In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Fiji leads Pacific in AI study, ranks 12th in Commonwealth
2. PACIFIC — Meth trafficking stokes Pacific health crisis
3. PACIFIC — Pacific Islands Forum Chair leads mission to strengthen PIF-UAE cooperation
4. PACIFIC — Pacific warns climate change promises mean little without the money needed to deliver them
5. PACIFIC — Western Pacific faces drier months as El Niño strengthens: WMO Pacific Regional Climate Centre Network
6. NZ — Parties thrash it out as NZ election reaches endgame
7. FIJI — New Police Act grants wider powers to Fiji Police
8. JAPAN — Japan seeks stronger ties with Samoa ahead of PALM11
9. PACIFIC — Pacific documentary-makers receive a boost with Masterclass
10. FIJI — Fiji Opposition MPs criticise PM’s response to food security concerns
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji win CITES support in fight over iguana trade
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Vanuatu PM backs Youth – led commercial farming model
13. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — COP31, explained: What’s at stake at the climate talks
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Pacific Island countries exchange knowledge to enhance marine spatial planning
PAC – AI STUDY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Fiji leads Pacific in AI study, ranks 12th in Commonwealth
ST JOHN’S, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji has been ranked the Pacific’s leading island nation for youth artificial intelligence (AI) readiness, placing 12th among 56 Commonwealth countries, with the technology projected to generate up to US$90 million in additional GDP over 10 years.
The findings are contained in the new Ayre Index, launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, which assesses the opportunities and challenges facing young people in adopting and benefiting from AI.
Fiji scored 56.9 out of 100, exceeding the study’s readiness benchmark of 53. Only 15 Commonwealth countries reached that threshold.
The ranking places Fiji ahead of South Africa and Nigeria, while Papua New Guinea was the next highest-ranked Pacific island country at 32nd, followed by Nauru at 39th and Samoa at 41st. Australia ranked third and New Zealand ninth.
The study, conducted by the Ayre Think Tank, examines conditions affecting young people across the Commonwealth, including approximately 229,000 young people in Fiji.
Applying scenarios developed by the International Monetary Fund to Fiji’s economy, researchers estimate AI could increase the country’s GDP by US$90 million under a moderate scenario over 10 years.
The potential increase ranges from US$43 million under a conservative scenario to US$136 million under an optimistic projection.
The findings also show strong adoption of AI among young Fijians.
A 2025 survey found 62.5 percent of young respondents had used AI for their studies, while 49.3 percent had used it for work. A further 85.3 percent expected to use the technology in education or employment over the following year.
Fiji scored 9.9 out of 10 for AI use and creation and 9.3 for motivation and confidence, placing it among the strongest performers in the Commonwealth.
However, the study identifies significant gaps in the digital skills and infrastructure needed to translate that enthusiasm into economic opportunities.
Fiji scored 3.6 out of 10 for digital capability and 3.8 for education and training. The research also found that 71.2 percent of businesses surveyed reported internet disruptions.
Ayre Think Tank founder Calvin Ayre said young people needed practical skills and opportunities to benefit from the economic changes driven by AI.
“AI is going to change how we work, how we do business and how wealth is created. But this is not a race that only the biggest or richest countries can win,” Ayre said.
“What matters is giving young people the skills and the chance to get ahead – whether to start businesses, find jobs or build something for themselves.”
He said the index was designed to show countries their strengths and weaknesses and help governments identify where improvements were needed.
“Nobody can afford to be complacent,”” he said.
Fiji has already begun investing in digital skills development as part of its ambition to create 40,000 jobs in the digital economy by 2030.
In October, a Digital Skills Hub opened at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, providing practical training in AI, networking and cybersecurity.
The initiative, developed in partnership with Cisco and Telecom Fiji, aims to prepare young Fijians for employment in the technology sector and support business development.
The study identifies five priorities for Commonwealth countries: affordable and reliable access to technology; practical education and skills training; stronger pathways from training into employment and enterprise; AI tools suited to local languages and needs; and safeguards allowing young people to question automated decisions.
Professor C. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of the University of the West Indies, Five Islands Campus, said young people must be equipped to develop and shape AI technologies rather than simply consume products created elsewhere.
“We need to make sure that the next generation will be able to do more than just consume AI products made elsewhere. Access must come with its own agency and a real equitable stake in how these systems are governed,” Robinson said.
He said young people should be able to question AI tools, improve them and develop alternatives suited to their own needs.
The report calls on governments, educators and development partners to identify the specific barriers facing young people in each country and direct investment towards closing those gaps….PACNEWS
PAC – HEALTH: AAP PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Meth trafficking stokes Pacific health crisis
SYDNEY, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (AAP)—Security policy in the Pacific must put people first as meth trafficking fuels a public health crisis, lawmakers have been warned.
Policing and health services must work hand-in-hand to tackle mounting health and climate threats, three human security experts told the Lowy Institute on Thursday.
It comes as Fiji’s HIV outbreak is being closely monitored for regional spillover after a national emergency was declared in September. An estimated one in 60 Fijians were living with HIV at the time.
The disaster stemmed from the use and sharing of methamphetamine that was being trafficked to Australia through the Pacific.
Public health expert and epidemiologist Dr Nick Thomson said: “We never thought that we would see methamphetamine-related HIV epidemics in the Pacific.”
“The spill off of that is methamphetamine … a really nasty drug, and the people that are helping to facilitate potentially that probably get paid in that and then you have that perfect storm in say the informal settlements in Fiji,” Dr Thomson said.
The transit of Asian and South American meth has increased so much that the Australian Federal Police committed to “stepping-up” its interruption in May.
Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat director Dr Anna Naupa said “twinning arrangements” between justice and health bodies would be important in combating similar crises.
Policing agreements between regional nations should be extended, she said.
Dr Naupa said people and livelihoods should be central in sovereign protection and regional arrangements, encouraging lawmakers to consider a “human security test”.
“How is it helping people’s access to food, to water, to shelter, to justice, to protection in their homes, to jobs, to livelihoods, education?” she asked.
The panel noted climate change and the impending El Nino summer posed a further threat to local security.
“Conflicts, and armed conflicts, these are increasingly resource-based conflicts,” Dr Thomson said.
Dr Serena Sasingian, a lawyer and public policy expert, said improving education would be critical for the region.
She highlighted Papua New Guinea’s population bulge, with under-25s accounting for more than 50 percent of the population.
Improvements in learning outcomes and recruitment to key industries such as teaching and health will prove vital for the nation and similar states, she said.
“I think the youth are our greatest asset if we invest in them right, and now’s the time to do that,” Dr Sasingian said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PIFS PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Pacific Islands Forum Chair leads mission to strengthen PIF-UAE cooperation
ABU DHABI, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PIFS)—A high-level Pacific Islands Forum mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking place this week to advance cooperation on climate resilience, investment and sustainable development.
President of Palau and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Surangel Whipps Jr, accompanied by Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, is leading the delegation.
UAE Minister of State, Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, received Surangel S. Whipps, Jr, on 4 November in Abu Dhabi, marking the start of the mission.
The visit follows Forum Leaders’ confirmation of the United Arab Emirates as a Strategic Partner at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau. It provides an opportunity to identify practical areas of cooperation aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
This visit is particularly meaningful as the Pacific delegation makes its way to COP31. It provides an opportunity to acknowledge the landmark decision adopted under the UAE’s leadership as host of COP28, laying the groundwork for meaningful global action to transition away from fossil fuels toward clean, renewable energy, underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance.
“The Pacific is clear about its priorities: protecting our communities, strengthening resilience and creating opportunities for our people. We welcome the opportunity to work with the UAE to turn those priorities into practical cooperation,” said Whipps.
“The Pacific Resilience Facility is a Pacific-led solution to help communities prepare for climate and disaster risks. We are seeking partners who will invest in that work and help deliver lasting results.”
The Forum Chair and the Secretary General will then travel to Doha, Qatar, where they will be joined by the Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua. The delegation will hold high-level meetings on climate resilience, investment and sustainable development.
The mission will also advance the Pacific’s climate finance advocacy ahead of COP31. This includes building international support for the Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific-led financing mechanism designed to strengthen climate and disaster resilience at the community level…..PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: PMN PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Pacific warns climate change promises mean little without the money needed to deliver them
SUVA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PMN)— Pacific countries are heading into the climate talks in Türkiye next week demanding more climate finance while warning that the region cannot protect its people and resources without money that is easier to access.
The call comes as Pacific leaders prepare to defend the 1.5°C warming limit and push for more grants, greater adaptation funding and stronger action on loss and damage.
Fiji’s Minister for Climate Change, Lynda Tabuya, says the Pacific is not going to lower its climate goals but developed countries must provide the resources needed to meet them.
“The Pacific did not come to renegotiate its ambition; it came to secure the means to deliver it. Ambition without finance, technology and the capacity to use them is a promise on paper,” she told Parliament on Wednesday.
Fiji is representing the 14 Pacific Small Island Developing States as chair of the group at the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP31), which runs from 9-20 November in Antalya.
The Pacific negotiating position will focus on six areas: keeping the 1.5°C target within reach, speeding up the move to cleaner energy, improving access to climate finance, increasing adaptation funding, addressing loss and damage, and putting the ocean at the centre of climate talks.
Lynda Tabuya is leading the Pacific Small Island Developing States into COP31, with the region pushing for greater climate finance and action to keep the 1.5°C warming limit within reach. Photo/Supplied
Tabuya says the 1.5°C target is not simply a number in an international agreement.
She says it could determine whether reefs, mangroves and fisheries survive. “Every target agreed in Yerevan for our reefs, our mangroves and our fisheries will be decided, in the end, by whether the world holds warming to 1.5 degrees.”
The economic stakes are already being felt in the Pacific. Fiji Opposition Leader and Pacific COP31 Ocean Envoy, Inia Seruiratu, also told Parliament that warming seas could push tuna further east, threatening an industry that supports jobs, food supplies and economies across the region.
“The overshoot is very dangerous for us when it comes to economic, because for tuna alone, the estimation is, with the current overshoot, we will lose about US$93 million [NZ$164.87 million] per year. And if it gets worse, then it’s going to be bad. We’re dealing with a migratory species, and it’s going to go eastwards.”
The wider economic impact on the region’s tuna industry could reach almost US$210m (NZ$17.73m) a year as ocean temperatures rise.
Seruiratu says the risks need to be considered in long-term planning for Fiji’s fisheries sector and PAFCO.
“This is probably something that we will have to consider in the long term as we plan about PAFCO and all the fisheries sector for that matter, Honorable Speaker. 1.5 is important. Financing, again, is so important.”
Sāmoa is also calling for a major change in how climate finance reaches vulnerable countries.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo said Pacific countries should not have to take on more debt to recover from climate disasters they did little to cause.
“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.”
Fiji says more than US$16 billion has been committed to Pacific countries since the Paris Agreement but getting the money to communities remains a problem because of complex application and funding requirements.
Fiji’s government wants simpler processes, more grant funding and direct access for small island states.
Fiji is also pushing for the Pacific Resilience Facility to be fully funded. It has received pledges of just under US$200m against its US$500m target.
Tabuya says the region will continue to push for the Loss and Damage Fund to receive enough money and be accessible to vulnerable island nations.
The Pacific will also press for ocean issues to be included across the COP31 negotiations.
“The road to COP31 started in the Pacific. Fiji intends to see it delivered for the Pacific,” Tabuya said.
For Pacific leaders, she says the message going into Antalya is that climate action will be judged not only by what governments promise but by whether communities receive the support needed to protect their homes, oceans, food and economies….PACNEWS
PAC – WEATHER WATCH/ELNINO: WMO PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Western Pacific faces drier months as El Niño strengthens:WMO Pacific Regional Climate Centre Network
GENEVA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (WMO)— A strengthening El Niño is expected to bring drier weather to much of the north-west and south-west Pacific from November 2026 to January 2027, raising concerns about water supplies in countries already affected by low rainfall.
Below-normal rainfall is likely from Palau to the Marshall Islands and from central and southern Papua New Guinea to southern French Polynesia, according to the WMO Pacific Regional Climate Centre Network. Along the equator, a wetter season than usual is expected from Nauru to eastern Kiribati.
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga reported water shortages linked to persistently low rainfall between May and October. Higher temperatures could worsen drought in areas where El Niño typically brings less rain.
Probabilistic multi-model ensemble forecast map for precipitation issued October 2026, showing expected above-normal, near-normal, and below-normal levels for the South Pacific region.
There is a high chance that this El Niño will be the strongest recorded since 1950. It is expected to persist into the March to May 2027 period, and some countries are likely to feel its effects after the event ends.
Above-normal air temperatures are likely across most of the western and central tropical Pacific and from Papua New Guinea south-east to New Caledonia. Cooler-than-normal conditions are expected between Fiji and southern French Polynesia.
Strong to extreme marine heatwaves are forecast around eastern Kiribati. Coral reefs in central and eastern Kiribati are at risk of bleaching through February 2027.
Normal to above-normal tropical cyclone activity is expected in the south-west Pacific from November 2026 to April 2027. A more active season than usual is likely near and east of the International Date Line. Farther west, normal or below-normal activity is forecast, although severe cyclones are still possible.
The network issued the outlook on 23 October following the 19th Pacific Islands Climate and Ocean Forum (PICOF-19). The event also reviewed the impacts of extreme weather between May and October.
National weather services reported more than 57 deaths in disasters at sea in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. Tropical cyclones damaged homes and infrastructure in Micronesia, with nine deaths in Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Several western Pacific countries reported dengue outbreaks, while Vanuatu recorded more cases of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Lower sea levels were linked to fish deaths in the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands over the same period. …PACNEWS
NZ – ELECTION/POLITICS: AAP PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Parties thrash it out as NZ election reaches endgame
WELLINGTON/AUCKLAND, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (AAP)—New Zealand’s election race has entered the final 24 hours after a blustery debate typical of the tight and tense campaign.
On Thursday night, representatives of the top seven parties engaged in the final TVNZ debate before the November 7 election.
In a format including audience questions, Australia featured heavily, including how to lure Kiwi expats home, replicating Australia’s vape policy and avoiding its “failed” social media ban.
With one million viewers expected to have tuned in – or 25 percent of the electorate – it may have been the last chance for parties to convince a swathe of undecided voters.
Polls point to a race too close to call, with new party Opportunity shaping as holding the balance of power and deciding the outcome in post-election coalition negotiations.
To that end, Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong might have won the debate by attending and getting in front of a large audience.
Wong’s party welcomes comparisons to Australia’s teal movement, even using the same colour, and champions the same issues: integrity, climate and bipartisanship.
Several audience members asked questions about cross-party collaborations, and often the responses descended into cross-talk and acrimony.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis, deputising for National leader and Prime Minister Chris Luxon, was particularly combative, taking on Greens leader Chloe Swarbrick and Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke.
Willis became the lightning rod for government dissatisfaction, especially in constrained fiscal times, but did defend New Zealand’s economic position compared to Australia.
“Inflation in Australia is far higher than here (and) interest rates are higher, so getting a mortgage is more expensive,” she said.
“And as we look ahead, international economists say this little economy is going to be growing far faster than Australia’s, partly because of our sensible economic management.
“Look at what this country is: we are safe, we are secure, we have the best farmers, the best growers, the best rocket men, the best movie stats, the best movie designers.”
Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty was possibly the winner of the debate by talking the least.
He enjoyed stand-out moments with levity, including on a debate on New Zealand adopting nuclear power, when he admitted “the only thing I know about nuclear power is from watching The Simpsons”.
Another came when he admitting he didn’t read Of Mice And Men when assigned as a school textbook, only to luck into watching the film adaptation screening on TV3 the night before an exam.
“I was panicking. I turned the telly on, and the movie was starting, and I passed the exam,” he said.
Labour and National are neck-and-neck in the election race, both polling just under 30 percent, and both fall short of a majority when their likely coalition partners are factored in.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins will campaign in Wellington while most other leaders fight it out for votes in New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland.
Luxon will wrap up a week-long bus trip from the capital to the city of sails, arriving in his electorate of Botany on Friday night.
NZ First leader Winston Peters, who will vote in Ponsonby as he seeks a 14th term as an MP, offered a damning verdict on the campaign, which he believed was devoid of policy discussion.
“It’s the worst of my career, easily. It’s the worst I’ve ever seen,” he told Radio NZ.
“So much of this has not been about substance. It’s been about performative virtue signalling, holding events when there’s no political interest whatsoever,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLICE BILL: FIJI SUN/FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
New Police Act grants wider powers to Fiji Police
SUVA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN/FIJI TIMES) —-Fiji Parliament has passed the Fiji Police Bill 2026, replacing the 1965 Police Act and granting new powers to the Fiji Police Force.
“The nature of crime has fundamentally changed,” Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua told Parliament Thursday.
He said the old law was drafted before the emergence of cybercrime and transnational organised crime.
Under the new law, police can make arrests without a warrant on reasonable grounds. These include confirming a person’s name and address, preventing harm, protecting a child and allowing a prompt investigation.
Police can also obtain court orders requiring people to hand over phone passcodes. Refusing to comply carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said: “We support strong policing, but not policing without accountability.”
Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu backed the new Act but raised reservations, saying: “Public safety and civil liberty advance together, not at each other’s expense.”
Opposition MP Virendra Lal said he did not fully support the new Act.
“The real test is how it protects the innocent,” he said.
Former Justice Minister and Government MP Siromi Turaga has defended the Police Bill 2026, saying Fiji is facing growing law and order challenges and police officers need the necessary tools to deal with emerging threats.
Speaking in Parliament, Turaga said the country was at a crossroads, with reports of home invasions, phone hacking, drug-related incidents and unresolved murders.
“People at the homes have been attacked. Phones have been hacked. People coming in planes to what? To steal from the machines that are on the streets,” he said.
Turaga said Fiji was no longer the safe haven it used to be, pointing to what he described as more than 40 to 50 unresolved murders.
He questioned how police could be expected to solve such cases while facing criticism without being adequately equipped to carry out their duties.
“We criticise the police, but we don’t give them the tools. How do we expect the other side always stands up and complains about a small matter to the police?” he said.
Turaga also referred to a recent incident in Lau, where a man allegedly ran naked through a village after consuming a substance believed to be drugs.
He said the incident reflected the realities of the challenges communities were facing.
Turaga acknowledged the perseverance of the Minister for Policing Iowane Naivalurua in pursuing the legislation, saying the Bill addressed the current challenges facing the country.
The new law requires an independent forensic agency to be established within three years, allowing Parliament to consider amendments in the future.
The law will come into effect on a date to be announced by the Minister for Policing in the Gazette.
Under the new law:
*High Court judges must approve covert surveillance and tracking warrants.
*Courts can prevent people under investigation from leaving Fiji.
*Police staff can be drug-tested.
*Anyone can lodge anonymous complaints, and the Commissioner must respond within 30 days.
*People who are drunk can be held in a cell for up to 12 hours, with detention extendable by a further 12 hours.
*Police must establish community policing committees…. PACNEWS
JAPAN – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Japan seeks stronger ties with Samoa ahead of PALM11
APIA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Japan is seeking to strengthen its bilateral relations with Samoa ahead of the 11th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM11), scheduled to be held in Yokohama next year.
Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kazuhiro Fujii, made the commitment during a five-day visit to Samoa from 25 to 29 October, where he held talks with senior Government leaders on bilateral cooperation and development priorities.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt on 27 October, Fujii expressed Japan’s interest in further strengthening relations through PALM11 and a ministerial interim meeting to be held ahead of the leaders’ gathering.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa acknowledged Japan’s assistance to Samoa and expressed his expectations for further development of friendly relations between the two countries.
Fujii also met Health Minister Va’aaoao Salumalo Alofipo, who acknowledged Japan’s provision of medical equipment through its grant assistance programme.
Va’aaoao said the equipment would support better clinical decision-making, improve patient safety and strengthen healthcare service delivery.
The two officials also discussed the challenges posed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and measures being taken by both countries to address them.
On 28 October, Fujii held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, outlining Japan’s updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision and its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Mulipola expressed her commitment to working with Japan to advance relations based on mutual trust.
The two sides also exchanged views on Samoa’s domestic situation and opportunities for future cooperation.
Fujii’s visit comes ahead of PALM11, which will bring together Pacific leaders and Japan to discuss regional priorities and strengthen cooperation.
Japan’s engagement with Samoa forms part of its broader partnership with Pacific Island countries…. PACNEWS
FIJI – WEATHER WATCH/ELNINO: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Fiji Opposition MPs criticise PM’s response to food security concerns
SUVA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) —Fiji Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to apologise or step down following his comments on the possible impact of El Niño on Fiji’s food security.
This masthead asked Rabuka whether he was concerned about a possible food shortage and rising prices. He responded: “Are people dying? No. We can manage.”
Rabuka was referring to Fiji’s resilience in withstanding the effects of El Niño, based on the country’s past experiences.
However, Seruiratu described the remarks as “shameful, insensitive and unbecoming” of the Prime Minister’s office.
“Our people do not have to die before their suffering matters,” he said.
He said families in the Western and Northern divisions had gone days without a consistent water supply.
“The Prime Minister is a servant of the people, not their master,” he said.
Seruiratu called on the Government to strengthen emergency water distribution and provide the nation with a clear plan.
Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar said the Prime Minister’s response was dismissive and disrespectful.
“People deserve reassurance, preparedness and responsible leadership, not a sarcastic question in return,” she said.
Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj questioned whether the Government was waiting for someone to die before taking action.
Maharaj suggested the $20 million (US$10 million) set aside for the referendum be used to deliver water to affected communities and save livestock.
Opposition MP Ketan Lal said he had called for early action with the Water Authority of Fiji and the Minister for Public Works, but claimed his concerns had not been heeded.
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua wrote on her Facebook page:
“Will ‘people die’ if we don’t change the Constitution? If not, then it’s not urgent. Let’s focus on things that actually matter, please!”
Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry also suggested the referendum funds be used for relief. He urged Rabuka to visit drought-hit areas.
Rabuka told this masthead that emergency support work was already being carried out in affected areas…. PACNEWS
PAC – MEDIA: PASIFIKA TV PACNEWS 1: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Pacific documentary-makers receive a boost with Masterclass
AUCKLAND, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PASIFIKA TV)—Pacific documentary-making capability will be bolstered by the inaugural Pasifika On Air (POA) Focus on Documentary Producers Masterclass, set to be staged in Samoa, from 09 – 13 November 2026.
Six successful producers/production teams have been selected from 22 applicants to attend the Masterclass, led by Tikilounge Productions Executive Producer Papali’i Lisa Taouma, an established and accomplished Pacific documentary maker based in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Documentary Producers Masterclass takes place over an intensive five-day period, with the aim of strengthening Pacific documentary-making capability by providing practical development, production knowledge and funding opportunities for Pacific producers.
Papali’i will lead the participants through what makes indigenous storytelling unique and how it is vital to honour the communities and networks we live in, and to develop content with them.
Refining an idea into a structure, making the idea match the resource, understanding the audience being addressed – and speaking to it in a style and tone it will engage with, identifying who needs to see this story and what changes are needed after the documentary is seen will also be covered during the five days.
From the Masterclass, three projects will be chosen to move from concept idea to a finished broadcast-ready documentary.
Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL) Chief of Content (Acting) and General Manager of Pasifika on Air (POA) Nicole Rex Taofinu’u says she is pleased with the calibre of applications and is excited about this new addition to the POA suite of initiatives.
“With nine of the 22 applications received hailing from Samoa, the decision was made to host the inaugural Masterclass in Apia due to the high level of interest there,” Nicole says.
“However, there were also applications from the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji – all potential locations for the next Masterclass.
“This is an expansive time for Pasifika On Air and our Pacific media and content creators in the region, with our Focus on Film and now Focus on Documentary Masterclasses, led by top Pacific media professionals,” Nicole says.
“I am excited to see what evolves from the Masterclass, content which will then be made available on our digital streaming service…it most certainly is a time of transformation and growth.”
Congratulations to the six successful applicants selected to take part in the Focus on Documentary Masterclass:
*Sleeping Giant Films
*Fine Mat Creative
*Ava Mua Productions
*Pasefika Presence
*Tihati Devoe/ Samoa Video Pro
*Samoa Broadcasting Corporation Ltd... PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – IGUANA TRADE: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Fiji win CITES support in fight over iguana trade
GENEVA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji has secured broad international support for its objection to a proposed commercial breeding operation in Canada involving two endangered iguana species native to Fiji, forcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to defer a decision until next year.
The CITES Standing Committee, at its 81st meeting in Geneva from 02 to 6 November, did not accept Canada’s proposed registration and agreed to reconsider the application at its 82nd meeting (SC82).
Canada also agreed to continue discussions with Fiji, while the Committee approved an investigation into imports of Fijian iguanas into India.
New Zealand, Brazil, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Kenya supported Fiji’s objection, while four Parties backed the proposed registration.
Fiji is opposing the registration because documentation submitted so far does not establish the lawful origin of the original breeding stock for the Central Fijian banded iguana (*Brachylophus bulabula*) and Fiji banded iguana (*Brachylophus fasciatus*), both listed under CITES Appendix I.
“This is a good outcome for Fiji and for the credibility of CITES. Support from Parties across Africa, the Americas and Oceania reflects a shared view that the lawful origin of founding stock must be established before any commercial breeding operation is registered,” said Dr Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change and Chair of Fiji’s CITES Management Authority.
He acknowledged Fiji’s Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, Keleni Seruvatu, for presenting the country’s case and thanked the Parties that supported its position.
Fiji maintains it has no record of authorising live exports of the two species to Europe or the international pet trade since their listing under Appendix I in 1981.
While the immediate parental stock was reportedly imported into Canada from breeding operations in Austria and the United Kingdom, Fiji says this does not establish the lawful origin of the original founder animals.
“Breeding in captivity, over however many generations, does not make an unlawful origin lawful,” the Government said.
Dr Michael said Fiji could not support a registration process that left serious questions about the legal origin of the founding stock unresolved.
“The underlying concern is that registration without resolving the provenance questions could create the first legal commercial pathway for these Appendix-I species and increase the risk that specimens originating from unlawful collection could be presented in trade as captive-bred,” he said.
“Fiji makes no allegation of wrongdoing against the Canadian operator. What remains unresolved is the origin of the founder stock, and that must be settled before any registration is accepted.”
Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tonga had jointly objected to the proposed registration in support of Fiji, while the United States lodged a separate objection.
The CITES Secretariat referred the objections from Fiji and the United States to the CITES Animals Committee for review in October 2025.
Fiji has welcomed Canada’s agreement to continue dialogue ahead of SC82, including possible genetic analysis, but insists the questions surrounding the origin of the breeding stock must be resolved before registration.
The country also secured agreement for an investigation into the international trade of Fijian iguanas imported into India under a separate CITES agenda item.
CITES Trade Database records show at least 100 Fijian iguanas of three species were imported into India from Austria. These included 70 Fiji crested iguanas (*Brachylophus vitiensis*), 22 Fiji banded iguanas and eight Central Fijian banded iguanas.
The Fiji crested iguana, which is endemic to Fiji and classified as Critically Endangered, has only been legally exported from Fiji to bona fide zoos and never for the pet trade.
Fiji said the species first appeared in international trade from Mali, with no record of any lawful import.
In June 2025, the CITES Secretariat issued Notification to the Parties No. 2025/081 at Fiji’s request, advising countries not to issue permits for the species without first consulting Fiji’s CITES Management Authority.
Fiji asked the Standing Committee to include the Indian imports, and any subsequent trade involving the three species, in the unresolved cases already under investigation.
The Committee agreed.
Fiji says the outcome reinforces the need for strict verification of the legal origin and traceability of endangered wildlife before commercial breeding operations or international trade permits are approved.
The Government maintains that conservation safeguards must prevent illegally sourced wild specimens from entering international markets under the label of captive-bred animals….PACNEWS
VAN – AGRICULTURE: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Vanuatu PM backs Youth – led commercial farming model
PORT VILA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has backed a new partnership model aimed at turning customary land into commercial farming enterprises, with 21 young farmers taking part in a pilot project at Teouma, Efate.
Napat visited the Teouma Model Farm on Wednesday, where the Government is testing a three-way partnership between young farmers, landowners and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity (MALFFB).
Under the arrangement, young farmers provide the labour, the Government supplies machinery, planting materials and technical support, while customary landowners provide access to land.
The pilot project has converted land previously used for livestock into a commercial vegetable farm that will also serve as a practical training centre for young Ni-Vanuatu farmers.
The farmers are receiving training from backyard gardening specialist Gordon Haines of Ta Vai Peri-Urban Backyard, focusing on high-value, short-term crops including bok choy, lettuce, beans, corn, cucumbers and other vegetables.
Revenue from the sale of produce will be shared, with 65 percent going to the farmers, 20 percent to landowners and 15 percent to the Government for reinvestment in the model.
Napat commended the Agriculture Ministry for moving beyond policy development to practical action that creates opportunities for young people.
“I want to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for turning discussions and policies into practical action on the ground. It is not enough to be just sitting behind a computer and designing an Agriculture policy. Everyone can make a real difference when we take action on the ground like this,” Napat said.
He said empowering young farmers was central to the Government’s priorities of improving food security, reducing reliance on imported food and creating employment opportunities for young people.
The project was showcased to regional delegates, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representatives and development partners attending the Regional Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conference hosted by Vanuatu this week.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the model could be expanded to other parts of the country if the pilot project proves successful.
The initiative aims to increase local food production while giving young people practical farming skills, access to land and a pathway into commercial agriculture…..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
COP31, explained: What’s at stake at the climate talks
ANTALYA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL) —In just a few days, the United Nations climate summit, known as COP31, will take place in Türkiye. Nearly 200 countries are expected to attend, with Australia leading the negotiations and a particular focus on Pacific island nations already seeing the impact of rising seas.
On the eve of the summit, Conservation International experts see both challenge and promise. The world is currently entering a dangerous new era of warming, with record temperatures and erratic weather beginning to impact daily life all over the globe. Yet, a year after the “Amazon COP” in Brazil, there is growing evidence that climate action is working — it just needs to move much faster and at a meaningful scale. Here’s what you need to know.
Why this COP matters: the world is heading past 1.5 degrees
In 2015, countries agreed under the Paris Agreement to pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Last month, a UN report found that overshooting that limit is now unavoidable — a clear sign that global action continues to lag behind promises. As current policies stand, the planet is headed for about 2.6 degrees of warming by the end of the century.
The question now is how far past 1.5 degrees we overshoot — and how quickly we can come back down. Every fraction of a degree brings more extreme heat, stronger storms and higher seas. And the longer temperatures stay above 1.5, the greater the risk of crossing tipping points: like the irreversible melting of Antarctic ice sheets and the transformation of the Amazon rainforest into dry savanna, that could set off a self-perpetuating cycle of environmental collapse.
To keep 1.5 degrees within reach, scientists say global emissions need to fall by about 43 percent from 2019 levels by 2030. That deadline still matters: The more emissions fall by then — and the more carbon nature pulls out of the atmosphere — the smaller the overshoot, and the sooner temperatures come back down.
The good news: nature can help
That 2.6-degree outlook is alarming, but it is half a degree or more lower than earlier projections — because countries have taken action. It isn’t enough, but the long-term trend is moving in the right direction, said Kiryssa Kasprzyk Bickford, climate policy expert at Conservation International.
Every fraction of a degree matters. The world we live in today still has some coral reefs, highly biodiverse forests and Arctic sea ice. A world warmed by 2 degrees or more world most likely would not.
“We don’t need to radically change course,” Kasprzyk Bickford said. “We know what works and what we need to do. We just need to get there faster and at scale.”
Nature is a big part of the solution. Protecting and restoring forests, mangroves, wetlands and peatlands can deliver more than a third of the climate solutions the world needs — yet just 3 percent of climate funding goes directly to protecting nature.
To close that gap, investment in nature-based solutions must grow more than two and a half times by 2030, to about US$ 571 billion, said Patricia Zurita, Conservation International’s executive director.
Brazil shows what’s possible when governments commit to protecting nature. Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by more than 40 percent this year, to its lowest level since satellite monitoring began in 1988.
Now Brazil is working to make that success global. Over the past year, as COP president, it has led the development of voluntary roadmaps outside of the formal negotiations, bringing together willing governments, businesses and communities. One of the roadmaps lays out how to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, turning a global pledge into concrete steps.
What’s at stake for oceans and island nations
With the Pacific in the spotlight of this COP, oceans are one of the biggest issues to watch. Negotiators may reach a political decision to reinforce the ocean’s role in preventing runaway climate change. Conservation International is advocating for that decision to spotlight the role of coastal and marine ecosystems — mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes — as solutions for both cutting emissions and helping communities adapt to climate disruption. These ecosystems store massive amounts of carbon, while also protecting coastlines from storms, sustaining fisheries and supporting the communities that depend on them.
But funding hasn’t caught up. Ocean ecosystems receive even less climate finance than forests and other land ecosystems. Small island nations, which contribute least to climate change, need far more support to adapt and respond to impacts already underway.
Island communities face rising seas, stronger storms, flooding and erosion, and they will feel those impacts long before emissions cuts take effect, Zurita said. Nature is the essential infrastructure they need: mangroves and seagrasses which pair natural defences with traditional infrastructure, known as green-gray infrastructure, can blunt waves and storm surge while protecting homes and wildlife.
Ocean ecosystems receive even less climate finance than forests and other land ecosystems.
Conservation International is calling for better access to climate finance for islands, relief from growing debt burdens, and more funding for adaptation and loss and damage — and that money needs to reach local communities and Indigenous Peoples quickly.
“Because we aren’t moving fast enough, vulnerable communities will face more severe impacts than we expected 10 or 15 years ago,” said Florence Laloe, climate policy lead at Conservation International. “Helping them adapt and respond can’t wait.”
The takeaway
COP31 is about speed. Every fraction of a degree avoided lessens the impacts of an unstable climate, and every year of delay brings tipping points closer. The path forward is clear: protect nature, phase out fossil fuels and get finance to the people on the front lines. Many of those people are already leading the way. Indigenous and Afro-descendant Peoples and local communities know these lands and waters best, and their knowledge and stewardship are essential to any solution that lasts.
“The task is complex, but the direction is clear. “Let nature work for the climate, and people will benefit,” said Zurita said …. 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 Island countries exchange knowledge to enhance marine spatial planning
NADI, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (SPREP)—Pacific Island countries are facing common challenges in advancing Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), including gaps in data availability, technical capacity, coordination and stakeholder engagement, prompting calls for stronger regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
More than 90 participants from 14 Pacific Island countries are meeting in Nadi from 02 to 06 November for the Regional Marine Spatial Planning Learning and Knowledge Exchange Workshop to share national experiences, discuss implementation challenges and identify practical ways to strengthen marine spatial planning across the region.
In his opening remarks,Jope Davetanivalu, Director of SPREP’s Environmental Governance Programme, said Pacific countries held valuable knowledge and experience that could help advance marine spatial planning throughout the region.
“You, our national practitioners, leaders, and community voices, are the true knowledge holders,” he said.
He described Marine Spatial Planning as more than policies, governance or maps, saying it was a collective approach to balancing environmental protection with economic prosperity while sustaining communities, safeguarding biodiversity and building resilience to climate change.
“Our ocean does not stop at national borders, and neither should our collective wisdom,” he said.
Davetanivalu acknowledged the collaboration and financial assistance of the Governments of New Zealand and the United States, which helped make the regional gathering possible.
The workshop builds on regional investments supporting the development of MSP across the Pacific, including the Climate and Biodiversity-Smart Marine Spatial Planning (CaB-Smart MSP) Programme, funded by New Zealand through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and the Marine Spatial Planning for a Blue Pacific Economy initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of State.
These initiatives have supported countries to strengthen ocean governance, improve planning processes and advance their national MSP prioritiesAcross the Pacific, countries are progressing with MSP at different rates and through their own governance, policy and institutional arrangements. As national initiatives develop, countries have identified common needs for stronger coordination, improved access to data, technical capacity, implementation support and meaningful engagement with communities and stakeholders.
In response to these shared challenges, the five-day workshop is designed around country-led discussions and peer-to-peer learning rather than traditional presentation-based sessions.
More than 90 participants from 14 Pacific Island countries gather in Nadi, Fiji, for the Regional Marine Spatial Planning
Learning and Knowledge Exchange Workshop.
Co-organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Pacific Community (SPC), the workshop places national practitioners at the centre of discussions, with regional organisations, technical experts and development partners participating primarily as facilitators, advisers and resource people.
Participants are sharing their national MSP journeys, identifying achievements and challenges, and exchanging lessons that other countries may be able to adapt to their own circumstances.
For Kiribati, marine spatial planning is helping bring communities, government and ocean users together to guide the sustainable use and conservation of the country’s ocean resources.
“For Kiribati, marine spatial planning brings communities, government and ocean users together to guide how we sustainably use and conserve our ocean. Through this work, we are strengthening coordination across sectors, promoting inclusive participation and supporting informed decisions that balance different ocean uses. Central to our approach is recognizing, respecting and strengthening our cultural and traditional governance structures and protocols to safeguard the connections between our people and the ocean,” said Mr Kaiea Awira, National CaB-Smart MSP Coordinator, Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources.
“We also bring traditional knowledge and scientific evidence together to inform ocean management. I am pleased to share my national experience this week as we work towards a healthy, resilient and productive ocean that sustains I-Kiribati livelihoods and prosperity for generations to come.”
The programme also includes scenario-based problem-solving on data and evidence for MSP decision-making, national ocean planning and cross-sector coordination, protected-area trade-offs, and regional collaboration among countries and technical partners.
Technical showcases and targeted discussions provide opportunities to examine practical tools and approaches, while technical clinics address challenges involving spatial information, policy and legislation, stakeholder engagement, traditional knowledge and implementation support.
“Pacific countries are at different stages of their marine spatial planning journeys, but they face many shared opportunities and challenges. By bringing countries together to exchange lessons, discuss what works in practice and learn from one another’s experiences, we can accelerate progress while supporting nationally led MSP across the region,” said Ms Sally Bailey, Marine Spatial Planning Coordinator, SPC.
Lucy Jacob, Senior Adviser at Pacific Oceans and Fisheries, stated, “Marine spatial planning is a complex process that depends on the active and inclusive participation of all ocean users. Every Pacific country is approaching it in its own way, and New Zealand is pleased to support partners in ways that reflect their unique needs and circumstances.
This week provides a valuable opportunity for countries from across the region to share challenges, exchange solutions, and strengthen the partnerships that will help advance marine spatial planning in the Pacific.”
The workshop aims to translate shared experiences into practical national priorities and opportunities for regional collaboration. Participants will identify realistic next steps for their countries, connections they can pursue with other practitioners and partners, and areas where further technical, financial or partnership support is needed.
The discussions are also expected to strengthen relationships between national practitioners and regional partners, providing opportunities for continued peer learning and knowledge exchange beyond the workshop.
By placing Pacific countries’ experiences, knowledge and priorities at the centre of marine planning discussions, the gathering seeks to strengthen national MSP implementation and support a more coordinated approach to managing the region’s shared ocean resources and advancing a sustainable Blue Pacific Economy.
The Regional Marine Spatial Planning Learning and Knowledge Exchange Workshop was possible through the generous support of the Climate and Biodiversity Marine Spatial Planning (CaB-Smart MSP) Programme funded by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the MSP for a Blue Pacific Economy, funded by the U.S Department of State. It was jointly implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Pacific Community….PACNEWS
