In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Ship Rider Agreements legally settled, debate should focus on national interest: Dr Aqorau
2. PACIFIC — Pacific Women leaders push action on economic resilience, Climate and gender equality
3. PACIFIC — Pacific ACP officials review regional challenges, Samoa Agreement progress
4. FIJI — Police force set for major boost under Fiji-Australia security pact
5. PACIFIC — Scientists say coral reefs need time they no longer have as bleaching accelerates
6. FIJI — Referendum can end Fiji constitutional uncertainty, says Rigamoto
7. PACIFIC — Pacific linguist urges Cook Islanders to embrace heritage
8. PACNEWS BIZ — K50 PNG Green Fee suspended
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Public Enterprises portfolio shifted to Kamikamica from Charan Jeath Singh
10. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG welcomes Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
11. PACNEWS BIZ — El Nino will not impact production costs much, PNG miner says
12. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Ship Rider Agreements: Separating law from geopolitics in the Solomon Islands debate
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Charting the Stars Together: A Pacific Pathway to Governance for resilient futures
PAC – SHIPRIDER DEAL: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Ship Rider Agreements legally settled, debate should focus on national interest: Dr Aqorau
HONIARA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)—Pacific fisheries expert and Solomon Islands University (SINU) Vice Chancellor Dr Transform Aqorau says the public debate over Ship Rider Agreements is confusing international law with geopolitics, arguing that the legal question of such agreements is largely settled while the real issue is whether they serve Solomon Islands’ national interests.
Dr Aqorau said the recent discussion had highlighted the importance Solomon Islanders place on sovereignty, their oceans and the country’s role in an increasingly complex international environment.
“The first issue is a question of international law: Are Ship Rider Agreements lawful, and are they consistent with the sovereignty of Solomon Islands?
“The second is a question of geopolitics and national policy: Should Solomon Islands choose to enter into such an agreement with a particular country, taking into account today’s international political environment?
“These are fundamentally different questions. Unfortunately, much of the current debate treats them as though they are interchangeable. They are not,” he said in a social media post.
Dr Aqorau said international law has long recognised the sovereign rights of coastal States over their Exclusive Economic Zones and allows countries to determine how those rights are exercised, including through bilateral and regional agreements.
“None of these options diminish sovereignty. Indeed, the very ability to make those choices is one of the defining attributes of sovereignty itself.”
He said Ship Rider Agreements have existed across the Pacific and the Caribbean for decades because they allow coastal States to exercise their own legal authority while using the operational support of partner countries.
“The legal authority never belongs to the foreign vessel. The enforcement authority remains with the coastal State.
“The foreign vessel simply provides a platform from which the coastal State’s authorised officers can exercise their own legal powers,” he said.
Dr Aqorau said the Pacific developed Ship Rider arrangements to address the practical challenge of policing vast Exclusive Economic Zones with limited patrol vessels, aircraft, personnel and financial resources.
“Ship Rider arrangements evolved as another practical solution to a practical problem.
“They enabled Pacific countries to exercise their own sovereign authority more effectively by making use of the ships, aircraft and logistics of trusted partners while retaining complete legal control over enforcement decisions,” he said.
Dr Aqorau said the more difficult question is geopolitical rather than legal.
“Reasonable people can disagree on this. Some argue that entering into security cooperation with one major power may be interpreted as alignment with that country’s broader strategic interests.
“Others argue that practical cooperation to combat illegal fishing, drug trafficking, people smuggling and transnational crime is simply good governance and should not be interpreted as choosing sides in global politics.
“Both perspectives deserve respectful consideration. Neither perspective changes the underlying legality of the agreement,” he said.
Dr Aqorau said international law remains politically neutral and allows sovereign States to decide with whom they enter agreements, provided those agreements are lawful.
“Every sovereign State has the right to determine with whom it will enter into agreements, provided those agreements are themselves lawful.”
He said Solomon Islands has entered a range of bilateral agreements over many years, including development, policing, fisheries, trade, defence cooperation, labour mobility and investment arrangements, as well as more recent agreements with China.
“Whether one supports or opposes those arrangements is ultimately a political judgement. The legal capacity of Solomon Islands to enter into such agreements, however, flows from exactly the same principle of sovereignty that underpins Ship Rider Agreements.”
Dr Aqorau cautioned against using legal arguments as substitutes for political preferences.
“Law asks whether an agreement is valid. Politics asks whether entering into it is wise. These are different disciplines requiring different analytical frameworks.”
Drawing on his experience advising successive governments, Dr Aqorau said his role has always been to explain the legal framework rather than make political decisions.
“My responsibility has always been to explain what the law permits, what it prohibits, what options exist, and what the legal consequences may be.
“The political choices that governments make within those lawful options are matters for elected leaders and, ultimately, for the people,” he said.
Dr Aqorau said the current debate should focus on the country’s strategic choices rather than the legality of Ship Rider Agreements.
“The real debate today is not whether Solomon Islands has the legal capacity to enter into Ship Rider Agreements or similar international arrangements. That question is largely settled.
“The real debate is about which partnerships best serve our national interests in a rapidly changing world.
“That is a debate worth having.
But it is a different debate altogether,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Pacific Women leaders push action on economic resilience, Climate and gender equality
SUVA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)—Pacific Women Leaders have called for stronger action to protect women and vulnerable communities from growing economic, social and climate challenges, endorsing a series of measures aimed at strengthening gender equality, economic resilience, health, disability inclusion and climate action across the region.
The outcomes were agreed at the fifth Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting, held in Suva from 03 -05 June 2026 under the chairmanship of Solomon Islands and attended by ministers and senior officials from Forum members and regional partners.
Ministers and delegates noted that, for the first time, the Biketawa Declaration had been invoked in response to an economic shock, recognising that disruptions to global energy supplies and rising costs were disproportionately affecting women, children, youth and persons with disabilities across the Pacific.
They called for stronger gender-responsive social protection systems and for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) measures to be embedded in the Regional Response Mechanism.
The meeting also stressed the need to strengthen women’s economic participation, particularly in fisheries, ocean resources and renewable energy, while calling for stronger governance, coordinated regional action and greater integration of gender equality across economic and trade policies.
On regional governance, ministers endorsed the development of a Charter for the Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting, agreed to establish a Senior Officials’ Meeting and supported the development of terms of reference for the Pacific Ministers for Women Meeting to improve coordination and policy coherence.
The meeting identified gender-based violence as a major regional challenge, agreeing that National Prevention Frameworks should be strengthened and adequately resourced while calling for economic costing studies to better inform investment decisions and increased engagement of men, boys, traditional leaders and communities in prevention efforts.
Women’s health was elevated as a regional priority, with ministers endorsing a whole-of-life approach covering maternal health, mental health, non-communicable diseases, reproductive health and menopause, while urging sustained investment in health systems and protection of health spending for women and girls.
Ministers also endorsed a refreshed Pacific Framework for the Rights of Persons with Disability and called for disability inclusion to be integrated into climate action, disaster resilience, health, education and employment policies.
On climate change, the meeting committed to strengthening gender-responsive climate action ahead of Pre-COP31 and COP31, supporting greater participation of women and youth in climate negotiations, improved access to climate finance and the development of a Pacific gender and climate policy framework.
The meeting also supported elevating women’s political representation across the region, backed stronger youth participation in regional decision-making, endorsed a regional strategy for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and recognised sport as a platform for development and gender equality.
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to translating regional decisions into practical action through strengthened accountability, sustainable financing and continued cooperation to advance the goals of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent…..PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS/PIFS PACNEWS 1: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Pacific ACP officials review regional challenges, Samoa Agreement progress
SUVA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS/PIFS) —Senior officials from Pacific ACP countries have reviewed evolving regional and global challenges facing Forum member countries while receiving an update on the implementation of the Samoa Agreement during a meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva.
The Pacific ACP Officials Meeting, held on 03 August 2026, was chaired by Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Fiji, Joseph Ma’ahanua, representing the Pacific Islands Forum Chair.
Officials discussed the implications of evolving regional and global challenges for Forum member countries as part of preparations for upcoming regional meetings.
The meeting also received an update on the implementation of the Samoa Agreement, including progress on ratification, strengthening institutional arrangements, securing sustainable resourcing and aligning implementation with the Review of the Regional Architecture.
Separately, Senior Officials from the Smaller Island States (SIS) met for the 2026 Smaller Island States Officials Meeting (SISOM) to advance regional cooperation and prepare for the 2026 Smaller Island States Leaders Meeting and the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau.
Chaired by Kiribati, officials discussed strengthening the Smaller Island States grouping through a review of its membership criteria and updated priority focus areas.
The meeting also received updates on institutional arrangements for the Smaller Island States and preparations for the 2026 Smaller Island States Leaders Meeting and the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting….PACNEWS
FIJI – SECURITY PACT: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Police force set for major boost under Fiji-Australia security pact
SUVA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI SUN)—The Fiji Police Force is set for a major expansion in manpower, intelligence capability and infrastructure under a new Fiji-Australia security partnership aimed at strengthening the country’s response to transnational crime and cybercrime.
The initiatives form part of a multi-year work plan approved by Cabinet under the Vuvale Union and the Fiji-Australia Mutual Security Treaty, with transnational crime, including the fight against illicit drugs, identified as the partnership’s single largest area of cooperation.
The treaty is expected to be tabled in both the Fijian and Australian parliaments in the coming weeks.
Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua met Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts this week to review progress since the Vuvale Union and Mutual Security Treaty were signed earlier this year and to discuss the next phase of implementation.
Key priorities include increasing police numbers through additional postings focused on intelligence and cybercrime, developing a new Fiji Police headquarters with dedicated infrastructure funding, and continuing investment in the Force’s human resources and information and communications technology systems, guided by last year’s strength assessment.
The meeting also reviewed Fiji’s wastewater drug testing programme, with the first round of results now finalised.
The Ministry will continue analysing the data to inform the Government’s response to illicit drugs.
Discussions also covered plans to strengthen Fiji’s national data centre and explore the responsible use of artificial intelligence to support government services as part of the broader Vuvale digital agenda.
Both Fiji and Australia welcomed growing regional support for the Pacific Police Ministers’ Meeting to become a standing regional forum and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation under the Vuvale partnership….PACNEWS
PAC – CORAL BLEACHING: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 1: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Scientists say coral reefs need time they no longer have as bleaching accelerates
HAGATNA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (PACIFI ISLAND TIMES)—Coral reefs around the world are facing a growing challenge that scientists say is no longer defined by a single bleaching event, but by the shrinking amount of time reefs have to recover before the next wave of marine heat arrives, according to marine ecologists.
Mollie Asbury and Tye Kindinger of Pristine Seas said protecting healthy reefs and reducing local pressures can improve the odds of survival for ecosystems that support food security, fisheries and coastal protection across the Pacific.
“Unfortunately, widespread bleaching isn’t a warning sign anymore but the current reality across most of the world’s reef systems,” Asbury said.
She said the greatest concern among scientists is not simply how often bleaching occurs, but how little time reefs now have to recover.
“Reefs used to have roughly a decade between severe bleaching events to recover and now that gap has collapsed to a few years in many regions, which doesn’t give coral communities enough time to rebuild before the next heat stress hits,” she said. “That’s the real crisis: not a single catastrophic event, but a cumulative one, where reefs are needing to recover faster than is biologically possible.”
Asbury said research increasingly shows that some reefs are naturally better equipped to recover than others because of measurable characteristics rather than chance.
“The biggest lesson from my work in the Pacific is that resilience isn’t random, but tied to specific, identifiable factors,” she said.
She pointed to reef structural complexity and previous exposure to warmer temperatures as consistent indicators of resilience.
“For example, reefs with greater structural complexity tend to recover faster and more fully than reefs without those conditions,” Asbury said. “The exact shape that complexity takes, not just how much of it there is, turns out to matter just as much.”
She said those findings could help conservation groups identify where limited resources would have the greatest impact.
“What that tells us is that resilience isn’t just luck, but something we can actually map,” she said. “That means we can prioritise protection where it will do the most good, rather than spreading limited resources evenly across reefs with very different odds.”
One area of growing scientific interest is remote reefs that have experienced little human disturbance. While those reefs are not immune to rising ocean temperatures, Asbury said they offer valuable comparisons for understanding how coral ecosystems function under fewer local stresses.
“Remote, largely untouched reefs are essentially a natural control group for what reefs look like without the stressors we can control,” she said.
According to Asbury, reefs free from heavy fishing pressure, pollution and coastal development often demonstrate how much resilience coral communities can maintain when facing climate-related stress alone.
“It’s also the strongest possible argument for marine protected areas: These pristine reefs show us what protection buys a reef, and it’s often the difference between a reef that bleaches and dies and one that bleaches and comes back,” she said.
Her fieldwork has also challenged assumptions about the relationship between conservation and human use.
During one Pristine Seas expedition, researchers surveyed reefs surrounding what local communities described as “pantry islands,” where generations have harvested seafood.
“We found them just as spectacular as fully protected ones,” Asbury said. “We saw strong and diverse coral cover, healthy fish biomass, and structurally complex reefs.”
Rather than viewing conservation as excluding people, she said the experience highlighted how traditional management practices can support healthy ecosystems.
“What I saw instead was generations of inherited knowledge about how to harvest respectfully in ways that let the reef keep sustaining them,” Asbury said. “Conservation doesn’t have to mean people versus reefs. We can learn great lessons from these communities, which are already doing it right.”
For many Pacific island communities, healthy reefs provide far more than marine habitat.
“A healthy reef does real, tangible work” Asbury said. “It’s a functioning seawall that reduces wave energy and storm damage, a fishery that feeds families, and a living part of cultural identity that’s been passed down for generations.”
She said studies consistently show that well-managed, community-led marine protected areas produce healthier fish populations and stronger coastal protection than comparable unprotected reefs.
Kindinger, whose research focuses on reef fish communities, said coral bleaching threatens not only corals themselves but also the fish that rely on reef ecosystems throughout their lives.
“Without a healthy reef, coral-reef fish will eventually disappear,” he said.
Fish depend on reefs for shelter, food and reproduction, he said, while climate change also creates additional challenges through warmer waters and changing ocean chemistry.
“It seems likely, however, that as oceans continue to change, the rate at which fish will reach their survival limits will be much slower than the rate at which climate change is already causing coral bleaching and loss,” Kindinger said. “So reef loss continues to be of gravest concern for reef fish, since it’s already happening at a global scale.”
He said the contrast between protected reefs and heavily fished areas is immediately noticeable underwater.
“As a scuba diver, the moment I sink below the surface of the ocean, I know if I’m at a remote, protected reef,” Kindinger said.
He described seeing abundant sharks and other predators, colorful reef fish and species that behave differently because they are not regularly hunted.
“In places where they are not fished, they tend to be less scared around boats and divers and can even seem curious,” he said.
Protected reefs also tend to support more large food fish, particularly in shallow areas that are typically easier for fishers to reach.
“To put it simply, if you stop fishing in an area, those fish will come back and they will be able to grow bigger, because they’re no longer being removed by fishing,” Kindinger said.
Healthy fish populations also play an important role in helping reefs recover after bleaching or storm damage.
Herbivorous fish such as parrotfish consume seaweed that would otherwise compete with young corals for space.
“When some of these fish remove seaweed, they also create open space on the reef where a new coral baby (a coral recruit) can settle and grow,” Kindinger said.
“The more opportunity there is for new corals to successfully recruit onto a reef and survive, the higher the chance for reef recovery,” he said…PACNEWS
FIJI – REFERENDUM BILL: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Referendum can end Fiji constitutional uncertainty, says Rigamoto
SUVA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI SUN)—A referendum on proposed constitutional changes would give Fijians the final say on the country’s future and remove uncertainty over the Government’s reform plans, former minister Marieta Rigamoto says.
Rigamoto said public confusion over the proposed constitutional amendments made a referendum the best way to determine whether Fijians supported the changes.
“It’s good to have the referendum so it’s clear to everybody that this is what the country wants because at the moment people are not sure whether we are coming or going,” she said.
Rigamoto, who served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2006, said a referendum would provide a clear answer on whether the people backed the proposed constitutional changes.
However, Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili has cautioned that holding Fiji’s first referendum would be a lengthy process.
“The process of a referendum is not easy; it is a different process altogether,” he said during an earlier media briefing.
Justice Ratuvili said Fiji did not have the legal framework required to conduct a referendum and Parliament would first need to establish the necessary legislation.
“First of all, an amendment Act must be passed in Parliament. The Constitution Review Committee has to complete its work, which will translate into a Bill.
“In order to run a referendum, Parliament, or another body appointed by Parliament, has to determine the question. That in itself is a process. It must decide whether it will be a yes-or-no question or whether there will be a range of options. That will be determined by the final Bill.”
The Constitution Review Committee is expected to complete its work by the end of this month…..PACNEWS
PAC – HERITAGE: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 1: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Pacific linguist urges Cook Islanders to embrace heritage
AUCKLAND, 05 AUGUST 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—More Cook Islanders call New Zealand home and that means holding on to their culture and traditions can be a challenge at the best of times.
Senior lecturer in Māori Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, Dr Ake Nicholas is doing her part to help Cook Islanders preserve their heritage. Her approach starts with a word of encouragement: “If you didn’t grow up speaking your language, it is not your fault.”
This first week of August is Cook Islands Maori language week, and Nicholas hopes that it will help communities to see the value of and celebrate using their language.
“Language is much more than words,” she said.
“People carry a lot of shame about not knowing their language. But if you are a descendant of one of these communities and you don’t know your heritage language, that’s not because of something you have done.”
As one of the Pacific’s top indigenous linguists, Nicholas is passionate about helping Cook Island Maori strengthen the connection to their indigenous language heritage.
She played a lead role in establishing the Diploma in Cook Islands Māori at the University of the South Pacific, with a focus on language revitalisation, Indigenous education, Pacific linguistics and emerging technologies.
Digging deeper into the issues around indigenous languages has shed light on the issue of language loss. She found that language loss experienced by many Cook Islands Māori families is closely linked to historical and structural forces, including colonial education systems and language policies that discouraged the intergenerational transmission of Indigenous languages.
In her award winning essay Linguicide and the Realm of New Zealand She urges Cook Islanders not to blame themselves: “It is impossible to blame yourself for decisions that were made before you were born. Those choices about what language was spoken in homes, classrooms and institutions were made by others, and she had a simple message for this week: “You didn’t choose the circumstances that separated you from your language. What matters is that the opportunity exists now to reconnect.”….PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PNG – GREEN FEES: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 05 Aug 2026
K50 PNG Green Fee suspended
PORT MORESBY, 05 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) has suspended the K50 (US$11.31) Green Fee it charges at the airport for people from other countries leaving Papua New Guinea.
CCDA acting managing director Deborah Sungi said the suspension would allow the authority to undertake the necessary transition and review of the fee collection mechanism.
It includes amendments to the method and process of collection to ensure the system is more efficient, transparent and responsive to stakeholder feedback.
She said from the feedback received during a consultative process, the CCDA was worked on a green fee collection framework that supported PNG’s climate change objectives.
The Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) rejected the fee in June due to a lack of consultation.
The TPA stated it did not support the fee in its current form because it harmed visitor perception and was implemented without industry consultation.
The Environment Ministry ordered an investigation into the administration and collection of about K2.7 million (US$610,000) at Jackson International Airport last year.
TPA chief executive officer Eric Mossman stated that it was not consulted on the Green Fee policy and did not support the current mechanism in its present form.
A call was made for:
*A COMPREHESIVE policy review — the Green fee policy and its implementation arrangements with further consultations involving the TPA, tourism stakeholders, airlines, accommodation providers, provincial governments and business representatives;
*TRANSPARENCY — any charges imposed on international visitors must be properly assessed, transparently governed and developed through meaningful consultations with the tourism industry and relevant stakeholders; and,
*POLICIES to strengthen tourism — PNG is a relatively high cost destination and policies that directly impact visitor travel decisions should support and not hinder efforts to grow visitor arrivals, create jobs and strengthen tourisms contribution to the national economy…..PACNEWS
FIJI – MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Fiji Public Enterprises portfolio shifted to Kamikamica from Charan Jeath Singh
SUVA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Responsibility for Fiji’s public enterprises has been transferred from Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts Charan Jeath Singh to newly sworn-in Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica as part of the latest Cabinet reshuffle.
Kamikamica was sworn in Tuesday as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industries, Commerce, Business Development and Public Enterprises, returning to Cabinet after previously serving in the portfolio.
The change means the Ministry of Public Enterprises is no longer under Charan Jeath Singh, who previously held the position of Minister for Public Enterprises, Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts.
The Ministry of Public Enterprises is responsible for overseeing and implementing government reform programmes for state-owned enterprises while monitoring their performance and operations to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Its work is guided by the Public Enterprises Act 1996 and the Public Enterprises (Amendment) Act 2002.
The ministry oversees a significant portfolio of government commercial companies, including Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Airports Fiji Limited, Fiji Public Trustee Corporation Limited, Food Processors (Fiji) Limited, Post Fiji Limited, Fiji Rice Limited, Unit Trust of Fiji Limited, Viti Corp Corporation Limited, Yaqara Pastoral Company Limited and Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited.
It also has responsibility for several commercial statutory authorities, including the Fiji Electricity Authority, Fiji Meat Industry Board, Housing Authority, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, Water Authority of Fiji and the Public Rental Board.
In addition, the ministry oversees government’s majority-owned companies, including Fiji Pine Limited, Pacific Fishing Company Limited, Copra Millers Fiji Limited and Air Terminal Services.
The transfer of the portfolio restores responsibility for public enterprises to Kamikamica, who now assumes oversight of a range of key state-owned entities involved in aviation, utilities, agriculture, transport, housing and other strategic sectors of the economy….PACNEWS
PNG – HOTEL INDUSTRY: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 05 Aug 2026
PNG welcomes Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
PORT MORESBY, 05 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —Papua New Guinea has welcomed one of the world’s most recognised hospitality brands, with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, opening the Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites.
The landmark opening marks the first Sheraton-branded property in PNG and Marriott International’s second hotel in the country.
Marriott International regional vice-president for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Jason Nuell, described the opening s a significant milestone for the company and country.
“The opening of Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites marks a significant milestone as we introduce one of Marriott International’s most global brands to Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“With Sheraton’s focus on intuitive design, technology-enabled experiences and spaces that foster connection, the hotel is positioned to become a central gathering place for both international travelers and the local community seeking trusted hospitality.”
Sheraton Stanley general manager Shin Ching said the opening represented an important milestone for PNG’s hospitality industry.
“The opening of Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites following its transformative renovation represents an important milestone for Papua New Guinea’s hospitality sector by bringing the global Sheraton brand and its renowned guest experiences to the country,” he said.
“We are delighted to welcome travellers from around the world, together with our local community, to experience a place where people can connect, relax and create lasting memories.”
Located in the heart of Port Moresby’s business, government and cultural precinct, the 394-room hotel is situated just five minutes from Jackson International Airport and is directly connected to the Vision City Mega Mall, providing convenient access to shopping, dining and entertainment.
The hotel offers 394 accommodation options, comprising 284 guestrooms, 15 luxury suites and 95 fully-serviced apartments.
The apartments include separate living areas, kitchens and dining facilities, making them suitable for extended stays, corporate travellers and families.
The Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites features more than 2,500 square metres of meeting and event space, including Papua New Guinea’s largest hotel ballroom….PACNEWS
PNG – MINING: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 05 Aug 2026
El Nino will not impact production costs much, PNG miner says
PORT MORESBY, 05 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —K92 Mining says it does not expect El Nino to have any significant impact on production and that its second quarter production has confirmed production guidance of 190,000 to 225,000 ounces to the market.
Responding to a query by The National regarding the dry period ahead, it said: “De-watering operations in the mine produces more water than is required for the operation of the mine and process plant.
“K92 does not expect El Nino to have a significant impact on costs.
“However, the reduced inflows into the Yonki Dam are expected to reduce the amount of power which the Ramu 1 power station can supply.
“This will compound the current issues at Ramu 1, which is already running significantly below capacity due to ongoing maintenance and other operational issues.
“K92 has just completed the expansion of the new diesel standby power plant at the mine, which now has a capacity of 15.3 megawatt, sufficient to run the entire operation at the stage three and stage four expansion levels.
“K92 anticipates that an increased amount of the power requirements for the mine will be sourced from this power plant.
“This will increase the cost of power and therefore the operating and all-in sustaining cost for the operation.”
K92 added that the current conflict in the Middle East has significantly increased the cost of diesel which will compound the impact of increasing the amount of power sourced from the diesel power plant.
However, diesel is a relatively small percentage of the total cost of operations as Kainantu is an underground mine, so we would anticipate that the combination of the increased cost of diesel and the reduced availability of power from Ramu 1 to be minimal.
“Exploration drilling requires water sourced close to the drilling sites and this is normally obtained from surface sources with the approval of landowners.
“K92 has contingency plans to use groundwater from bores drilled adjacent to drilling sites to ensure that water supplies are available to minimise any impact on exploration,” the miner said.
“In the same way that operations are not expected to be impacted by El Nino, there is not expected to be any impact on forecasted growth and capital activities and expenditure.”….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
Ship Rider Agreements: Separating law from geopolitics in the Solomon Islands debate
By Dr Transform Aqorau
HONIARA, 05 AUGUST 2026 ( PACNEWS)—The recent public discussion surrounding Ship Rider Agreements has been healthy and important. It demonstrates that Solomon Islanders care deeply about our sovereignty, our oceans and our country’s place in an increasingly complex world.
However, as I have followed the discussion, it has become apparent that two very different issues are being debated as though they are one and the same. This has understandably created confusion for many members of the public.
The first issue is a question of “international law”: Are Ship Rider Agreements lawful, and are they consistent with the sovereignty of Solomon Islands?
The second is a question of “geopolitics and national policy: Should Solomon Islands choose to enter into such an agreement with a particular country, taking into account today’s international political environment?
These are fundamentally different questions. Unfortunately, much of the current debate treats them as though they are interchangeable. They are not.
The Legal Question
The legal question is actually the easier one to answer. International law has, for decades, recognised the sovereign rights of coastal States over their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal States have sovereign rights to explore, conserve, manage and enforce laws relating to the living resources within their EEZ.
Importantly, international law also recognises that sovereign States may decide how they exercise those powers. A State may enforce its laws entirely by itself. It may cooperate with neighbouring States. It may enter into bilateral agreements. It may enter into regional agreements. Or it may invite another country to provide operational assistance under conditions determined by the coastal State.
None of these options diminish sovereignty. Indeed, the very ability to make those choices is one of the defining attributes of sovereignty itself. This is precisely why Ship Rider Agreements have existed successfully for decades throughout the Pacific and the Caribbean. The legal authority never belongs to the foreign vessel. The enforcement authority remains with the coastal State. The foreign vessel simply provides a platform from which the coastal State’s authorised officers can exercise their own legal powers.The law is relatively settled on this point.
The Pacific Did Not Inherit the Ship Rider Concept
One aspect often overlooked is that Ship Rider Agreements were not imposed upon the Pacific. They were developed because Pacific Island countries faced a practical problem. When Exclusive Economic Zones were created under UNCLOS, Pacific Island countries suddenly became custodians of some of the largest ocean jurisdictions on Earth.
But jurisdiction alone does not catch illegal fishing vessels. Our region simply did not possess sufficient patrol vessels, aircraft, personnel or financial resources to maintain a constant presence across millions of square kilometres of ocean.
Rather than accepting that reality, Pacific Island countries became innovators. The Forum Fisheries Agency pioneered regional cooperation. It introduced the Regional Register. It pioneered satellite Vessel Monitoring Systems. It developed regional information-sharing systems. It negotiated the Niue Treaty. It later developed the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement.
Ship Rider arrangements evolved as another practical solution to a practical problem. They enabled Pacific countries to exercise their own sovereign authority more effectively by making use of the ships, aircraft and logistics of trusted partners while retaining complete legal control over enforcement decisions. That is an important distinction.
The Geopolitical Question
Where the discussion becomes more complex is not the legality of Ship Rider Agreements. It is geopolitics. Geopolitics asks an entirely different question. Not whether an agreement is lawful. But whether entering into such an agreement is strategically wise.
Reasonable people can disagree on this. Some argue that entering into security cooperation with one major power may be interpreted as alignment with that country’s broader strategic interests.
Others argue that practical cooperation to combat illegal fishing, drug trafficking, people smuggling and transnational crime is simply good governance and should not be interpreted as choosing sides in global politics.
Both perspectives deserve respectful consideration. Neither perspective changes the underlying legality of the agreement. This distinction is crucial.
International Law Does Not Choose Friends
One of the remarkable strengths of international law is that it is politically neutral. International law does not require States to cooperate only with governments that others approve of. Nor does it prohibit cooperation simply because another government is unpopular. Every sovereign State has the right to determine with whom it will enter into agreements, provided those agreements are themselves lawful. That principle applies equally to all countries.
It is worth remembering that Solomon Islands has entered into a wide variety of bilateral agreements over many decades with countries representing different political systems, strategic interests and economic priorities. These include development agreements, policing arrangements, fisheries agreements, trade agreements, defence cooperation, labour mobility arrangements and investment agreements.
More recently, Solomon Islands also entered into arrangements with the People’s Republic of China that permit Chinese law enforcement personnel to assist in protecting Chinese diplomatic premises, personnel and business interests under agreed circumstances.
Whether one supports or opposes those arrangements is ultimately a political judgement. The legal capacity of Solomon Islands to enter into such agreements, however, flows from exactly the same principle of sovereignty that underpins Ship Rider Agreements.
A sovereign State may conclude agreements with other sovereign States. That is one of the oldest principles of international law.
Politics and Law Are Not the Same
One concern I have observed in the current debate is that legal arguments sometimes become proxies for political preferences. Instead of discussing whether an agreement complies with international law, discussions sometimes shift towards whether one supports the government that negotiated it, or whether one supports the foreign country involved.
Those are perfectly legitimate political discussions. But they should not be confused with legal analysis. Law asks whether an agreement is valid. Politics asks whether entering into it is wise. These are different disciplines requiring different analytical frameworks. Confusing the two risks generating more heat than light.
Looking Through the Correct Lens
Perhaps the most important lesson for all of us is that we should first decide which lens we are using. If we are asking: “Is this agreement lawful?” then the discussion belongs within international law.
If we are asking: “Is this agreement in Solomon Islands’ national interest?” then the discussion belongs within politics, diplomacy and strategic policy.
Neither discussion is illegitimate. But they should not be conflated.
My Own Perspective
Over many years of working in international law, I have had the privilege of advising governments with different political philosophies and different strategic priorities.
Governments change. International law does not.
One reason I have been able to continue serving successive governments is because my advice has never been based on party politics. I have no political affiliation.
Thankfully, I have never lost my position because of a change of government. My responsibility has always been to explain what the law permits, what it prohibits, what options exist, and what the legal consequences may be.
The political choices that governments make within those lawful options are matters for elected leaders and, ultimately, for the people.
That distinction is worth preserving.
As citizens, we should continue to debate the geopolitical implications of our foreign policy with vigour and respect.
But as we do so, let us also recognise that international law provides the framework within which those political choices are made.
The real debate today is not whether Solomon Islands has the legal capacity to enter into Ship Rider Agreements or similar international arrangements. That question is largely settled.
The real debate is about which partnerships best serve our national interests in a rapidly changing world.
That is a debate worth having.
But it is a different debate altogether…PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Charting the Stars Together: A Pacific Pathway to Governance for resilient futures
APIA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (UNDP)—Across the Pacific, resilience has never been about simply surviving hardship. It has always been about people, relationships and the enduring wisdom that binds communities to one another, to their ancestors and to the land and ocean that sustain them.
It is this understanding that shaped the Governance for Resilient Futures Policy Dialogue in Samoa, held on 16-17July 2026, where government leaders, public servants, civil society, private sector, development partners and regional experts from Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau, came together to reimagine how Pacific nations can prepare for an increasingly uncertain future.
The dialogue, co-organized by the Samoa Public Service Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), recognised that today’s challenges are no longer isolated events. Climate change, economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, migration, energy insecurity and rapid technological change are converging to create a “polycrisis” that demands a different way of governing. Rather than responding only after disasters strike, Pacific countries are looking to build systems that can anticipate change, adapt quickly and emerge stronger.
At the heart of the discussions was a simple but profound message: resilience is relational. It is not measured solely by infrastructure or economic indicators, but by the strength of family, communities, the values of reciprocity and collective responsibility, the guidance of traditional leadership, and the enduring connection between people and fanua — the land, that shapes identity, culture and belonging.
Participants agreed that this requires a shift in narrative. Too often, the Pacific is viewed through the lens of vulnerability. Instead, participants called for a renewed story — one that recognises the Pacific’s inherent strengths, ethical caring systems, indigenous and traditional knowledge systems and capacity for innovation. Resilience is not merely about bouncing back from crises, but about bouncing forward (mau fetuunai), using each challenge as an opportunity to build stronger, more adaptive societies.
This change begins with people. Policies and plain language information must become accessible to communities, reflecting the realities of everyday life. Traditional Pacific philosophies should be recognised not only as cultural heritage but as practical foundations for governance, leadership and education. Traditional knowledge belongs in national conversation; knowledge held by our elders is a resource for policy setting. By embedding these values into public service training and national education systems, governments can strengthen institutions that are both modern and deeply rooted in Pacific identity.
“The proverb used as the theme for this dialogue – Ua faapōpō ni aso ua, ae le tu’ua aso folau – reminds us that our collective journey as government, village, community and region may be stormy and challenging, but the journey is not abandoned. Our resilience is not new, and it is not borrowed. It is built on the concept of aiga, on our traditional governance, on spiritual strength, and on the shared understanding that people, place, ocean, and future generations are bound together. This is not unique to Samoa, and I am positive that this is the case across the Pacific. This is what unites us as a regional aiga and family,” said Vui Iiga Sione Iiga, Associate Minister for the Samoa Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, at the launch of the Governance for Resilient Futures Policy Dialogue.
Building resilience also means strengthening how governments understand and respond to risk. Participants emphasised that good decisions depend on good information. Beyond official statistics, countries have an opportunity to draw on traditional structures, community knowledge, youth perspectives, diaspora networks, administrative data, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence to detect early warning signs before risks escalate. Strategic foresight — through horizon scanning, trend analysis and integrated national risk systems — can help governments prepare for multiple possible futures rather than react to yesterday.
Equally important is ensuring that resilience becomes part of everyday governance rather than an additional responsibility. This is why resilience must sit at the centre of policy, national development plans, sector strategies, budgets and public investments decisions; all must work together toward shared resilience goals. Participants highlighted the importance of modernising legislation, strengthening central government coordination, and embedding risk management into budget tagging, auditing, and project planning. Success should no longer be measured simply by tasks completed, but by progress towards stronger, more resilient societies.
The future of Pacific public services was another recurring theme. Outmigration continues to reshape communities across the region, creating both challenges and opportunities. Rather than viewing migration solely as a loss, participants explored ways to strengthen connections with Pacific diaspora communities through technical advice, mentoring and investment while creating opportunities that draw skilled talent back and encourage young people to build their futures at home. Developing public servants with anticipatory, adaptable and agile competencies will help preserve institutional knowledge while preparing governments to navigate increasingly complex challenges.
Partnership emerged as one of the dialogue’s strongest messages. Governments alone cannot build resilience. Communities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, parliaments, women, young people and the private sector all have essential roles to play. Participants called for moving beyond consultation towards genuine inclusive co-design, where solutions are developed together from the outset. This reflects longstanding Pacific traditions, where decisions are strengthened through transparent dialogue, shared responsibility and consensus reminding us that fit for purpose institutions are like skilled navigators that must read changing conditions and adjust course with confidence and skills.
The private sector was recognised as a critical partner in the region’s green and blue transitions. Investing in sustainable business practices should not be viewed simply as a compliance requirement but as a pathway to long-term prosperity. Likewise, remittances, which continue to support Pacific families and economies, can increasingly become investments in community enterprises, resilience initiatives and future generations.
Financing resilience remains central to turning vision into action. Strong public financial management, transparent governance and sustainable domestic revenue provide the foundation upon which external support can build. Participants highlighted the growing importance of integrated financing approaches that align domestic resources, international assistance, remittances and private investment behind common resilience priorities. Innovative Pacific-led financing mechanisms demonstrate that locally designed solutions can offer valuable lessons for the wider region.
The policy dialogue also touched on the pertinent current issues of the rise in drugs infiltration in the region, HIV, gender-based violence and inclusion, and women’s leadership, which require more focused attention and resources.
The discussions also reinforced that no Pacific nation could navigate today’s challenges alone. Regional cooperation is no longer simply beneficial; it is essential and should be continuous as a standing commitment. Shared training platforms, collective procurement, regional energy solutions, pooled technical expertise and harmonised data systems enable countries to overcome capacity constraints while strengthening collective resilience. By learning from one another and investing together, Pacific nations can build governance systems that are stronger than the sum of their parts.
Perhaps the clearest message emerging from the dialogue was that implementation does not require starting from scratch. The Pacific already has many of the building blocks in place. Existing local expertise, policy frameworks, national development plans, budgeting systems, audit mechanisms and planning processes provide opportunities to embed foresight and risk management without creating parallel structures.
“Closeness to our people is our greatest strength in small island states. Members of Parliament (MPs) can sit directly with village council, churches, families and community groups. That access is an asset, but only if we keep listening,” said Talaititama Talaiti, MP from Niue who attended the Policy Dialogue.
“Small pilot initiatives can demonstrate success before being expanded, while central governments provide strategic direction and communities lead locally-owned solutions.”
As one powerful metaphor captured throughout the discussions, the Pacific has always looked to the stars, winds and waves to navigate uncertain journeys. That same spirit of wayfinding now offers guidance for governance itself.
“Across my travels in the Pacific, I have seen the spirit of resilience in abundance. I have met with Pacific governments and decision‑makers, hardworking and dedicated civil servants at national and sector levels, community leaders, business people, and those from all walks of life. From this, a unifying theme has emerged: Pacific people are and always should be the owners and navigators of their present and future actions, policies, and strategies. And as ocean voyagers, they fully understand what resilient futures is all about,” said Aliona Niculita, UNDP Resident Representative.
The path towards resilient futures will require courage, innovation and sustained collaboration. It will require governments that are anticipatory rather than reactive, institutions that are agile rather than rigid, and partnerships that place people at the centre of decision-making. Above all, it will require confidence in the Pacific’s own knowledge systems and values.
By combining ancestral wisdom with modern governance, embracing regional solidarity and investing in the collective intelligence of governments, communities, businesses, elders and young people, the Pacific is not simply preparing for the future — it is charting its own course towards it.
Together, guided by the wisdom of those who came before and the aspirations of those who will inherit these islands, the Pacific can continue reading the stars, the winds and the waves, navigating not just towards resilience, but towards a stronger, more hopeful future for all….PACNEWS
