In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — New Pacific Islands Forum partner model set for first test in NZ
2. PACIFIC — El Niño impacts on Pacific forecast to last well into 2027
3. FIJI — Fiji’s HIV crisis spreads fast as health system struggles to keep up
4. FIJI — Foreign money could influence political parties: CDD warns
5. FIJI — Fiji’s child abuse crisis | 100 percent of High Court rape victims in 2025 were children
6. FIJI — Fijians abroad can share political upheaval experiences without returning home
7. PACNEWS BIZ — PALM workers honoured for service, strengthening Fiji-Australia ties
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Palau passport ranks 83rd globally, with access to 120 destinations
9. PACNEWS BIZ — ADB inaugurates new office in Papua New Guinea as partnership expands
10. PACNEWS DIGEST — Pacific Meteorological Week kicks off in the Kingdom of Tonga
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — “Young Pacific people are not only leaders of tomorrow, but we are also the partners you need today.”
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Peace Corps Fiji welcomes Group 101 Trainees
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PMN PACNEWS 1: Wed 09 Sep 2026
New Pacific Islands Forum partner model set for first test in NZ
WELLINGTON, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PMN) — Pacific leaders have taken a step towards changing how outside partners engage with the region.
This comes as New Zealand will be in the spotlight when it hosts the next Leaders’ Forum in 2027.
Leaders meeting in Palau last week agreed to place Forum partners into two partnership streams, with the new system due to be implemented from 2027 and reviewed after its first year.
The change could reshape how dialogue partners and other outside countries engage with Pacific leaders, with the Forum saying regional priorities, leadership and voice must remain at the centre.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, who chaired this year’s Forum, had set out the principle at the opening of the meeting, saying Pacific partners were welcome but should not determine the region’s direction.
“Our partners are welcome to sail with us but they do not choose our destination,” Whipps said.
Foreign Minister Vaovasamanai Winston Peters echoed that position when discussing the Forum’s handling of outside pressure.
“We weren’t going to have outsiders telling what we insiders needed to discuss,” he told William Terite on Pacific Mornings.
It will also put New Zealand in a key position as the next host of the Pacific Leaders’ Forum.
Peters said the shift was part of a broader move towards a more growth-focused and practical Forum, similar in some ways to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) model.
The Forum’s Deputy Secretary Esala Nayasi said the new structure would distinguish between strategic and sectoral partners, with only strategic partners engaging directly with Forum leaders. Sectoral partners would instead engage at ministerial level.
Peters pointed to agreements reached in Palau on fuel security and economic development as signs the Pacific Islands Forum was already moving in that direction.
But the bigger test will come next year when New Zealand hosts the Leaders’ Forum and the new partnership structure is expected to be put into operation.
The Forum’s closing communique says leaders “reaffirmed the 2025 Leaders Policy on Partnerships” and agreed on the placement of partners in two partnership streams, subject to a review after one year.
They also said the new system must be “genuine, durable, and accountable” and strengthen “Pacific leadership, voice, and engagement.”
For New Zealand, that means the 2027 meeting will not simply be another leaders’ gathering.
It will be an early test of whether the new structure can give Pacific countries greater control over how outside partners engage with the region.
Peters defended New Zealand’s decision to help bring Pacific leaders to this year’s Forum in Palau, saying the cost was money well spent.
“The outcome was fantastic,” he said.
New Zealand helped facilitate travel for about a dozen Pacific leaders through Auckland and Brisbane, with 18 countries attending the Forum, up from eight when Palau last hosted eight years ago.
Peters said New Zealand’s delegation held 28 meetings over two and a half days, covering climate finance, security and economic cooperation.
Leaders also agreed to a US$500 million (NZ$850.84 million) Pacific Resilience Facility, with Peters saying New Zealand had helped raise more than US$173m (NZ$294.39m) towards the target.
Leaders also issued a joint statement opposing a second round of ballistic missile launches over the Pacific.
Peters said some of the most difficult discussions were around the wording of the statement particularly whether China should be named.
The forum’s final communiquē did not name China despite tensions around Taiwan’s attendance and reports of pressure from Beijing.
Peters said several Pacific delegations, including New Zealand, resisted outside attempts to shape the agenda.
He said Pacific countries had pushed back against attempts by outside countries to influence their discussions, resolutions and decisions.
The communiquē still named the activity being protested without naming the country behind it.
Fuel security was another major issue with Peters saying discussions with the United States following the Strait of Hormuz crisis resulted in a US$60m (NZ$102.10m) for regional fuel resilience.
Peters said the same principle would apply when New Zealand hosts the Forum next year.
“We will lay out who’s invited and who’s not invited, but we won’t be told by outsiders who our guest list will be,” he said. “If we want the help of other countries, then we need to engage with them with respect both ways.”
But as Aotearoa prepares to host in 2027, the biggest question may be closer to home: how the partnership system will work in practice and whether it delivers the stronger Pacific voice leaders have called for.
The Forum Troika is expected to work through the new arrangement over the coming year ahead of the New Zealand-hosted meeting…. PACNEWS
PAC – EL NINO: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 1: Wed 09 Sep 2026
El Niño impacts on Pacific forecast to last well into 2027
CANBERRA, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says the intensifying El Niño phase will bring exceptionally warm tropical Pacific Ocean conditions in the coming months.
In its latest update, the WMO says El Niño is already causing disruption and devastation from droughts and floods in various parts of thre world including the Pacific and is expected to peak towards the end of this year, with climate impacts continuing well into 2027.
A number of Pacific countries have been experiencing severe drought conditions as a result of the weather pattern.
Data released by the WMO shows a significant build up of smoke from Indonesian forest fires, including in South Papua province, has crossed borders into neighbouring countries including Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.
As the WMO advises regional countries to pay extra heed to weather forecasts and services, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a warning.
He said the science leaves no room for doubt that the planet is in uncharted waters, and that those waters are heating up.
Guterres said sea surface temperatures are rising, stressing that the world is in the danger zone of extreme weather.
“The race now is between rising risks and our commitment to take climate action and protect people. We must win that race,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – HIV/HEALTH: PMN PACNEWS 1: Wed 09 Sep 2026
Fiji’s HIV crisis spreads fast as health system struggles to keep up
SUVA, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PMN) — Fiji’s human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is spreading beyond the groups initially most affected, with young people, women and children increasingly caught up in a crisis that is putting growing pressure on the country’s health system.
The HIV prevalence among Fijians aged 15 to 49 has reached 1.6 per cent, meaning about one in every 60 adults in that age group is living with HIV. The rate has risen from 0.6 per cent over the past five years.
“Five years ago, one in 167 people or 170 people would be HIV infected,” Dr Jason Mitchell, Chair of the National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce, tells PMN News. “Now, in the space of 5 years alone, one in 60 now impacted with HIV.
“I don’t think we should be taking that number lightly, all of this is preventable, we just need to get on top of it.”
According to the Ministry of Health, 2016 new HIV diagnoses were recorded last year, the highest annual figure since national surveillance began.
The United Nations agency, UNAIDS, estimates about 9100 people were living with HIV in Fiji in 2025, with the figure potentially as high as 12,000.
Mitchell says the recorded diagnoses are only part of the picture.
“The epidemic is no longer confined to any one population group or geographical area. It is now impacting young people, women, people who are pregnant, and children.”
Fiji recorded over 100 HIV-related deaths last year including 17 children aged under 15.
“One hundred and seventeen people dying in 2025 is significant for us, so all of this could have been prevented. It’s a serious human cost and that really reflects on how the situation is on the ground,”
The outbreak has been strongly linked to unsafe injecting practices with shortages of sterile equipment increasing the risk of HIV and hepatitis C transmission among people who inject drugs.
But says the crisis cannot be reduced to drug use alone:
“The new risk factor for our population is the risky behavior associated with injecting drug use. It is the unsafe injecting practices that are currently in place,” he said.
Young Fijians are at the centre of the outbreak. People aged 20 to 34 account for about 67 per cent of new HIV diagnoses in 2025.
The number of diagnoses among 10- to 19-year-olds has also surged, adding to concerns about prevention and early testing among adolescents.
The impact on children and pregnant women is another major concern.
Fiji recorded 67 new HIV diagnoses among children aged under 15 in 2025 including 56 children aged under five.
The Ministry of Health says the figures highlight ongoing gaps in preventing mother-to-child transmission.
A separate health ministry briefing reported a vertical transmission rate of 18 per cent in 2025.
“One child dying of HIV should not be happening at this day and age when there’s effective treatment out there,” Mitchell said. “So, whatever’s happening should be seen as a systems issue.”
Mitchell says more testing during pregnancy is needed to identify women living with HIV early and get them onto treatment.
“We need to improve the testing that’s happening during pregnancy, because there’s only one way we know if a mother is HIV positive with HIV, and that’s to do HIV testing,” he said.
“Last year, we found that we were only testing one time in pregnancy. We are now recommending that we need to test a minimum of two times in pregnancy because testing tells us who’s got HIV and therefore benefits from the treatment that’s freely available in the country.”
Treatment is free but access remains a major challenge.
Special HIV care is concentrated in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa, creating barriers for people living outside the main centres.
Stigma, privacy fears, and a lack of social support can also make it harder for people to remain in care.
“The short answer to that is that the epidemic is so large and the system is still catching up,” Mitchell said when asked if Fiji’s infrastructure could cope.
“People keep continuing to be dropped out of the treatment programme, and that’s as a result of something that’s going on in the individual’s life itself,” he said. “We need to strengthen the supporting systems to make sure that they don’t actually fall out of treatment.”
Health authorities are expanding HIV services beyond the main centres, with treatment being decentralised to 15 subdivisional health facilities.
Mitchell says prevention must grow alongside treatment, and this includes better access to sterile injecting equipment, condoms and HIV medicines.
“We must not get carried away with the whole idea about treating our way out of the epidemic… We must focus on prevention,” he said. “We cannot do without this. This needs to happen at scale.”
The rapid growth of Fiji’s epidemic is also raising concerns across the Pacific.
Dr Sharon McLennan from Victoria University of Wellington says Fiji’s position as a regional hub means the impact could extend beyond its borders.
‘Fiji is a real hub for the Pacific, so you get a lot of people from other islands coming into Fiji to study and to work, or traveling through or from Fiji on to Aotearoa and Australia so, we have this kind of movement of people and close connections,” McLennan told William Terite on Pacific Mornings.
“That means that anything that’s a problem in Fiji has a likelihood of affecting other places in the region.”
But McLennan says there is still reason for hope.
“There’s a lot of optimism around Fiji’s ability to turn the tide but it’s not happening yet, and you might not see it happening for a while because you’ll see increasing numbers for a while as they step up the testing regime in particular,” she said.
“More people can get tested, you’ll see more positives but hopefully, that will then start to turn the tide as people get onto treatment.”
Health authorities are now scaling up testing, treatment and prevention as Fiji responds to the growing HIV burden…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Wed 09 Sep 2026
Foreign money could influence political parties: CDD warns
SUVA, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) — A single foreign donor with no vote in Fiji could finance an entire political party’s election campaign if Parliament passes proposed changes to Fiji’s political financing laws, the Centre for Democracy and Dialogue (CDD) has warned.
CDD raised the concern before the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights on Monday while making submissions on the Political Parties Amendment Bill, Bill No. 31 of 2026.
CDD executive director Nilesh Lal said the Bill would remove the existing $10,000 (US$5,000) annual donation cap and allow foreign individuals to donate without limit.
“Tomorrow you could have Elon Musk come in and donate $3 million (US$1.5 million) to a political party,” Lal told the committee.
“And then dictating how that party will potentially be governing the country when they are in power.”
Lal said with the proposed $3 million (US$1.5 million) spending ceiling for a political party, a single donor could potentially finance its entire campaign.
He said the Bill would also allow individual candidates to spend up to $300,000 (US$150,000) each.
With 55 candidates, CDD calculated that total campaign spending could reach $19.5 million (US$9.75 million) when combined with the party allowance.
“That is quite practically not a ceiling at all,” Lal said.
CDD also raised concerns that foreign donors would only be required to disclose their donations 60 days after polling, meaning disclosure would come after the election.
It cited International IDEA in saying 70 per cent of countries worldwide banned foreign political donations, while 49 per cent capped domestic donations.
CDD also warned that criminal proceeds, including drug money, could potentially be disguised as legitimate political donations.
“The purpose of political finance law is to prevent wealth from becoming political power,” Lal said.
CDD urged the committee to reject the proposed changes…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CHILD ABUSE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Wed 09 Sep 2026
Fiji’s child abuse crisis | 100 percent of High Court rape victims in 2025 were children
SUVA, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Children are bearing the brunt of sexual violence in Fiji, with minors accounting for all High Court rape victims recorded in 2025.
This was highlighted by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran while speaking at the recent Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium High-Level Dialogue at Fiji National University’s Nasinu Campus.
Kiran said the situation had worsened progressively, with children making up 93 per cent of High Court rape victims in 2024 before reaching 100 per cent the following year.
“Alarmingly, the trend worsened progressively, with minors accounting for 93 per cent of all High Court rape victims in 2024, rising to 100 per cent in 2025,” she said.
Kiran said the scale of sexual abuse against children was reflected in the 4793 cases reported between 2020 and 2025, compared with 2153 cases involving women.
She said violence in the home was also having a profound impact on children.
According to the Gender Assessment report, 55 per cent of women who experienced intimate partner violence said their children had witnessed the violence.
Kiran also cited UNICEF data showing that most children experienced harsh physical or psychological punishment at home.
She warned that exposure to violence and abuse could perpetuate intergenerational trauma and undermine families, the workforce and national stability.
“Ending it requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response,” she said.
Kiran said Fiji’s National Action Plan 2023–2028 was a major pillar of the Government’s response, with a focus on preventing violence before it occurred.
She said the Government was working closely with the Great Council of Chiefs, with gender equality officers now embedded in all 14 provincial offices through the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, and also working with faith-based organisations and community leaders to promote respectful relationships and challenge harmful gender norms…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Wed 09 Sep 2026
Fijians abroad can share political upheaval experiences without returning home
SUVA, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fijians living overseas who were affected by the country’s political upheavals are being given an opportunity to share their experiences with the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) without having to return home.
The Commission’s diaspora hearings began in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday, with two survivors choosing to participate in public hearings.
Held at the Fiji High Commission’s conference room, the hearings are part of the Commission’s efforts to include Fijians living overseas in the national truth and reconciliation process.
Commission chairperson Joaquim “Russuo” da Fonseca said the diaspora engagement was important because many Fijians affected by political upheavals now lived outside Fiji.
“The diaspora engagement therefore provides an avenue for the survivors to engage with the Commission without having to return to Fiji to participate in the truth-telling process,” he said.
The Commission said survivors and witnesses could share their experiences in a confidential, safe and respectful environment, with participation voluntary.
The hearings are being conducted by da Fonseca, Commissioner Rachna Nath and Commissioner Rajendra Dass.
The New Zealand visit is being undertaken under the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2024.
Part 2, Section 6 of the Act provides for the Commission to facilitate safe and conducive spaces for survivors to share their stories, experiences and trauma.
“The Wellington hearings form part of its wider effort to ensure Fijians affected by the country’s political upheavals have an opportunity to participate in the national truth and reconciliation process,” FTRC said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – PALM: AUST GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 09 Sep 2026
PALM workers honoured for service, strengthening Fiji-Australia ties
SUVA, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (AUST GOVT) — Returned Fijian workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme were honoured at the Australian High Commission in Suva for their efforts during the devastating 2022 Lismore floods in New South Wales.
The New South Wales Premier’s Flood Emergency Citation recognises individuals whose outstanding service and contributions supported communities affected by the flood emergency.
The ceremony was officiated by Agni Deo Singh, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, and H.E. Peter Roberts, Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji, who presented citations to the recipients.
The Fijian PALM scheme workers had only recently arrived in Lismore, New South Wales when it was struck by one of the worst floods in Australia’s modern history. Flood waters peaked at 14.4 metres, devastating the area and inundating more than 3000 homes.
Alongside workers from Samoa, they volunteered to assist emergency services, helping elderly people, children and animals from rescue boats to evacuation centres before assisting with the distribution of emergency supplies. Their efforts were subsequently recognised at an event in Lismore, where they received medals of honour from the Governor-General of Australia.
Minister Singh said the citation awards recognise individuals who have gone above and beyond in service to others while strengthening the enduring bonds between Fiji and Australia. He said their contributions reflected a relationship built not only through formal agreements and government engagement, but through people who stand alongside one another, especially in times of need. “We are proud to recognise their commitment, courage and contribution,” Minister Singh said.
High Commissioner Roberts said this embodied the spirit of service and community that underpins the close people-to-people ties between Fiji and Australia. He said their stories demonstrated that the partnership is ultimately about people, pointing to the way Pacific communities in Australia and Australians alike have supported one another in times of need. “Thank you to all those honoured today. These acts of service show our shared sense of community. Today, we are pleased to recognise those who have made that difference,” he said.
Award recipient Osea Baleiyasavu said he was deeply honoured and humbled by the recognition.
“For me, this recognition is not just about the individual. It reflects the values of helping others, supporting people in times of need and building relationships that bring our communities closer together. I am proud to have contributed in my own way, and I hope this recognition encourages others to continue making a difference,” he said…. PACNEWS
PALAU – PASSPORT: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 09 Sep 2026
Palau passport ranks 83rd globally, with access to 120 destinations
KOROR, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (ISLAND TIMES) — The Palauan passport ranks 83rd globally in the latest 2026 passport ranking, with a Mobility Score of 120 and access to 60.6 percent of destinations worldwide, according to Passport Reports.
The ranking shows that Palauan passport holders can travel to 68 destinations without a visa. Another 46 destinations offer visa-on-arrival or simplified entry arrangements, while six require an electronic travel authorisation, or eTA.
A total of 78 destinations require Palauan travelers to obtain a visa or prior approval.
Together, the visa-free, simplified-entry and eTA destinations account for Palau’s Mobility Score of 120. The report places Palau’s visa-free access at 34.3 percent of destinations, simplified-entry access at 23.2 percent and eTA access at 3 percent. Visa-required destinations account for 39.4 percent.
Passport Reports describes itself as an independent platform providing passport reports for 199 countries in 34 languages.
Within Oceania, Palau ranks 10th among 14 countries included in the report.
Palauan travelers have visa-free access to five of the other 13 Oceania destinations covered, while six offer on-arrival or simplified entry. Australia and New Zealand are listed as requiring a visa or prior approval.
Visa-free destinations include Fiji, with stays of up to 120 days; Kiribati, up to 90 days; the Marshall Islands; the Federated States of Micronesia, up to 360 days; and Vanuatu, up to 120 days.
Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu are listed under on-arrival or simplified-entry arrangements.
Europe remains one of the most accessible regions for Palauan travelers.
Of the 47 European destinations covered by the report, 40 are listed as visa-free, representing 85.1 percent of the region.
The United Kingdom is accessible through an eTA, with a listed stay of up to 180 days. Ukraine is listed under on-arrival or simplified entry, with an e-Visa also available.
Five European destinations — Albania, Belarus, Ireland, North Macedonia and Türkiye — require a visa or prior approval.
Many of Palau’s visa-free European destinations allow stays of up to 90 days, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece, Poland and the Nordic countries covered by the report.
Travel access is more mixed across Asia.
Of 50 Asian destinations covered, seven are visa-free for Palauan passport holders, 12 offer on-arrival or simplified entry, and two use eTA arrangements. The remaining 29 destinations, or 58 percent, require a visa or prior approval.
Visa-free destinations include the Philippines and South Korea for stays of up to 30 days, and Taiwan for up to 90 days. Malaysia and Singapore are also listed as visa-free, with arrival cards required.
Hong Kong SAR is listed as visa-free for 14 days.
Nepal, Armenia, Cambodia, India, Laos, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Vietnam are among destinations listed under simplified-entry arrangements, with several offering e-Visa options.
Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are among the Asian destinations listed as requiring a visa or prior approval.
In South America, four of 12 destinations — Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Suriname — are visa-free for Palauan travelers.
Peru lists stays of up to 180 days, while Suriname requires a tourist card and allows up to 90 days.
Bolivia is listed under on-arrival or simplified entry, with an e-Visa also available. Seven South American destinations require a visa or prior approval.
In the Caribbean, seven of 16 destinations are visa-free, three offer on-arrival or simplified entry and six require a visa or prior approval.
Across the broader North America category, 10 of 23 destinations are visa-free, three offer simplified entry and 10 require a visa or prior approval.
The United States, Mexico and Panama are listed as visa-free destinations. Mexico allows a listed stay of up to 180 days and Panama up to 90 days.
Canada requires a visa or prior approval.
Travel to the six Gulf countries covered by the report requires a visa or prior approval, giving the region a 100 percent visa-required rate for Palauan passport holders.
The countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The report indicates electronic visa options for Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Across the wider Middle East, two of 17 destinations are visa-free, two offer on-arrival or simplified entry, one uses an eTA and 12 require a visa or prior approval.
The report highlights several destinations where Palauan travelers can stay for extended periods.
The Federated States of Micronesia is listed for stays of up to 360 days without a visa. Mexico and Peru each allow up to 180 days, while the United Kingdom’s eTA arrangement also lists stays of up to 180 days.
Nepal allows up to 150 days under its simplified-entry category, while Fiji, Vanuatu and Armenia list stays of up to 120 days.
Some destinations combine simplified travel access with additional requirements, such as arrival cards, tourist cards, tourist registration or pre-registration.
The report also ranks Palau 27th among 199 countries in its Welcoming Countries ranking.
That ranking measures how easily foreign passport holders can enter Palau. It is separate from the passport ranking, which measures the destinations available to Palauan passport holders.
The report lists 77 countries whose passport holders can enter Palau visa-free, with electronic permission or through an on-arrival arrangement, while Palauan passport holders face visa or prior-approval requirements when traveling to those countries.
Among those countries are Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, China, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Brazil, Argentina and South Africa.
The report also identifies Bangladesh as an example of the reverse pattern: Bangladeshi passport holders require a visa to enter Palau, while Palauan travelers can enter Bangladesh under an on-arrival or simplified-entry arrangement for up to 30 days.
The report notes that these reciprocity indicators show differences in entry conditions between the two directions of travel but do not explain why those differences exist.
The 2026 ranking represents a decline from Palau’s position the previous year.
Historical data in the report show Palau with a Mobility Score of 120 and a global rank of 80 in 2022. Its score rose to 123 in 2023, when it ranked 79th, and to 124 in 2024, when it ranked 77th.
In 2025, Palau recorded a Mobility Score of 122 and ranked 75th globally.
For 2026, its Mobility Score dropped to 120 and its global ranking fell to 83rd.
Overall, the 2026 ranking places the Palauan passport at 83rd worldwide and 10th among 14 countries in Oceania. Palauan passport holders have visa-free access to 68 destinations, on-arrival or simplified entry to 46 and eTA access to six, while 78 destinations require a visa or prior approval…. PACNEWS
PNG – DEVELOPMENT: ADB PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 09 Sep 2026
ADB inaugurates new office in Papua New Guinea as partnership expands
PORT MORESBY, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (ADB) — The Minister for National Planning and Monitoring of the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Sir Ano Pala, together with ADB Pacific Department Director General Emma Veve and ADB Country Director for PNG Takafumi Kadono, inaugurated the new premises of ADB’s Papua New Guinea Resident Mission Monday.
“Since PNG became a member of ADB in 1971, ADB greatly values the strong partnership we have built with the government to support the development of PNG people,” said Veve. “ADB has cumulatively committed $5.4 billion comprising 284 public sector loans and grants as well as technical assistance to improve infrastructure and human capital, expand access to essential services, strengthen public sector management and economic opportunities, and enhance the resilience of communities across the country.”
The new office will provide a modern and collaborative environment that enables ADB to work more effectively with the government, development partners, and stakeholders as ADB supports PNG’s development aspirations.
While strengthening its ongoing engagement in transport, energy, public sector management, health and skills development, ADB is also developing initial support in other areas, such as agriculture, secondary education, and water and sanitation, building on its experience, comparative advantage, and leading role as one of PNG’s largest development partners.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Pacific Meteorological Week kicks off in the Kingdom of Tonga
NUKU’ALOFA, 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (SPREP) — The Pacific Meteorological Week is officially underway in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Guided by the theme, Weather Ready for a Secured and Sustainable Pacific, the eighth meeting of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-8) will be held from 10 – 14 September, followed by the fourth Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology (PMMM-4) on 16 September.
The Pacific Meteorological Council is a specialised subsidiary body of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), established to facilitate and coordinate the scientific and technical programmes and activities of Pacific National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs).
According to Salesa Nihmei, Director of SPREP’s Climate Science and Information programme, which also serves as the Secretariat of the PMC, this year’s meetings mark a special milestone for the Pacific meteorological community, as they gather to reflect on the progress and achievements of the past ten years under the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy (PIMS) 2017 – 2026.
“We have come a long way since 2017 and have had many triumphs as well as challenges over the years. This week we gather together as a community to reflect on the path which has brought us to where we are today, and to chart the course for where we want to go in the next ten years,” Nihmei said.
The PMC-8 is hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga, and Laitia Fifita, Director of Tonga Meteorological Services, recognises that pulling off a meeting of this magnitude, with close to 300 participants from Pacific NMHSs, regional CROP agencies, development partners, tertiary institutions, and the private sector, is no small feat.
“We are grateful for the partnership between the Government of Tonga and SPREP which has enabled us to organise this series of meetings. The last time the PMC was in Tonga was in 2015, and we are proud to welcome the Pacific meteorological community back to our shores once again,” he said.
A series of pre-meetings began today at the Tanoa Dateline Hotel, with the One Pacific Programme discussions between SPREP and Pacific NMHS Directors, followed by the meetings of the seven PMC Expert Panels. These panels were established to provide technical advice to the Council on matters concerning the development of meteorological services in the region under each thematic area of the PIMS 2017 – 2026.
The panels met to finalise their recommendations that will go before the PMC proper on Thursday. This includes the Pacific Islands Communications and Infrastructure (PICI) panel, Pacific Islands Climate Services (PICS) panel, Pacific Islands Marine and Oceans (PIMOS) panel, Pacific Islands Education, Training and Research (PIETR) panel, Pacific Islands Aviation Weather Services (PIAWS) panel, Pacific Hydrological Services (PHS) panel, and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services (MHEWS) panel.
A Pacific Media Mana Class will follow on Tuesday and Wednesday 8 and 9 September 2026 at the Tanoa Hotel, bringing together nine Pacific island journalists for a capacity-building workshop and training to help them better understand emerging issues and Pacific priorities on weather and climate. The two-day training is a partnership between SPREP and the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac).
The participants of the media training will then make up the Pacific Media team which will provide coverage of the PMC-8 and PMMM-4 to a range of newspaper, television, radio and online media around the region.
The Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Liaison Platform will also be running concurrently on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre. The Liaison Platform is a biennial face-to-face meeting held in conjunction with the PMC to strengthen coordination between WRP and the wider MHEWS community. The platform provides a forum for dialogue, collaboration, information sharing, and strategic advice to the WRP Steering Committee.
The PMC proper will convene from 10 to 14 September 1and will be followed by the PMMM-4 on 16 September 2026…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
“Young Pacific people are not only leaders of tomorrow, but we are also the partners you need today.”
NOUMEA, 08 SEPTEMBER 2026 (SPREP) — Pacific youth took a stand at the 11th Pacific Islands Conference for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas to be recognised as partners in decision-making. As the generation that will bear the brunt of the climate crisis and biodiversity decline, young Pacific people are calling to be part of designing the solutions for their future, meaningful inclusion in decision-making and investment into the next generation of environmental leaders.
The Youth Biodiversity Action Plenary held at the PCNC11 coordinated by the Pacific chapter of the Global Biodiversity Youth Network (GYBN) with the support of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) focussed its lens on how to achieve this.
Camari Divuniwaqa, the GBYN Pacific representative challenged the plenary with – “the question is not whether young people are ready to lead, the question is, are you ready to invest in their leadership and trust them with responsibility?”
“We need to move from consulting youth to coordinating with youth and ultimately sharing leadership with them. That means investing in our skills, our organisations, our ideas and our community led-issues,” said Divuniwaqa.
“It means creating funding opportunities that young people can realistically access. Pacific youth are resilient, but resilience should not be an excuse for under investment.”
The event also featured a panel discussion that highlighted the power of young Pacific people to lead, influence and mobilise.
Panel member and representative from Vanuatu, Charles Nimanick echoed the need for investment in youth.
“Capacity building in conservation and project management is needed for our young people to meaningfully engage in environmental protection. Access to resourcing and funding is a barrier many Vanuatu youth have in implementing conservation projects.”
Sharon Inonne shared about her story as a young person from one of the most remote islands in the Solomon Islands, Temotu Province in finding solutions for her community. She exemplified the unique role that young Pacific people play in bridging the gap between high level information and policy, and grassroots communities, highlighting the need for information to be tailored to context.
“Issues that are discussed in these regional and international spaces, must be translated into language and activities that can be understood by our communities”.
Naiyas Neson from Papua New Guinea reiterated a call made by young Pacific people to be given the opportunity to take the lead. He said “young Pacific people should be involved in identifying environmental solutions and making decisions on biodiversity conservation. They possess the knowledge and skills, but they must be trusted to do so”.
Panelists also highlighted the intergenerational approach that must be taken to forge a path forward for the Pacific environment, recognising the strength of Pacific leadership and traditional and indigenous knowledge.
“Our youth have strong shoulders to stand on. This conference has been running for many years, this is the eleventh gathering. Our Pacific people will continue to be strong moving forward if you involve youth,” said Brittany Papera from the Cook Islands.
SPREP Director General, Sefanaia Nawadra reaffirmed the responsibility everyone has to meaningfully invest into the next generation of Pacific leaders.
“Those in leadership positions are here because institutions and individuals invested in us and helped prepare us for who we are today. We therefore have a responsibility to mentor the next generation and create opportunities for them to test themselves in different situations, while remaining accessible to support their growth.”
“The challenges we face today will not end with this generation, which is why we must prepare the next generation of Pacific leaders to carry our work forward across biodiversity, climate change, waste management and oceans, the very areas we are focusing on at this conference.”
The Youth Biodiversity Action Plenary sets the scene for the Youth Roundtable Talanoa on 9 Wednesday 2026, an open dialogue where Pacific youth, indigenous custodians, practitioners and partners will exchange knowledge, identify challenges, and co-design youth priorities and actions.
The Ambassadors of the Pacific Global Youth Biodiversity Network participation in the PCNC11 was made possible through the generous support of the Pacific BioScapes Programme, a European Union (EU) funded action, managed and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), whose continuous commitment to youth engagement and biodiversity conservation has been instrumental in bringing the Pacific Chapter to life.
Further assistance for the activity in Noumea was provided by the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Peace Corps Fiji welcomes Group 101 Trainees
SUVA. 09 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PEACE CORPS FIJI) — Peace Corps Fiji has welcomed Group 101 at Nadi International Airport as part of its continued effort to support inclusive socioeconomic development in rural iTaukei communities. The 24 Trainees will spend their first week in Suva settling in and beginning orientation activities before moving to their training site villages. They will then continue a 9-week Pre-Service Training (PST) to prepare for two years of Volunteer service under the Community Economic Empowerment Project (CEEP).
PST provides Trainees with intensive preparation in language, culture, and technical skills. Through iTaukei language learning, community immersion, homestays, and applied training sessions, Trainees gain the practical tools they need to collaborate with local partners and support community priorities. The programme focuses heavily on understanding cultural protocols, building relationships, and learning how to work effectively with rural communities.
CEEP Volunteers are placed in iTaukei villages throughout Fiji to support the national goal of inclusive socioeconomic growth. After several months of community integration and strengthening their local language skills, Volunteers work with community counterparts to address three primary areas of development.
In each of these areas, Volunteers collaborate closely with local partners to design and lead participatory learning activities. These may include community workshops, group coaching, or practical demonstrations. Volunteers and counterparts then continue to work alongside community members as they put new skills into practice. The CEEP model emphasises sustainability, collaboration, and community leadership, ensuring that each village guides its own priorities and pace of development.
More than 2,500 Americans have served in Fiji since 1968, building relationships and working with communities on locally led initiatives grounded in shared learning and trust.
Country Director Charles Enciso welcomed Group 101 and said, “Our partnership with communities is built on listening, respect, and collaboration. Group 101 is entering a programme that focuses on long-term community goals. Their role is to support the work that communities themselves identify, and to do so in a way that strengthens local capacity.” …. PACNEWS
