In this bulletin:
1. COMMONWEALTH — US$118 billion spent to roll back women’s rights, Commonwealth report warns
2. PACIFIC — El Nino exposes urgent need for climate resilient development: World Bank
3. PACIFIC — Pacific climate communicators gather in Rarotonga to strengthen early warnings
4. USA — Fiefia makes Tongan American history in Utah
5. FIJI — Fake overseas job offers leave Fijians trapped in exploitative conditions: Foreign Minister Ditoka
6. AUST — Kicking out criminals easier under new Australian migration powers
7. PACNEWS BIZ — ADB approves $11.7 million for Marshall Islands as Middle East conflict raises costs
8. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG Government remove fuel subsidy
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Women powering change in Pacific energy sector
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Trade must create jobs, says UNDP chief
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — Strengthening accountability in PNG through integrity and anti-corruption training
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Commonwealth leaders endorse action plan to advance disability rights for 450 million people
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — COP31: Governments must deliver on climate justice as global crises deepen
COMMONWEALTH – WOMEN RIGHTS: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Fri 06 Nov 2026
US$118 billion spent to roll back women’s rights, Commonwealth report warns
By Pita Ligaiula
ST JOHN’S, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — An estimated US$1.18 billion was spent globally between 2019 and 2023 on organised efforts to oppose women’s rights, gender equality and inclusion, raising concerns over growing threats to women’s safety, economic opportunities and political participation, a new Commonwealth report has found.
The report, ‘The Pushback against Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Commonwealth: Dynamics and Implications’, warns that increasingly organised and well-funded opposition is undermining decades of progress in women’s rights across Commonwealth countries.
Launched at the Commonwealth Women’s Forum in Antigua and Barbuda on 4 November, on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the report examines how opposition groups are influencing government policies, political decisions and public opinion.
It cites a 2025 study by the UN Research Institute for Social Development and UN Women which found that nearly a quarter of governments worldwide had reported an increase in coordinated opposition to gender equality.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said progress on women’s rights could not be taken for granted.
“The report reminds us that progress on gender equality is never guaranteed. It can be won and it can be lost.
“Organised efforts are raising the barriers women and girls already face, putting their rights, safety and opportunities further out of reach. We know that when women and girls are pushed back, everyone loses. Families lose incomes. Communities are less able to withstand climate shocks. Democracies lose voices and trust,” Botchwey said.
She said governments must act to prevent further erosion of women’s rights and protect the gains already made.
“We cannot stand by and watch that happen. This report shows us where progress is being lost and what we must do to protect it. We must turn back the rising tide of discrimination and exclusion and build a future where every woman and girl can exercise her rights, live safely and fulfil her potential,” Botchwey said.
The report identifies five areas where opposition is affecting gender equality across the Commonwealth: women’s leadership, economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, gender and climate change, and accountability for gender equality.
It warns that women in leadership, particularly female parliamentarians, face increasing sexism, harassment and violence, including online abuse.
It also points to reduced funding for national institutions responsible for advancing women’s rights, limiting their ability to support gender equality programmes.
In the economic sector, the report says traditional expectations that women carry most unpaid domestic and care responsibilities continue to restrict their participation in the workforce.
It also highlights technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, inadequate legal protections, cuts to survivor support services and the continued problem of child marriage in remote communities.
The report raises concern over growing resistance to recognising the gendered impacts of climate change and declining political commitment to collecting data needed to measure progress on women’s rights.
It warns that failure to address these challenges will have consequences beyond gender equality, affecting economic growth, democratic governance, community stability and climate resilience.
To reverse the trend, the Commonwealth report calls on governments to strengthen laws protecting women and girls, including legislation addressing online violence and holding perpetrators accountable.
It recommends increased investment in girls’ secondary education, digital literacy and artificial intelligence skills to expand women’s access to employment and entrepreneurship.
Governments are also urged to improve access to childcare, strengthen workplace protections against discrimination and violence, and remove barriers preventing women from participating fully in the economy.
On climate change, the report calls for gender analysis to be integrated into national climate strategies, with women given a stronger role in decision-making and access to dedicated climate finance.
It also urges governments to provide sustainable funding for national gender equality institutions and strengthen the collection of reliable, comparable and gender-disaggregated data.
The report further calls for greater regional and Commonwealth cooperation to share evidence-based approaches and successful programmes.
It says protecting women’s rights and participation is essential not only to achieving gender equality but also to strengthening economic development, democratic institutions and the Commonwealth’s resilience…. PACNEWS
PAC – WEATHER WATCH/ELNINO: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Fri 06 Nov 2026
El Nino exposes urgent need for climate resilient development: World Bank
WASHINGTON, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS) — The current El Niño is highlighting the vulnerability of economies to climate shocks, with droughts and extreme rainfall threatening food production, energy supplies, infrastructure and livelihoods, the World Bank says.
The Bank says countries must invest in climate resilience as part of their development strategies to protect livelihoods, create jobs and sustain economic growth.
In a new assessment of lessons from its Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs), the World Bank says climate shocks can quickly become major development challenges, with impacts varying across countries and regions.
“Drought can wither crops and drain the reservoirs that power homes and factories. Heavy rainfall can wash away schools, roads, and other infrastructure,” the Bank said.
The CCDR programme now covers 100 economies, following the addition of São Tomé and Príncipe, providing countries with roadmaps for resilient, low-carbon growth aligned with national development priorities.
The reports examine how climate action can support wider development objectives, including employment, energy security, infrastructure, healthcare and economic stability.
The World Bank identified four key lessons from the programme, alongside two priorities for future climate and development planning.
The first is to ensure climate investments respond to national development priorities, including reliable energy, better infrastructure, cleaner air, employment and economic resilience.
It cited Fiji as an example, saying renewable energy and energy efficiency investments could reduce the country’s dependence on expensive imported fuels.
Other examples include off-grid solar power in Niger, low-carbon manufacturing in Morocco and flood management in Thailand to protect its position in global manufacturing supply chains.
The Bank also stressed the need to prepare workers and businesses for changing labour markets as climate change, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and migration reshape employment opportunities.
In Tajikistan, an estimated 65,000 temporary workers will be needed for rooftop solar installations, creating a need for reskilling and training as demand changes.
In Brazil, 88 percent of formal job transitions occur within the same state, highlighting the importance of regional development strategies to support workers in areas with high concentrations of vulnerable jobs.
Another key lesson is the need to link climate investment decisions with national economic policies, including energy, transport, agriculture and water management.
The Bank said climate priorities must be integrated into government planning, budgeting and financial decision-making rather than remaining within individual ministries.
It cited Côte d’Ivoire, where the Council of Ministers endorsed its CCDR as a government-owned document and tasked the Prime Minister’s office with taking forward its recommendations.
The reports are also helping translate climate priorities into funded projects, with 42 percent of identified opportunities currently being addressed through World Bank Group financing.
The Bank said successful implementation depended on selecting projects based on their development benefits, feasibility and urgency, with strong national leadership.
It highligted the expansion of solar power in Pakistan and electric mobility in Nepal as examples of initiatives that advanced because they aligned with national priorities.
Looking ahead, the World Bank identified greater private-sector involvement and recognition of natural assets as two priorities for future climate assessments.
It said businesses and financial institutions could help identify investment barriers, improve project design and mobilise private finance for climate-related development.
The Bank also plans to strengthen the integration of natural capital, ecosystem services and nature-related financial risks into economic planning.
Reports covering Cambodia, Peru, Ethiopia and Fiji demonstrate how natural resources support employment, economic growth and resilience.
The World Bank said its approach would continue to be guided by national demand, with the institution providing development expertise, financing and partnerships to help countries turn climate priorities into practical investments.
The Bank said climate-smart development must deliver economic benefits while protecting communities and infrastructure from increasingly severe climate shocks…. PACNEWS
PAC – EARLY WARNING: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 2: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Pacific climate communicators gather in Rarotonga to strengthen early warnings
RAROTONGA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Meteorological services and media representatives from Fiji, the Cook Islands, Tuvalu and Tonga are meeting in Rarotonga for five days of training to improve how climate information reaches communities and supports decisions across the Pacific.
The Polynesian Sub Regional Knowledge Brokers in Climate Services Training brings together national meteorological and hydrological services, regional and national media, development partners and invited colleagues.
Its central challenge, speakers said, is turning accurate, timely forecasts and climate information into knowledge people can use.
“Accurate and timely climate information is essential, but the true value of this information lies in how effectively it is communicated and used,” said Sunny Seuseu, climate prediction services coordinator at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Pacific island nations face growing challenges from climate variability, tropical cyclones, droughts, marine heatwaves and other extreme weather events, Seuseu said.
He urged participants to strengthen links between meteorological services and the people and sectors that rely on climate information.
“As media or professionals, we are not only providers of data and forecasts; we are bridges between science and the community, governments, and sectors that rely on this information to make informed decisions,” he said.
The training is intended to help participants share experiences, challenge ideas and build partnerships, with lessons carried back to their services and applied across Polynesia and the wider Pacific.
Seuseu said stronger climate services and early warning systems could help make the region safer and more resilient.
“Every warning issued, every climate outlook shared and every relationship built with our stakeholders has the potential to protect lives, support livelihoods, and strengthen the resilience of our communities,” he said.
Maara Vaiimene, director of the Cook Islands Meteorological Service, welcomed participants on behalf of the service and the Cook Islands government.
He thanked SPREP, the European Union, facilitators, organisers and participants for their commitment and partnership.
“The knowledge gained here should not remain within this room,” Vaiimene said.
“It should be taken home, applied in our services, and translated into real benefits for the people we serve across Polynesia and the Pacific.”
Vaiimene officially opened the training, calling for work as “one Pacific family” to ensure no community is left behind as the climate changes…. PACNEWS
USA – MIDTERM ELECTIONS: KANIVA TONGA NEWS/IB PACNEWS 2: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Fiefia makes Tongan-American history in Utah
UTAH, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (KANIVA TONGA NEWS/IB) — Tongan – American Republican Doug Fiefia is set to make history in Utah after securing victory in the state’s Senate District 18 election.
Fiefia emerged victorious in the 03 November election, following a campaign that saw him defeat incumbent Senator Dan McCay in the June primary before contesting the seat in the general election.
He is the first person of Tongan-American heritage to serve in Utah’s State Senate.
Following the result, Fiefia took to Facebook to recognise the voters and volunteers who supported his campaign, describing the win as a collective achievement.
He acknowledged supporters who contributed their time through door-to-door campaigning, telephone calls, displaying campaign signs and encouraging others to vote for him.
Fiefia also recognised the support of his wife, Jocelyn, and their children, saying their sacrifices had been an important part of the campaign.
With the election behind him, Fiefia said his attention would now turn to serving the people of Senate District 18.
He pledged to focus on family safety, economic strength and ensuring opportunities for Utah residents.
“The campaign is over. Now the work begins. Let’s go,” he said.
Preliminary figures published by The Salt Lake Tribune showed Fiefia securing 11,542 votes, representing approximately 55 percent of the vote.
His opponent, Anderson, received 9266 votes, or 45 percent, leaving Fiefia with a margin of 2276 votes.
The results were preliminary and remained subject to official certification…. PACNEWS
FIJI – FAKE OVERSEAS JOB OFFERS/DIPLOMACY: MAI TV PACNEWS 2: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Fake overseas job offers leave Fijians trapped ine xploitative conditions: Foreign Minister Ditoka
SUVA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (MAI TV) — Fijians seeking better opportunities overseas are increasingly falling victim to false job promises, and often end up trapped in exploitative working conditions, denied wages and unable to return home, prompting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to step in to secure their release and repatriation.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Sakiasi Ditoka told Parliament that Fiji was dealing with a growing number of cases involving nationals exploited by overseas recruiters and employers, with some workers having their passports withheld and being prevented from leaving.
Ditoka said the Ministry and Fiji’s diplomatic missions were often the only source of assistance for Fijians caught in difficult circumstances abroad, including armed conflicts, natural disasters, serious illness, detention and loss of travel documents.
In 2026, the Ministry worked on repatriation plans for Fijian nationals living in Israel and the Gulf region amid escalating Iranian missile attacks on countries viewed as close allies of the United States.
He said consular assistance also continued for Fijians stranded or detained overseas, families seeking reunification and the repatriation of bodies of nationals who died while on official engagements abroad.
Ditoka said each case involved considerable diplomatic work, including locating individuals, verifying their identities, issuing emergency travel documents, negotiating with foreign authorities and arranging safe passage.
In some cases, the Ministry had to secure the release of Fijians from employers who were unwilling to let them leave.
He said he would not disclose individual cases in Parliament out of respect for families’ privacy and because some matters remained sensitive and ongoing.
However, he assured Parliament that every case was pursued through the diplomatic channels available to Fiji.
Ditoka acknowledged that Fiji’s capacity to assist was limited by its 12 diplomatic missions abroad, leaving many nationals in countries where Fiji had no direct diplomatic representation.
In those situations, Fiji relied on honorary consuls and partner governments, particularly Australia and New Zealand, while also strengthening cooperation with other Pacific Island countries to provide assistance across the region.
He urged Fijians considering overseas employment to verify job offers through the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations before travelling.
He warned jobseekers to be wary of recruiters demanding fees, employers who retain passports and promises of wages that appear too good to be true.
Ditoka also encouraged workers to keep their families informed of their whereabouts while overseas.
For families whose loved ones were experiencing difficulties abroad, he urged them to contact the Ministry early through its Executive Support Division, which coordinates with embassies to arrange urgent consular assistance.
“The sooner we know, the more we can do,” Ditoka said…. PACNEWS
AUST – IMMIGRATION LAWS: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Kicking out criminals easier under new Australian migration powers
CANBERRA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Immigrants who “might” do harm in Australia will be deported or barred entry more easily under beefed-up ministerial powers.
Behaviour threatening community safety, social cohesion, respect for the law and human rights will be grounds for removal, but there’s now no need for an offence to be proven or for a criminal conviction.
It’s part of a raft of changes to Australia’s visa character test that quietly entered force on October 31 through a ministerial direction.
How long a migrant has been in Australia, whether they have children, their community contribution and social ties have sunk to a secondary concern in assessing whether to revoke a visa.
“Might” has also replaced “would” in instructions for decision-makers judging foreigners’ potential to do harm.
Engagement with hate groups, hate crimes, anti-Semitism, support for terrorism and racist attitudes have entered the character test to align with laws passed following December’s Bondi massacre.
Family violence is also now considered much more seriously, including image-based and digital abuse.
“The inherent nature of certain conduct such as domestic or family violence … is so serious that even strong countervailing considerations may be insufficient to justify not cancelling,” the direction reads.
It’s part of the long-term fallout from a 2023 High Court decision that found it was unconstitutional to detain immigrants without reasonable hope of sending them to another country.
That ruling, known as NZYQ, led to the release of more than 200 people from immigration detention, many of whom had criminal records.
Amid outcry from the community over safety concerns, Canberra brokered a deal to offload the so-called NZYQ cohort to the Pacific nation of Naoero in February 2025.
It was that agreement which necessitated Saturday’s visa rule change, according to Immigration Minister Tony Burke.
“Ministerial directions always need to be updated,” he said in a statement.
“The previous direction was written prior to when the new arrangement with Naoero had been achieved and there were new interpretations which were not consistent with my view.”
Labor is determined to tame migration amid debate on the issue, souring public attitudes and pressure from anti-immigration One Nation.
It tightened the screws on secondary visas for foreign students, debuted a ballot for backpackers and detention for visa overstayers in September to bring migration-driven population growth from nearly 300,000 a year to a long-term target of 225,000.
The coalition wants that figure to fall to 100,000 for four years after being elected, then settle at 160,000, while One Nation’s policy has migration going temporarily negative before being capped at 130,000 a year.
Making the Australian values test a condition of visa approval became opposition policy in April, when they also advocated scouring migrants’ social media and ending welfare payments to non-citizens…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
MARSH – GRANT: ADB PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 06 Nov 2026
ADB approves $11.7 million for Marshall Islands as Middle East conflict raises costs
MANILA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (ADB) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an US$11.7 million grant for the Marshall Islands, including US$6.7 million in additional funding to help the government respond to rising fuel and food costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The grant will also support reforms to improve tax collection, government spending, and essential public services.
“Across the Marshall Islands, imported fuel keeps the lights on and boats moving between communities,” said ADB President Masato Kanda.
“When its price rises, households and public services pay the cost. This grant will help the government meet that challenge while giving it greater control over its financial future.”
The Marshall Islands declared a state of economic emergency in March 2026 and adopted a fuel crisis response plan in April.
The additional US$6.7 million, provided under ADB’s broader response to the economic effects of the Middle East conflict, will help meet the government’s increased financing needs. The country depends heavily on imported fuel for electricity and transport, making it particularly vulnerable to disruptions in global energy supplies.
The grant supports the first phase of the government’s Public Sector Reform Programme, which aims to help the Marshall Islands raise more of its own revenue and make better use of public funds.
The reforms are particularly important for a country with more than 1,000 islands spread across 750,000 square miles of ocean, where providing basic services is costly and difficult.
The programme supports major changes to the tax system. Parliament has approved legislation to replace cascading sales taxes with a VAT-like tax on consumption and a tax on business profits. Changes to income taxes, accompanied by planned annual increases in the minimum wage, aim to make the system fairer.
The government has also begun moving customs processing online to make importing goods easier and faster, with a goal of cutting customs clearance times in half by 2028.
Other reforms will help the government plan its spending more carefully, improve competition for public contracts, and hold government-owned companies accountable for the money they receive. New performance agreements will set clearer requirements for companies providing services such as electricity, water, and transport. The program aims to reduce government subsidies and transfers to these companies from an average of 6.2 percent of gross domestic product in 2020–2024 to 3 percent by 2028…. PACNEWS
PAC- FUEL SUBSIDY: NBC NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 06 Nov 2026
PNG Government remove fuel subsidy
PORT MORESBY, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (NBC NEWS) — The Papua New Guinea government’s K1billion (US$221 million) fuel subsidy package is now fully exhausted and will be completely removed on Sunday 08 November.
This was announced by the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) in a public notice in Port Moresby.
This will see price increase of petrol, diesel and kerosene.
Consumers, service providers and businesses will dig deeper into their pockets, as fuel costs increases for the month of November.
This follows the announcement by ICCC, that the National Government will remove the fuel relief subsidy and will come into effect this Sunday 8th, November.
The 1billion kina fuel assistance came into effect in April 2026, which the government supported fuel prices through two measures: a direct fuel subsidy to help keep retail pump prices lower; and an exemption from Goods and Services Tax or GST.
In a public Notice, ICCC says the fuel subsidy is now used up and will be removed, in accordance with National Executive Council (NEC) Decision No. 225/2026. However, Government’s exemption from Goods and Services Tax will remain until 31 December 2026.
ICCC explains the change to the subsidy arrangement is a fiscal policy decision made by the Department of Treasury as part of the Government’s management and reprioritisation of public expenditure. ICCC does not determine government tax or subsidy policies.
The consumer watchdog says international fuel prices have increased, while the removal of the subsidy and the weakening Kina against the US dollar will add further pressure on pump prices that sees increase fuel prices for this month.
ICCC added this is the ripple effect of the ongoing middle east war and also government has reprioritised its spending due to conflicting priorities, especially the El Niño assistance.
Meantime, ICCC will review regulated PMV and taxi fares in December 2026 to determine whether any adjustments are needed.
However, the expected rise in fuel prices from 08 November will not automatically increase transport fares, as any changes must go through a separate regulatory process…. PACNEWS
COOKS – ENERGY SECTOR: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Women powering change in Pacific energy sector
NADI, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Women are making steady progress in breaking barriers in the Pacific energy sector, with a World Bank initiative helping utilities increase female representation in technical and leadership roles.
World Bank senior social development specialist and Women in Power initiative task team leader Helle Buchhave said the programme was creating opportunities for women to enter, remain and advance in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Speaking at the Pacific Power Association’s 33rd Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition at the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi, Buchhave said women continued to be underrepresented in technical positions across Pacific utilities.
She said women accounted for less than seven percent of technical positions across the sector, highlighting the need to tap into the region’s wider pool of talent.
The initiative, known as Pacific Women Empowered Trailblazers, is working with utilities in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
“We are working intensively with them to introduce different interventions that global evidence shows can promote women in technical positions,” Buchhave said.
The programme focuses on improving recruitment and retention practices while encouraging young girls and boys to consider careers in the energy industry.
One approach involves taking male and female engineers into primary schools to share their experiences and explain the importance of working in the energy sector and contributing to national development.
“It is important to get children and young students excited about working in the sector, knowing that this is no longer a place only for strong men, but also for smart girls and boys,” she said.
Buchhave said six utilities had reported a combined 139 women in technical positions this year, up from 110 previously.
She said the increase reflected growing commitment among utilities to build more inclusive workplaces.
She credited the Pacific Power Association and Pacific energy ministries for supporting the initiative, saying strong institutional leadership was essential to sustaining progress.
Newly elected PPA board chairwoman Lesley Katoa reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the programme.
“This initiative is in partnership with the PPA, and that demonstrates the full support and appreciation of the work taking place,” she said.
She also acknowledged the World Bank’s support in advancing opportunities for women across the Pacific energy industry…. PACNEWS
CHINA – TRADE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 06 Nov 2026
Trade must create jobs, says UNDP chief
SHANGHAI, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Global trade must be measured by the jobs, livelihoods and economic opportunities it creates, rather than the volume of goods and services exchanged, says United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrator Alexander De Croo.
Speaking at the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, China, De Croo said trade must translate into shared prosperity, sustainable development and meaningful opportunities for developing countries.
He warned that the world faced a critical employment challenge, with 1.2 billion young people expected to enter the labour market over the next 15 years.
De Croo said this generation needed more than promises of economic growth, stressing that young people deserved real opportunities that provided income, dignity, security and hope for the future.
“That generation needs more than just trade and the promise of economic growth. They need real opportunities that not only provide income, but also provide dignity, security, and real hope for the future,” he said.
De Croo said trade remained a powerful accelerator of development, but access to international markets alone was not enough to guarantee economic progress.
Developing countries needed to strengthen their domestic industries, build productive capacity, develop skills and create employment opportunities to benefit from international trade.
He pointed to China’s economic transformation as an example of how investment in infrastructure, skills, technology transfer, access to finance and stronger institutions could drive growth and prosperity.
China’s expanded duty-free market access for least-developed countries, particularly African nations, also presented opportunities for developing economies to access international markets.
However, he said the greater challenge was ensuring countries had the capacity to produce goods and services that could compete in those markets.
De Croo said economic growth must also be sustainable and support environmental protection rather than come at its expense.
He said investment in green technologies was no longer just an environmental priority but had become increasingly important to economic competitiveness.
He described the CIIE as an important platform for building commercial relationships and partnerships that could strengthen countries’ ability to compete and prosper.
The UNDP, he said, played a role in bridging opportunities and tangible development outcomes by supporting governments to develop policies that attracted domestic investment and foreign direct investment while creating the millions of jobs needed in the coming decades.
De Croo said the true success of international trade would ultimately depend on whether it reduced poverty, created local employment, advanced opportunities for women and girls and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
He challenged governments and international partners to move beyond promises and ensure trade delivered measurable improvements in people’s lives.
“Are we giving them a real opportunity or are we only getting stuck in speeches?” he asked…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Strengthening accountability in PNG through integrity and anti-corruption training
PORT MORESBY, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (UNODC) — Sixteen officers from Papua New Guinea’s key accountability and oversight institutions have completed a specialised professional development course to strengthen their capacity to prevent corruption and promote integrity.
The officers completed a three-month postgraduate integrity and anti-corruption study program, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to identify corruption risks, strengthen institutional accountability, and promote ethical decision-making within their organisations.
Participants represented a range of key institutions, including the Ombudsman Commission, the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority, Transparency International PNG, the Securities Commission, the Public Service Commission, the Office of the Public Prosecutor, and the Office of the Prime Minister and the NEC.
The 3-month study program concluded with a three-day workshop in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, held 27–29 October 2026. Facilitated by a team from Griffith University’s School of Government and International Relations, the workshop aimed to review and reflect on the course, discuss implementation, and support participants’ transition from theory to practice. PNG participants joined a global cohort of integrity professionals from 16 countries through Griffith University’s Asia Pacific School of Integrity.
Griffith University Australia, Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG), and UNODC partnered to deliver the study program, supported by the European Union (EU) Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea (PNG Anti-Corruption Project).
The project is part of the European Union (EU) and the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) Partnership for Good Governance, which supports key national institutions, civil society, and communities in addressing corruption. UNODC enhances the capacity of PNG’s key institutional anti-corruption partners to fight corruption.
Welcoming participants to the first day of the workshop, course facilitator Professor AJ Brown reminded students that the course was designed to build knowledge of integrity systems for regulatory agencies and integrity professionals. The students are the second cohort from PNG to study this course and have achieved a milestone, as successful completion includes academic credit from Griffith University.
As part of their course assessment, the students applied the integrity concepts they learned to real-world work situations. The thematic areas the students addressed in their project assessment included regulation and integrity in non-public-sector institutions, public-sector integrity, and public resources and anti-corruption.
Maryann Kai, Manager, West Papua, PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority, said the course has deepened her understanding that integrity and anti-corruption require a whole-of-system approach, including strong leadership, accountability, transparency and collaboration among government agencies.
“I am looking forward to implementing stronger verification and monitoring processes, improving coordination between relevant agencies and promoting consistent enforcement of immigration laws to strengthen integrity, transparency and accountability in PNG”.
“Through this course, I am now more knowledgeable about the integrity risks associated with my daily duties,” said Mr Zomay Apini, Manager, Market Data, at the Securities Commission of PNG. He added, “I am building a regulatory integrity assurance model, and I am able to ensure and measure that integrity is implemented in every regulatory action.”
A highlight of the workshop’s closing and certificate awards was a visit from Grace Mungkaje, a participant from the study program’s first cohort. Grace shared her experience as a former first-cohort student who moved from the PNG Auditor General’s office to the PNG Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
She told participants that connections made during the course led to professional growth and shaped her work. Grace emphasised that building institutional partnerships beyond the classroom is essential to driving real accountability and change in PNG.
Congratulating participants on successfully completing the course, Marie Jane Fatiaki, UNODC PNG Officer-in-Charge, said strengthening professional capability and collaboration among integrity practitioners in PNG is critical to building accountable institutions and public trust.
In 2024, UNODC, in collaboration with Griffith University, piloted the first Integrity Professionals Foundation Course for early-career professionals in PNG and the Solomon Islands. Since its inception, 32 officers from PNG accountability and oversight organisations have completed the program. Positive feedback and evaluation of the program have led to ongoing discussions among UNODC, Griffith University, and the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG), PNG’s leading government training institution, to explore pathways for future cohorts to obtain formal qualifications and develop the competencies needed to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to corruption.
This year, the UNODC supported the second iteration of the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Professionals Foundations Course with Griffith University and collaborated with SILAG to pilot a Graduate Certificate in Integrity & Anti-Corruption for early career professionals in PNG….PACNEWS
For more information, contact Marie Jane Fatiaki
Officer in Charge – UNODC Papua New Guinea
Mobile & WhatsApp: +675 73338367/ +679 9642127
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Commonwealth leaders endorse action plan to advance disability rights for 450 million people
ST. JOHN’S, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (COMSEC) — Commonwealth leaders endorsed a new Action Plan at their biennial summit in Antigua and Barbuda on 04 November, aimed at advancing the rights and inclusion of more than 450 million persons with disabilities across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries.
The ‘Commonwealth Disability Inclusion Action Plan’ sets out practical steps for member countries to strengthen laws, policies and services for persons with disabilities, and support their full and equal participation in society.
It covers areas ranging from accessibility, education and employment to access to justice, participation in political and public life, and the collection and use of data disaggregated by disability.
Shaped by persons with disabilities
The Action Plan delivers on a commitment made by leaders at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. It was initiated by the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum, which developed an initial draft in 2023 to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the national level.
Following CHOGM 2024, the Commonwealth Secretariat established an Expert Working Group of member country representatives to refine the Action Plan. In keeping with the principle of ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’, the process was supported by an Advisory Group of Persons with Disabilities, Disabled People’s Organisations, and the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network.
Representatives of the Advisory Group, Carla Qualtrough, Canadian human rights attorney, and Heather Walkus, National Chair of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, said: “Persons with disabilities and our representative organisations brought lived experience, expertise and community connections. The result is better policy, greater accountability and more meaningful outcomes for communities across the Commonwealth.”
The Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network said it worked throughout the drafting process to ensure that children and young people with disabilities had a stronger voice in shaping the policies and laws that affect their lives and futures.
Putting the plan into practice
Eswatini has already begun taking the plan forward. In September 2026, the country’s Cabinet adopted the Commonwealth Disability Inclusion Action Plan at the national level, making it one of the first member countries to do so. Fikile Shongwe, Disability Programmes Manager in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office of Eswatini, said: “We are pleased that the Action Plan has been considered and adopted at the national level. It will support our efforts to improve access to education, employment, healthcare, social protection, and full participation in society for persons with disabilities.”
The Commonwealth Secretariat will support implementation of the Action Plan through technical assistance, capacity building and continued engagement with organisations of persons with disabilities.
Justin Pettit, acting Head of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Human Rights Unit, said: “For persons with disabilities, progress is not measured by promises on paper, but by what changes in their daily lives. It is whether they can exercise their right to go to school, find decent work, have a voice in decisions affecting them and participate fully in their communities. This Action Plan gives us a practical path to go from commitment to implementation. Our task now is to work with governments and organisations of persons with disabilities to dismantle the barriers, accelerate action and deliver the inclusion, opportunity and dignity everyone deserves.”
The Action Plan will be formally launched on 3 December 2026, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities…. PACNEWS
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The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
COP31: Governments must deliver on climate justice as global crises deepen
ANTALYA, 06 NOVEMBER 2026 (CAN) — Climate Action Network (CAN) has challenged governments heading to COP31 to turn their climate promises into measures that create decent jobs, protect communities from worsening disasters and expand access to affordable, reliable and safe energy.
In its demands ahead of the UN meeting in Antalya, CAN said governments must prove that international cooperation can still deliver fair and effective climate action, warning that growing conflict, inequality and distrust in international institutions make it more urgent than ever to fulfil promises to protect people’s lives and livelihoods. Many of these commitments were made at previous climate summits, and governments must now deliver on them.
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of Climate Action Network International, said: “People everywhere are saying enough. Enough of wars, enough of watching their homes and livelihoods destroyed, enough of governments claiming there is no money to protect them – while finding trillions for weapons and fossil fuel subsidies. People are demanding something better for the sake of their very survival.
“We know how to protect people from climate disasters, create decent jobs and bring safe, affordable energy to communities. Promises don’t protect people. International law and finance do. Governments meeting in Antalya must decide whose interests they serve. They can either keep defending a system that is failing people and the planet or start delivering the protection and prosperity that people are calling out for.”
Genocide, war, climate breakdown and economic insecurity are rooted in the same political and economic system, where profit and powerful interests are placed ahead of people and the planet. Last year, the International Court of Justice affirmed governments’ legal obligations to address climate change. Despite this, millions of people continue to pay the price, while a wealthy few profit and those most responsible for the climate crisis too often act with impunity. COP31 is where governments must show they will uphold their legal and financial obligations and put justice, equity and human rights at the heart of climate action.
To turn the promises already made into real improvements in people’s lives, CAN is calling for action on four priorities at COP31:
*Deliver a Belém-Antalya Mechanism (BAM) that secures the rights of workers, young people and communities in a Just Transition. As people struggle with rising living costs and uncertain employment, COP31 must establish the Just Transition Mechanism that governments agreed to develop in Belém last year, which civil society is calling the Belém-Antalya Mechanism (BAM). It must help countries make a Just Transition across their economies, creating decent jobs, protecting livelihoods and rights, and giving workers, young people and communities a real say in their futures. The BAM must help mobilise fair, accessible, grant-based public finance and practical support, and remove the barriers preventing that support from reaching countries and communities, particularly in the Global South.
*The right to a climate-safe world. Governments must honour their 2025 commitment to at least triple Adaptation finance by 2035, with a credible plan to deliver at least US$120 billion a year well before then. But tripling is only a first step. According to UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2026, even if rich countries deliver on that pledge, more than 70 percent of developing countries’ Adaptation needs would remain unmet. This leaves communities without adequate funding for the flood defences, early warning systems, secure water supplies and drought-resistant farming needed to protect lives and livelihoods. COP31 must therefore also set out how to close the remaining gap, with new and additional, grant-based public finance that reaches communities and protects lives, homes and livelihoods. When Adaptation falls short, more lives and livelihoods are lost, and the costs of Loss and Damage rise. Communities devastated by climate disasters must not be left to rebuild alone. Developed countries must fulfil their pledges to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, commit substantial new funding and urgently launch a process to replenish it.
*Empty promises don’t protect people. Finance does. Running through all of these demands is the question of finance. Whether governments are supporting workers, young people and communities through the energy transition, protecting people from climate disasters or expanding access to renewable electricity, their promises will mean little unless the right finance reaches the countries and communities that need it. The money exists, but governments must stop pouring it into fossil fuels and war and instead use it to protect people – that is real security. Developed countries must meet their obligations to provide predictable, accessible public climate finance, prioritising grants over loans that leave developing countries deeper in debt.
*Electrification and Mitigation must accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. For hundreds of millions of people, particularly in Africa, the challenge is not replacing fossil fuels but gaining access to electricity for the first time. COP31 must deliver fair electrification, bringing affordable, reliable renewable electricity to homes, schools and hospitals while ensuring communities have a say in how energy is provided and who benefits. Where coal, oil and gas are already used, electrification must replace them, not simply add to growing electricity demand. COP31 must also extend and strengthen the Mitigation Work Programme to 2030, turning climate commitments into real emissions cuts through clear national plans and accountability.
Governments have made the commitments, and many of the solutions already exist. The test in Antalya is whether they agree on measures that make people’s lives safer and more secure and give them greater control over their futures, for the benefit of all…. PACNEWS
