In this bulletin:
1. COMMONWEALTH — Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda demand fairer climate finance at CHOGM
2. PACIFIC — Current El Niño event likely to intensify, persist through to March 2027
3. CNMI — Torres, Attao headed for runoff in CNMI; AG race also faces second round
4. FIJI — Fiji PM Rabuka to bypass Committee recommendation with new Parliamentary motion on Australia Treaties
5. SOL — Solomon Islands citizenship revocation powers under scrutiny
6. FIJI — Fiji PM Rabuka leaves door open to removing controversial immunity clause
7. COOKS — Cook Islands Police raise hard drug concerns
8. FIJI — Coups left lasting gaps in Fiji’s health sector, FTRC hears
9. VAN — U.S Coast Guard resumes engagement in Vanuatu
10. VAN — Major maritime security boost with new boats
11. FIJI — Nothing to fear, Fiji PM Rabuka assures public
12. VAN — Influenze A outbreak declared on Tanna
13. SAMOA — Court denies PNG national’s request to leave Samoa ahead of forgery and bribery trial
14. PACNEWS BIZ — WCPFC narrows options for bigeye Tuna management
15. PACNEWS BIZ — Trump’s tariffs forced Bumble Bee to leave PAFCO – Fiji DPM Kamikamica
16. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific business eye Dubai market after UAE Ambassador meeting
17. PACNEWS DIGEST — Pacific Met Services and media build skills to get climate information to communities as El Niño intensifies
18. PACNEWS DIGEST — Gender equality pays off for business – so why are companies pulling back?
ATG – CHOGM/CLIMATE CHANGE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda demand fairer climate finance at CHOGM
By Pita Ligaiula
ST JOHN’S, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Samoa and Antigua and Barbuda have called for urgent reforms to international climate finance, warning that vulnerable countries should not be forced into debt to recover from climate disasters they did little to cause.
The call was made by Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St John’s.
Mulipola urged Commonwealth leaders to provide accessible, predictable and grant-based climate finance, saying the world was already moving beyond the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold.
“Many nations and communities are facing permanent losses. But overshoot must not become an excuse for delayed ambition or inaction,” she said.
She urged Commonwealth leaders to heed the calls from recent Pacific Pre-COP31 discussions in Fiji and Tuvalu.
“Accessible, predictable, and grant-based climate finance is the bridge between ambition and action. No nation should have to borrow its way out of a crisis it did so little to create,” she said.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne also called for changes to international financing arrangements, saying climate disasters could wipe out decades of development in a matter of hours.
“Our pursuit of prosperity must also recognise the vulnerabilities that threaten to erase decades of development in a matter of hours. A single hurricane can devastate infrastructure, destroy livelihoods and force governments to divert resources from education, healthcare and economic transformation towards recovery,” he said.
Browne said national income alone was not an adequate measure of a country’s vulnerability or its ability to withstand repeated climate shocks.
He called for wider use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) alongside existing financing criteria, as well as faster access to climate finance and debt arrangements that would give vulnerable countries greater fiscal space to recover and rebuild.
“No nation should be forced to mortgage its future simply to survive the present,” he said.
He urged Commonwealth members with capital, technology and influence in international financial institutions to support reforms that would improve access to financing for vulnerable countries.
Browne also highlighted the importance of investing in renewable energy and resilient infrastructure to protect communities, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthen energy security and create economic opportunities.
However, he said resilience measures alone would not address the climate crisis.
“We must also confront the causes of climate change by accelerating the transition to cleaner energy and reducing global emissions. Fairness also requires an honest engagement with our shared history,” he said.
Mulipola also called for stronger action to protect the ocean, describing it as central to Pacific livelihoods, economies and cultures.
“Our ocean is our lifeblood. It feeds our people, anchors our economies and carries our cultures,” she said.
She said implementing the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration would help shift global approaches from ocean exploitation towards protection and sustainable stewardship.
The address marked Samoa’s final official duty as Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, with Mulipola formally handing over leadership to Prime Minister Browne.
Samoa hosted CHOGM in 2024 and served as Chair-in-Office during the intervening period, with Mulipola saying the country had worked to strengthen the organisation’s resilience agenda and support reforms to keep the Commonwealth relevant.
She said Samoa supported the leadership transition and the Secretary-General’s reform programme, arguing that the organisation could no longer rely on a business-as-usual approach.
“Profound and transformative changes are not only necessary, but inevitable if our organisation is to remain relevant and responsive to the needs of its members,” she said.
During its chairmanship, Samoa pushed for stronger global climate and ocean action, increased trade and investment, greater opportunities for women, young people and persons with disabilities, and efforts to bridge the artificial intelligence divide.
Mulipola said Samoa was also committed to defending multilateralism, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, while ensuring the concerns of small and vulnerable states remained central to Commonwealth decision-making.
She welcomed the integration of the resilience pillars outlined in the Samoa Communiqué into programmes across Commonwealth organisations.
The deputy Prime Minister also highlighted Samoa’s work on early childhood development, saying a five-year-old child’s Book of Dreams presented during CHOGM 2024 had helped inspire the development of Samoa’s Early Childhood Development Framework.
Early childhood development has since become a standing agenda item at Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meetings.
She also pointed to the Adopt-a-Country campaign launched during CHOGM Samoa, which brought practical assistance to villages and strengthened people-to-people relationships between Commonwealth nations.
At the handover ceremony, Mulipola presented Prime Minister Browne with an ula fala, a traditional Samoan adornment woven from mature pandanus fruit.
She said the ula fala symbolised the transition from Samoa’s 2024 hosting of CHOGM to Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership of the Commonwealth.
“On behalf of the Prime Minister, the government and people of Samoa, Fa’amanuia le Atua i lou tulai mai. God bless your tenure as Chair-in-Office, Prime Minister Browne,” she said.
The 2026 CHOGM is being held under the theme, Accelerating Partnerships and Investments for a Prosperous Commonwealth.… PACNEWS
PAC – WEATHER WATCH/ELNINO: SPREP PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Current El Niño event likely to intensify, persist through to March 2027
APIA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (SPREP) — The current El Niño event is continuing to strengthen, with forecasts indicating it could surpass the intensity of all previous El Niño events recorded since 1950.
The latest regional outlook, presented in the statement from the 19th Pacific Islands Climate and Ocean Forum (PICOF-19), confirms that El Niño is firmly established in the region and continues to strengthen. The event is likely to persist through March 2027, with the peak period being November to January.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (SPREP) Director of Climate Science and Information, Salesa Nihmei said this means Pacific Island countries will need to remain prepared for prolonged El Niño-related impacts that will affect food security, water resources, livelihoods and economic development.
“Countries must be prepared to face prolonged impacts of El Niño,” Nihmei said.
“For some countries, they will continue to feel the impacts well into the dry season in 2027 even after this El Niño event ends,” he added.
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon where ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal, causing atmospheric and ocean patterns to change and resulting in drier than normal conditions for some countries and wetter than normal conditions for others.
The PICOF-19 revealed that the rainfall outlook for the next six months predicts below-normal rainfall across much of the northwest Pacific from Palau to the Marshall Islands, and in the southwest Pacific from Papua New Guinea to southern French Polynesia.
Above-normal rainfall is favoured in the central equatorial Pacific, from Naoero to eastern Kiribati.
While El Niño is a natural part of the climate system, its impacts can be far-reaching, particularly for Pacific Island communities whose livelihoods, food and water security, infrastructure and economies are highly dependent on climate conditions.
Impacts have already been reported from across the region, with PNG providing the rest of the Pacific with a warning to act now and prepare for the worst to come. Prolonged periods of no rainfall in PNG have resulted in droughts and water shortages, lower river levels impacting transportation and industries, and extreme frosts in the highlands have killed crops and other food sources communities heavily rely on.
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) from across Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia also reported during PICOF-19 that the El Niño impact is starting to manifest itself across the region.
Following PICOF-19, NMHSs across the Pacific will be providing more detailed, country-specific climate information through their respective National Climate Outlook Forums (NCOFs) in the coming weeks.
These national forums will translate the regional outlook into relevant information for individual countries, bringing together meteorological services, government agencies, sector representatives and other stakeholders to discuss anticipated climate conditions and their potential impacts.
The NCOF will provide important guidance to support preparedness and decision-making across key sectors, including water, agriculture, fisheries, health and disaster management.
As the region moves into the peak months of this El Niño event, communities and stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed through their national meteorological services and take appropriate preparedness measures.
With the event potentially becoming the strongest on record, timely climate information and coordinated early action will be essential in helping Pacific communities anticipate and manage the challenges ahead…. PACNEWS
CNMI – MIDTERM ELECTIONS: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Torres, Attao headed for runoff in CNMI; AG race also faces second round
SAIPAN, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (MARIANAS PRESS) — Former CNMI Governor Ralph DLG Torres and independent candidate Rep Blas Jonathan “BJ” T. Attao appear headed for a runoff after neither secured the required majority in Tuesday’s gubernatorial election, while the attorney general’s race is also facing a second round of voting, according to unofficial results released by the Commonwealth Election Commission Wednesday morning.
Torres and his running mate, Benjamin Jones, received 6,437 votes, or 49.5 percent, while Attao and his running mate, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez, garnered 5,043 votes, or 38.7 percent.
The third gubernatorial ticket of Lawrence F. Camacho and Edith Deleon Guerrero received 1,537 votes, or 11.8 percent.
Torres leads Attao by 1,394 votes but fell short of the more than 50% required under the CNMI Constitution to win outright.
The unofficial results point to a runoff between the two leading gubernatorial tickets, subject to certification by the CEC.
A runoff is also expected in the attorney general’s race, where Joaquin DLG Torres leads with 5,073 votes, or 39.7 percent, followed by Michael Evangelista with 3,854 votes, or 30.2 percent, and Jonathan Glass with 3,836 votes, or 30.1 percent.
With none of the three candidates securing a majority, the Top 2 vote-getters will advance to a runoff following certification.
Only 18 votes separate Evangelista and Glass for second place, making certification particularly important in determining who will face Torres in the runoff.
Under the CNMI Constitution and Commonwealth election law, runoff elections for governor and attorney general must be held 14 days after the CEC certifies the general election results if no candidate receives more than half of the votes.
In an interview with Marianas Press early Wednesday, former governor Torres said he welcomed another round of campaigning, noting that the CNMI faces different economic circumstances from when he previously held office.
“I’ve been through this process, right? And so today, everything is different. I think, obviously, the economy is different,” Torres said.
“But this is a process that we embrace, and we’re ready to go to the runoff and meet the 50.1 percent or 50 plus 1 percent.”
Jones thanked their supporters and said the campaign would intensify its house-to-house efforts over the next two weeks.
“We’re going to be out there grinding,” Jones said.
“So, you know, the job is not done, and we just want to remind everybody what we’re here for and why we’re here.”
Torres said their campaign would continue focusing on economic recovery, restoring retirees’ 25 percent benefits, lowering electricity costs to 22 cents per kilowatt-hour, returning public school students to a five-day schedule, and restoring government employees’ regular 80-hour biweekly work schedules.
He also expressed interest in reaching out to the Camacho-Deleon Guerrero ticket, which finished third in the unofficial results.
“Of course, of course. We would like to reach out to them and hopefully we can meet up with them because I also embrace what their goals are and how they want to build an economy,” Torres said.
Despite falling short of an outright victory, Torres said he was encouraged by the support his ticket received.
“We’re very proud that we have 49.5 percent of the votes,” he said. “We’re not there yet, but obviously it’s a win for all of us.”
At the Attao-Villagomez campaign headquarters at Garapan Central Park, Attao thanked the CEC, voters, and campaign volunteers while stressing that his team would await the official results before deciding its next steps.
“Right now, we have unofficial results that have been posted and we’ll await the official results,” Attao said.
“For now, we await the actual official results so that we’ll see what the next steps are and we’ll hold on that until the election commission finalizes that.”
Attao also congratulated candidates who appeared to have won their respective races and commended those who participated in the election.
Villagomez likewise thanked their supporters, acknowledging the tense election night while urging the public to await certification.
“It was a lot of ups and downs and you know holding your breath and all that but you know we want to thank everyone for tuning in,” Villagomez said.
“There’s still time to go and I just want to say let’s just stay tuned and let’s get the official results and we’ll see where we go from there.”
Meanwhile, independent gubernatorial candidates Lawrence F. Camacho and Edith Deleon Guerrero, whose ticket placed third with 1,537 votes, or 11.8 percent, said they would respect the outcome of Tuesday’s election while thanking their supporters.
In an interview with Marianas Press, Camacho said their campaign remained focused on offering practical solutions and respecting the will of the voters.
“The winner of today’s election, the winner of this campaign, and the election here in 2026 will be the people,” Camacho said. “And so, we honour the people’s will to come out, vote, and elect the direction of where they want this commonwealth to go.”
He also thanked their campaign committee and supporters for their efforts despite entering the race later than their opponents.
Deleon Guerrero, meanwhile, said their campaign focused on economic stability and restoring public confidence in government.
“Our platform was very clear of how to steer the commonwealth forward and to make sure that we become financially stable and also to restore confidence in government.
“And so, we will respect their desire for whoever will be the ultimate winner of this election,” she said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DIPLOMACY/PARLIAMENT: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Fiji PM Rabuka to bypass Committee recommendation with new Parliamentary motion on Australia Treaties
SUVA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (MAI TV) — Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed disappointment with Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for recommending that ratification of two major agreements with Australia be deferred, signalling that the Government will pursue an alternative parliamentary route to advance the proposed partnerships.
The committee has warned that the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union and the Ocean of Peace Alliance, also known as the Veitacini Treaty, could have significant implications for Fiji’s sovereignty, independent foreign policy and national security.
Committee Chairperson Lenora Qereqeretabua said the committee had recommended further negotiations with Australia before the agreements proceed, citing concerns over their legal, constitutional, financial and strategic implications.
However, Rabuka said the Government intended to move a motion in Parliament seeking support for the proposed international association and cooperation arrangements, which he believes would bring significant benefits to Fiji.
“Very disappointed. We are going to take another route in Parliament and move a motion and ask Parliament to give its view on an international association and cooperation that will help Fiji a lot,” Rabuka said.
The committee acknowledged that both agreements presented opportunities to strengthen economic development, infrastructure, health, education, climate resilience and regional cooperation.
However, it maintained that these potential benefits must be weighed against the implications for Fiji’s national interests.
On the proposed Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union, the committee questioned whether closer economic and institutional integration could affect Fiji’s ability to maintain independent relationships with other development partners.
It also raised concerns about safeguarding critical infrastructure and sovereign data, ensuring transparency around the proposed 10-year work plan and clarifying the financial commitments associated with the arrangements.
The committee’s recommendations place the Government’s proposed agreements under further parliamentary scrutiny as it seeks to secure support for deeper cooperation with Australia…. PACNEWS
SOL – CITIZENSHIP: ISLAND SUN PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Solomon Islands citizenship revocation powers under scrutiny
HONIARA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (ISLAND SUN) — The revocation of citizenship was discussed during a recent hearing into the proposed Solomon Islands Citizenship Bill in which Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) member, Peter Shannel Agovaka questioned the circumstances under which the Solomon Islands Government can revoke a foreigner’s visa or declare them a prohibited or undesirable person.
Agovaka raised the issue with Christopher Akosawa, the Director of Immigration during a recent hearing into the proposed Solomon Islands Citizenship Bill.
In response, Akosawa explained that a foreigner’s visa could be revoked if the individual engages in unlawful activities, is convicted by a court, or poses a threat to public safety and the community.
However, Agovaka questioned whether similar powers should apply to naturalised citizens involved in criminal activities or matters concerning national security.
He asked whether the government should have the authority to revoke the citizenship of a naturalised person who commits serious offences, or whether such individuals should instead be dealt with through the courts.
Akosawa clarified that while the Director of Immigration has the authority to revoke visas, there is currently no equivalent power to revoke citizenship.
He said individuals involved in criminal activities could be prosecuted through the courts, but the government does not have the authority to strip them of their citizenship under the existing arrangements.
Agovaka further questioned whether taking action against a naturalised citizen through both criminal proceedings and citizenship revocation would amount to fair judicial treatment.
In response, Akosawa said such measures could be justified in cases involving serious national security threats, including drug trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering.
He also pointed to existing money laundering legislation, which allows courts to seize assets and properties linked to criminal activities following conviction.
However, Akosawa identified delays in the current legal process as a major challenge, explaining that authorities must wait for a court conviction before assets can be seized.
He argued that Solomon Islands needs stronger legislation that will allow the government to seize and forfeit assets more promptly, without having to wait for lengthy court proceedings.
Akosawa stressed the importance of strengthening the country’s legal framework and ensuring that different laws work together effectively to address serious criminal activities and national security threats…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM/POLITICS: MAI TV PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Fiji PM Rabuka leaves door open to removing controversial immunity clause
SUVA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (MAI TV) — Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has left open the possibility of removing or amending the immunity clause in the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, saying the parliamentary committee has the authority to change or completely exclude the contentious provision.
Speaking to the media, Rabuka said the immunity clause could be dealt with in the same way as other recommendations in the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) report that had been amended or excluded during the drafting process.
His comments come after the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), in its submission to the Special Parliamentary Select Committee, raised concerns about the proposed constitutional changes and suggested that a Truth and Reconciliation provision could be considered as an alternative to immunity.
Asked what would replace the immunity clause if it were removed from the Bill, the Prime Minister said the military had suggested incorporating a Truth and Reconciliation provision to address the issues.
He said he had not yet received a legal opinion on the proposal but acknowledged that government lawyers and legal drafters would need to examine it carefully.
“I have not received any legal opinion on it, but it is something that our legal people and also legal draftsmen will have to look at very seriously,” he said.
The Prime Minister also defended his earlier remarks that the military could be called upon to restore order in circumstances similar to those Fiji had experienced in the past.
He said the RFMF’s role in such situations was normal but stressed that the military should remain subordinate to the country’s political leadership.
Asked whether the public should be concerned by his statement, Rabuka said there was nothing to fear, describing it as an assurance from the military commander.
Meanwhile, Rabuka said the Government was still working towards securing support for the Constitution Amendment Bill, despite uncertainty over whether it could obtain the required two-thirds majority in Parliament.
He said the Government would take the Bill through the full parliamentary process and accept the outcome if it failed to secure the necessary numbers.
“We have the majority I have, and whether that’s two-thirds or not, it doesn’t matter,” he said.
The Special Parliamentary Select Committee is expected to meet late Wednesday…. PACNEWS
COOKS – DRUGS FIGHT: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Cook Islands Police raise hard drug concerns
RAROTONGA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) — Cook Islands Police warn that hard drugs are filtering into the country undetected due to border vulnerabilities, urging community vigilance and regional intelligence sharing to combat emerging transnational crime networks.
As illicit substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine filter through the Pacific via international drug cartels, Cook Islands Police media advisor Trevor Pitt highlighted growing concerns over hard drug trends.
“Police have grounds to suspect the presence of the harder drugs on the island,” Pitt said.
He pointed out that two local seizures involving heroin and cocaine occurred by discovery rather than routine detection, raising alarms for authorities.
Pitt said these discoveries raise alarms for two reasons: “One is the question over narcotics entering the country undetected and two, the vulnerability of our border.”
In July 2026, approximately 26.94 kilograms of suspected cocaine, wrapped in 19 packages, washed ashore on the reef in Mitiaro. It was reported that the street value of the illicit find, based on standard New Zealand media estimated from similar busts, could be worth between $9.2 million (US$5 million) and $12 million (US$6.70 million).
In 2024, a batch of narcotics – believed to be heroin – was discovered in a Rarotonga retailer’s warehouse.
Police report that the drug exhibits remain securely stored while authorities seek legal advice on how to safely dispose of them.
“The Cook Islands is entering this modern drug environment whether we like it or not. But we can prevent this from developing into the scourge it has become in some parts of our region,” Pitt said.
“It will take community effort supporting law enforcement, as there are plenty of anecdotes floating about out there that are not translating into arrests and prosecutions.
“People need to step up and help contribute to making this country free from illicit drugs, which can destroy whole communities, let alone families.”
Pitt said Police must continue to work closely with border control partners, Customs and Immigration, on detection efforts and monitoring persons of interest.
He said police also have a priority to pursue information and resource sharing with Pacific partners, including Australia and New Zealand, on the transnational crime network front.
“The concern over our waters being exploited by organised crime has emerged and is real. We need to be vigilant and active with our TCU (Transnational Crime Units) partners and Pacific colleagues.”
Police Commissioner Teokotai Joseph recently returned from the 53rd Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Conference, held in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, where the Pacific Community of Policing (PACPOL) was launched.
Pitt said the Pacific Chiefs of Police, along with their respective organisations and nations, recognise the vital need to remain united and share information and resources to tackle transnational crime, including drug trafficking, because it impacts everyone.
He added that criminal activity has no respect for borders, and its effects on the region can be devastating.
Meanwhile, Cook Islands Police report a drop in drug prosecutions this year, filing five mainly cannabis-related charges compared to 13 in 2025, with no importation charges recorded so far.
Pitt explained that police have filed five charges in court this year, noting these are “sworn charges, not defendants”.
He said the charges primarily relate to cannabis possession and cultivation, though a charge brought in September involved dealing in controlled drugs.
“Overall, not in the serious range of concerns with these prosecutions, except for the latter,” said Pitt…. PACNEWS
FIJI – TRUTH & RECONCILIATION/HEALTH: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Coups left lasting gaps in Fiji’s health sector, FTRC hears
SUVA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji’s health sector is still feeling the effects of losing experienced doctors, specialists and medical educators following the political upheavals of 1987, 2000 and 2006, Associate Professor Donald Wilson told the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing Tuesday.
Wilson said the departure of experienced professionals created long-term gaps in medical leadership, specialist services and training that took years to address.
He said some doctors received overseas job offers within a week of the 1987 coup and left Fiji, with several senior professionals departing within two months.
The impact was particularly severe outside Suva, where one division serving about 600,000 people was left with only two doctors to cover its services for three months.
‘The impact was also felt outside Suva, where one division serving about 600,000 people was left with only two doctors to cover its services for three months,” Wilson said.
The loss of senior specialists also left departments without enough experienced professionals to guide younger medical staff.
Wilson said some junior doctors were promoted to positions such as medical superintendents without management training, creating challenges for them and the health facilities they led.
Medical education was also affected after teaching staff left Fiji following the 1987 coup. Students who remained in the system lost experienced educators and had to depend on the clinicians still available.
Fiji also began losing its position as a regional medical training centre as specialists and educators departed.
However, Wilson highlighted the development of a local master’s programme as an important achievement, allowing students to complete specialist training in Fiji instead of travelling overseas for their final training.
He said the lasting impact was not simply the number of people who left, but the expertise and experience that did not return.
Wilson warned that Fiji needed to avoid further coups to prevent similar disruption to the health system.
He said political upheavals could destabilise health services, while doctors, nurses and other health workers had a responsibility to care for everyone, regardless of their background or political views.
“My answer would basically be no more coups, is how we just ensure that the health system is not affected,” he said.
Meanwhile, psychiatrist and academic reviewer Dr Odille Chang has called for clearer boundaries between politicians and health officials.
She said political interference and poor working conditions continue to affect Fiji’s health sector.
Dr Chang spoke at the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (FTRC) Expert Hearing on the Health Sector at Pasifika Communities University in Nasese, Suva.
“I was a seventh-year medical student when the 1987 coup happened,” Dr Chang said.
She said Filipino and Chinese doctors were working in Fiji’s hospitals at the time and had made valuable contributions to medical training through their clinical experience.
Dr Chang said the health sector continued to face challenges, including stressful working environments, inadequate facilities, medicine shortages and a lack of essential equipment.
She said higher salaries alone would not encourage health professionals to remain in Fiji if they could not carry out their duties in suitable working conditions.
She cited significant salary increases secured for doctors through the Fiji Medical Association, with some reaching 100 percent, but said working conditions remained a concern.
Dr Chang also raised concerns about the quality of medical training, saying limited access to operating theatres and proper equipment affected students preparing to become surgeons, obstetricians, gynaecologists and ophthalmologists.
She said being a specialist or consultant did not automatically make someone a good teacher, as teaching required a separate set of skills.
She also highlighted mental health issues and burnout among health professionals, saying workplace stigma often prevented them from speaking openly about their struggles.
Dr Chang identified workplace safety and unfair promotion practices, including concerns about race and gender influencing career advancement, as other factors contributing to health professionals leaving Fiji.
As part of her recommendations, Dr Chang called for politicians and ministers to respect the roles of permanent secretaries and chief executive officers and allow them to manage the operational work of the health sector.
She said the Ministry of Health needed practical plans that were properly implemented and assessed, rather than policies developed simply to meet international requirements.
Dr Chang also called for stronger primary healthcare services through task-sharing and task-shifting, including better training for village health workers and nurses to provide services that did not require patients to travel to divisional or tertiary hospitals.
She said hospitals also needed adequate supplies and equipment, while health professionals required greater support for their emotional well-being.
Dr Chang said mental health services needed to become less stigmatised, including within the health workforce, so doctors and nurses could seek help without being judged…. PACNEWS
VAN – MARITIME SECURITY: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
U.S Coast Guard resumes engagement in Vanuatu
PORT VILA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has resumed its port security engagement with Vanuatu following the 2024 earthquake, with a focus on strengthening security arrangements at the country’s international ports.
Through its International Port Security (IPS) Programme, the USCG delegation, in partnership with the US Embassy in Port Vila, renewed its engagement with the Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA).
The visit aims to assess port security arrangements and strengthen compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. VMSA is Vanuatu’s designated authority responsible for implementing the ISPS Code.
During the engagement, the USCG team conducted formal security visits and assessments at Vanuatu’s international port facilities over two weeks before delivering a week-long training programme for Port Facility Security Officersand other port security personnel.
The training aims to strengthen the capacity of security officers to implement and enforce international port security requirements within their respective facilities. It also builds on recent technical engagement with ABL Group.
Chargé d’Affaires and Chief of Mission at the U.S Embassy in Port Vila, Vincent Mut-Tracy, reaffirmed the U.S Coast Guard programme’s commitment to supporting Vanuatu’s maritime security efforts and congratulated those involved in making the mission successful.
The U.S delegation, together with VMSA representatives, also met with the Office of the Prime Minister and the ministry responsible for maritime affairs to brief senior government officials on the programme and its ongoing work in Vanuatu.
The discussions highlighted the importance of government support in ensuring that security recommendations and requirements are implemented by port operators, including the Department of Ports and Harbours and Ifira Ports Development Services (IPDS), which operates the Lapetasi International Container Wharf.
The USCG team leader emphasised the importance of maintaining Vanuatu’s position outside the U.S Coast Guard’s list of countries identified for port security concerns.
Being placed on the advisory list could have serious implications for international shipping and supply chains, as vessels arriving in the United States from affected ports may face additional security measures.
This is particularly important for Vanuatu as an international shipping registry, as foreign vessels operating under the Vanuatu flag must also comply with applicable international port security requirements to maintain access to U.S ports.
The delegation also acknowledged the security arrangements established at the Seafront Temporary Cruise Facility following the December 2024 earthquake, congratulating the Government and VMSA on the progress made in maintaining port security despite the challenges caused by the disaster.
However, the team identified several areas requiring further attention, including access control, security checks, regular security drills and exercises, and appropriate security signage to improve compliance with the ISPS Code.
The U.S Coast Guard delegation is expected to return to Vanuatu in the first quarter of 2027, with a planned visit to Santo to deliver further training and courses for port security officers and relevant personnel.
The next engagement will support Vanuatu’s continued efforts to strengthen its maritime security framework and ensure that its international ports meet the security standards required for international shipping…. PACNEWS
VAN – MARITIME SECURITY: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Major maritime security boost with new boats
PORT VILA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) has strengthened its maritime policing, search and rescue capabilities following the handover of a new 11-metre Naiad vessel, alongside 13 banana boats provided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The new Naiad, capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 knots (more than 70 kilometres per hour), is now the fastest vessel in the VPF fleet.
Commissioner of Police, Kalshem Bongran, said the handover reflects Vanuatu and Australia’s shared commitment under the Nakamal Agreement to strengthening national security and policing capabilities.
In Vanuatu, communities are spread across numerous islands, with many only accessible by sea. Bongran said that reaching these communities, responding to incidents and delivering essential policing services can be challenging without appropriate transport and equipment.
The vessel is powered by three outboard engines, providing a combined capacity of 900 horsepower and the ability to carry up to 12 people. It also has an endurance capability of approximately 300 nautical miles, making it a valuable addition to the force’s operational resources.
Beyond law enforcement, the vessel will support search and rescue operations, medical evacuations and assistance to vessels in distress. Bongran said these capabilities would contribute to the safety and wellbeing of the people.
Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Max Willis, also said that the handover represented another important step in the longstanding partnership between Vanuatu and Australia. He acknowledged the leadership of the Vanuatu Government and the continued work of the VPF, particularly its Maritime Wing, in maintaining maritime security and protecting communities.
Willis said Australia is pleased to continue working closely with the Vanuatu Government to strengthen security and improve the operational capabilities of the Police Force.
He said the new 11-metre Naiad rescue vessel, together with the 13 banana boats, would provide officers with greater capacity to respond to emergencies, conduct maritime patrols and deliver policing services to remote communities.
According to Willis, the Naiad’s speed would allow officers to reach incidents and communities more quickly, whether responding to emergencies, conducting medical evacuations or assisting vessels in trouble.
Willis said the vessel’s extended range meant it could travel from Port Vila to Santo in approximately eight hours under calm conditions without stopping to refuel.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening maritime security to address serious and organised crime, including the movement of drugs and other illegal goods through the country’s waters.
He said Australia and Vanuatu would continue working together to deliver practical outcomes through their security partnership, which extends beyond policing to include economic development, climate cooperation, cultural exchanges and humanitarian assistance.
Willis reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting the Vanuatu Police Force through continued cooperation under the Nakamal Agreement and the Vanuatu-Australia policing partnership.
Minister responsible for Police, Andrew Napuat, said the vessels would support the transportation of police officers, equipment and essential supplies, allowing the force to respond more effectively to incidents and emergencies, particularly in areas where access is limited.
He called on VPF to make full use of the new equipment and ensure it is properly maintained and utilised to improve policing services.
Napuat said the Government remained committed to increasing investment in the Police Force to strengthen its operational capabilities, improve service delivery and build public confidence.
The new Naiad vessel, named as RV Saul, was built by Australian specialist company Yamba Welding and Engineering, which also designs and builds vessels used by the AFP Protection Operations fleet.
The banana boats are equipped with police lights, communications equipment, spotlights, signalling torches, engine service kits and solar-powered electrical systems.
The total number of vessels provided by Australia to the VPF over the past five years now increased to 23…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Nothing to fear, Fiji PM Rabuka assures public
SUVA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) — There is nothing to fear.
That’s the reassurance from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka after he reportedly said the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) may be called upon to restore order.
“That is an assurance coming from the commander,” Rabuka said, adding that calling on the RFMF was “the normal thing in a situation like we have seen Fiji go through”.
Rabuka said the 1997 and other constitutions made the RFMF “subservient to the political leadership”.
When pressed if last week’s RFMF submission swayed him to extend the consultation time, the PM said no.
He said one coalition partner’s decision to withdraw from the committee “made us feel that there is some substance in their call for more time and more visits to other places”.
On voting, Rabuka said: “Looks like they are going to be held together and no point in having them days or weeks apart because of the possible cost savings.”
Attorney-General Sevuloni Valenitabua said he had no knowledge of plans to hold the election and referendum together. Valenitabua is not on the committee that decides this.
Asked about the 06 February timeframe next year, he said a motion for extension had been presented in Parliament.
“What happens after that, well, I can’t speculate,” he said.
Rabuka said he was not worried about the numbers.
“I have the majority, I have and whether that’s two-thirds or not, it doesn’t matter. We’re taking it through the full parliamentary process.”
If Parliament does not pass the Bill, he said, “it’s back to the people, said PM Rabuka…. PACNEWS
VAN – HEALTH: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Influenze A outbreak declared on Tanna
PORT VILA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has recently declared an outbreak of Influenza A on Tanna, following the increased of cases.
A total of 163 influenza-like illness cases were reported during the latest reporting week. Cases fluctuated but increased overall between Epidemiological Week 39 and Week 43, exceeding the alert threshold.
According to MOH, the latest surveillance findings indicate continued influenza activity, with a renewed increase recorded in EW43. During the reporting period, a total of 28 influenza samples were tested, of which 11 tested positive.
Common influenza symptoms included fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue, with two severe cases reported and no hospital admissions so far.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms, particularly those with difficulty breathing, persistent fever, dehydration or worsening illness, should seek medical attention promptly at the nearest health facility. The influenza is predominantly affecting young adults.
People on Tanna are urged to remain vagilant, practice good respiratory hygiene and follow public health advice to help reduce the spread of influenza.
They are advised to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, wash hands regularly with soap and water, dispose of tissues appropriately, and stay home when unwell to avoid spreading infection to others.
People should avoid close contact with others who are sick, ensure homes, school and workplaces are well ventilated, and protect babies, young children, older persons, pregnant and people with underlying medical conditions from exposure to respiratory illnesses.
MOH, through the National Surveillance Unit and Tafea Health Province, is strengthening its response to the influenza outbreak by implementing several public health measures across health facilities in the province.
The response activities include enhanced surveillance and reporting of influenza-like illnesses, laboratory testing and confirmation of suspected cases, and monitoring of hospitalised patients and disease severity.
Health teams are also conducting active case investigations and monitoring the outbreak, alongside providing case management and treatment for affected patients.
Additional measures include public awareness and risk communication activities to inform communities about influenza prevention and control.
The response is being coordinated through the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centre to ensure effective monitoring and management of the outbreak.
Influenza A has also been detected in other Pacific Island countries and territories, highlighting the ongoing risk of regional transmission.
The ministry reminded communities of the importance of maintaining personal preventive measures to help reduce the spread and protect public health…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – COURTS: SAMOA GLOBAL NEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Court denies PNG national’s request to leave Samoa ahead of forgery and bribery trial
APIA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (SAMOOA GLOBAL NEWS) — Samoa Supreme Court has denied an application by a Papua New Guinea national facing forgery and bribery charges to travel overseas to visit a sick family member, ruling that he poses an unacceptable risk of failing to return to Samoa for trial.
Ivan Jackson is facing five counts of forgery and one count of bribery in connection with an alleged attempt to obtain a Samoan passport using falsified documents.
He has pleaded not guilty to all six charges, with his trial scheduled this month on 30 November 2026.
Jackson, who has been in Samoa since July 2026, applied through his lawyer, Su’a Alex Su’a, for permission to travel to Papua New Guinea to visit his mother, who is reportedly unwell and receiving treatment for tuberculosis.
Prosecution opposed the application, arguing that Jackson posed a flight risk and that his proposed ST$20,000 (US$11,179) bond would not guarantee his return.
The prosecution also alleged that Jackson had travelled to Samoa specifically to obtain a fraudulent passport, claiming it was easier to secure one in Samoa than in other countries.
In dismissing the application, Justice Loau Donald Kerslake said allowing Jackson to leave Samoa would place him beyond the Court’s jurisdiction, with limited means of compelling his return.
“Regardless of whether an extradition arrangement exists between Samoa and Papua New Guinea, such processes can be lengthy, cumbersome and costly,” Justice Kerslake stated.
The Court also questioned the reliability of Jackson’s proposed ST$20,000 (US$11,179) bond, which he claimed would be supported by overseas business funds.
Justice Kerslake said no evidence had been provided to establish the existence of those businesses, the availability of the funds or whether Jackson could access them.
The Judge found that the proposed financial security was insufficient to address the risk of Jackson failing to return.
“After weighing the grounds of the application against the seriousness of the charges, the defendant’s lack of ties to Samoa, the unknown length of his proposed absence and the difficulties associated with extradition, the Court was satisfied that allowing him to travel would create a real and unacceptable risk of him failing to appear for trial,” Justice Kerslake said.
“The application to vary his bail conditions is therefore dismissed.”
Jackson remains subject to his existing bail conditions, including surrendering all travel documents and reporting to Apia Police Station every Wednesday before 4pm…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – TUNA INDUSTRY: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 04 Nov 2026
WCPFC narrows options for bigeye Tuna management
By Pita Ligaiula
HONOLULU/POHNPEI, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has narrowed options for managing bigeye tuna, setting the stage for further negotiations at its annual meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
The Second Bigeye Tuna Management Workshop (BMW02), held in Honolulu on 01–02 October, agreed to carry forward three options for the areas and fishing fleets covered by the proposed management procedure, alongside two target reference point options.
The progress brings the Commission closer to adopting a management procedure for bigeye tuna in 2026, although key differences remain over how fishing responsibilities and conservation measures should be shared.
The workshop, chaired by Emily Crigler of the United States, reviewed scientific assessments and management options aimed at maintaining the sustainability of the bigeye stock while balancing fishing opportunities for different fleets.
The discussions took place against concerns raised by the Scientific Committee that the 2026 stock assessment indicated a more depleted bigeye stock and a greater probability of low stock levels than previously represented in the modelling framework.
Participants supported a revised operating model grid to better account for the possibility of lower stock levels, including scenarios below the limit reference point.
The Pacific Community (SPC), which provides scientific advice to the Commission, will undertake further testing of the revised models and candidate management procedures ahead of a special session of the Scientific Committee in late November.
A major issue during the workshop was the geographical coverage of the proposed management procedure and whether small island developing States (SIDS) fisheries and the Hawaii longline fleet should be included.
Several Pacific countries argued that SIDS exemptions under the existing Tropical Tuna Measure (TTM) must be retained, saying their domestic fisheries development rights and special circumstances must be recognised.
They warned that removing the exemptions without addressing wider allocation issues could place an unfair conservation burden on Pacific Island countries.
Other participants supported broader coverage of the bigeye fishery, arguing that management responsibility should be shared across major longline fisheries.
Discussions also highlighted concerns about the distribution of fishing effort, monitoring and enforcement of high seas longline operations, and the economic impact of fish aggregation device (FAD) closures on Pacific Island economies.
On target reference points, participants agreed to retain two options — a lower and an upper target, each assessed at a 50 percent probability.
The target reference points will guide the level of spawning biomass the management procedure aims to maintain.
The workshop also considered how the management procedure would adjust fishing controls over time, including longline catch limits and the duration of purse seine FAD closures.
Under the proposed approach, management settings would be reviewed over three-year periods, with the aim of balancing the impacts on longline and purse seine fisheries.
The workshop requested further scientific evaluation of an option that would produce adjustment factors, or scalars, for existing longline bigeye catch limits and FAD closure periods under the TTM.
The remaining options will be considered by the Commission at its 23rd Regular Session (WCPFC23) in Port Vila in December.
The Commission is expected to consider the areas and fisheries covered by the management procedure, the target reference points and the harvest control rule before moving towards adoption.
The estimation method and implementation arrangements will undergo further scientific and technical work in 2027.
The management procedure is intended to provide a predictable, science-based framework for adjusting fishing controls in response to changes in bigeye tuna stock conditions…. PACNEWS
FIJI – FISHERIES: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Trump’s tariffs forced Bumble Bee to leave PAFCO – Fiji DPM Kamikamica
SUVA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica says tariffs introduced by United States President Donald Trump were responsible for Bumble Bee Seafoods ending its longstanding partnership with the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO).
Speaking in Parliament on Monday during debate on the proposed $20 million (US$10 million) Government guarantee for PAFCO, Kamikamica said the American seafood company’s decision to relocate to Mexico had nothing to do with PAFCO’s performance.
“Bumble Bee Seafoods has been a buyer of processed tuna from PAFCO for some time and it was only because of the tariffs introduced by President Trump that created an issue for Bumble Bee Seafoods, and they decided to move to Mexico,” he said.
“So, number one, it had nothing to do with the performance of PAFCO.”
Kamikamica said the Government had made important decisions that enabled PAFCO to find a replacement buyer quickly following Bumble Bee’s departure.
“One of the important things that probably is lost in this debate, some of the excellent decisions that have been undertaken by this side of the House that have led to this ability to find a buyer very quickly.”
His comments followed concerns raised by Opposition MP Parveen Bala over Bumble Bee’s departure, the lack of a publicly disclosed transition plan and uncertainty surrounding employment at the Levuka-based company.
Kamikamica stressed that PAFCO remained a significant employer regardless of the different workforce figures being discussed in Parliament.
“Any place that employs 800 workers, 1,000 workers, or even 400 workers as suggested by honourable Bala, it is still a significant employer,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of PAFCO’s operations to women workers.
“Of course, we should not forget the fact that 70 percent of the workforce are women,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – BUSINESS: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 04 Nov 2026
Pacific business eye Dubai market after UAE Ambassador meeting
WELLINGTON, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pacific, Māori and New Zealand businesses are being encouraged to explore investment and trade opportunities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Dubai identified as a potential gateway to international markets.
The opportunity was highlighted at a business gathering in Wellington last month, where UAE Ambassador to New Zealand Rashed Matar Alqemzi met Pacific business leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss trade, investment and closer economic engagement.
The event, Connecting the Pacific and the UAE: Doing Business in Dubai, was co-hosted by Inailau Pacific Businesswomen’s Network and The Pacific Business Hub at Te Iho in Wellington on 21 October.
It marked the first time Ambassador Alqemzi had addressed the Pacific community in New Zealand directly.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Alqemzi highlighted the New Zealand-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force on 28 August 2025 and includes a dedicated chapter on Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation.
“The UAE, particularly Dubai, offers New Zealand businesses, including Pacific and Māori enterprises, a gateway to global markets,” he said.
He encouraged Pacific businesses to explore opportunities in technology, renewable energy, education and healthcare.
Ambassador Alqemzi also highlighted shared cultural values between the UAE and Pacific communities, including family, respect for elders, hospitality and strong community ties.
He said the UAE, which has joined the Pacific Islands Forum as a Strategic Partner, looked forward to strengthening cooperation with Pacific countries.
Samoan business strategist and Inailau Pacific Business Women’s Network founder Afamasaga Jackie Curry told the gathering that Pacific businesses had opportunities to establish themselves in the UAE market.
Curry said her first visit to Dubai in December 2023 had led to two years of building business relationships across the UAE.
“Nine out of 10 people I meet in Dubai have never met a Samoan, or any Pacific person, before,” she said.
“New Zealand products and services carry a high perceived value in the UAE, and people are fascinated by our Pacific and Māori cultures.”
She identified digital technology, health and wellness, premium packaged food, construction and engineering consultancy, fashion, creative industries, hospitality and real estate as sectors with potential for Pacific and Māori businesses.
Curry said there was also room in Dubai’s retail market for more New Zealand, Māori and Pacific products.
“Walk through the supermarkets in Dubai, and apart from our meat, our produce and Whittaker’s chocolate, you will not find many New Zealand products on the shelves. There is real space for authentically Kiwi, Māori and Pasifika premium products in this market,” she said.
She stressed that building business relationships was essential for companies seeking to enter international markets.
“Networking is not a nice extra. It is the work. Relationships come before transactions,” she said.
“Going global does not mean leaving our culture behind. Family, service, respect, hospitality. These are not things we hide in international business. They are what we bring.”
The Pacific Business Hub founder and chief executive Salā Laura Keil-Hall said the event was organised to give Pacific businesses direct access to information, contacts and potential international partners.
“Our Pacific businesses have the talent, ambition, products and services to compete internationally. But entering new markets isn’t just about having something to offer. It’s about having access to the right information, people and relationships,” she said.
She said trade agreements could open markets, but Pacific businesses also needed practical support to take advantage of those opportunities.
During the event, Ms Curry announced the establishment of Moana International Consultancy, which will provide business facilitation, market-entry support and business immersion programmes for Pacific, Māori and New Zealand companies and investors seeking opportunities in the UAE.
“For two years, I navigated this market on my own. Now I want to help our businesses fast track their way into Dubai and UAE,” she said.
The consultancy’s first Dubai Business Immersion Trip is scheduled for early April 2027.
The two organising groups are also planning a follow-up event in Auckland in March 2027 to continue discussions on trade and investment opportunities between the Pacific and UAE.
The Wellington gathering was supported by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, with corporate sponsors FutureZone and Chas Everitt Dubai…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Pacific Met Services and media build skills to get climate information to communities as El Niño intensifies
RAROTONGA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (SPREP) — National Meteorological Services and media representatives from Fiji, Cook Islands, Tuvalu and Tonga, together with regional and national media, are in Rarotonga this week for a five-day Knowledge Brokers in Climate Services training, as the Pacific prepares for what scientists indicate could be the most intense El Niño on record.
The Polynesia Sub-Regional Knowledge Brokers in Climate Services Training for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) opened on Monday 2 November at the Crown Beach Resort and runs until Friday 6 November. It is delivered by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the European Union-funded Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Pacific Programme with support from the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac).
Knowledge brokers connect the people who produce climate information with the people who need it to make decisions. Over the week, participants are working through the climate services value chain, stakeholder analysis, writing media releases and pitches alongside journalists, digital content and social media, inclusive communications, and tools for gathering user feedback.
Speaking at the opening, Lagomauitumua Sunny Kamuta Seuseu, Regional Coordinator of the Pacific Climate Centre Network based at SPREP said the timing of the training was critical.
“A forecast only protects people when it reaches them in time, in a format they trust, and when they know what to do with it. With the Pacific heading into what could be the most intense El Niño on record, the role of our Met Services as knowledge brokers has never been more important,” said Seuseu.
The Director of the Cook Islands Meteorological Service, Maara Vaimene, said understanding the people who use climate information is central to the work.
“A Met Service is only as useful as its understanding of the people using its information. Knowing who our users are, what they need and how they use our forecasts, and then building ways for them to tell us what is working and what is missing, is how we make sure our services work for our communities,” said Director Vaimene.
The Polynesia Knowledge Broker training is the third in a regional series. Sub-regional trainings were held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in May 2025 for Melanesia, and in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, in September 2025 for Micronesia. The results are evident in the outputs of the participating countries in those sub-regions, and SPREP hopes to continue the training and the peer-to-peer sharing between Pacific Met Services that comes with it.
The training was developed following an assessment by SPREP and has been trialled with NMHSs. It continues to be refined, and feedback from participants is a critical part of that process. Fourteen (14) Pacific Island countries have been trained across the programme’s training activities, with about 34 percent of those trained being women…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Gender equality pays off for business – so why are companies pulling back?
GENEVA, 04 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Gender equality and diversity are good for business – but while increasing numbers of women are reaching top spots in the corporate world, more initiatives are needed to keep momentum going.
The recommendation comes from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its report Women in Business and Management: Scaling Success, published on Tuesday.
Between 2013 and 2025, the share of companies with a woman board chair rose from 13.1 percent to 30.1 percent. The share with a woman CEO climbed from 23.5 percent to 28.2 percent.
Yet women remain under-represented in management overall, occupying around a third of managerial-level roles. Gender balance increased at senior and top management levels during the same period but declined at junior and middle management.
Commitment vs execution
The report draws on a 2025 ILO survey of 11,957 enterprises in 99 countries, as well as surveys conducted in 2013 and 2018, 30 years of labour market data, secondary research and case studies.
Nearly 70 percent of enterprises surveyed in 2025 said gender equality and diversity initiatives had improved business outcomes, up more than 11 percentage points from 2018.
Among those reporting increased profits through initiatives promoting women in management, 87.4 percent reported gains of at least five percent. Firms with women CEOs and board chairs were also more likely to report better business outcomes.
Still, although nearly three quarters (74.8 percent) of enterprises reported having a gender equality and diversity policy or equivalent in place in 2025, the share that implemented them stood at 26.5 percent, down from 37.4 percent in 2018.
“The decline included measures that enterprises themselves identified as among the most effective, including maternity leave and support programmes and equal pay initiatives,” the ILO said.
Making the case
The UN agency noted that the findings come despite major advances in women’s education, including greater enrolment in tertiary education when compared to men.
Yet women continue to be under-represented in some of the business functions and sectors that can pave a path to senior leadership.
“At a time when enterprises are competing for skills and talent, leaving women’s potential untapped makes little business sense,” said Maria Paz Anzorreguy, Director of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities.
A future where women ‘shine’
The report outlines practical measures, including strengthening women’s leadership pipelines, improving access to roles and sectors where women remain under-represented, and using gender metrics and voluntary targets.
It also calls for addressing structural barriers outside the workplace, including unequal care responsibilities, occupational segregation and persistent social norms.
Rosemarie P. Rafael, founder and chairperson of Philippines-based logistics company Airspeed – among three case studies included in the report – shared her perspective with the authors.
“A company with a nurturing culture, with fair recruitment, promotion, and remuneration, will get the best talent, both women and men,” she said.
“And when women know they have a future in the company, they shine,” he said…. PACNEWS
