In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — El Niño conditions confirmed: SPREP urges coordinated regional response
2. PACIFIC — Pacific Leaders issue global appeal for Peace
3. PACFIC — U.S targets Oceania’s illegal activities
4. PACIFIC — China direct strike threat to Australia ‘growing’: report
5. FIJI — Triple weather warning continues – rain and strong winds to persist
6. TUVALU — Tuvalu’s new parametric insurance plan pays out to 409 households
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Niue budget under scrutiny as deficit grows and community spending left out
8. PACNEWS BIZ — ADB delivers rapid support as Middle East impact spreads
9. PACNEWS BIZ — FAO expands Tuna processing skills to secure Kiribati industry future
10. PACNEWS BIZ — ABG launches four new passenger vessels for Bougainville Atolls
11. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — ‘Perilous moment’ threatens to reverse years of gains in HIV/AIDS response
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — 23 young leaders selected for 2026 Commonwealth Youth Forum International Taskforce
PAC – WEATHER WATCH: SPREP PACNEWS 1: Mon 15 Jun 2026
El Niño conditions confirmed: SPREP urges coordinated regional response
APIA, 15 JUNE 2026 (SPREP) — El Niño conditions have now been established in the Pacific.
Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) values have met the established thresholds required to formally declare El Niño conditions.
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual. This changes rainfall and wind patterns across the region.
El Niño events usually occur every two to seven years and can last from several months to more than a year.
“We look forward to working with our Met Services and partners for a coordinated regional response across our Pacific as we enter this period,” said Salesa Nihmei, Director of Climate Science and Information of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
“Over the coming months, Western Pacific countries are likely to experience drier-than-usual conditions, increasing the risk of drought. National authorities and communities in this sub-region are advised to begin proactive water management planning,” he said.
In contrast, Central and Eastern Pacific Island countries, including the Northern Cook Islands, can expect above-normal rainfall during this period.
Typically, El Niño alters the regions in which tropical cyclones form, with genesis zones shifting eastward across both hemispheres. Genesis zones are the areas of ocean where tropical cyclones most commonly develop.
During El Niño, warmer waters shift further east, making it more likely for cyclones to form in these new areas instead of their usual locations.
In the North Pacific, the genesis zone is expected to move closer to the Marshall Islands, shifting from its typical position near the Philippines and Guam.
In the South Pacific, the genesis zone is expected to shift closer to Samoa, Niue and Cook Islands, moving away from its usual position near Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and the Coral Sea.
While El Niño conditions are generally associated with drier-than-normal weather and increased drought risk in the Western Pacific, short-term heavy rainfall events can still occur within this broader pattern. Even where such events take place, monthly and seasonal rainfall totals may remain below average overall.
“Past El Niño transition phases have shown that short-term weather events of this kind can create the potential for mixed messaging. There is a risk that such events may be misinterpreted in the media, affecting how the broader El Niño outlook is understood and communicated,” said Nihmei.
“It is therefore important to clearly distinguish between short-term weather events and the broader El Niño climate signal, to avoid confusion or misunderstanding among the public and media,” said Nihmei.
The public is encouraged to connect with their National Meteorological Services for the most locally relevant and up-to-date information.
The Pacific Climate Services Team within SPREP have carefully reviewed individual statements issued by Pacific Regional Climate Centre (RCC) Nodes, supported by consistent indicators across the network.
The RCC Nodes that have issued statements or their El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indicators (ocean and atmosphere indicators) which have reached El Nino threshold are the APEC Climate Centre (APCC), the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ), and the U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Pacific Climate Services Team will be closely monitoring the situation and provide regular updates on El Niño and its implications for the Pacific. These updates will be shared through the SPREP website and SPREP social media platforms…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS/PIFS PACNEWS 1: Mon 15 Jun 2026
Pacific Leaders issue global appeal for Peace
SUVA, 15 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS/PIFS) — Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders have issued a global appeal for peace, calling on world leaders to uphold the United Nations Charter, pursue dialogue over conflict, and support a world free from the threat of war.
In a political statement grounded in the Ocean of Peace Declaration adopted in 2025, Forum Leaders said all nations share the aspiration of living in a world free from conflict and warned of the devastating consequences of war and insecurity.
“We, the Leaders of Australia, Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Fiji, French Polynesia, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, the Republic of Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, the Republic of Palau, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and the Republic of Vanuatu (Pacific Islands Forum Leaders), extend this appeal for peace in the firm conviction that all nations share the aspiration of a world free from the threat of war, and the devastation of conflict. It is imperative that tolerance and respect for the rights and dignity of all peoples and nations be upheld,” the statement said.
The statement reinforces the region’s commitment to peace at a time of growing global tensions and uncertainty.
Forum Leaders said the Ocean of Peace Declaration reflects the Pacific’s long-standing commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful dispute resolution.
“We, the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, declared our Blue Pacific Continent an Ocean of Peace in 2025. Grounded in the Pacific Way, the Declaration reaffirms that dialogue, respect, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, are part of our enduring contribution to the rules-based international order and to international peace and security.”
The leaders called on governments around the world to support the principles outlined in the declaration and to uphold international law.
“In that spirit, we call on all world Leaders to stand with us to uphold the Charter of the United Nations, including the sovereign equality of all states, and the rights of all peoples to exist in peace and security.”
The statement highlights the Pacific’s experience with insecurity and external pressures, noting that island nations continue to face challenges arising from decisions and events beyond their control.
“In the Pacific, our island nations know the cost of insecurity, the consequences of threats and decisions beyond our making and the importance of strong, secure partnerships.”
Leaders said climate change remains one of the most significant pressures facing the region, affecting economies, infrastructure and long-term resilience.
“Today, we are managing increasing pressures from climate-related impacts that affect our economies, infrastructure and long-term resilience. As smaller countries at the end of global supply chains, we are acutely vulnerable to disruptions and shocks, with profound impacts for our peoples.”
The leaders renewed calls for greater support from development partners and major economies, arguing that Pacific countries cannot address these challenges alone.
“We continue to call for understanding and support from our partners and larger economies, for our survival is not in our hands alone.”
Reaffirming the Pacific Way as the foundation of regional cooperation, Forum Leaders said peaceful engagement would remain the region’s preferred approach to resolving disputes and addressing security concerns.
“We affirm that, in the Pacific Way, we will always seek peaceful means to resolve differences, reduce tensions, and address the threats to international peace and security, consistent with our shared vision outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”
The leaders said the principles contained in the Ocean of Peace Declaration can help create opportunities for dialogue and cooperation even during major international crises.
“We further affirm that, by embracing the principles of the Ocean of Peace Declaration, we can create space for cooperation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of crises, however grave or precarious. In doing so, we create the conditions for lasting peace, stronger partnerships, and a more secure future for all.”
Forum Leaders also used the statement to reaffirm the Pacific’s long-standing opposition to nuclear weapons and nuclear testing, citing the region’s historical experience with nuclear activities.
“As custodians of a region affected by the legacy of nuclear testing, we reaffirm our vision of a peaceful Pacific, free of nuclear weapons and nuclear testing and our shared objective of eliminating nuclear weapons globally.”
The statement concludes with a direct appeal to the international community to join Pacific nations in promoting peace and cooperation.
“Guided by our shared values and our commitment to peace, we, the Leaders of the Pacific, invite you to join us in standing together for peace.”
The appeal positions the Pacific Islands Forum as a collective voice for diplomacy, dialogue and multilateral cooperation, while underscoring the region’s continued advocacy for peace, climate action, international security and a world free of nuclear weapons…. PACNEWS
PAC – MARITIME SECURITY: AAP PACNEWS 1: Mon 15 Jun 2026
U.S targets Oceania’s illegal activities
HONOLULU, 15 JUNE 2026 (AAP) — The United States Coast Guard plans to increase its Pacific Islands presence to deter illegal activity, saying it welcomes collaboration with China including in search and rescue missions.
The coast guard has launched Operation Blue Pacific, targeting drug and people smuggling along with illegal fishing while providing support to its Oceania allies.
Coast Guard Captain Jennifer Conklin on Friday provided an overview, saying the goal was to uphold American and Pacific Island sovereign rights.
The U.S was seeking to have a constructive relationship with China wherever possible, she said.
The U.S and China were both signatories to the Asia Pacific Search and Rescue Plan and their coordination centres frequently contacted each other to ensure an appropriate response, she said.
“There are areas that we do collaborate, and we welcome all legal and local actors in the region,” she told reporters on Friday, speaking from Hawaii.
Asked about tensions over the South China Sea, Capt Conklin said that region was not under her purview.
Operation Blue Pacific would promote safety, security, and cooperation with allies and partners in Oceania, she said.
It will include U.S Coast Guard patrols to Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands, she said.
The coast guard planned to continue increasing its Oceania presence, with the goal to disrupt illicit maritime activity like drug smuggling.
Trans-national criminal organisations were using the Pacific as a route for illicit narcotics trafficking, fuelling drug dependency in Pacific nations such as Fiji and Papua New Guinea, she said.
Search and rescue, disaster and pollution response, port safety and information sharing were other key coastguard missions in Oceania, Capt Conklin said.
A U.S Coast Guard cutter was set to visit Port Moresby with Australian and New Zealand counterparts aboard and for the first time a U.S cutter would visit Honiara to build cooperation with the Solomons, she said.
“We do consider ourselves part of the Pacific family, maybe a little bit more on the periphery,” Captain Conklin said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY/DEFENCE: AFP PACNEWS 1: Mon 15 Jun 2026
China direct strike threat to Australia ‘growing’: report
CANBERRA, 15 JUNE 2026 (AFP) — China is capable of a direct missile strike on Australia and the threat is growing as Beijing amasses long-range and hypersonic weapons and builds islands in the South China Sea, an Australian think tank said on Sunday.
A Lowy Institute report found the main threat to Australia was from Chinese missiles fired from ships, submarines and a new intermediate-range ballistic missile that could reach the island continent from China.
China’s capacity to strike Australia would grow over the next decade as “the DF-27 intermediate-range ballistic missile, and potentially a conventionally armed intercontinental ballistic missile, grow in service numbers”, it said.
The DF-27 missile has a range of 5,000 to 8,000 kilometres (3,000 to 5,000 miles), the U.S military said in December.
The direct military threat posed to Australia was not well understood by the public, the report said, adding that it was assessing Beijing’s capability and not its intentions.
Sam Roggeveen, the director of the Lowy Institute’s International Security Programme, told AFP the report was “neither hawkish nor dovish, neither alarmist nor complacent”.
“I think the growth of the People’s Liberation Army is the most important thing to happen to Australian security since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and there is a pressing need for a more informed Australian discussion about it,” he said.
Australia reshaped its military strategy three years ago in response to China’s rapid navy build-up and rising friction between Beijing and Washington, focusing on deterring an adversary from its northern approaches.
However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has been reluctant to talk about the potential for a direct attack on the Australian mainland.
Although China’s ability to sever undersea communications cables, cyber attacks and interdicting maritime trade are the primary risk for Australia, “the direct strike threat is real and growing”, the report said.
The Dong Feng-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile could reach northern Australia if deployed from one of Beijing’s artificially built islands in the South China Sea, it said.
The threat to Australia would “dramatically escalate” if China fielded a crewed or drone long-range bomber, or deployed bombers or missiles on Pacific islands close to Australia.
Australia has been locked in competition with China to cement security ties with South Pacific nations, seeking to prevent Beijing from gaining a base…. PACNEWS
FIJI – WEATHER WATCH: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Mon 15 Jun 2026
Triple weather warning continues – rain and strong winds to persist
NADI, 15 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — A heavy rain alert remains in force for the entire Fiji group as an active trough of low pressure continues to move slowly across the country, bringing rain and unsettled weather expected to persist until later Wednesday.
The Fiji Meteorological Service, in its weather bulletin, also maintained a strong wind warning for all land areas across Fiji and a coastal inundation alert for several low-lying coastal communities.
The weather office said a high-pressure system to the southwest of Fiji continues to direct strong easterly winds over the country, while the active trough, accompanied by cloud and rain, gradually drifts south over the group.
Meteorologists warned that the combination of strong winds and persistent rain could increase the risk of flooding and hazardous sea conditions in affected areas.
The coastal inundation alert remains in force for southern low-lying coastal areas of Yasawa, Mamanuca, Viti Levu from Natadola through the Coral Coast to Navua, as well as Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.
Residents in vulnerable coastal communities are being urged to remain alert, particularly during high tide periods when sea flooding is more likely.
The nationwide strong wind warning remains in effect for all land areas, with authorities advising the public to secure loose objects and exercise caution when travelling.
The active weather system is expected to continue influencing conditions across Fiji until later Wednesday, prompting officials to encourage communities to monitor the latest forecasts and advisories issued by the Fiji Meteorological Service.
Authorities are urging the public to stay informed and take necessary precautions as heavy rain, strong winds and coastal inundation threats persist over the coming days…. PACNEWS
TUVALU – INSURANCE COVER: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 1: Mon 15 Jun 2026
Tuvalu’s new parametric insurance plan pays out to 409 households
FUNAFUTI, 15 JUNE 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Tuvalu has made its first payout under the High Tide Parametric Insurance Product, disbursing AUD$30,675 (US$21,611) to 409 households after three March high-tide events triggered the policy’s lowest threshold.
The programme, launched in February 2026, is designed to provide automatic cash support to households affected by coastal flooding and unusually high tides, without requiring claims or damage assessments.
Each participating household received AUD$ 75 (US$52) through the Development Bank of Tuvalu.
Permanent Secretary for Finance and Economic Development Nuausala Nuausala said the payout shows the value of fast-disbursing climate finance.
“Today’s payout is the beginning, not the end. It gives us confidence that innovative financial protection can work in Tuvalu and gives us a stronger foundation to build from,” he said.
General Manager of the Development Bank of Tuvalu Temukisa Pesega Siale said the product performed as intended.
“The most important message today is that the product has worked as promised. No household had to submit a claim, no physical damage assessment was required, and no family had to wait for a very long verification process before the payout was calculated,” she said.
The insurance product was developed through the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme, or PICAP, with support from the UNCDF, UNDP and UNU-EHS, in partnership with the Government of Tuvalu, the Development Bank of Tuvalu, the Tuvalu Insurance Office, Pacific Re. Ltd. and other stakeholders.
Siale added that the scheme adds a new layer of financial protection for households exposed to climate risk and complements broader adaptation measures, including coastal protection, land reclamation, and infrastructure development.
The government also credited support from Australia and New Zealand for helping make the initiative possible…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
NIUE – BUDGET: PMN PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 15 Jun 2026
Niue budget under scrutiny as deficit grows and community spending left out
ALOFI, 15 JUNE 2026 (PMN) — MPs in Niue are pressing the newly re-elected government over its first budget since the election, raising concerns about shifting priorities, rising spending, and a widening deficit they say needs closer scrutiny.
At the centre of the debate is why community development and social welfare – long-standing areas of government spending – are no longer listed among the government’s stated Budget priorities despite remaining major parts of the public expenditure.
The questions came as the Niue Assembly completed the first reading of the 2026/27 Appropriation Annual Bill on 10 June.
The Budget sets out $83.4 million (US$48.64 million) in spending against $65.8 million (US$38.38 million) in expected revenue with the bill now before the Public Accounts Committee for detailed scrutiny.
MP Robert BJ Rex, who topped the Common Roll vote in May’s election, welcomed investment in tourism and continued subsidies but raised several concerns about where the money is going.
He pointed to a drop in education funding, called for stronger support for farmers and questioned why community development and social welfare had been left out of the government’s stated priorities.
According to last year’s budget documents, community development alone accounted for the largest recurrent spending line item at $5.54m (US$3.23 million).
Rex also turned his attention to the Niue International Trust Fund, valued at $72.7m (US$42.39 million) as of June 2024 and chaired by Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi.
With water services failing and infrastructure in need of repair, Rex argued the fund should be put to work for Niueans.
“Our people should not be complaining about our water services failing,” he said. “The money is there. It will continue to grow. But I believe it is there to help our people as well.
‘Our budget needs to focus on the development of our people.”
He also raised concerns about a secondary employment tax and questioned why wages and pensions were being cut for people who left the island due to illness.
The budget shows a significant increase in spending, up $15.2m (8.86 million) from last year’s $68.2m (US$38.78 million) plan while the deficit has widened from $12.5m (US$7.29 million) to $17.6m (US$10.26 million).
Tagelagi, who also holds the Finance portfolio, rejected suggestions the deficit signals financial weakness, saying it reflects the cost of delivering services and planned investment.
“This gap should not be interpreted as public debt or structural fiscal weakness,” the prime minister said in a statement.
“Rather, it reflects the full and transparent cost of delivering government services, alongside planned investments in infrastructure, development priorities, and national resilience.”
The government says Niue remains debt-free and is not taking on new borrowing.
Key spending areas include tourism, climate resilience, renewable energy, health, education, public utilities, and infrastructure, with $2.78m (US$1.62 million) set aside for capital projects.
Tagelagi secured a third term as Prime Minister following a closely contested May election where he held his Alofi South seat by just one vote before winning the Assembly’s confidence vote 11-9.
Justice and Agriculture Minister Rhonda Tiakia, one of two women in the four-member Cabinet, said agriculture spending was aimed at long-term resilience.
“For Niue, strengthening agriculture is about empowering our families, improving our nutrition and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from productive and sustainable land use,” she told Parliament.
The Public Accounts Committee will now review the Budget before it returns to the Assembly for its second reading…. PACNEWS
PAC – FUNDING SUPPORT: ADB PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 15 Jun 2026
ADB delivers rapid support as Middle East impact spreads
MANILA, 15 JUNE 2026 (ADB) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is acting quickly and decisively with US$4 billion in financing to help countries withstand the impact of the Middle East conflict, including about US$3 billion requested by governments and US$1 billion provided as trade finance for energy and food imports.
“ADB is acting with speed and scale to support countries experiencing a range of impacts from the Middle East conflict, including pressure on finances, remittances, tourism, and fuel and fertilizer supplies,” said ADB President Masato Kanda.
“At this time of acute uncertainty and risk, we are deploying our full suite of crisis response instruments—including budget support, trade finance, and a new mechanism to rapidly repurpose existing portfolio funds—to deliver the tailored and timely support our members, from large to small, need to safeguard their economies and communities.”
ADB has received formal requests for support from 15 affected governments across the region, including previously announced requests from Bangladesh, Fiji, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. The requests, which follow a financial support package announced by ADB in late March, range in size from US$15 million to US$1.5 billion and include policy-based loans, countercyclical financing, rapid repurposing of existing sovereign portfolio funds, and emergency assistance loans. ADB is in discussions with an additional 4 countries facing continued impacts on their economies.
In addition to these requests, the Government of India has requested US$1.5 billion in ADB financing to build and accelerate resilience and to sustain reform-based urban transformation and clean energy objectives. The proposed assistance includes a US$1 billion policy-based loan under the Urban Transformation and Investment Program to sustain momentum in urban infrastructure investment and reforms, and US$500 million under the Accelerating Affordable and Inclusive Rooftop Solar Systems Development Program to expand clean energy access, reduce dependence on imported fuels, strengthen domestic manufacturing, install battery energy storage systems, promote circular economy initiatives, and enhance long-term energy security.
Complementing this sovereign assistance, ADB has reactivated support for oil imports under its Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programme (TSCFP) on an exceptional basis for a limited period to soften the impact of rising oil prices and supply chain disruptions. Since 01 March, ADB’s TSCFP has delivered US$673 million to support oil and gas imports and US$390 million for food security across 9 countries, helping maintain access to essential supplies amid global market disruptions. Trade finance support to the Cook Islands is also expected to commence soon as part of ADB’s broader support for vulnerable small island developing states.
ADB also stands ready to support Vanuatu through its Rapid Resource Reprogramming and Deployment Option (3RDO), a new financing mechanism that enables swift repurposing of ADB portfolio funds to support immediate relief and early recovery actions.
The government has expressed strong interest in operationalising the 3RDO, not only to meet immediate financing needs arising from the current fuel crisis but also to establish a readily available contingency mechanism that can be activated in response to future crises…. PACNEWS
KIRIBATI – FISHERIES: PACNEWS/FAO PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 15 Jun 2026
FAO expands Tuna processing skills to secure Kiribati industry future
TARAWA, 15 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS/FAO) — A United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)-supported project has expanded training and technical support for small-scale tuna processors in Kiribati, aiming to build a national pool of skilled technicians capable of sustaining the country’s tuna value chain long after the project ends.
Since 2020, the Sustainable Fish Value Chains for Small Island Developing States (SVC4SIDS) project has been working with the Coastal Fisheries Division of Kiribati’s Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources to strengthen domestic tuna and lobster value chains across four islands in the Gilbert and Line Islands groups.
The project is implemented by FAO with financial support from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and has focused on developing revenue-generating activities through business training, product development and processing skills.
A key component of the initiative has been the expansion of training programmes and the upgrading of facilities to support value-added fish processing.
In April and May this year, the project organised a multi-tiered training programme supported by improvements to the revenue-generating activities facility at the eco-farm in Temaiku. The facility has been equipped and promoted as a hub for developing innovative value-added fish products.
The project also continued collaboration with the FAO/GEF Resilient Islands Resilient Communities Project (R2R), building on joint activities undertaken since 2024.
The latest activities draw on lessons and products developed under FAO’s previous FishFAD project, Enhancing Livelihoods and Food Security through Fisheries with Nearshore Fish Aggregating Devices in the Pacific Ocean.
Through that partnership, SVC4SIDS promoted the Guide to good tuna processing techniques for small-scale tuna processors, helping improve hygiene standards, post-harvest handling practices, food safety and product quality while reducing waste.
The project’s reach has expanded significantly through partnerships with other development programmes targeting women and rural communities.
Following the successful delivery of post-harvest and hygiene training for more than 120 women during the Climate Smart Agriculture and Fish Processing workshop in November 2025, SVC4SIDS was invited to continue working with the Climate Smart Agriculture project under the Joint Programme “Accelerating Progress Towards Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment Phase II”.
As part of that collaboration, the project delivered fish handling, hygiene and practical tuna processing training from 29 April to 01 May 2026.
The training benefited about 90 women, further strengthening local capacity in fish processing and value-added production.
To ensure knowledge gained through the project remains in Kiribati after the programme concludes, SVC4SIDS has shifted its focus toward training local trainers and government officers.
The project launched a series of training-of-trainers sessions in 2026 targeting officers from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, including staff from the Coastal Fisheries Division, Planning and Development Division and Seafood Verification Division, as well as representatives from Central Pacific Producers Limited.
In April, the project conducted its final training-of-trainers session linked to the handover of the Nikunau Outer Island Fish Centre Business Plan.
That was followed by intensive practical training sessions on value addition, hygiene standards and micro-canning techniques held between 19 and 29 May at the Temaiku eco-farm facility.
Nine officers from the Coastal Fisheries Division and Central Pacific Producers Limited participated throughout the programme, learning every stage of production for a range of value-added tuna products, including tuna jerky, samosas, fish sausages and canned tuna.
The project’s next phase will focus on certification and advanced technical training.
SVC4SIDS is scheduled to deliver an intensive certification course from 23 to 25 June 2026 aimed at strengthening the technical expertise of the nine officers in micro-canning processes and food safety standards.
According to FAO, the objective is to establish a group of qualified national technicians who can continue operating processing facilities, train future participants and support implementation of Kiribati’s ten-year tuna and lobster upgrading strategies covering the period 2023 to 2033.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to increase the value of locally caught fisheries products, create new income opportunities and strengthen food security while building a sustainable domestic seafood processing industry in Kiribati…. PACNEWS
B/VILLE – PASSENGER VESSEL: ABG GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 15 Jun 2026
ABG launches four new passenger vessels for Bougainville Atolls
BUKA, 15 JUNE 2026 (ABG GOVT) — The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has launched and handed over four custom-built 32-foot passenger vessels to improve transport, safety and access to essential services for Bougainville’s remote atoll communities.
The vessels were handed over by ABG Minister for Fisheries and Member for the Atolls, Amanda Masono, under a K2.5 million (US$520,000) project funded through the Climate Change and Development Authority’s (CCDA) Building Resilience to Climate Change (BRCC) initiative.
The project was developed in response to climate vulnerability assessments conducted in 2021, which identified maritime isolation as a major challenge facing the atoll communities.
The vessels will serve the communities of Fead (Nuguria), Carterets (Tuloun), Mortlock (Takuu) and Tasman (Amotu), providing safer and more reliable transport between the islands and mainland Bougainville.
“For too long, our atoll communities have been on the absolute frontline of the global climate crisis, risking their lives on unpredictable seas,” said Minister Masono during her keynote address.
“Today, we declare that our people are not forgotten. This K2.5 million (US$520,000) investment translates climate policy into real-world, life-saving mobility.”
The vessels are equipped with twin 200-horsepower inboard engines, navigation systems and open-sea safety equipment, enabling them to operate safely in the challenging conditions of Bougainville waters.
They will support emergency medical evacuations, student transportation and the movement of fisheries and agricultural products, improving access to services and economic opportunities for atoll residents.
To ensure immediate operation of the vessels, Minister Masono also oversaw the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the CCDA and the ABG Administration.
Under a three-month interim arrangement commencing on 14 June 2026, the ABG Department of Transport and Utilities will serve as the Interim Operating Authority until the finalization of the Bougainville Small Craft Act.
Operations will be managed by a team of 16 trained personnel under a rotational system designed to maintain continuous service delivery and reduce crew fatigue.
Revenue generated through passenger fares and commercial hires will be managed through dedicated Small Craft Revenue and Expenditure accounts administered by the Department of Finance to support the long-term sustainability of the vessels.
“Ownership brings a sacred duty of stewardship,” Minister Masono emphasised.
“These are community assets. We must enforce safety manifests, prioritise routine maintenance, and protect these boats so they can protect our children and grandchildren.”
Minister Masono also thanked the Climate Change and Development Authority for its partnership and support in delivering the project, describing the investment as a practical example of climate resilience that directly improves the lives of Bougainville’s most vulnerable communities…. 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
‘Perilous moment’ threatens to reverse years of gains in HIV/AIDS response
GENEVA, 15 JUNE 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — External funding cuts, a backlash against human rights, and chronic under-investment in HIV prevention and community services are threatening to reverse years of hard-won progress in the AIDS response, a UN report warned on Friday.
“There’s no question that this is the most serious disruption in the HIV response since the world came together to fight this disease,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
Every week, 3,000 adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa acquire HIV, one of the clearest signs the world is failing to reach some of the most vulnerable populations.
“The funding cuts, combined with the reduction in civic space and the further criminalisation of marginalised populations have come together to create the biggest storm the HIV response has ever seen,” she said.
People are unable to access treatment and the virus continuing to spread, UNAIDS found.
Sharp drop in global assistance
Rights rolled back as prevention, care dismantled
The report also shows a dangerous rollback of rights, with criminalisation of marginalised populations increasing for the first time since UNAIDS began tracking these trends.
In addition, HIV prevention is being dismantled at the very moment the world needs to take it to scale, especially with new, revolutionary, long-acting prevention innovations coming to market.
Prevention was already underfunded at just 11 percent of total HIV spending in 2024 and that limited investment is now shrinking further with no signs that domestic funding will fill the gap, according to the report.
Fragile success
The HIV response has been the most successful story in global health over the last 25 years:
* AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 56 percent from 1.3 million in 2010 to 570 000 in 2025
*New infections have been reduced by 43 percent since 2010 to 1.2 million
*78 percent of the 40.9 million people living with HIV are now on treatment
But this success is fragile.
Nearly nine million people are not on treatment.
At a time when external funding is reducing, treatment gains are also extremely tenuous.
Uneven progress amid funding cuts
A recent study of 79 community-led organisations across 47 countries and three continents (Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa) showed:
*50 percent drop-in community support services for people living with HIV
*82 percent reduction in services for sex workers
*Service reductions of 85 percent for men who have sex with men.
When communities lose funding, the entire response loses reach, trust and effectiveness, according to UNAIDS, which also reported uneven progress alongside rising infections, including in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Latin America.
“We know how to end AIDS,” said Byanyima.
“The question now is political: will we invest or will we retreat?”
‘We can still end AIDS by 2030’
At the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS on 22 and 23 June, countries will adopt a new political declaration with a view to ending AIDS in the next five years.
The new declaration will contain new 2030 targets from the Global AIDS Strategy.
Overarching targets include reaching 40 million people with antiretroviral treatment by 2030, ensuring 20 million people have access to medicine to prevent HIV and ensuring that all people receive services free of stigma and discrimination.
“If we follow the Global AIDS Strategy and UN Member States commit to adopting a strong political declaration to guide the response over the next five years, we can still end AIDS by 2030.
“However, if we fail to act, we risk reversing decades of hard-fought progress, the UNAIDS chief said…. PACNEWS
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23 young leaders selected for 2026 Commonwealth Youth Forum International Taskforce
LONDON, 15 JUNE 2026 (COMSEC) — Twenty-three young people have been selected to serve on an international taskforce that will lead the planning and delivery of the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
The taskforce will work with the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to support the successful delivery of the CYF. This includes helping shape the forum programme, policy recommendations and logistical arrangements.
Representing a range of Commonwealth regions and interest groups, the taskforce will help deliver a forum, aimed at encouraging policymakers to support actions that promote sustainable development, prosperity and investment in the Commonwealth.
In 2010, the CYF was created to ensure governments consider the concerns and perspectives of young people. It has since become a critical platform for youth to share their views with leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM). The 2026 CYF will be held in Antigua from 1 to 4 November 2026 under the theme ‘Investing in Youth Agency-Co-Creating Pathways towards Shared Prosperity,’ on the margins of CHOGM.
Supporting youth-led leadership
Reiterating the government of Antigua and Barbuda’s support for the CYF Taskforce, Senator Shenella Govia, Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Housing, and Forum Lead, said:
“I’m pleased to announce the Official Commonwealth Youth Forum Taskforce; a team we are confident will design and deliver a successful forum that reflects the diverse perspectives of our Commonwealth youth and provide a meaningful platform for dialogue and action.”
Speaking on the importance of the taskforce, the Officer-in-Charge, of the Social Development, Youth and Gender Directorate at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Jennifer Namgyal said:
“We are delighted to be collaborating with the official Commonwealth Youth Forum Taskforce, an important team of young leaders amplifying the aspirations of the Commonwealth’s 1.6 billion young people by highlighting their innovations, elevating their solutions to global challenges, and providing a global platform for their voices to be heard.”
Commenting on the work ahead, the Co-Chair of the taskforce and CYC Vice Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement, Neema Sheikh Abdikadir Abdullahi, said: “At a time when young people are questioning multilateralism in the current geopolitical context, this CYF will enable young leaders and other stakeholders to build their skills and co-create solutions that will shape the future.”
Donte Walter, Co-Chair, representing the host country, Antigua and Barbuda, said: “I am deeply honoured to serve as Co-Chair of the Taskforce, representing the voices and aspirations of young people in Antigua and Barbuda and across the wider Caribbean region. I look forward to collaborating with fellow leaders and stakeholders to deliver a transformative and impactful youth forum, one that unites visionary youths, strengthens meaningful engagement, and empowers emerging leaders with the resilience and capacity to shape a more sustainable and inclusive Commonwealth.”
Meet the CYF International Taskforce members
Co-Chairs
*Neema Sheikh Abdikadir Abdullahi (Kenya)
*Donte Walter (Antigua and Barbuda)
Members
* Shacia Albertine (Antigua and Barbuda)
*Stanley Anigbogu (Nigeria)
*Eleala Avanitele (Tuvalu)
* Selena E. Jn Baptiste (Saint Lucia)
*Byron Christopher (Antigua and Barbuda)
*Lucia Ene-Lesikar (Tanzania/United Kingdom)
*Fathima Haneekah Rahil (Sri Lanka)
*Deborah Hatten (Antigua and Barbuda)
* Kaiesha Joseph (Antigua and Barbuda)
* Kristine Louisa (Antigua and Barbuda)
* Bodh Maathura (Sri Lanka)
* Desrie Markham (Antigua and Barbuda)
*Rondell Nedd (Guyana)
*Arielle Neely (United Kingdom, Turks and Caicos Islands)
*Eunice Oluwafeyisayo Oladejo (Canada)
*Christal Percival (Antigua and Barbuda)
*Vida Betances Reyes (Antigua and Barbuda)
*Janet Simon (Antigua and Barbuda)
*Vikrant Srivastava (India)
*Makiba Oliveia Ward (Antigua and Barbuda)
*Amelia Williams (Antigua and Barbuda)
About 300 youth delegates are expected to attend the four-day forum…. PACNEWS
For more information about the Commonwealth Youth Forum, please contact the Commonwealth Youth Programme at youth@commonwealth.int
