In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Divisions on China missile test threaten to destabilise Pacific Islands Forum
2. FIJI — Fiji backs united Pacific stance on missile testing
3. PACIFIC — ‘Take note’: Australia’s stern warning to China
4. PACIFIC — Taiwan to attend Pacific leaders meet: Pacific official
5. COOKS — Cost of living takes centre stage as Cook Islands prepare to vote for next government
6. SOL — PM Wale: Ship Rider Agreement is a multiplication of jurisdiction
7. PACNEWS BIZ — New analysis: Fuel crisis has already cost Fijians US$45million as oil majors post record US$48 billion in profits
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific looks to renewable energy
9. PACNEWS BIZ — FFA and SPC Present Fisheries Ministerial Outcomes to Forum Officials
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Cash remains king for majority of Fijians
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Goods driving Fiji-PNG trade
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Farmers told to prepare as El Niño strengthens
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Palau’s Renewable Energy
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Samoa endorses new framework to advance youth development in the Commonwealth
PAC – DIPLOMACY: TVNZ PACNEWS 1: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Divisions on China missile test threaten to destabilise Pacific Islands Forum
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026N (TVNZ)—Deep divisions are threatening to destabilise the Pacific Islands Forum after foreign ministers walked away unable to come to any agreement on action against China’s ballistic missile test.
Last month the missile landed close to Tuvalu’s exclusive economic zone, resulting in harsh criticism from most of the Pacific.
But New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters left Friday’s meeting in Suva furious over the lack of a strong statement against China, saying “outsiders” had influenced two Pacific countries to try and drive their agenda.
1News understands those two countries are Kiribati and Nauru, which have sided with China.
Peters said those two countries were using the need for consensus “to respond to outside partners’ wishes rather than those that belong to the Pacific Islands Forum”.
“Well, they didn’t actually lay out any reasons apart from their disagreement and not wishing for us to make the clear statement such as – we are opposed to missiles being fired into the Pacific”.
He said New Zealand was unsatisfied with the result and discussions will be ongoing.
Security was very much the theme of the Foreign Ministers meeting, and juggling national interests with regional ones had proven challenging.
The reliance on China for assistance was at the heart of it. Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said while China is one of PNG’s biggest allies as well as an economic and trade partner, firing a missile into the Pacific had been unhelpful.
“Look, we’re not happy with what’s going on – it’s not helping anybody in the region at all by doing this. It’s becoming a negative, not a positive,” he said.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa was optimistic the Pacific Islands Forum would find a way forward to address the China issue despite the tension.
“We know that everyone thinks that it’s important to respect the region, the Pacific, our sovereignty over the Pacific, the blue Pacific, and we have the Ocean of Peace declaration,” he said.
“But at the same time there’s different ideas in how we should approach this.”
Waqa, a former President of Nauru, said the great thing is Forum members were listening to each other despite their different views.
“But we want a strong message as well, not just for our benefit but for the benefit of all humanity. This is the last frontier, so to speak”.
Professor Steve Ratuva, pro-vice chancellor Pacific from Canterbury University, said the Chinese embassies in Pacific countries have been very active behind the scenes.
“Perhaps giving real subtle threats of various kinds is a way of making sure that you know, the statement which might come out is not that strong,” he said.
Such is the geopolitical tension that a regional security treaty, suggested by the Solomon Islands, is now on the table. But experts believe it isn’t that simple, there are complicating factors.
“That sort of treaty should not override the individual sovereignty of countries – individual countries still want to engage directly with the big powers bilaterally,” he says.
He said sometimes these types of treaties are weaponised “so countries like China, for instance, might play a country against the other just to make sure that it breaks up the unity”.
Ratuva says another danger is the focus on security can divert attention away from some of the very significant needs now faced by Pacific countries such as increasing crime, drugs, poverty and corruption.
At the end of the month, in just over three weeks, Pacific leaders will be meeting in Palau for the annual Pacific Islands Forum.
Given what’s happened at their Foreign Ministers meeting in Suva, it’s clear there are choppy waters ahead for the leaders to navigate…..PACNEWS
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Fiji backs united Pacific stance on missile testing
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fiji has backed New Zealand’s push for a united Pacific response opposing missile testing in the region’s waters, despite divisions among Pacific Islands Forum members.
Fiji is among countries supporting a proposed joint statement by Pacific Island countries expressing concerns over China’s missile testing activities in the Pacific.
The issue was among key matters discussed during the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva.
The proposal is understood to have generated significant debate, with Kiribati and the Republic of Nauru opposing the statement.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Sakiasi Ditoka said Fiji supported regional unity and believed missile testing in Pacific waters was inconsistent with the vision of a peaceful and secure Pacific.
‘We cannot prosper in an area where there are hostility and competition for power, and we believe firing missiles in this area will not contribute to the kind of region we want,” Ditoka told the Fiji Sun.
“That’s Fiji’s position. We’d like to stand together with the rest of the region as a united Pacific, doing what is best for the region, which means ensuring it is safe and secure for all its members.”
Ditoka said Fiji supported presenting a united regional position as geopolitical tensions continued to rise.
“We have to stand together to make our position strong, and that’s been the general consensus. That’s what Fiji supports in all aspects of how we present ourselves, whether it’s security, disaster resilience or economic development.
“Fiji supports everything that has been discussed so far, and we stand by the principle of working together as a region in presenting ourselves to the world.”
Further discussions on the issue are expected at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau from August 30 to September 4, 2026, if members decide to revisit the matter…..PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: NEWS.COM.AU PACNEWS 1: Mon 10 Aug 2026
‘Take note’: Australia’s stern warning to China
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (NEWS.COM.AU) —Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned Beijing to heed the rebukes of Pacific leaders about a controversial ballistic missile test performed last month.
China fired the ballistic missile that flew over islands in the Pacific from a submarine on 06 July.
The missile – armed with a dummy warhead – appeared to hit waters near Tuvalu’s exclusive economic zone.
Alongside Australia and New Zealand, countries including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Philippines criticised the move, which China justified at the time as “routine”.
Senator Wong, who was in Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers Meeting, said she hoped China would “take note of the very clear response” from the region’s leaders.
“It was a test which was destabilising and in a region where leaders have said we want an ocean of peace, it’s really important that partners respect that,” she told ABC Radio National.
“And we would continue to encourage that respect.
“In terms of the PIF, that’s ultimately a matter for the Pacific Islands’ foreign ministers.”
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy last month warned China’s test firing had bolstered the case for a regional security pact, saying: “I think it demonstrates that the Pacific security can only be provided from within the Pacific.”
Senator Wong, asked about PIF discussions to further this prospect, said it would be “a point of discussion”.
“There are many things we want to discuss, but obviously one of them is how do we make sure that our region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous?” she said.
“And, how do we ensure the future of the region is determined by the people of the region?
“One aspect of that is what leaders have said for a long time, which is security should be provided from within the Pacific.”
Asked if there was support among her counterparts for a regional security agreement, Senator Wong said Australia was focused on “making sure we engage in the rebuilding of trust and rebuilding Australia’s reputation, strategic position in the Pacific.”….PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: AFP PACNEWS 1: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Taiwan to attend Pacific leaders meet: Pacific official
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (AFP)—– Taiwan will attend an annual gathering of Pacific Island leaders in Palau in August, the regional bloc said, overcoming protests from China that saw Taipei barred from the event in 2025.
China and Taiwan were important partners to the region, a Pacific Islands Forum official told reporters late Friday, after ministers from 18 member states met in Fiji to thrash out priorities.
“Taiwan is a very important development partner. It is not a dialogue partner. However, it engages with members of our forum family,” Baron Waqa, the Forum’s Secretary-General, told a news conference.
Palau, host of the 30 August to 04 September meeting, as well as Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands, are among Taiwan’s 12 remaining diplomatic partners.
China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes the self-governed island’s participation in international organisations and exchanges with other countries.
Forum members Nauru, Kiribati and Solomon Islands have all switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing since 2019.
Solomon Islands, the host of 2025’s leaders meeting, blocked Taiwan from attending, resulting in all external countries being disinvited to the meeting, despite the island states’ reliance on foreign aid and investment.
“This year, it is an open invitation,” said Rick Hou, Foreign minister in the Solomon Islands government that took office in May and has swiftly repaired ties with the United States, Japan and Australia.
A joint statement condemning China’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Pacific in July was still being negotiated, Waqa said, confirming that Nauru and Kiribati had held different positions to other forum members.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters accused two states he did not name of appeasing “outsiders”, after the meeting failed to agree to the statement.
“Everyone wants that statement out,” Waqa later told reporters, adding that the arguments centred on whether it would focus solely on the Chinese missile test, or all missile testing in the Pacific.
The United States conducts ballistic missile tests in the northern Pacific under a defence agreement with the Marshall Islands.
The Pacific Islands also agreed step up efforts to invite world leaders to come to an October special United Nations climate change event in Tuvalu, which is at risk of being submerged by rising seas. …PACNEWS
COOKS – POLITICS/ELECTION: PMN PACNEWS 1: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Cost of living takes centre stage as Cook Islands prepare to vote for next government
RAROTONGA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (PMN)—As Cook Islanders prepare to vote on Wednesday 12 August, the cost of living has emerged as the biggest issue facing voters.
This comes as soaring food, freight and power costs shape one of the country’s closest election campaigns in years.
Rashneel Kumar, editor of the Cook Islands News, says affordability has eclipsed almost every other issue as families and businesses struggle with rising prices.
“The sticker shock is real. I was baffled to actually see potato prices at NZ$7(US$4.12) a kilo,” Kumar told PMN on Pacific Mornings.
He said the Cook Islands’ dependence on imports means higher freight costs continue to push up prices, while global inflation and rising energy costs have added further pressure.
Kumar said his newspaper’
s pre-election poll, due to be released this weekend, also identifies the cost of living as voters’ biggest concern.
The pressure is being felt across the country.
Last month, Liana Scott Muri Beach Hotel general manager told PMN News that almost everything consumed in the Cook Islands is imported.
“The cost of living is no joke here. Everything’s imported. I think 90 percent of everything we need and require is imported. Freight, air freight and sea freight continue to increase,” Scott said.
She says households are also facing higher rents, new water charges and rising electricity costs.
Prime Minister Mark Brown is seeking a fifth consecutive term for the Cook Islands Party (CIP), which has governed since 2010.
Voters will elect all 24 MPs to Parliament under the first-past-the-post system.
Despite the Cook Islands Party’s long time in office, Kumar says the election is too close to call.
“It could go either way,” he said.
He does not expect either of the two major parties to win an outright majority, making independent candidates likely to play a key role in forming the next government.
There are 63 candidates contesting the election, including 15 independents. One seat has already been decided, with former Democratic Party MP Agnes Armstrong returned unopposed as the independent MP for Ivirua.
Water charges have also become a major campaign issue.
While households receive 38,000 litres of free water, Kumar says opposition parties have criticised the government’s charging system, with some voters calling for water to return to being completely free.
The campaign has also played out heavily on social media, where Kumar said misinformation has spread quickly, forcing the country’s water authority to publicly correct false claims.
Beyond household costs, deep sea mining remains one of the clearest policy differences between the major parties.
At last Thursday’s leaders’ debate, Brown defended his government’s exploration-first approach, saying any future industry should create more value for the Cook Islands.
“The focus should be not on what these countries want,” Brown says, arguing the Cook Islands should be “part of the value chain … not just collecting royalties”.
Progressive Party leader Te Tuhi Kelly took a different view.
“This is not about choosing between one major power and another. It is about choosing the Cook Islands.”
Kumar says the Cook Islands United Party also continues to oppose seabed mining.
Although relations with New Zealand drew attention after last year’s agreements with China, Kumar says the issue has faded during the campaign and is no longer a deciding factor for most voters.
For the many Cook Islanders living in Aotearoa New Zealand, however, the election outcome still matters.
Kumar says many in the diaspora want a government that maintains a “healthy … robust and close” relationship with New Zealand while creating more opportunities for Cook Islanders overseas to return home, invest and contribute.
Preliminary results are expected on election night, with the official count likely to take at least a week….PACNEWS
SOL – DIPLOMACY: SOLOMON STAR PACNEWS 1: Mon 10 Aug 2026
PM Wale: Ship Rider Agreement is a multiplication of jurisdiction
HONIARA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (SOLOMON STAR) —Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale says the Ship Rider Agreement signed with the United States is not a surrender of jurisdiction, but a multiplication of it.
He highlighted this in Parliament last Friday, saying that a Ship Rider agreement is a bilateral maritime law-enforcement agreement of the kind the United States maintains with more than 60 countries around the world, including 12 Pacific Island countries.
The 12 Pacific Island Countries are Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tuvalu and Papua New Guinea.
The PM said the 12 countries across the Blue Pacific have operated under these agreements for years, some for decades, and none of them has lost its sovereignty to a Ship Rider agreement.
He said these agreements are not instruments of foreign control, but rather “instruments of our control, extended by a partner’s platform” as nothing under this Agreement happens except at the request of Solomon Islands.
“Operations occur when Solomon Islands asks for them; our officers embark; our laws are enforced; and law enforcement decisions and actions in our waters remain, at every point, under Solomon Islands authority.
“The United States supplies what we do not have, cutters, aircraft, fuel, surveillance, reach; and Solomon Islands supplies what only Solomon Islands can supply: the sovereign authority, and the sovereign decision.
“That is why the honest description of a Ship Rider agreement is not a surrender of jurisdiction. It is a multiplication of it,” Wale emphasised.
The PM said Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone is one of the largest maritime spaces under any flag with over one point three million square kilometres of the country’s ocean and its entire patrol capacity could not police a fraction of it.
“Every day that zone is robbed: illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing strips wealth from the very tuna stocks on which the Bina Harbour processing plant, promised in this Speech and supported on both sides of this House, will depend.
He said illegal fishing and illicit drug flows are serious and significant challenges, and they are challenges that no Pacific Island country, on its own, can manage.
“Not one of us, not the largest of us and certainly not the smallest, commands the vessels, the aircraft, the fuel and the intelligence to police the vastness of our own waters alone.”
The PM said this is not a confession of weakness, but the honest geography of the Blue Pacific and it is exactly why the Pacific region has built its security on partnership.
Our Leaders have proclaimed a Pacific Ocean of Peace, and Solomon Islands, as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, carries a particular duty to give that proclamation meaning.
“But let us be honest with ourselves: the Pacific Ocean of Peace would be meaningless without some capability to protect it.”
Wale said an ocean of peace that cannot be defended from the poacher and the trafficker is not an ocean of peace at all, but an ocean of opportunity for those who prey upon it.
“The Ship Rider Agreement is one part of that capability, and that is the background against which this House should weigh it,” he emphasised…..PACNEWS
PAC – FUEL CRISIS: 350.ORG PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 10 Aug 2026
New analysis: Fuel crisis has already cost Fijians US$45million as oil majors post record US$48 billion in profits
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (350.ORG) —New analysis by 350.org shows that elevated oil prices have already imposed an estimated US$45m (approx FJD$100m) on Fiji since the start of the Iran war and will cost up to over US$100m (approx FJD$220m) in total by the end of the year in case of continued escalation.
Even in case of a swift normalization of the Strait of Hormuz and the region – recent weeks have seen renewed escalation and recorded concomitant rising prices – higher oil prices would cost the Fijian people and businesses over US$65m ($144m FJD) by the end of the year.
350.org’s analysis is based on oil and gas pricing scenarios of the International Monetary Fund’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook, Fijian consumption data and observed price averages since the start of the Iran war and Hormuz crisis.
350.org’s estimates do not yet account for wider knock-on effects, including rising fertiliser and food costs, lower economic output and employment, or rising inflation driven by fossil fuel price volatility. As a result, the true economic damage is likely to be significantly greater than the direct losses from higher oil and gas prices alone.
This analysis lands as five of the world’s biggest oil and gas companies amassed a cumulative US$48 billion in profits this quarter’s earnings season (TotalEnergies – US$6 billion; Shell – US$9.8 billion; Chevron – US$12.1 billion; ExxonMobil – 14.5; BP – US$5.7 billion), with most of them posting some of their highest profits since 2022.
Fenton Lutunatabua, 350.org Pacific and Caribbean Program Lead says, “It is shocking to see these obscene profit margins in global oil and gas companies, while people in Fiji are having to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for a crisis not of their making. It has never been clearer that we need to break free of our reliance on imported fuel and invest in our own renewable energy independence.
Across the Pacific, our people are being choked by climate disasters and rising costs of living. The Just Transition to renewable energy needs to happen swiftly, and I think the people that are profiting off of our struggle, the world’s highest earners and highest polluters, should be required to pay for their fair share of it.” ……PACNEWS
PAC – RENEWABLE ENERGY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Pacific looks to renewable energy
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—The ongoing fuel crisis has prompted Pacific leaders to look more closely at strengthening renewable energy solutions across the region.
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General Baron Waqa said the issue was discussed by Pacific Foreign Ministers as leaders considered ways to strengthen the region’s response to the ongoing repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East.
Waqa said the fuel crisis was one of the priority areas being addressed through the regional response mechanism established by Pacific leaders through the Troika (a pacific leadership group that provides strategic guidance and maintains regional continuity between annual summits).
“I think what is important to understand is that this crisis, we have no control over, all right, the effects of it,” he said.
“So, what we can only do for ourselves is making sure that we help each other and arrive at a way of addressing.”
Waqa said the effects of the crisis extended beyond fuel prices, affecting transportation costs, inflation, the cost of goods and the ability of people to afford their livelihoods.
Waqa said Pacific leaders were also considering renewable energy as part of the region’s response.
“Also, as the Pacific is a leader in climate change and addressing issues regarding climate change, and one of them is renewable energy.”….PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 10 Aug 2026
FFA and SPC Present Fisheries Ministerial Outcomes to Forum Officials
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (FFA)—The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Pacific Community (SPC) have jointly presented the outcomes of the 2026 Fisheries Ministers Meetings to the Forum Officials Committee (FOC) in Suva, Fiji.
FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop and SPC Deputy Director-General Dr Andrew Jones delivered the joint presentation during the FOC Meeting, highlighting the key fisheries and aquaculture agreed by the Ministers, including the Vakamanu Regional Pacific Fisheries Strategy 2026-2035, which will be presented to Pacific Islands Forum Leaders for consideration and endorsement.
The Vakamanu Strategy, adopted by Fisheries Ministers in Wellington, New Zealand in July 2026, is the Pacific region’s new overarching fisheries and aquaculture framework for the next decade. It brings offshore fisheries, coastal fisheries, and aquaculture together under a single regional 10-year framework.
The name Vakamanu is a Niuean term which refers to a flock of birds hovering above a school of fish — a symbol of abundance and hope. Drawing on the blue Pacific concept of vaka (canoe) and manu (birds), the Strategy embodies unity in one canoe and shared responsibility for the region’s fisheries resources.
Pakop said the Strategy provides Pacific Leaders with holistic oversight of the management and development of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture resources.
“Fisheries and aquaculture are not a sectoral issue – they are a strategic regional resource, underpinning government revenue, food security, livelihoods, and the practical expression of our Members’ sovereignty and stewardship of the ocean,” Pakop told the FOC.
“It is therefore important that Leaders continue to have holistic oversight over the management and development of this critical resource. The Vakamanu Strategy is the vehicle by which Leaders are able to exercise that oversight.”
The presentation underscored the significance of the region’s fisheries, noting that tuna generates approximately USD 500 million in access fees and USD$1.2 billion in export earnings annually, while coastal fisheries support the livelihoods of up to one-third of Pacific households.
With Pacific tuna stocks remaining among the healthiest in the world, Pakop said FFA is shifting its focus to value retention and economic development through the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) and the FFA Strategic Plan 2026 2031.
The joint presentation reflects the close partnership between FFA and SPC in supporting Pacific Island countries to achieve sustainable fisheries, resilient coastal communities and long-term economic prosperity.
The outcomes of the 2026 Fisheries Ministers Meetings, together with the Vakamanu Regional Pacific Fisheries Strategy 2026–2035, will now be considered by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders during their meeting in Koror, Palau from 30 August – 04 September 2026…..PACNEWS
FIJI – CASH: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Cash remains king for majority of Fijians
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—-Cash remains the preferred method of payment for most Fijians despite the growing availability of mobile money, internet banking and other digital financial services, according to the Fiji Financial Services Demand Side Survey 2025.
The survey found that 60 percent of Fijians prefer using cash, while 36 percent prefer digital payments but do not know how to use them.
Only a small proportion indicated a clear preference for digital payments.
The preference for cash was relatively consistent between men and women, with 59 percent of males and 61 percent of females preferring cash.
However, significant differences emerge when the figures are broken down by age.
Younger Fijians were more open to digital payments, with only 55 per ent of those aged 15 to 35 preferring cash.
Cash preference increased to 56 percent among those aged 36 to 55 before climbing sharply among older Fijians.
About 78 percent of people aged 56 to 65 preferred cash, rising further to 82 percent among those aged 66 and above.
There were also considerable geographical differences.
The Northern Division recorded the strongest preference for cash at 70 percent, followed by the Western Division at 65 percent and Eastern Division at 63 percent.
In the Central Division, only 52 percent preferred cash, while 43 percent said they preferred digital payments but did not know how to use them.
Rural residents were also considerably more likely to favour cash, with 68 percent preferring cash compared with 54 percent of urban residents.
The survey found convenience was the biggest reason people continued using cash.
Among those who preferred cash, 42 percent said it was because cash was easy to use, while 25 percent said merchants and stores mainly used cash.
Another 16 percent used cash to avoid bank charges or fees, while 13 percent preferred it for emergencies.
Despite the strong preference for cash, the survey indicates there is potential for greater digital payment adoption if barriers to usage are addressed.
People with disabilities were significantly more likely to report preferring cash because they did not know how to use digital banking services or experienced difficulty using them.
Among Fijians aged over 66, 67 percent reported lower education levels and 60 percent experienced significant difficulty using digital services, making electronic payments particularly challenging for this group.
The survey also found that while 39 percent of people over 66 preferred cash for all payments, 59 percent would consider not using cash in certain situations.
Overall, just 40 percent of Fijians using formal financial services preferred digital payments over cash, highlighting the continued dominance of physical currency despite Fiji’s expanding digital financial landscape….-PACNEWS
FIJI – TRADE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Goods driving Fiji-PNG trade
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Fiji’s trade with Papua New Guinea has been driven mainly by manufactured products, food items and industrial inputs, according to the PNG-Fiji Business Council.
A market report from the council described the trade between the two nations as “relatively modest, but showed a growth momentum in the past financial year”.
Total trade was FJDJ$25.3 million (about K48 million) in 2023, FJD$19.9 million (about K37.8 million) in 2024, before recovering strongly to record FJD$28.9 million (about K55 million) in 2025.
Fiji’s imports from Papua New Guinea in 2025 were dominated by kava at FJD$18.7 million (about K35.5 million), which accounted for the vast majority of the import bill.
The report said the two nations were trying to deepen trade and investment ties, with recent government and private sector missions focused on agriculture, tourism, information communication technology and manufacturing.
The newly-formed council had announced its plans in Port Moresby to review two trade agreements to identify and assess the effectiveness of existing frameworks, and establish opportunities for greater alignment and synergy.
They are the PNG-Fiji trade agreement and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) trade agreement.
It was one of three 12-month action plans discussed at the first council meeting held at the Fiji High Commission in Port Moresby recently.
The others are:
*Analysing bilateral trade data between PNG and Fiji to gain a clearer understanding of cur- rent import and export trends, identify gaps, and uncover opportunities to strengthen trade and investment flows; and,
* Developing a geo-listing of businesses and strategic economic assets to support market intelligence, improve connectivity between stakeholders, and facilitate targeted trade and investment initiatives.
The gathering was attended by business and industry leaders from the private and government sectors of Fiji and PNG.
The formation of the council was driven by Fiji’s High Commissioner Jackson Evans and supported by Sir Mahesh Patel, the founder and chairman emeritus of the City Pharmacy Limited Group.
Sir Mahesh had told The National: “I am particularly keen to see more small-medium enterprises (SME) from PNG and Fiji become involved.
“The small business sector holds enormous potential, and greater participation from both sides will help drive trade, partnerships, and economic growth for our countries.”
The council aims to provide a platform through which the private sector from large corporations to SMEs can engage with the governments of both countries at the highest political and policy- making levels.
The council plans to identify and address trade and investment challenges, foster stronger bilateral economic relations, and promote solutions that support SME development, overall business growth and cross-border investment between PNG and Fiji…..PACNEWS
FIJI – AGRICULTURE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Fiji Farmers told to prepare as El Niño strengthens
SUVA, 10 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways has not yet allocated specific support for farmers facing El Niño-driven dry conditions.
Permanent Secretary Andrew Tukana said the Ministry will only step in once a need is confirmed through ongoing monitoring.
“We’ll just have to continue to monitor,” Tukana told this masthead last Friday.
“Then if there comes such a time when there will be a need, then we would analyse it, look into it.”
His comments come as the Fiji Meteorological Service confirms El Niño is underway and strengthening, with forecasters warning conditions could turn strong to very strong.
Tukana said the western division and other traditionally dry parts of the country were most likely to be exposed, while most crops would be affected once soil moisture ran short during critical growth stages.
“You might have to revert to other things like irrigation to support water,” he said.
He urged farmers to harvest and store rainwater now while conditions allow, noting the Central Division continued to receive rain even as other areas dried out.
“Besides the cold, farmers need to be able to use water wisely as well as to store water when there’s rain,” Tukana said.
Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau has separately warned Fiji faces its driest period between October and December.
The Water Authority of Fiji is already activating dry-weather contingency plans nationwide as 44 monitored water sources come under strain……PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
KOROR, 10 AUGUST 2026 (THE BORGEN PROJECT) —Palau has set ambitious renewable energy goals, aiming for 100 percent of energy to come from renewable sources by 2050. The nation has already established multiple solar farms and is exploring wind and other modalities.
Reducing Dependence on Imported Fuel
Palau is a small island chain of 340 islands in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers (745 to 942 miles) east of the Philippines, with a population of about 17,000 people.
The country is upgrading its energy production from imported fossil fuels to solar power and battery backup, among other methods. This shift is expected to free up millions of dollars for programs ranging from electric grid upgrades to socioeconomic stability.
Dependence on foreign oil is not a steady, reliable energy source. In 2024, Palau imported US$36 million worth of refined petroleum. Instability in the Middle East could make oil imports more expensive and less reliable for Pacific nations, as most oil that transits the Strait of Hormuz is bound for Asia.
Palauans have recognised these risks and have engaged in discussions with various companies and countries for about 10 years. They are collaborating with different countries and entities to advance Palau’s renewable energy goals.
International Cooperation
The Palau Solar PV+BESS Project, developed by Solar Pacific Pristine Power Inc., a Philippine company, is the largest solar-plus-battery-storage project in the Western Pacific. Solar Pacific is the first utility-scale solar producer on the island, supplying about 20% of Palau’s power needs.
The Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy has pledged 16.4 million Australian dollars to fund a battery storage system, contributing to a 15-megawatt solar farm, one of the largest in the Pacific region. The funding comes from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).
Poverty Challenges
About 25 percent of Palau’s population lives in poverty. Many rural areas lack easily accessible roads to markets or basic medical centres due to their location on small islands. The Southwest Islands of Sonsorol, Pulo Anna, Merir and Tobi Island have a population of 65 people. Many residents must travel long distances to larger cities and bring items back to rural areas.
Despite economic growth for most islands, inflation has diminished economic gains. Fuel costs have increased consumer prices by 200% and food prices by 300% over the last 10 years, especially since 2020. This imbalance has made daily life challenging, as the islands depend heavily on imports for necessities such as food and medicine.
Islands like Kayangel, Angaur and West Babeldaob, which are isolated from the major city of Koror, have the highest poverty rates. Many couples with children often leave for economic opportunities in Koror or other countries, leaving children with grandparents and the community.
The average income in Palau in 2026 is about US$21,000 per year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Families are expected to save on electricity bills and fuel usage, making it easier to afford basic needs. These savings will create more local job opportunities in the energy sector.
Benefits for Palau
Locals are building solar arrays, microgrids and battery systems, creating skilled technical jobs. Savings on fuel supplies and tariffs will allow for future innovations in roads, energy infrastructure, schools and medical facilities, strengthening financial stability for families and the nation.
Former President Tommy Remengesau Jr stated that Palau’s renewable energy goals offer fixed costs with no inflation for 30 years while remaining environmentally friendly, a benefit for Palauans.
Palau will become energy independent from fossil fuels, aiding the population, especially the impoverished, and setting an example for reliable energy solutions in low- and middle-income countries…PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Samoa endorses new framework to advance youth development in the Commonwealth
LONDON, 10 AUGUST 2026 (COMSEC)—The Commonwealth Youth Ministers Task Force has endorsed a new framework to guide the delivery of the Commonwealth Youth Programme over the next three years, advancing youth development across member countries.
The endorsement was made at a special meeting of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force, held on 28 July at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London and online.
The framework aligns the Commonwealth Youth Programme with the Commonwealth Secretariat Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and positions young people as partners and leaders in building democratic, economic and environmental resilience. It has a particular focus on creating opportunities for youth leadership, skills, entrepreneurship and digital inclusion, supported by measurable results.
The meeting was co-chaired by Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Pakistan, and Moefaauouo Julius Ah Kui Tafunai, Minister for Samoa’s Ministry of Family and Social Affairs.
In her welcome remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, welcomed the endorsement and thanked ministers for their continued commitment to delivering tangible opportunities for young people.
She said:”The strong level of support for the framework reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Commonwealth co-operation on youth development.
“Equally valuable are the recommendations received on implementation, financing, technical assistance and support for Small States and Small Island Developing States. These contributions have enriched the framework and will help ensure that the Commonwealth Youth Programme remains practical and responsive to the needs of our young people.”
A welcome blueprint
Ministers welcomed the framework’s emphasis on youth mainstreaming across the pillars of the Secretariat’s Strategic Plan, while reaffirming the distinct role of the Commonwealth Youth Programme for youth development. They also endorsed a focused portfolio of high-impact initiatives designed to strengthen inclusive youth participation, youth entrepreneurship, access to finance, digital capabilities and skills development.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force, said: “Our discussions have provided valuable strategic guidance on the Commonwealth Youth Programme Strategic Framework (2026-2030) and reaffirmed our collective commitment to strengthening youth development across the Commonwealth.”
Addressing the meeting, Moefaauouo Julius Ah Kui Tafunai, Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force said: “As Co-chair, I thank you for the wisdom, purpose and collective resolve you brought to our discussions. We affirmed our commitment to a Commonwealth Youth Programme that is strategic, collaborative and accountable—one that places young people at the centre and delivers measurable outcomes.
Samoa remains committed to working with the Commonwealth and all member states to expand meaningful opportunities for young people.”
During deliberations, ministers called for an implementation plan that reflects the recommendations submitted by member countries and is supported by a strengthened monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework.
Ministers also noted the proposed Commonwealth Youth Programme Strategic Co-Investment Model, designed to mobilise additional resources and partnerships while preserving the Programme’s existing mandate, governance arrangements and institutional status.
Ministers received updates on the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF), which will take place from 02 to 04 November 2026 at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda alongside the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM); and preparations for the 11th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in 2027.
Recommendations and Next Steps
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Commonwealth youth development agenda, with a strong focus on empowering young people to lead, contribute and help shape a more sustainable and prosperous future. They expressed deep appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretary-General for her continued commitment to young people across the Commonwealth.
The meeting closed with a renewed commitment to collaboration, with participants recognising the continued leadership of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the valuable contributions of all those who supported the meeting’s success.
The Secretariat will finalise the implementation plan for the framework, incorporating recommendations from member countries and the Task Force.
The Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force brings together ministers and senior officials from The Bahamas, Cyprus, The Gambia, India, Kenya, Namibia, Naoero, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Saint Lucia and Uganda, together with representatives of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) and the Commonwealth Association of Youth Work Associations (CAYWA), to provide strategic guidance on Commonwealth youth development priorities and on the delivery of commitments made by member countries….PACNEWS
