global Partnership for Education include improving literacy in early childhood and primary education.
Herbert Takeifanga, Director of the Ministry’s Primary Schools Division, said the books would support efforts to build stronger readers and improve Tonga’s PILNA results.
Library For All’s Head of Publishing, Dr Lara Cain Gray, said it was rewarding to see the books moving into production following the work with local educators and language specialists.
The books are expected to reach Nuku’alofa in December, with distribution to schools scheduled for 2027…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CABINET SECRETARY: PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 2: Tue 03 Nov 2026
Samuela Moce appointed Fiji’s new Secretary to Cabinet
SUVA, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT) — Career civil servant Samuela Moce has been appointed Fiji’s new Secretary to Cabinet, bringing more than 30 years of public service experience to the role.
The appointment was announced by the Office of the Prime Minister, where Moce was recently welcomed by executive management and staff.
Permanent Secretary Dr Lesi Korovavala congratulated Moce on his appointment and acknowledged the responsibility entrusted to him in overseeing the work of the Cabinet Office.
Dr Korovavala emphasised the importance of teamwork, collaboration and commitment in ensuring the effective delivery of the Office of the Prime Minister’s responsibilities.
He also assured Moce of the Office’s full support in carrying out the Cabinet Office’s mandate and wished him success in his new role.
Moce has served across several government ministries and agencies during his more than three decades in the civil service.
His experience includes economic and civil service policy, planning, administration and finance.
He holds a Bachelor of Education in Economics, a Postgraduate Certificate in Diplomacy and International Affairs, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of the South Pacific…. PACNEWS
AUST – BACKPACKERS: AAP PACNEWS 2: Tue 03 Nov 2026
Aust PM Anthony Albanese eyes backpacker scheme overhaul in UK leader talks
ST JOHN’S, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (AAP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to discuss changes to British backpackers to Australia when he meets with the UK prime minister in the Caribbean, with industry experts welcoming the move.
Under a free-trade agreement, British backpackers are exempt from regional and rural work requirements needed by other working holiday makers to secure visa extensions.
The topic is expected to be raised when the Australian prime minister meets with his UK counterpart Andy Burnham at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the Caribbean.
Backpacker Job Board founder Matthew Heyes said he welcomed efforts to encourage UK working holiday makers into regional and rural areas.
However, Heyes said the initiative was undermined by Labor’s proposed changes that would see backpackers from other countries, excluding the UK, go into a ballot system for second and third-year visas.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced changes to be rolled out over the next year, reducing the cap on second-year visas from 57,000 to 45,000, and cutting third-year visas from 31,000 to 5000.
“If the government wants British backpackers back in the regions, it must scrap the ballot proposal for everyone and guarantee the additional visa to eligible applicants who complete the required work,” Heyes said.
“Under this ballot, that contribution might earn them nothing more than a lottery ticket.”
A spokesperson for Burke said the government was committed to reducing net overseas migration, while ensuring Australia retained the skills needed to keep facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals and building sites operating.
“The government has been clear that our preferred visa for agriculture is the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, which has been underutilised,” the spokesperson said, adding that working holiday makers would continue to make large contributions in regional areas.
The scheme allows Australian businesses to hire workers from nine Pacific island countries and East Timor to fill labour gaps in rural and regional areas.
The coalition has promised to scrap the caps on working holiday maker visas, but fees would be increased for those looking to stay longer than one year in Australia.
Exemptions would apply for those who carry out work in regional areas.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor criticised the Albanese government’s proposed changes, accusing him of outsourcing the problem to the UK prime minister.
“Albanese has lost control and his answer is to have a raffle for who is going to be able to stay in the country,” Taylor said.
He said it was a coalition policy “centrepiece” for UK backpackers to undertake regional and rural work.
“We do need an immigration policy that’s not mass migration, but skilled migration,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – FISHERIES: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 03 Nov 2026
Fiji Fisheries Minister Bainivalu backs $20m guarantee to keep PAFCO operating
SUVA, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji’s Government is seeking to provide an additional $20 million (US$10 million) guarantee to the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) to strengthen its operations, maintain production and protect jobs in Levuka.
Minister for Fisheries Aliti Bainivalu supported the motion in Parliament, saying the company was a major employer in Ovalau and an important contributor to Fiji’s fisheries industry and national exports.
“PAFCO is the largest employer in Levuka and an important economic lifeline for Ovalau and the wider Lomaiviti Province,” Bainivalu said.
She said supporting the company meant protecting hundreds of jobs, supporting local fishers and businesses, and strengthening Fiji’s fisheries sector.
Bainivalu said the Ministry of Fisheries was working to secure dedicated fishing licence allocations and offshore vessel opportunities to ensure a reliable supply of raw fish for PAFCO’s processing operations.
The Ministry was also engaging bilateral, regional and international partners to explore additional sources of raw fish, including fish in transit, to help maintain production and ensure the factory operated efficiently.
On export markets, Bainivalu said PAFCO had established a strategic partnership with a Spanish company to strengthen its access to premium markets in the European Union.
She said the partnership with an established Spanish canned tuna exporter would help maintain market continuity, meet international standards and strengthen Fiji’s position in the global fish supply chain.
“Combined with our efforts to secure raw fish supplies, this partnership can help increase export earnings and provide greater stability for PAFCO,” she said.
The motion seeks Parliament’s approval for an additional $20 million (US$10 million) Government guarantee on PAFCO borrowings, amending the previous parliamentary approval granted on 14 September 2015.
The proposed guarantee will cover a five-year period from 01 November 2026 to 30 November 2031, allow PAFCO to borrow from different financial institutions and exempt the company from paying a government guarantee fee.
Bainivalu said the guarantee would provide PAFCO with greater flexibility to access financing, strengthen its operations, maintain production and pursue business opportunities.
She said the Government’s support extended beyond the company itself to the workers, fishers, businesses and communities that depended on its operations.
“My support for this motion is about more than supporting a company. It is about protecting jobs, supporting our fishers, strengthening our export markets and ensuring that Fiji’s fisheries resources continue to create economic opportunities for our people,” Bainivalu said…. PACNEWS
PNG – LNG: AFP PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 03 Nov 2026
ExxonMobil urged to re-think Papua New Guinea gas project
PORT MORESBY, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (AFP) — One of the world’s rarest bats could be at risk if ExxonMobil forges ahead with a Papua New Guinea gas project, a law firm working with impacted landowners warned Monday.
The U.S-based energy giant struck a deal last month to take control of Papua LNG, which aims to tap into massive gas fields nestled in the forests of Papua New Guinea.
A 320-kilometre (200-mile) pipeline will be built to transport extracted gas to a coastal processing facility, eventually pumping out 5.6 million tonnes of liquified natural gas each year.
With a final government decision expected in December, the Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights (CELCOR) has written to ExxonMobil to express concern.
“The Papua LNG footprint will pass through densely forested landscapes, fragile ecosystem, floodplains and mangrove-covered coastlines,” the centre wrote in a letter seen by AFP.
“The project area-of-influence includes 27 terrestrial species already at threat of extinction.”
One species potentially at risk was the Bulmer’s fruit bat, the centre wrote.
At last count there were fewer than 200 adult bats in the wild, according to world authority the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Dozens more species that have rarely been studied outside Papua New Guinea were also feared to be in harm’s way.
“If external scientists have never studied a species, then potential risks cannot be accurately understood, let alone mitigated,” the letter read.
The gas fields were discovered more than a decade ago but the project has been beset by a series of political and financial issues.
It has stirred a mix of excitement at the prospect of new jobs and investment and worry about possible environmental damage.
ExxonMobil agreed to take over as operator in September, assuming responsibility from France-based energy major TotalEnergies, which retains a significant stake.
Australian gas exploration company Santos and Papua New Guinea’s national energy company Kumul Petroleum are among the other major partners.
CELCOR executive director Peter Bosip said he worried many communities were still in the dark over the project’s potential impacts.
“The landowners are not particularly clear about the social and environmental impacts of the project, so the government must not rush this project,” he told AFP.
Environmental advocacy group Market Forces said Papua LNG posed a risk to one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
“At least 32 banks and export credit agencies around the world have ruled out financing Papua LNG due to serious human rights, biodiversity and climate risks,” said Market Forces campaigner Angelica Mantikas.
Papua LNG has previously said that it integrated “environmental and social considerations into every state of its development”.
This included efforts to limit the project’s climate impact and measures to ensure that biodiversity continued to flourish.
AFP contacted ExxonMobil and Papua LNG for comment…. PACNEWS
PNG – ICT COOPERATION: NBC PNG NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 03 Nov 2026
PNG and Fiji to formalise ICT cooperation
PORT MORESBY, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (NBC PNG NEWS) — Papua New Guinea and Fiji are moving towards a formal agreement to strengthen cooperation in information and communications technology (ICT), following a four-day official visit by PNG’s ICT Minister Robert Naguri to Suva.
Minister Naguri returned to Port Moresby Monday after meetings with Fijian government ministers, senior officials and industry representatives to identify areas of cooperation between the two countries.
He said the visit was not a one-off engagement but the beginning of a stronger and more practical partnership in the ICT sector.
Minister Naguri has directed the Department of ICT, National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC], National Information and Communications Technology Authority [NICTA] and the PNG High Commission in Suva to follow up on the areas of cooperation identified during the visit.
He said both countries would work towards finalising a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] for consideration and signing at the earliest opportunity.
The proposed agreement will provide a framework for information-sharing, technical cooperation, institutional and human resource capacity-building, and joint initiatives across the ICT sector.
Minister Naguri said the discussions highlighted that PNG and Fiji shared similar challenges in ICT, as well as opportunities that could be developed through closer cooperation.
He also said the proposed partnership would be guided by the spirit of the Lakatoi Declaration and complement wider regional priorities under the Pacific Islands Forum infrastructure agenda.
During his visit, Minister Naguri met with his Fijian counterpart, Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua, who formally invited him to Fiji.
The Minister also met with Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa and his management team.
His programme included participation in a ministerial panel discussion at Fiji’s National Cybersecurity and Resilience Convention, as well as discussions with the Israeli Ambassador to Fiji and Pacific Island states on opportunities for cooperation in ICT and agriculture.
He also visited the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation [FBC], where discussions were held on a proposed MoU with NBC covering digital broadcasting and archiving.
Other engagements included visits to the Fijian Government Data Centre, government digital infrastructure provider Walesi, and executives of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings/Vodafone.
Minister Naguri said he was encouraged by the level of cooperation shown during the visit and was keen to return to Fiji for the formal signing of the proposed MoU.
He was accompanied by Department of ICT Deputy Secretary for Policy Flierl Shongol and NBC Managing Director Kora Nou…. 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
Speaking with Climate Youth Negotiators from across the Pacific
HONIARA/SUVA/PONPHEI, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (THE BRITISH COUNCIL) — For communities across the Pacific, climate change is not a distant threat, it is a daily reality. Climate change impacts, such as coastal erosion and rising sea levels, threaten the livelihoods, resources and culture of people in the region.
Since 2022, we have supported the Youth Negotiators Programme to equip young people around the world with the skills to participate in climate diplomacy. Ahead of COP31, where a new cohort of 275 young people from 63 countries will be participating, we caught up with Climate Youth Negotiators from across the Pacific to see which issues they are advocating for at the conference.
Michelle Fifiri, Solomon Islands
Michelle is is currently doing an internship at the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, where she provides crucial support in assessing climate adaptation.
What inspired you to become involved in climate diplomacy?
For me and my people, climate change is not a distant threat. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, extreme weather events, drought, flooding are already threatening our homes, livelihoods, food security, water resources, culture and the resources we depend on for survival.
The land and ocean are more than just places where we live – they are our identity, our tradition, and have a deep connection to our way of life. When our coastline erodes or our communities face displacement, we’re not only losing our homes, but our cultural heritage and sense of belonging. The things that define who we are.
Through climate diplomacy, I want to ensure the voices and lived experiences of communities across the Pacific are represented in international climate negotiations. Young people should not simply be the generation that inherits the consequences of today’s decisions; we must be meaningfully included in shaping those decisions. Youth participation should go beyond attending meetings or sharing statements; it should involve genuine opportunities to influence policies, contribute to negotiations and help make decisions.
What issue deserves much greater attention at COP31?
Most urgent is keeping the 1.5°C temperature limit within reach. For people across the Pacific, 1.5°C is not just a number in a negotiation; it is our lifeline, and every fraction of a degree is a matter of survival. Keeping 1.5°C alive requires urgent and ambitious global emission reductions, backed by real action rather than political promises.
Climate finance also deserves more attention. Support must reach the communities that need it most, including remote islands and rural villages that often have limited resources and capacity to respond to the growing climate crisis.
Lastly, climate negotiations must recognise that protecting the ocean is inseparable from addressing the climate crisis. As island nations, our future is inseparable from the ocean. It is central to our livelihoods, food security, cultural identity and economic well-being. Ocean warming, acidification, coral reef degradation, and rising sea-levels all threaten the marine ecosystems that our communities depend upon.
What message are you bringing to this year’s negotiations?
Keep 1.5°C alive, deliver climate finance, protect our ocean, and give young people a meaningful seat at the table.
We are calling on world leaders to keep the 1.5°C goal alive through deep and sustained emissions reductions. We want fair, predictable and accessible climate finance that enables vulnerable countries and communities to adapt, recover and build long-term resilience. And we want stronger recognition of the ocean–climate nexus, including greater efforts to protect marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and the resources that sustain our people and cultures.
Most importantly, as a young Solomon Islander, I want young people to be recognised as partners in climate diplomacy. We bring fresh perspectives, community knowledge, energy and a strong commitment to inter-generational justice. Our participation must be meaningful, adequately supported, and reflected in the decisions that shape our future.
Jenny Chand, Fiji
Jenny Chand is a Climate Finance Officer with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, where she supports efforts to mobilise resources and strengthen resilience across the Fiji Islands.
What inspired you to become involved in climate diplomacy?
Growing up in Fiji, climate change has never felt like a distant issue. It directly affects our communities, livelihoods, cultures and future. Through climate diplomacy, I want to contribute to the decisions that shape how the world responds to this crisis, particularly for vulnerable island nations like ours. I believe that the voices of young people and Pacific communities must be represented in these discussions, not just as people experiencing the impacts of climate change, but as part of the solutions.
What issue deserves much greater attention at COP31?
Climate finance, particularly adaptation finance, deserves much greater attention. Countries like Fiji contribute very little to global emissions but face significant challenges in adapting to climate change. We need finance that is simplified, accessible, predictable and does not leave vulnerable countries with more debt. Discussions should go beyond financial commitments and focus on how that support can reach the countries and communities that need it most. Climate action cannot move forward without the resources to put commitments into practice.
What message you are bringing fto this year’s negotiations?
The Pacific is not asking to be saved; we are asking for the means to protect our homes, culture and people, to shape our future and to lead our own solutions. Young people in our region want to see commitments translated into meaningful action, particularly through accessible climate finance, stronger adaptation efforts and decisions that reflect the realities of our communities. Our future should not be determined by promises made in negotiation rooms, but by the action that follows them. For the Pacific, every year of delay has real consequences, and our generation cannot afford to keep waiting.
What gives you hope that we can accelerate climate action despite the challenges we face?
The resilience of our people, even though we are so vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. After cyclones, floods and other disasters, our people rebuild and stand united again. If they can do that, then we, as young people attending COP and other global forums, can also speak up, participate in discussions, and advocate for what is best for our people back home. We can show world leaders and contributors what vulnerable nations are facing if we fail to keep 1.5°C alive.
Drinnette James, Micronesia
Drinnette is a terrestrial conservation professional supporting community-based environmental stewardship across Micronesia. Her work promotes local knowledge in nature-based solutions to strengthen climate adaptation and resilience.
What inspired you to become involved in climate diplomacy?
Living on a small island, you see firsthand how interconnected everything is. Environmental changes are difficult to ignore, and their impacts can be devastating to communities. My own village experiences increasingly frequent flooding, water shortages and more intense heatwaves, all exacerbated by climate change. Witnessing these impacts firsthand, especially on children and people close to me, I want to help ensure that our islands are not left behind, that our voices are heard, and that we have the support needed to strengthen our resilience to a rapidly changing environment.
What issue deserves much greater attention at COP31?
Climate finance remains a critical issue, particularly for small island states. Local and Indigenous communities have invaluable knowledge of their environments and innovative solutions to address climate change. However, adequate and accessible financing is essential to turn these solutions into action and ensure resources reach the communities that need them most.
What message you are bringing to this year’s negotiations?
My generation grew up hearing stories of the abundance and diversity that once existed. We have the power to ensure that future generations will have the chance to experience those stories firsthand. They deserve as much as we do to inherit a world where people and nature can thrive, instead of one where they must fight to keep their islands from drowning.
What gives you hope that we can accelerate climate action despite the challenges we face?
I have faith in the goodness of humanity. I believe that we all strive for a better future, even though our perspectives of what is best may differ. I lean on my faith when the challenges seem too great to overcome, and this faith gives me hope that we can find common ground and work toward solutions that benefit us all…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
US$202 million Commonwealth Nature Initiative launched in Antigua and Barbuda to support protection of world’s lands and oceans by 2030 target
Commonwealth nations and regional partners come together in major initiative to mobilise resources to accelerate protection of nature
ST. JOHN’S, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (PRISTINE SEAS) — The Commonwealth Nature Initiative (CNI)was launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda aboard the Fortescue Green Pioneer, bringing together governments, philanthropic leaders and conservation organisations behind a landmark US$202.2 million pledge to accelerate progress towards protecting at least 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030, the 30×30 target.
Following the launch, The King joined high-level segment attendees and CNI supporters for a reception aboard the Green Pioneer.
Minderoo Foundation, the Rob Walton Foundation, the Rainforest Trust, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Waitt Foundation, and National Geographic Pristine Seas are the founding supporters of the CNI, with initial commitments supporting the establishment, expansion, and implementation of terrestrial and marine protected areas across Commonwealth countries, including through investment in programmes to strengthen Indigenous Peoples’ and the rights and governance of local communities. These serve as the initial pledges at launch with the goal of raising attracting a further USD$1 billion from other donor countries and philanthropic efforts by 2030 to finance 30×30 action across the Commonwealth.
At the launch, which took place aboard Fortescue’s vessel the Green Pioneer, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Right Hon. Gaston Browne, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Fiji, Guyana, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Uganda, the UK, and Zambia showcased ambitious 30×30 initiatives, including the establishment of new protected areas, revealing a breadth of ambition across Commonwealth regions, from the Caribbean and the Pacific, to Africa.
The CNI demonstrates a new partnership between nations, philanthropies, Indigenous People and local communities to deliver the global 30×30 target and reinforces a shared commitment to turn conservation ambition into practical action across the Commonwealth.
The launch comes at a critical moment for global biodiversity. With just four years remaining to achieve the 30×30 target agreed under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, governments and partners must accelerate the pace of conservation and increase finance to protect habitats and ecosystems and support the communities that depend on them for their survival.
The Commonwealth has an outsized role to play as the initiative spans almost a quarter of the world’s land area and more than 40 percent of global ocean Exclusive Economic Zones. Its members are home to significant terrestrial and marine ecosystems, including some of the most important biodiversity and conservation priorities. The CNI seeks to unite efforts under a shared Commonwealth vision, bringing together high, middle and low-income countries under one platform of action.
Initial areas of focus for the CNI include the Eastern Caribbean, where the OECS seeks to deliver their 30×30 Transformation Programme; the Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership, which aims to secure sustainable financing for 162 of Africa’s most irreplaceable protected areas; and the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity initiative which seeks to secure long-term financing for marine and coastal conservation across the Pacific.
In the coming years, the Initiative will seek to expand its network of conservation programmes and financing opportunities across the Commonwealth, supporting countries in translating their 30×30 commitments into enduring action.
Protecting nature is fundamental not only to biodiversity, but also to climate resilience, economic prosperity and human security. Healthy oceans, forests, and other ecosystems help regulate the climate, sustain food systems, protect communities from extreme weather and support livelihoods across the Commonwealth.
Through continued partnership and new investment, the Initiative aims to help ensure that the Commonwealth’s natural heritage is protected
Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Founder of Pristine Seas said: “From the resilient corals of Kiribati to the sperm whale habitat of Dominica, the Commonwealth’s ecosystems are critical to ocean health. But we can’t protect these engines of biodiversity and economic prosperity without ambitious financing. The Commonwealth Nature Initiative is a game-changing step towards the 30×30 target — uniting leaders and funders in an unprecedented effort to conserve our planet.”
Kristin Rechberger, Founder & CEO of Dynamic Planet and Revive Our Ocean said: “Big challenges demand bold financial solutions. The Commonwealth Nature Initiative knits together public budgets, philanthropic capital, and private investment to make meaningful progress towards 30×30. These shared commitments will help drive the economic and environmental benefits of habitat protection reach communities across the Commonwealth. Nature is literally our commonwealth…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
New Fiji Parliament Mobile Broadcasting system launched
SUVA, 03 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI PARLIAMENT) — The launching of the Fiji Parliamentary Mobile Broadcasting System is not only a technical investment but an investment in parliamentary democracy and in the right of every Fijian to see, understand and engage with the work of their Parliament.
In launching the new system at the Parliament Big Committee Room Monday, Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko stated that Parliament serves a nation of many islands and diverse communities.
“For many citizens, particularly those in remote communities, it is not always possible to visit Parliament or attend a committee consultation in person. This mobile broadcasting system helps bridge that distance,” he said.
“It enables us to take parliamentary coverage beyond these precincts and into the communities where people live, work and experience the issues before Parliament.”
“It is my great pleasure to mark another important milestone in the development of our Parliament – the official launch of our Parliamentary Mobile Broadcasting System.”
Jitoko further stated that through Parliament television, public consultations, committee scrutiny and site visits held outside Suva can now be broadcast and documented for the wider public.
“Citizens will be able to follow how committees examine legislation, consider public policy and hear the views of communities. This strengthens transparency, supports accountability and gives people a clearer connection to decisions made in their name.”
“Most importantly, this system supports participatory democracy. It will help ensure that community voices, including those of women, young people, persons with disabilities and people in remote areas, are not only heard in consultation processes but can also be seen and shared more widely.”
“The launch today amplifies the spirit of Talanoa – listening respectfully, learning from lived experience and building decisions through genuine dialogue.”
“Technology alone does not create inclusion. We must continue to ensure that our engagement is accessible and that it does not create new barriers.”
This new system, Jitoko said if used well, gives Parliament a powerful means to reach more citizens, build public trust and demonstrate that parliamentary processes are open to the people they serve.
“I acknowledge the collaboration that has made this project possible. Firstly, the generosity of the governments of Australia, Japan and New Zealand through the Fiji Parliament Support Project managed by the UNDP Pacific Office.
“The initial design and scope were developed through the collaboration between our internal ICT team and the IPU Centre for Innovation, then tendered through the UNDP procurement process for potential bidders. I must also thank Gencom Technology of New Zealand for putting together the mobile broadcasting kit according to project requirements.”
“Today, we launch a system that will help Parliament listen more widely, work more openly and connect more closely with the people of Fiji.”
“In doing so, we strengthen not only the institution of Parliament, but also the democratic participation on which it depends.”
Also present during the launch was the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Roberts, New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Greg Andrews, First Secretary and Head of Economic Development Co-operation at the Japanese Embassy in Fiji, Kengo Hoshina and the UNDP (Governance Team Leader) Rustam Pulatov…PACNEWS
