In this bulletin:
1. SAMOA — Climate risks threaten Samoa’s financial stability, UN report warns
2. COOKS — NZ Foreign Minister in Cook Islands for talks as ties under strain
3. PACIFIC — UN committee urges Marshall Islands and Samoa to address disability rights protections
4. FIJI — Fiji to hold State funeral for former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
5. ACP — Solomon Islands joins global call for reform at 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo
6. UN— Lebanon: The UN peacekeepers helping communities who’ve stayed behind
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Rising fuel costs bite, Fiji Government plans relief
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Fuel crisis is externally driven, not a Fiji government failure: MP Biman Prasad
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Middle East crisis redirects buyers, financiers back to Papua LNG
10. PACNEWS BIZ — ‘Team Australia’: big business urged to help in crisis
11. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Pacific policing: China becoming the policeman in traditionally U.S-aligned islands
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Our Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey marks one year in office – one year of impact
SAMOA – CLIMATE CHANGE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Climate risks threaten Samoa’s financial stability, UN report warns
By Pita Ligaiula
APIA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS) — United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has warned that Samoa faces rising threats to its financial system as climate impacts intensify, with risks now spilling over into banks, public finances and the wider economy.
“Samoa faces escalating climate-related risks that threaten macroeconomic stability, fiscal sustainability and the resilience of its financial system,” the report said.
The report makes clear that climate change is no longer a future concern for Samoa, but a current economic risk with direct consequences for financial stability.
“This report examines how physical hazards—such as cyclones, sea-level rise and coastal degradation—and transition risks linked to global decolonisation affect the economy and transmit to the financial sector.”
It says Samoa’s exposure is driven by the structure of its economy, where key sectors such as agriculture, tourism and infrastructure are highly vulnerable to extreme weather and environmental change. These risks are now being passed on to financial institutions through loans, investments and insurance gaps.
“High credit exposure to climate-sensitive sectors, combined with limited insurance coverage and operational vulnerabilities, creates significant financial stability risks.”
The report highlights that many businesses and households remain underinsured, leaving banks exposed when disasters strike. At the same time, financial institutions face operational risks, including disruptions to services and infrastructure during extreme weather events.
Beyond the banking system, the report warns that climate shocks are placing growing pressure on government finances. Disaster recovery costs, reconstruction spending and revenue losses are driving up public debt and limiting fiscal space.
“Climate shocks have also intensified fiscal pressures by driving disaster-related expenditure and increasing public debt, while climate-induced supply disruptions complicate inflation management and weaken monetary policy effectiveness.”
These disruptions are also feeding into inflation, as supply chains are affected and the cost of goods rises, making it harder for authorities to manage prices and maintain economic stability.
A key finding of the report is that Samoa’s financial system is not yet fully prepared to deal with these risks. It points to gaps in governance, technical expertise and regulatory alignment across the sector.
“A sector-wide assessment reveals substantial gaps in climate risk governance, technical capacity and alignment with international disclosure standards across financial institutions.”
This includes limited integration of climate risks into lending decisions, weak reporting frameworks and a lack of consistent standards for assessing exposure.
The report stresses that addressing these challenges will require coordinated action at all levels, bringing together government agencies, regulators, financial institutions and development partners.
“Strengthened resilience will require coordinated action among government agencies, regulators and industry stakeholders, supported by expanded access to climate finance and regional cooperation.”
It also highlights the need for stronger regional collaboration, given the shared vulnerabilities faced by Pacific Island countries and the limited resources available at the national level.
To respond to these risks, the report outlines a forward-looking reform agenda focused on strengthening the financial system’s ability to manage and absorb climate shocks.
“The report outlines a forward-looking agenda to integrate climate risks into supervision, enhance governance, mobilise sustainable finance and strengthen risk-transfer mechanisms.”
This includes embedding climate risk into financial supervision frameworks, improving data and disclosure standards, and developing financial products such as insurance and risk transfer tools to better protect businesses and communities.
The report also calls for increased access to climate finance to support adaptation and resilience-building efforts, noting that small island states like Samoa face significant barriers in securing funding.
At the same time, it underscores the importance of aligning Samoa’s financial system with global trends toward decarbonisation, as transition risks linked to changing international policies and markets could also affect the economy.
Without urgent reforms, Samoa’s financial system will remain exposed to increasingly frequent and severe climate shocks.
But with the right policies, investment and coordination, the report says Samoa can strengthen its resilience and better protect its economy from the growing impacts of climate change…. PACNEWS
COOKS – DIPLOMACY: PMN PACNEWS 1: Thu 02 Apr 2026
NZ Foreign Minister in Cook Islands for talks as ties under strain
RAROTONGA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PMN) — New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has arrived in Rarotonga and to sign an agreement with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Thursday.
The visit comes at a sensitive time in the relationship between the two countries, after New Zealand suspended multi-million-dollar funding over Rarotonga’s engagement with China.
Peters’ trip follows a private meeting with Brown in Auckland on 20 March, where both leaders acknowledged “fundamental challenges” in the relationship and signalled a need for ongoing dialogue.
The Foreign Minister left Aotearoa on 1 April and is due to return on 2 April, marking his first visit to the Cook Islands since February 2024.
While details of the agreement that is expected to be signed have not been made public, Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono welcomed the development.
In an interview on Pacific Mornings, he was “relieved” to see both sides re-engaging after weeks of tension.
“Just sort it out, please,” Tuiono says. “This is not good for the Cook Islands, not good for us that live here, not good for them that live there, not good for the relationships.”
He pointed to the importance of quiet diplomacy behind the scenes in resolving disputes. He suggested that while public meetings are important, progress often happens away from the spotlight.
“Backroom diplomacy is also really important, particularly if there’s an impasse between two different groups.”
Tuiono also criticised the way the situation began, referencing confusion over the Cook Islands Government’s engagement with China earlier this year.
“No one knew what Prime Minister Mark Brown was doing in China. We all found out on Facebook. So, the beginning of it was terrible.”
Labour MP Dan Rosewarne stressed the importance of maintaining strong Pacific relationships, describing the Cook Islands as “family”.
“You’ve got to work on these relationships,” Rosewarne told PMN. “Over a long period of time, the current government has taken that relationship for granted.”
He pointed to previous efforts under the last Labour government, which saw frequent ministerial travel across the Pacific to maintain ties.
The Cook Islands marked 60 years of free association with New Zealand last year. Under the constitutional arrangement, the Cook Islands manages its own domestic affairs while New Zealand is responsible for defence and foreign affairs and provides budgetary support.
Both countries are preparing for general elections this year…. PACNEWS
PAC – HUMAN RIGHTS: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 1: Thu 02 Apr 2026
UN committee urges Marshall Islands and Samoa to address disability rights protections
GENEVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — A United Nations (UN) committee has urged the Marshall Islands to address the long-term effects of nuclear testing on people with disabilities.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has issued findings from its latest reviews of Marshall Islands and Samoa among other countries.
The committee noted the continuing effects from the United States nuclear testing programme conducted from 1946 to 1958.
It said the testing had disproportionate intergenerational health impacts on the Marshall Islands’ population
The government has been urged to “act beyond research” and address the long-term effects of testing on people with disabilities.
The committee also noted how legislation that would harmonise the Marshalls’ laws with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities remains stalled.
Regarding Samoa, the Committee noted with concern terminology in Samoa’s constitution and other laws that equate disability with disadvantage or restriction.
The Committee recommended amending the Constitution and other relevant laws to remove derogatory and stigmatising terminology
Samoa is also urged to form a comprehensive legal and policy framework on disability and pass the Disability Bill.
Furthermore, the Committee asked Samoa to systematically involve people with disabilities in disaster risk reduction, climate change and emergency governance frameworks…. PACNEWS
FIJI – STATE FUNERAL: PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Fiji to hold State funeral for former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT) — Fiji will honour former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau with a State Funeral following Cabinet approval, recognising his decades of national service.
Ratu Epeli served in several key roles throughout his career, including Speaker of Parliament, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Fiji’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Government Minister, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for the Pacific [, and Colonel of the Regiment.
His leadership and contribution to the country have been acknowledged as leaving a lasting legacy.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs will lead funeral arrangements, working with stakeholders and the Vanua to deliver a national farewell.
Cabinet has also directed that the Fiji flag be flown at half-mast from 01 April 2026 until further notice as a mark of respect.
Two condolence books will be opened for members of the public and the diplomatic community to pay their respects.
A condolence book for the Diplomatic Corps will be available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, while a public condolence book will be placed at the Ministry of Information Media Room at Government Buildings in Suva.
The books will be open from 07 – 17 April between 9am and 4pm.
Members of the public and diplomats are encouraged to sign the condolence books as the country mourns the passing of a former Head of State….PACNEWS
ACP – DIPLOMACY: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS 1: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands joins global call for reform at 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo
MALABO, 02 APRIL 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS) — The Solomon Islands joined leaders from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific for the 11th Summit of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), held from 27–29 March 2026.
Under the theme “A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World,” the summit marked a 50-year milestone for the organisation, charting a new course for cooperation among its 79 member states.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the Malabo Declaration, a strategic document outlining the organisation’s priorities in an increasingly complex global landscape. Key pillars of the declaration include:
*Accelerating the Samoa Agreement: Leaders called for the immediate ratification of the Samoa Agreement—the overarching framework for OACPS-European Union relations—to unlock vital development partnerships.
*Climate and Development Finance: In a move critical for nations like the Solomon Islands, the summit advocated for the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). This index ensures that small island states receive financial support based on their actual environmental and economic risks, rather than just their income levels.
*Global Governance Reform: Member states reiterated the urgent need to reform the United Nations Security Council, demanding more equitable representation for developing nations in global decision-making.
* Digital Innovation: To empower the next generation, the OACPS supported a new digital platform designed to connect youth and entrepreneurs across all three regions to foster investment and collaboration.
The Solomon Islands was represented at the summit by its Embassy in Brussels, which handles the nation’s primary diplomatic accreditation to the OACPS.
By participating in the Malabo talks, the Solomon Islands government reaffirmed its commitment to collective bargaining on the world stage, focusing on sustainable industrial development and fair, rules-bas ed trade.
The OACPS, established in 1975, continues to serve as the “engine room” for South-South cooperation, ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable states are heard in international forums…. PACNEWS
UN – PEACEKEEPING: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 1: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Lebanon: The UN peacekeepers helping communities who’ve stayed behind
BEIRUT, 02 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — The killing of three UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon in the past two days has highlighted the grave dangers for the 10,000 military personnel who make up the bulk of UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon – and for the communities caught up in intense clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah fighters.
“It’s extremely volatile, extremely dangerous, and you know, we see the situation for us as peacekeepers, also for the civilians who remain in certain areas, because there are civilians who have chosen to stay and peacekeepers are supporting them in any way that we can,” UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel told UN News.
This help involves coordinating and delivering humanitarian aid, she explained, speaking from the force’s headquarters in Naqoura, southwest Lebanon.
Peacekeepers have also assisted in relocating civilians to safer areas upon request and continue to conduct patrols to monitor the situation and provide reassurance to those who remain.
During our interview with Ardiel, gunfire could be heard in the background.
An estimated 2,000 villagers still live close to the Blue Line that separates Israel from Lebanon.
“These villages are obviously in a very difficult position. They’re increasingly cut off from the rest of Lebanon, and they’re having a hard time getting supplies,” Ardiel explained. “
So, there are agencies that are helping to bring food, medicine, and hygiene supplies to them in the south, and UNIFIL is helping to coordinate their movements to ensure that they can safely get to the places where they need to go.”
In addition to recording rocket and missile fire, the UN mission has reported Israeli troop movements in southern Lebanon and frequent violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 – a critical UN Security Council text adopted in 2006 that calls for a full cessation of hostilities.
“We’ve seen a great deal of Israeli incursions into South Lebanon in different areas, including near our headquarters in Naqoura,” Ardiel said.
“About a week ago and in recent days, we witnessed very violent battles that we could hear taking place.”
Ardiel emphasised that, unless the Security Council mandate to UNIFIL changes, peacekeepers are determined to stay and continue their mission: “It’s not the first time, unfortunately, that one of our positions has suffered harm, attack, and damage because of the ongoing violence.”
UNIFIL’s headquarters has been visibly damaged by bullets, shrapnel and rockets, while Israeli military operations have been observed across multiple areas, in Naqoura and further east.
“This is, of course, a violation of Resolution 1701. Every projectile that is fired, every bullet, these are also violations, coming from both sides on a constant basis,” the UNIFIL spokesperson stressed.
“It is extremely dangerous for peacekeepers to operate at the moment,” Ardiel concluded, “but this is something we are doing to help protect civilians who choose to remain in South Lebanon…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Rising fuel costs bite, Fiji Government plans relief
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS/FIJI GOVT) — Fiji Government says it is moving to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices, acknowledging the pressure the increase will place on households and businesses across the country.
“The Fijian Government acknowledges the increase in fuel prices effective from today and recognises the added financial pressure this will place on families, workers, and businesses across the country,” a government statement said.
Officials say the rise will have a direct impact on the cost of living and doing business.
“We understand that higher fuel prices affect the cost of living and the cost of doing business, from transportation to food and everyday goods. Government stands with the people of Fiji during this time and acknowledges the genuine hardship many will face.”
The price adjustment was set by the Fiji Commerce and Consumer Commission, which operates independently of government.
“The fuel price adjustment was determined by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), which operates as an independent price regulator. This means that the decision on fuel pricing is made outside of Government, based on global fuel market conditions and pricing formulas. We all agree with the global fuel crisis we will expect shocks.”
While distancing itself from the pricing decision, government says it is working on relief measures.
“While Government does not set fuel prices, we are actively working on measures to help cushion the impact of this increase.”
The planned response will focus on key areas of concern.
“These include targeted financial and policy responses aimed at:
• Supporting low-income households
• Assisting businesses facing rising operational costs
• Maintaining stability in key sectors of the economy”
Details of the support package are expected soon.
“Further details on these mitigation measures will be announced soon.”
Government is also urging the public to manage fuel use carefully as global pressures continue.
“Government also encourages all Fijians to continue exercising responsible fuel use and to support efforts that improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary consumption where possible.”
“We remain committed to protecting the welfare of our people and ensuring that, even in the face of global challenges, Fiji remains resilient and supported.” the statement said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Fuel crisis is externally driven, not a Fiji government failure: MP Biman Prasad
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN) — The former Fiji deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad has urged Fijians to brace for further fuel price increases, saying the crisis gripping the country is not of government’s making and must be treated as a national emergency.
Speaking at a media conference in Suva, Prof Prasad said the spike — which saw diesel jump by 75 cents (US$0.37) and kerosene by 71 cents(U$0.35) from Wednesday — was driven entirely by global forces, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Middle East disrupting oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for about 20 per cent of the world’s oil.
“This is a crisis that is external, externally driven. It is not created by Fiji or government or some business entities or individuals,” he said.
Prof Prasad said the priority must be protecting fuel supply and the people most dependent on it — farmers, fishermen, bus companies and businesses — to prevent job losses.
He said reducing fuel taxes, which include 20 cents (US$0.10) per litre on diesel and 46 cents on unleaded petrol, was an option but warned the government should hold that measure back for now.
“If we remove fuel tax of 20 cents on diesel and 46 cents on unleaded petrol, you immediately lose about $150 million (US$75 million),” he said, adding that any relief should instead be targeted at the most vulnerable.
He said government should also consider cutting operational spending such as travel, conferences and workshops, and delay non-urgent capital projects to redirect funds toward affected households and businesses.
Prof Prasad also called on Australia to provide budget support, saying the security treaty being negotiated between the two countries was an opportunity to secure broader economic assistance during the crisis.
His message to families was clear — prices will rise but losing a job on top of that would be a “double tragedy”.
“As long as people maintain their jobs, even if there is a price increase, those above certain levels of income can still manage,” he said.
Prasad also hit back at opposition politicians he says are exploiting the fuel crisis for political gain, while also defending Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka over comments that drew public criticism.
“My message to everyone, including the opposition, is not to play politics, think about elections and pick on individual events,” Prof Prasad said.
He said opposition attacks on Rabuka over his earlier assurance that there was no fuel price hike were unfair and taken out of context.
“The critics are being very unfair to the Prime Minister,” he said.
“What he said at that time was correct. There is no increase in fuel price, there is no shortage, and therefore people should not scramble and hoard and buy fuel.”
Rabuka had told the public three weeks ago there was no need for panic buying, with three months of fuel stock already in the country.
Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel also said at the time that no price increase was expected before May.
New FCCC-approved prices took effect on Tuesday, with diesel up 75 cents (US$0.37) and kerosene up 71 cents (US$0.35) per litre on Viti Levu.
Prof Prasad said Government now needed to focus on clear, factual communication with the public rather than allowing panic to spread.
“We have to be clear about what we are saying so that we don’t create panic in the country,” he said.
He warned the crisis could last well beyond what many expected and called on all sides of politics to respond with “responsible, clear and thoughtful ideas…. PACNEWS
PNG – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Middle East crisis redirects buyers, financiers back to Papua LNG
PORT MORESBY, 02 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — The Middle East war has helped make the Papua Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project attractive to buyers and financiers, says developer TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited.
TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited managing director Arnaud Berthet said the conflict had increased the interests of regional energy markets and buyers to see Papua come on stream and supply reliable and secure energy.
The US$14 billion (about K61 billion) project is expected to conclude the final investment decision in the second quarter of this year, Berthet said.
He said first shipment was expected to be out by 2031, following a five-year construction phase.
With the conflict now strangling the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of global energy supply passes and energy-producing assets of some Gulf states hit, energy-reliant countries are looking at secure and reliable energy supply and PNG is one such source.
“We are seeing interest from markets, international partners and project financiers for the Papua LNG project to come on stream,” Berthet said.
“The crisis in Iran has highlighted the importance of diversifying energy sources, making LNG from Papua New Guinea an attractive option for potential buyers.
“Some of the financiers and buyers who previously turned down Papua LNG, now we are seeing them coming back, and that speaks a lot about the current situation that we are in.
“Clean and reliable energy is the future, and we have just arrived at the right time.”
Berthet said more than 30 commercial banks and seven credit agencies had indicated support for the project.
He said it had been challenging since 2024 but was confident the project was on track with all the work streams coming together.
On the potential for expanding project volumes due to increased global demand, Berthet said the war would have a significant impact on LNG and oil transits.
“The longer it (the war) lasts, the more severe the economic consequences will be,” he said.
“The disruptions to Qatar Energy’s key assets and the risks posed to customers due to maritime route disruptions, are giving the impression that the Middle East is a risk zone to source their energy.
“Although the global economies have the ability to sustain the crisis for six months, if it lasts longer, there will be severe impacts.”
Meanwhile, Berthet said TotalEnergies would also drill the Maidu exploration well, which is a deep offshore well located more than 2,000m below water in Gulf.
The well is expected to unlock significant oil or gas resources and is a pioneering step for the industry in the country, according to Berthet.
TotalEnergies is partnering with Petronas for the Maidu exploration well project, which has a success rate of about 20 percent.
The exploration is expected to begin in the second quarter of this year.
“We are confident in the potential of the Maidu exploration to be a game-changer for the industry and the country,” Berthet said…. PACNEWS
AUST – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: AAP PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
‘Team Australia’: big business urged to help in crisis
CANBERRA, 02 APRIL 2026 (AAP) — Businesses will receive COVID-style relief as firms face an existential-level hit from the Iran war.
Data released by the Australian Industry Group on Wednesday showed industrial conditions had the biggest monthly fall on record in March.
The Australian Industry Index fell by 19.9 points to -23.6, with businesses reporting uncertainty, rising input costs and supply chain and demand disruptions as the main issues they were grappling with.
To help manage the blow, the Australian Taxation Office will temporarily provide businesses struggling with cashflow more flexibility to pay tax obligations.
It will include generous payment plans, remission of interest and penalties, and the ability to vary pay as you go instalments, where taxable income has fallen, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
Some tax compliance and debt collection measures will also be paused.
“What we’re announcing today will make our systems more flexible, our supply chains more responsive, and also businesses more supportive as well,” Dr Chalmers told reporters in Canberra.
The government will also extend the small business responsible lending obligation to help businesses get faster access to credit.
“What this particular measure is all about, (is) ensuring that there is no additional regulatory burden or further delays when they need to access credit to keep their doors open,” Small Business Minister Anne Aly said.
Business Council chief executive Bran Black said individual businesses had already taken action to support smaller firms through the crisis, including paying suppliers more frequently and ensuring fuel costs are reflected in payments to suppliers.
“This really is one of those points where we need a genuine Team Australia response. It’s not empty rhetoric,” Black said.
He urged small businesses to reach out to larger firms they were dealing with to ask for support if they were struggling.
Australian Banking Association chief executive Simon Birmingham said lenders were also standing ready to help.
“Australia’s banks recognise the … unique responsibility they have to step up in times of crisis,” the former Liberal frontbencher said…. 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
Pacific policing: China becoming the policeman in traditionally U.S-aligned islands
By Didi Kirsten Tatlow
BEIJING, 02 APRIL 2026 (NEWSWEEK) — China’s growing police presence in the vast Pacific region is reshaping the security landscape in ways that are both troubling and helpful and is part of Beijing’s sweeping vision of global security, according to a new report.
Officers from China’s Ministry of Public Security have been accompanied at joint policing cooperation events in Pacific Island states by people with alleged criminal connections or have engaged in intimidating behavior toward law enforcement advisors from Western countries who are also present on the ground, the report said.
But the small Pacific states were also benefitting from the growing Chinese police presence, especially in short-term ways such as getting new police academies, vehicles, technology, equipment, and uniforms, said the report’s lead author, Virginia Comolli, in an interview with Newsweek. And the states had exercised agency by refusing intrusive measures they did not want, such as fingerprinting or surveillance via CCTV, Comolli said.
The publication on Tuesday of Police Partnerships in the Pacific by the Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime comes against a backdrop of deepening geopolitical competition in the far-flung oceanic territories where the U.S was dominant for decades, having fought its way through the Pacific to defeat Japan in World War II.
But Newsweek has previously reported how China is challenging the U.S by building a complex network of physical and IT infrastructure that is “dual-use”, or mixed civilian and military in nature, expanding its influence in a region with enormous riches and deep strategic significance. Policing is another pillar of this growing footprint.
Chinese diplomats and the foreign ministry say that their outreach in the region is aimed at building friendship and assisting countries with poverty alleviation, agricultural and economic development, and law and order.
A Widespread Chinese Police Presence
China’s Ministry of Public Security’s activities now involve about a dozen countries in the Pacific, with only Taiwan’s three diplomatic allies among the 16-member Pacific Island Forum untouched – Tuvalu, Palau and the Marshall Islands, said Anne-Marie Brady, a professor of Chinese politics at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand who has studied the situation.
In one example cited in the report, by January of this year, about 60 police officers from the Solomon Islands had received training from China’s Ministry of Public Security at a special training centre in Fujian province for police officers from Pacific Island states that is part of the Fujian Police Academy. The centre was opened in Fuzhou, the provincial capital, in 2023.
Extending that, in 2024, an US$11 million, China-built police training academy opened in Samoa. Chinese diplomats present urged it to cooperate with the China-Pacific Island Countries Police Training Centre, describing the Fuzhou centre as the Samoan academy’s “counterpart.”
Special “Chinese Police Liaison Teams” operate across the region, including in Solomon Islands since 2022, where they have run at least 70 training programs, according to the report, which was based on months of on-the-ground reporting.
Solomon Islands is one of China’s closest partners in the region having struck a security agreement – the details have not been made public – with Beijing in 2022 after switching recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, an act that provoked rioting in the capital, Honiara, in 2021.
Newsweek contacted the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Chinese embassy in Honiara for comment.
China is not the only outside country offering policing support to Pacific Island states. In addition to Australia, the main partner, New Zealand is involved with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon signing a policing agreement in mid-March during a trip to Samoa that aims, among other things, to curb the drug trade from Latin America into the region.
Samoa lies just 45 miles away from the U.S territory of American Samoa. In a sign of the enormous scale of the region, Samoa is about 1,900 miles east of the Solomon Islands.
Concerns Over Geocriminality
The report also documented the presence of people with alleged ties to Chinese international crime rings who had participated in police activities in at least two countries, with photographs showing them occupying organisational or prominent roles at a launch event or wearing a police uniform.
That raised troubling questions, said Martin Thorley, Comolli’s co-author and a specialist in geocriminality, which is when states use organised crime to further domestic or foreign policy priorities.
“We’re currently at the stage where everyone is assessing what this increased Chinese presence in police cooperation and training means, and what the risks are and what the opportunities are, and it seems no one has considered that … alleged criminals are accepted at the periphery of this policing. They appear to be allowed in,” said Thorley in an interview.
Thorley said that Beijing had a track record of allowing allegedly criminal participation when it served the CCP state’s aims.
There were differences between cooperating with China’s Ministry of Public Security and with the police forces in democratic nations, said Brady.
China’s police – the Ministry of Public Security – was also China’s central authority responsible for counter-intelligence, dissident-suppression and counter-terrorism, with an external role to hunt opponents of the CCP as well as immigration and other duties, Brady said.
“So, if you’ve got Chinese police embedded in your country, you’ve got spies,” Brady said.
Brady cited a 2025 report on Samoa published by a Czech Republic-based research organisation, Sinopsis, which found that police cooperation had become “a central pillar of China’s expanding dual use presence in the Pacific,” with Beijing aiming to set up a cross-Pacific policing network in parallel to the existing order. Many interactions remained unpublicised, according to the report, where Brady was a co-author.
Efforts to contact the Ministry of Public Security in Beijing by telephone, through a number listed on the ministry’s website, failed, with the number apparently not operational.
Pacific states have agency
Like Comolli, Brady said that Pacific Island states, though small and in need of a variety of law-and-order support, were exercising agency to push back against China’s expanding police presence, albeit unevenly, and that there was a real need on the ground for assistance.
But across the region, she said, “the weakest links are the Solomons, Kiribati and Vanuatu. All the others have understood you can’t go too far with this.’
Newsweek contacted the Vanuatu government for comment. An email to Kiribati’s Ministry of Justice bounced back.
China’s efforts were bumping up established partners such as Australia, sometimes in tense ways, according to Comolli’s report.
“Interviews conducted for this report include accounts that Chinese Police Liaison Team personnel have, in some instances, sought to discourage or intimidate law enforcement advisers from other 4 countries from operating in the same environment,” the report said.
“While such behaviour is not uniform, it signals a willingness in certain contexts to compete directly at the operational level, rather than simply coexisting alongside traditional partners,” it said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Our Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey marks one year in office – one year of impact
One Year of Action. One Commonwealth.
LONDON, 02 APRIL 2026 (COMSEC) — Today, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, marks one year in office. Over the past 12 months she has delivered major milestones, including the Commonwealth Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and the first-ever Commonwealth Business Summit, and her proposed reforms and pathways for Commonwealth renewal have been emphatically endorsed.
And just last month she saw her vision of a Commonwealth Day celebrated in every Commonwealth member country come to pass.
Reflecting on these landmark achievements, Secretary-General Botchwey said: “It is important to pause and recognise the milestones of the past year. This has been a year of real change. We have moved quickly. I stepped into this role during a time of global crisis – one that makes the Commonwealth’s mission more urgent than ever.
“The weakening of the multilateral system, including the unilateral imposition of tariffs on our member countries, the disruptions to the global supply chain and stalling growth that has affected the quality of life in both our rich and poorer countries, also presents our members with a moment of opportunity to take advantage of the benefits the Commonwealth offers.
“Our mission cannot be fulfilled by words alone. We need practical, focused, people-first action. And that is what we did from Day One: We moved forward with purpose, courage and an unshakable commitment to a Commonwealth that truly prospers.”
A roadmap for results
The new Strategic Plan applies the evidence-based strengths of the Commonwealth Secretariat to a set of future-proof goals in four key areas:
*Democracy and governance
*Economy and trade
* Climate change and our ocean
*The cross-cutting priorities of youth, gender and small states
The plan is to advance democracy – even when the world is struggling to make sense of increasing fractures. The plan is to ensure justice and inclusion and build the networks and partnerships that will uphold and protect them.
The Secretary-General has advocated for more agile election observation missions, and she has proposed to Commonwealth Members of Parliament that they take up the challenge and join these missions.
Driving trade and investment
The Commonwealth Business Summit held in Namibia in June 2025 brought together Governments, CEOs and investors to forge new partnerships and investment opportunities. Part of the discussions over the past year have included strengthening international and national financial systems, delivering innovative public debt management with the Commonwealth Meridian platform, and finding sustainable sovereign debt solutions.
Together with the International Monetary Fund, the Commonwealth Secretariat trained public debt managers from 16 Caribbean countries. The Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) – working with member countries and international climate organisations such as the Global Environment Facility – unlocked almost US$600 million in climate finance.
One of the fast-tracked actions by the Secretary-General was an increase in the number of CCFAH climate finance advisers embedded around the Commonwealth, strengthening ministries and departments from within. The Commonwealth has also upskilled thousands of practitioners and stakeholders to level-up the fight against climate change.
And on the eve of the United Nations Ocean Conference in France in June 2025, the Secretary-General shared a global message to motivate countries to ratify the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (the BBNJ Agreement or High Seas Treaty), and Commonwealth countries made their voices heard.
Empowering the next generation
More than 500 Commonwealth youth leaders and officials came together in Malaysia and Namibia, as part of ongoing efforts to promote their inclusion in policy, governance and innovation.
The Commonwealth’s promotion of women’s economic empowerment, gender-responsive policies and leadership – in climate, health, sport and other areas – is ensuring that inclusive, future-proof policies can deliver for its 2.7 billion people.
Scaling impact through collaboration
The many crucial partnerships through which the Commonwealth has delivered results have, over the past year, been wide-ranging but always strategic. New partnerships have been forged with, among others:
*The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs
*The International Trade Centre
*The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, on ocean conservation.
*A renewed partnership with the World Health Organisation will focus on the delivery of equitable access to quality health services
‘Unlocking opportunities for a prosperous Commonwealth’
During last month’s Commonwealth Day, together with His Majesty King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth, the Secretary-General brought Commonwealth leaders, partners and friends together under a common theme to remind everyone that fair, broad-based prosperity is possible if opportunities are unlocked.
The Secretary-General now sets her sights on her first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in November.
“With CHOGM fast approaching, we have a clear opportunity to demonstrate what this organisation can deliver – for our member states, for the people we serve, and for the principles and goals of multilateralism itself. That will require focus, collaboration and continued openness to doing things differently.
“I am confident in what we can achieve – because I have seen this over the past year.
“Today is a personal milestone for me, but it is also a chance for all of us to reflect and look ahead – with clarity and purpose – and to renew our commitment to building a Commonwealth that delivers…. PACNEWS