In this bulletin:
1. FIJI — Vuda must not become the Pacific’s ashtray: Fiji UN envoy Tarakinikini warns
2. PACIFIC — Pacific declaration urges end to age of fossil fuels
3. PACIFIC — Forum Troika Leaders meet in Fiji to discuss emerging regional challenges and opportunities
4. PACIFIC — Sinlaku’s 72‑hour assault prompts full federal mobilization in Guam and CNMI
5. PACIFIC — Pacific rejects vulnerability label
6. FIJI — Vakarisi died of ‘medical emergency’, Fiji Defence Minister urges restraint on death probe
7. PITCAIRN — ‘It’s sacred to us’: register of Bounty mutineer’s descendants returns to South Pacific
8. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG economy remains resilient, says bank
9. PACNEWS BIZ — No plans to raise minimum wage amid fuel crisis, says Fiji Minister for Employment Minister
10. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Small nations, strong ties: Fiji’s ambassador talks faith, friendship, and Israel
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — Rangers Rising: Vanuatu communities unite against invasive species
FIJI – INCENRATOR PROJECT: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Vuda must not become the Pacific’s ashtray: Fiji UN envoy Tarakinikini warns
NEW YORK/SUVA, 20 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Filipo Tarakinikini has issued a strong warning against a proposed $1.4 billion (US$700 million) waste-to-energy incinerator at Vuda-Saweni, saying the country risks becoming a dumping ground for foreign waste if critical questions are not answered.
Tarakinikini said the proposal demands full scrutiny before any decision is made.
“I write this not as a diplomat managing a talking point, but as a Fijian son — someone whose roots run deep into the soil of this archipelago, whose people fish those same waters off the Vuda coast, and whose faith teaches me that the earth we inherit is a sacred trust, not a commodity to be traded away for short-term convenience,” he said in a social media post.
The project, led by Australian investors through The Next Generation Holdings (Fiji) Pte Limited, has triggered public concern, which he said must be taken seriously.
“The Fijian people deserve complete, honest, and scientifically grounded information — not marketing brochures dressed up as environmental assessments.”
Tarakinikini said his own review of the proposal raises major concerns.
“I have studied the science, examined the proponents’ track record, and I am compelled to speak plainly. What is being proposed raises serious questions that the Government, the investors, and the international community must answer before a single shovel breaks ground.”
He pointed to the project’s rejection in Australia as a key issue.
“The starting point of any honest assessment of this proposal is a simple question: why is Ian Malouf bringing this project to Fiji?”
“Their ruling was ‘not in the public interest because there is uncertainty around the project’s impacts on air quality, water quality and human health.’”
He questioned why Fiji should accept a project rejected under stricter regulations.
“If this project could not meet Australia’s environmental and health standards — and was rejected after seven years of scrutiny by one of the most sophisticated planning systems in the world — why should Fiji, with far less regulatory infrastructure, accept it?”
Tarakinikini warned the proposal could amount to environmental exploitation.
“This is waste colonialism. A wealthy nation’s rejected industrial solution, repackaged and exported to a Pacific island nation where regulations are weaker and the community’s ability to resist is more limited.”
He also raised concerns about the environmental and health impacts of incineration.
“Burning 900,000 tonnes of mixed waste annually — as this facility proposes — produces a toxic cocktail of emissions.”
“Studies of communities living near incinerators have found elevated rates of cancer, respiratory disease, miscarriage, premature birth, and congenital abnormalities.”
He stressed the long-term risks to food security and public health.
“They are lipophilic — they accumulate in fat tissue and move up the food chain. Fish, shellfish, locally produced vegetables, and dairy all become vectors.”
Tarakinikini said the project would also generate large volumes of toxic waste.
“This ash does not disappear. It must be stored, managed, and contained — permanently, on Fijian soil. Australia’s waste becomes Fiji’s permanent toxic legacy.”
He warned the scale of the project far exceeds Fiji’s needs.
“Fiji generates nowhere near 900,000 tonnes of waste per year. The scale of this facility is not calibrated to Fiji’s needs — it is calibrated to serve a regional waste disposal market.”
He said this would turn Fiji into a regional waste hub.
“Fiji… would become the incinerator of the Pacific, processing the waste of nations with far greater means to manage their own refuse responsibly.”
Tarakinikini also raised legal concerns under international agreements.
“Under the Basel Convention… the transboundary movement of hazardous waste is tightly regulated precisely to prevent wealthy nations from offloading environmental burdens onto less powerful ones.”
He said the proposed site carries deep cultural and historical significance.
“The proposed site is Vuda Point — Viseisei — the First Landing.”
“It is among the most spiritually, historically, and culturally significant sites in the entire Fijian archipelago.”
He said opposition from communities must be respected.
“They are the custodians of that land, and their objection carries the full weight of iTaukei sovereignty.”
Tarakinikini called for alternative solutions that fit Fiji’s needs.
“The solution must be calibrated to Fiji’s scale, grounded in genuine sustainability, and must leave our children a cleaner country — not a toxic one.”
He urged investment in sustainable systems.
“It should invest in waste reduction, composting, recycling, and circular economy infrastructure that creates local jobs and reduces the waste stream at source.”
He also called for proper oversight and independent review.
“I call on the Government of Fiji to ensure the Environmental Impact Assessment process is genuinely independent, scientifically rigorous, and free from commercial pressure.”
Tarakinikini urged regional and international support.
“I call on UNEP, the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and our regional partners to provide Fiji with independent technical support.”
He ended with a direct message on what is at stake.
“The waters off Vuda have fed our people for generations. The land at the First Landing holds the memory of our arrival.”
“We do not have the right to trade that inheritance for someone else’s discarded problem. Only the truth endures,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – FOSSIL FUEL TREATY MEET: AAP PACNEWS 1: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Pacific declaration urges end to age of fossil fuels
PORT VILA, 20 APRIL 2026 (AAP) — Carbon capture and storage, geoengineering and other technologies that justify ongoing fossil fuel production have been denounced by Pacific nations in a landmark declaration.
Following talks in Port Vila, ministers and senior officials have reiterated support for an urgent fossil fuel phase-out and Pacific economies run off 100 per cent renewable energy.
The Tassiriki Call unifies Pacific Island states messaging ahead of an inaugural international conference on fossil fuel phase-out to be held in Colombia later in April.
Pacific island nations are vulnerable to sea level rise and extreme weather fuelled by climate change and have led international diplomacy on limiting temperature rise for decades.
The region is also highly dependent on imported liquid fuels for power generation and transport and has been hit hard by the latest oil shock caused by war in the Middle East.
Ministers and officials from Tuvalu, Samoa, Fiji, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Vanuatu have signed off on the Tassiriki Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific.
Urging countries to commit to a clear, time-bound process to negotiate a fossil fuel treaty is a key ask of the cohort.
The declaration further commits to wielding international law strategically to target fossil fuel production and subsidies following a landmark opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice.
In the opinion, judges from the world’s highest court specified fossil fuel production could constitute an “internationally wrongful act”.
Carbon capture and storage, carbon offsetting and geoengineering were also singled out as deeply concerning and at risk of “diverting finance, political attention and time away from proven pathways aligned with the 1.5C limit”.
Tuvalu minister for home affairs, environment and climate change Maina Talia said the declaration marked the next chapter in a fossil fuel-free future.
“It sets a clear direction for our unified coalition of countries who are ready to secure a fast, fair and financed transition away from coal, oil and gas production,” Dr Talia said.
Vanuatu climate change, adaptation, meteorology and geo-hazards, and energy minister Ralph Regenvanu said the Tassiriki Call was a “blueprint for survival and prosperity”.
“It is a unified message from the frontline of the climate crisis: the age of fossil fuels must end.”
Australia holds a novel negotiating role at the next round of international climate talks to be held in Turkey, with Fiji and Tuvalu to hold pre-COP31 meetings.
At COP30 in Brazil, Australia signed the Belem Declaration that signals support for a fossil fuel transition roadmap.
While Australia has been pursuing a rapid renewables transition and set ambitious climate targets, it remains a major exporter of fossil fuels…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PIFS PACNEWS 1: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Forum Troika Leaders meet in Fiji to discuss emerging regional challenges and opportunities
NADI, 20 APRIL 2026 (PIFS) — Forum Troika Leaders met in-person in Nadi, Fiji on 16 April 2026 to consider key regional priorities amid an increasingly uncertain and rapidly evolving global environment.
Chaired by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, and attended by President Surangel Whipps Jr of Palau and Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua of Tonga, the meeting focused on the ongoing progress on regional priorities as well as the challenges that lay ahead for the Pacific.
Leaders underscored the urgency of current challenges and reaffirmed the importance of regional solidarity, coherent coordination and political leadership to navigate the complexities ahead.
The meeting also welcomed the in-person presence of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji and the virtual participation of Minister Chris Bowen of Australia who made presentations on specific agenda items.
Leaders also considered the implications of the evolving Middle East crisis on the Pacific, recognising increasing risks to health, fuel and food security. They agreed to consult Forum Leaders on a phased, scenario-based approach to regional action, including the development of a coordinated regional position.
Leaders’ discussions addressed key regional political processes including key governing documents such as the Forum Leaders Communique and as mandated by Forum Leaders for Troika Leaders oversight, discussed progress under the Review of the Regional Architecture, with a continued focus on strengthening governance, partnerships, and institutional coherence across the regional system.
Leaders also considered an update on the preparations for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum in Palau and upcoming COP31 engagements, emphasising the need for alignment and coherence across regional processes.
The meeting reaffirmed the role of the Forum Troika as an advisory mechanism to provide strategic support and political advice to the Forum Chair as the region navigates an increasingly complex global landscape. Consistent with established practice, all Forum Leaders are consulted on the outcomes of the Forum Troika’s discussions…. PACNEWS
PAC – TYPHOON DAMAGE RESPONSE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 1: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Sinlaku’s 72‑hour assault prompts full federal mobilization in Guam and CNMI
SAIPAN, 20 APRIL 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The full might of the U.S federal government’s emergency response is now in the Northern Mariana Islands after Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the islands during a 72‑hour assault last week, according to the Federal Emergency Management Administration.
Anticipating the urgent requirements of the affected islands, FEMA and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District pre-positioned critical assets in Guam to ensure the fastest possible post-storm response.
This strategic partnership allowed operational readiness well ahead of landfall. On-site corps personnel are now collaborating with federal partners to lead the ground response.
“The strength of our response to Super Typhoon Sinlaku lies in our steadfast partnership with FEMA and our territorial partners,” said Lieutenant Colonel Adrian O. Biggerstaff, USACE Honolulu District Commander.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the resilient communities of CNMI, remaining fully committed to providing the support needed to begin recovery.”
FEMA has tasked the USACE Honolulu District with several vital life-sustaining missions. A USACE’s Temporary Roofing Planning Cell of four personnel is currently deployed to conduct post-storm reconnaissance and assess the viability of metal roof replacements in Saipan
Robert Fenton, FEMA Region 9 administrator, who arrived in the CNMI to oversee the response, said the agency’s immediate focus is on life‑safety operations.
“Right now, we need to make sure we’re taking care of those immediate needs. We need to make sure people have food and water, that we have emergency power, that the medical… systems [are] going, that we get communications back up here, and we’ll do that as a team,” he said at Friday’s press briefing.
Federal officials said Sinlaku’s slow‑moving, 500‑mile‑wide circulation lingered over the Marianas far longer than a typical typhoon, producing prolonged destructive winds, heavy rainfall and widespread failures across power, water and communications systems.
Fenton noted that the storm’s duration created both physical and mental strain for residents.
CNMI Governor David Apatang said the government is considering extending shelter operations to allow residents to stay longer until they are ready to return to their homes.
FEMA pre‑deployed teams before landfall and shifted north as Sinlaku’s track changed. A multi‑stage supply chain is now moving equipment from the U.S mainland to Hawaii, Guam and into the CNMI by air and sea. Incoming resources include generators, bottled water, meals, tarps and tactical communications equipment.
Roughly 500 federal personnel are already operating between Guam and the CNMI, with more arriving in the coming days, including Red Cross shelter teams. Federal partners include the Department of Energy, the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and its 249th Power Battalion, the EPA, the U.S. Coast Guard, Health and Human Services and national communications units.
Fenton said FEMA’s top priority is restoring water systems and ensuring safe drinking water.
“The good news is that we’ve done a lot of planning with CNMI over the years. We’re well aware of their water system, the wells. We know what generators actually power their wells,” he said.
“Some of those might have been damaged in this event, but we will make sure that we do everything to make sure that critical facilities, such as water and other facilities, come back online as quickly as we can,” he added.
Bottled water shipments are already moving.
“Until the water comes back safe, we are moving significant amounts of bottled water this way, so that we can distribute it,” Fenton said.
“We have teams set up to go to Tinian and Rota. So, it’s not just here on Saipan. We’ll have teams that go to every location, and they’ll stay there with them and help them bring those resources in.”
Fenton said federal power teams are assessing and installing generators.
“We have generators set up already for some. In some cases, we had generators we purchased at previous events, so there’s redundant power here,” he said, adding that more generators are on their way to Saipan.
“We will start hooking those up based on the priorities set by the governor and installing those as soon as we can. It takes a little bit of time to do that,” Fenton said.
Fenton said FEMA brought equipment and specialists aboard his aircraft to restore communications, while national communications teams are assessing short- and long-term fixes.
“We know the tower went down, so we’ve already brought with us the stuff to get the tower back and operational,” he said.
“We have our mobile emergency response system here that does tactical communications during disasters all over the country. They’re here with all their equipment, supplies to put up temporary towers, antennas and all those kinds of things to get the system going,” Fenton said.
President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration gives Fenton broad authority to manage federal disaster response.
Governor David Apatang said water distribution is the commonwealth’s most immediate concern.
“We need to get water out to our people in the community. Power can come later. But the most important issue is to get water out to our community, because we don’t want to have any epidemic out there, especially our people in the shelter,” the governor said.
He said CUC is working to restore wells, but fuel shortages are slowing progress.
“Everybody’s running around looking for diesel right now, trying to get the service station open so we can give our people a chance to fill up their vehicles or generators or whatever,” he added.
The CNMI is requesting additional labor support to speed up the clearing of typhoon debris.
“We instructed our people to start cleaning up, go out and start removing debris (and to) work with public works, CUC and DPW. The mayor’s office, especially, is very active,” the governor said…. PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 1: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Pacific rejects vulnerability label
SUVA, 20 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Pacific leaders are rejecting the label of climate vulnerability and are asserting their role in shaping solutions.
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael said the region faces real threats, but it is not defined by them.
He said Fiji and other Pacific countries are taking a direct approach, setting priorities and driving action.
Pacific countries, according to the PS are not waiting for direction, but are identifying solutions that reflect their own needs and realities.
“The Pacific people are practical. We know what we need. We are clear about the kinds of partnership that will work for us. So, what we are looking for is simple. Preparation that delivers.
Dr Michael said there is growing demand for partnerships that respect the region’s voice and deliver outcomes that matter on the ground.
He added that partnerships must deliver tangible results on the ground in communities where it matters most, noting that maintaining this focus will ensure cooperation continues to grow in a meaningful way for Fiji and the wider Pacific.
Chinese Embassy Charge d’affaires Wang Yuan says China is ready to support efforts that bring practical results to communities.
“Climate change bears on humanity’s sheer future. From the global south to the global north, from developing countries to developing countries, we are all passengers aboard the same ship.”
Dr Michael said the region is pushing for cooperation that moves beyond promises, with a focus on delivery and shared responsibility…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DEATHS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Vakarisi died of ‘medical emergency’, Fiji Defence Minister urges restraint on death probe
SUVA, 20 APRIL 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji’s military Commander, Major General Jone Kalouniwai said the late Jone Vakarisi died of a “sudden and severe medical emergency” while at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, Suva.
In a statement, Major General Kalouniwai said Vakarisi was among four individuals who voluntarily presented themselves at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks as part of a joint inquiry into recent security breaches.
“During the formal interview process, Vakarisi suffered a sudden and severe medical emergency,” he said.
“Immediate and exhaustive life-saving efforts were administered by qualified RFMF medical personnel on-site but unfortunately could not revive him resulting in his unfortunate demise.”
He said preliminary medical assessments suggested the presence of a pre-existing condition that may have contributed to the incident.
Major General Kalouniwai said the matter had been referred to the coroner’s office for an independent and formal inquiry in accordance with the Inquests Act 1967.
He added that the other three civilians involved were released following the initial inquiry, while one RFMF personnel remained in military custody to assist with internal disciplinary investigations.
The statement also outlined broader security concerns, with the military citing intelligence indicating the existence of an organised criminal network attempting to compromise national stability, including the presence of unauthorised weaponry outside of official military inventory.
“The RFMF remains committed to its constitutional duty to protect the security and well-being of all Fijians.”
Meanwhile, Vakarisi’s former partner, Queenie Osbourne, claimed he had gone to the barracks to look for his daughter, who was allegedly visiting a boyfriend whose father is a soldier.
It was earlier alleged that Vakarisi entered the said barracks to access the RFMF armoury, which is understood to have led to his presence there during the inquiry.
Meanwhile, Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua has urged the public to allow the investigation into the death of Jone Vakarisi to proceed without speculation or the spread of misinformation.
Tikoduadua said he had been made aware of reports concerning the death of an individual while in military custody and acknowledged that the Fiji Police Force had confirmed an investigation was underway.
“This is a serious matter, and I understand that the Fiji Police Force has confirmed that an investigation is now underway.”
Tikoduadua said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the circumstances of the case while police inquiries were ongoing, stressing the need for due process.
“The proper process must be allowed to take its course, and all relevant facts must be established independently and professionally.”
He described any loss of life in such circumstances as a matter of grave concern and called for the full cooperation of all relevant authorities with the police investigation.
“Accountability, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for due process must remain paramount,” Tikoduadua said.
“Further comment should properly follow once the Fiji Police have completed their investigations and the facts are clear,” he said…. PACNEWS
PCN – MUTINEERS DECENDANTS: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS 1: Mon 20 Apr 2026
‘It’s sacred to us’: register of Bounty mutineer’s descendants returns to South Pacific
ADAMSTOWN, 20 APRIL 2026 (THE GUARDIAN) — It is a book that records the 19th-century descendants of some of the most notorious troublemakers in naval history: the sailors responsible for the mutiny on the Bounty.
Now, the Pitcairn Register – a handwritten volume that registered the births, marriages and deaths of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the mutineers and the Tahitian women they enslaved – is finally returning home to the South Pacific.
After seizing control of HMS Bounty in 1789 and kidnapping some Polynesian women from Tahiti, nine of the mutineers arrived on the uninhabited Pitcairn Island in 1790 and decided to hide there from the Royal Navy. They brought along 12 Polynesian women, a 10-month-old Polynesian girl and six Polynesian men, who they forced into slavery.
When the sailor George Hunn Nobbs visited the island nearly 40 years later, he found the offspring of the mutineers had formed a devout Christian community. n English shipwright, John Buffett, had joined them and was recording all their births, marriages and deaths in the register. Nobbs later took on the task himself.
The register got wet in 1854, so Nobbs gave it away to an acquaintance in England, noting that the “dilapidated” handwritten manuscript might “amuse” his friend “over his after-dinner toast and water”. It was later donated to the National Maritime Museum, in London.
Now, the museum is lending the register to the Norfolk Island Museum Trust (NIMT) so it can go on display on Norfolk Island, a remote island governed by Australia in the South Pacific Ocean, for the first time.
More than 25 percent of the 2,188 people who live on Norfolk Island can trace their ancestry to the mutineers, and some descendants made a formal request and crowdfunded about AUD$26,000 (£13,700) to bring the register “home” for the island’s annual Bounty Day celebrations on 8 June.
“It’s a foundational document of the Pitcairn and Norfolk Island people,” said the NIMT chair, Dr Pauline Reynolds. She is descended from six of the mutineers and their Polynesian spouses, including the mutiny instigator, Fletcher Christian, and his wife, Mauatua, and has researched the histories of the women on Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands.
Historically, she said, “there’s been quite a male narrative about the Bounty. But the Pitcairn Register tells the story of us, the women, as well”. Without the skills of the Indigenous women, who knew how to make cloth, cultivate local crops and administer herbal medicines, the community would have struggled to survive.
The mutineers treated the highly educated, landowning Tahitian men they had brought with them “like slaves”, she said, leading to conflict and murder by 1794, the register shows all six of the Polynesian men and five of the mutineers were dead. “In amongst that, you’ve got mothers trying to protect their children. At one stage, according to the register, the women built a raft to escape, but of course it failed and fell apart.”
By 1808, when a passing whaling ship made contact with the community after 18 years of isolation, only one mutineer was still alive, along with 10 Tahitian women and the first generation of children on the island.
The register revealed how “extraordinarily resilient” and resourceful they were to survive, said Helen Mears, the head of curatorship at the National Maritime Museum, and it added to the complexity of stories about the mutiny on the Bounty.
The experiences of Polynesian men and women had been erased from a narrative about an “iconic historical moment in British maritime history” that had previously been told “very much from a male, anglocentric lens” as a psychodrama between a European captain and his men, she said.
“As institutions, we’re interested in history, but we’re also interested in the legacy of history,” she said. “I think the connection with Pauline and other members of the Norfolk Island and Pitcairn Island communities has really enriched our understanding of the register and its significance for descendants, as well as our understanding of this moment in [maritime] history and its legacy.”
Mears said she had found working with Reynolds and other descendants inspiring and was lending the registry to NIMT for at least three years: “This loan, I hope, is the starting point for an ongoing collaboration.”
Reynolds said: “There’s a lot of places in the world that will not work on these things, so to get the full support of the National Maritime Museum has been phenomenal.”
She said she expected the arrival of the register would be a “very emotional” moment for her community. “It’s sacred to us,” she said. “It tells the beginning of our people. It contains who we are…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PNG – ECONOMY: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 20 Apr 2026
PNG economy remains resilient, says bank
PORT MORESBY, 20 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — The country’s economy remains reasonably resilient, supported by commodity exports, fiscal spending, and infrastructure investments, according to the Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP).
Chief executive officer Mark Robinson said the rest of the year would be more complicated, with higher energy prices offsetting a moderately optimistic growth outlook.
BSP released its March Quarter 2026 Economic and Market Pulse report, providing a snapshot of economic performance in PNG and the South Pacific.
It included an assessment of the growing set of uncertainties that are expected to moderate the growth outlook in 2026.
Robinson said that a growing set of concerns was weighing on global markets, including rising fiscal deficits, the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom, the inflation outlook and now, the war in the Middle East.
“The PNG economy and household budgets are facing pressure from higher fuel prices, weighing on the growth outlook,” he said.
“The Government’s recent initiatives to manage the impact on the PNG community are welcome.
“In some areas, there may also be a silver lining. PNG is already benefitting from elevated global LNG prices, and our distance from conflict zones is enhancing our appeal as a reliable alternative LNG supplier to Asian markets. This is an opportune moment for the future of the Papua LNG Project.”
Robinson said that in the South Pacific, the economic outlook had been supported by moderating inflation, providing a healthy starting point for managing the downside of higher energy prices and supply challenges, given the South Pacific’s reliance on imported fuel.
“In times of uncertainty, investing to build resilience and preparing through active scenario planning, while maintaining flexibility to capture new opportunities, are important tools for businesses and governments to weather energy shocks and other economic uncertainties.”
BSP’s March Quarter 2026 Economic and Market Pulse includes commentary on the foreign exchange market and the Kina’s performance group general manager-treasury and markets Rohan George and an economic review by BSP’s chief economist Andrew Wu…. PACNEWS
FIJI – MINIMUM WAGE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 20 Apr 2026
No plans to raise minimum wage amid fuel crisis, says Fiji Minister for Employment Minister
LABASA, 20 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN) — There are no discussions at ministerial level to increase the national minimum wage from $5 (US$2.50) to $6 (US$3) or higher, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh say.
Speaking in Labasa, Singh said rising fuel prices were driven by global factors linked to the United States–Iran conflict and were beyond Government control.
“The fuel crisis is not the making of our nation, it is a global issue, it is not only our country affected, but all other economies,” he said.
He said workers and the public would need to share the burden of the crisis, adding that any further Government intervention to ease the cost of living would need careful consideration.
Meanwhile, Fiji Labour Party Labasa Regional Action Committee vice-president Alan Tuinasoni said Government should consider increasing wages to help offset rising living costs.
Tuinasoni said stagnant wages alongside increasing expenses would create serious imbalances and claimed efforts to assist people had been minimal.
In response to the developing situation, Government has announced a national fuel emergency plan aimed at maintaining supply and reducing wastage.
Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya said fuel levels remain above 50 per cent and supply is stable.
Singh said Government is also in talks with Singapore to secure future fuel shipments.
“Our foreign minister is in Singapore engaged in discussions to secure our fuel supply for the coming months,” he said.
He urged the public to adopt fuel-saving measures, including reducing unnecessary travel, using public transport, carpooling, saving electricity and working from home where possible…. 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
Small nations, strong ties: Fiji’s Ambassador talks faith, friendship, and Israel
In an interview with the Magazine, Ambassador Jesoni Vitusagavulu explained the strategic – as well as spiritual – reasons behind Fiji’s support for Israel.
By Michael Freund
JERUSALEM, 20 APRIL 2026 (JERUSALEM POST) — Two months ago, on 03 February, a bit of diplomatic history was made when Jesoni Vitusagavulu presented his credentials to President Isaac Herzog, making him Fiji’s first-ever resident ambassador to Israel.
The South Pacific nation, an archipelago consisting of more than 300 islands, has long been one of Israel’s strongest supporters. Indeed, in September of last year, Fiji opened its embassy in Jerusalem, one of just a handful of countries to have done so thus far.
Ambassador Vitusagavulu, an experienced and highly respected Fijian diplomat who previously represented his nation in Washington, is no stranger to the Jewish state, as he was a student in Israel and received a diploma in airline management from Bar-Ilan University. He is a former chief executive of the Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau, now known as Investment Fiji, and he also held senior management positions at the Fiji Development Bank and Air Pacific (now Fiji Airways).
In an interview with the Magazine, the ambassador explained the strategic as well as spiritual reasons behind Fiji’s support for Israel, expressed his views on the Iran war, and described how his country hopes to further deepen its partnership with the Jewish state in a variety of fields.
Fiji recently opened its embassy in Jerusalem, not Tel Aviv. At a time when many nations hesitate to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, why did Fiji make this decision, and how has it affected bilateral relations?
Opening our embassy in Jerusalem was a sovereign decision made in Fiji’s best national interest. We are focused on revitalising our agricultural industry and tackling security and climate challenges through Israeli innovation and technology. But it is also about reciprocity and loyalty. Fiji has chosen to stand with Israel at a time when it faces isolation, just as Israel stood by us in the past when we navigated our own challenges. I’d say that our affinity with Israel is pure and not based on some cold political calculus. We respect the decisions other nations make in their interest, and we expect the same respect in return.
Many Israelis are familiar with Fiji because your country often bucks the trend and votes against anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations. What guides Fiji’s approach?
Fiji votes at the United Nations on principle. We’ve consistently been one of the few nations to stand up against one-sided, anti-Israel resolutions. We don’t just follow the crowd; we evaluate every measure on its merits. For us, it’s about fairness and sovereign equality. We believe that isolating Israel through lopsided resolutions is counterproductive to peace, and we choose instead to be a consistent voice for balanced dialogue.
Fiji is a deeply Christian nation, and I have met many Fijians who express a strong spiritual connection to the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. To what extent does faith shape Fiji’s foreign policy toward Israel?
While Fiji is a secular state, our affinity for Israel is deeply rooted in our history, predating our 1970 diplomatic ties. It began in 1835 when Christian missionaries came to our shores. That message transformed the souls of our people – taking us from what was once a barbaric society to being the friendliest people in the world. Pope John Paul II famously described Fiji as ‘the way the world should be.’ That spiritual transformation created a permanent bond with the people and the Land of Israel. Today, that foundation of faith provides the heart of a relationship that is now also driven by modern strategic cooperation.
Following Hamas’s 07 October massacre, how did Fiji assess what happened, and what message did your government seek to send in its response?
Fiji unequivocally condemned the horrific attacks of 07 October. No cause justifies that kind of terror, and we stand by Israel’s right to protect its citizens. At the same time, our hearts bleed for the plight of Palestinians caught in this conflict. We pray their leaders will make the difficult decisions necessary to avoid the kind of backlash and suffering their people have endured. Our hope is for a future where both peoples can live in security and dignity.
Fiji has a long history of contributing troops to UN peacekeeping missions. Why does Fiji attach so much importance to these efforts, and how does Fiji’s experience in global peace operations shape how it views Israel’s security challenges?
Fiji believes that global security is a shared responsibility. We have backed this belief with action since 1978, when we first joined UNIFIL to help secure Israel and the wider region. Our commitment remains unbroken; we continue that work today with UNDOF in the Golan Heights and the MFO in the Sinai. We were also active with UNAMI in Iraq until recently. To continue our commitment to peace, we are currently considering participation in the International Stabilisation Force [ISF] in Gaza, as we believe stable borders are the foundation of a peaceful world.
How does Fiji view the Abraham Accords and the broader regional shifts in the Middle East? Do you believe they create new opportunities for smaller nations like Fiji to deepen ties with Israel?
Fiji thinks highly of the Abraham Accords. These agreements represent a fundamental shift from ideological rejection to peaceful coexistence. What these nations have done is to forsake belligerence for progress. It is very much akin to Fiji’s own history. When the gospel reached our shores, we forsook tribal warfare and learned to live peacefully with each other. We see the accords as a regional mirror of our own transformation, proving that peace is possible when you choose the future over the past.
Fiji maintains diplomatic relations with many countries that are critical of Israel. How does Fiji balance those relationships while maintaining its strong support for the Jewish state?
We are ‘friends to all.’ Fiji is transparent about its values, so our partners know exactly where we stand. Supporting Israel doesn’t mean we’re ‘against’ anyone else. And as our prime minister said, ‘It’s not a blanket endorsement of another country’s policies.’ We believe that by keeping our doors open to everyone, Fiji can act as a moderate, honest voice for engagement in a very polarised world.
Israel is known for its expertise in technology, security, and counterterrorism. Are there areas in which Fiji and Israel are currently cooperating – or could cooperate more closely – in these fields?
Technology is a key reason we are deepening our ties with the Israelis. We want to learn from them about how to leverage technology to overcome the constraints associated with smallness. Israel is the proof that smallness and a narrow resource base need not be an impediment to growth. We need to embrace technology more across all our industries – particularly agriculture, which is the mainstay of our economy. Technological solutions from Israel can also help us combat our most pressing security problems, such as the drug trade, climate change, and cybersecurity. We’ve signed agreements in these areas with them, and our task at the embassy is to work with them to implement the agreements.
As a Pacific island nation, Fiji faces challenges such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and flooding. Israel is a global leader in water management agriculture innovation. Where do you see the greatest potential for cooperation, and what additional partnerships would you like to see?
This is where the partnership gets really exciting. Israel has a history of making the deserts bloom and transforming sand dunes into world-class cities. We want to apply that same spirit to Fiji. We are moving toward food security, bringing Israeli desalination technology to our maritime provinces, and looking at construction technology to secure our homes from the increasingly strong hurricanes. We are looking to build a resilient, hi-tech future for our people.
The Pacific has become an arena of growing geopolitical competition, particularly involving China. How does Fiji balance its regional realities while strengthening ties with the West?
Regarding the geopolitical competition in the Pacific, Fiji balances regional realities by staying focused on our own national development. We do not see our relationships as a zero-sum game. However, we are clear about our shared values with the West – our commitment to democracy and a rules-based order. Strengthening ties with Israel is a natural extension of those values. We favour partners who respect our sovereignty and help us address critical threats like climate change, rather than those who wish to draw us into power struggles.
Beyond government-to-government relations, how strong are the connections between the Fijian and Israeli peoples? Do you see potential for expansion in areas such as trade and investment?
The bond between our peoples is our greatest asset. There is already a strong connection, evidenced by the consistent flow of Fijians traveling to Israel, mostly for the Feast of Tabernacles organised by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. We want to build on that by encouraging two-way tourist flows, exploring charter flights initially to bridge the distance. Tourism is the front door to deeper engagement; as people move, trade and investment will naturally follow. We want to see Israeli ‘know-how meet the Fijian ‘can-do’ spirit, creating a partnership that benefits the private sectors of both nations.
Looking ahead five to 10 years, what concrete achievements would you like to see in the relationship between Fiji and Israel?
We are currently developing our business plan, and our strategic goal is to move from diplomatic cooperation to measurable economic impact. We want to show clear evidence of Israel’s impact on Fiji’s economy through the successful operation of signature projects in agriculture, dairy, and other key industries. In a decade, we envision Fiji to be the innovation hub of the Pacific, where Israeli know-how and the Fijian can-do spirit have transformed our nation into a ‘start-up nation of the South Seas.’
On a personal level, what has surprised you most about Israel – politically, culturally, or diplomatically – and what do you think Israelis misunderstand about Fiji?
I’m not surprised by what I see as a person visiting Israel for the first time would. I had the privilege of studying airline management in Israel many years ago with an Israeli scholarship, where I observed firsthand the rapid, relentless progress this country has made in such a short time. Even then, I said that Israel is a classroom with so much to learn. I’m honoured to be appointed Fiji’s first resident ambassador. I’m glad to be back – to learn more deeply and, more importantly, to ensure that Fiji benefits from the success and the ‘classroom’ of innovation that Israel has built.
What is Fiji’s position on the war with Iran? Does your country agree that Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons?
Fiji’s position is clear: We fully recognise Israel’s fundamental right to self-defence and its necessity to protect its people from the existential threats posed by Iran and its proxies. No nation should be expected to live under the constant threat of annihilation. At the same time, we are a nation of peace, and we are naturally concerned by the loss of lives, the destruction of properties, and the growing threat this conflict poses to the world economy. The stability of the Middle East is linked to the stability of the world. We pray that this conflict will end soon and that a path to lasting security can be found, but that security must begin with the recognition of Israel’s right to exist in peace.
How has the experience of being in Israel during wartime affected you and your views of the country?
Living through this period has been a profound and sobering experience. I am now experiencing for myself what the people of Israel have endured for a very long time. It is a far cry from the peace and tranquility that we often take for granted in Fiji and the wider Pacific. When you hear the sirens and feel the tension firsthand, you cannot help but deeply empathise with the people here. This experience has not deterred me; rather, it has made me more determined to contribute in whatever small way I can to the search for a path to lasting peace in this region. It reinforces why Fiji’s role as a peacekeeper is so vital – because we know the value of the peace that is so desperately sought here…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Rangers Rising: Vanuatu communities unite against invasive species
PORT VILA, 20 APRIL 2026 (SPREP) — The forests of Tafea Province hold some of the richest terrestrial flora in Vanuatu and on Tanna Island, this biodiversity is deeply intertwined with traditional ecological knowledge that has been preserved for generations.
Places like Mt Tukusmera, Mt Melon and Green Hill remain among the last intact forests, standing as living archives of both nature and culture. However, these landscapes face mounting pressures from cyclones, volcanic ashfall, invasive species and climate change impacts, to unregulated development, pollution and waste.
In response, communities have established conservation areas such as Nimatang and Nusumetu Tibinemei, which serve as vital sanctuaries and learning grounds for resilience. These initiatives are being led by the Vanuatu Department of Environment Protection and Conservation (DEPC) in coordination with other ministries, departments and provincial councils, regional organisations and donors.
Invasive species like weeds and predators, like rats, ferral pigs and cats, are not just nuisances, they threaten food gardens, water sources and the delicate ecosystems that sustain island life. For families in rural Vanuatu, the unchecked growth of invasive weeds can mean reduced harvests, compromise biodiversity and weakened resilience in the face of climate and environmental pressures.
Against this backdrop, on Tanna Island, from 13–17 April, rangers from across Vanuatu will gather for the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS), Resilient Ecosystems, Resilient Communities (RERC) Rangers Network Exchange Programme, a workshop that carries importance for communities confronting the spread of invasive weeds and predators.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) led PRISMSS RERC programme in Nusumetu Conservation site, in Tanna, has already shown how community rangers can lead the fight against these threats. By combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation science, and the right resources and tools, rangers are learning to identify invasive species early, apply practical management techniques and integrate cultural practices that ensure solutions are accepted and sustainable.
A community capacity building programme was undertaken at the Nusumetu conservation site by the PRISMSS RERC programme in 2025, where community rangers were provided with tools, resources and trained on how to properly use them to manage invasive weeds within identified management zones.
This approach empowers communities to take ownership of resilience-building, rather than relying solely on outside interventions. It transforms invasive species management into a story of empowerment, where protecting gardens, forests and watersheds also strengthen social bonds and cultural identity.
While delivering the opening remarks, Rexton Mogeror, Principal Provincial Outreach Officer, DEPC, shared that, “the week’s overarching theme “Restore the Forest and Strengthen the Community” captures both the ecological and social dimensions of resilience.”
“Knowledge-sharing sessions on weed management, led by rangers from Nusumetu Tibinemei and DEPC, highlight the practical skills needed to implement national strategies such as the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP), the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the NEPIP and Tafea Corporate Plan.”
Mogeror reflected that the programme was about more than technical solutions but about communities working together, sharing knowledge and building resilience in the face of shared threats.
“We are thankful to PRISMSS/SPREP and the donors as they are helping to unite rangers, communities, government and partners, Vanuatu is not only protecting its forests but also strengthening the bonds that make resilience possible.”
“The call to keep the momentum is a reminder that success depends on collective commitment as invasive species do not respect boundaries and neither should the solutions.”
The rangers exchange programme in Tanna builds on this foundation by offering participatory sessions, field demonstrations and peer-to-peer learning. These activities are designed to build confidence, foster collaboration, strengthen rangers networking and ensure that resilience is woven into everyday life once the rangers return to their respective provinces.
The interactive sessions will enable community rangers to better understand why it is important to manage high value ecological sites, how to decide which sites to manage, what kinds of invasive species threaten ecosystems, how are invasive species are managed in the whole site, how can ecosystem structure be re-introduced and who should be involved.
The exchange also expanded its scope, based on previous community feedback, to include predator control and management, with BirdLife International contributing expertise on rat, ferral pig and cat control, and discussions spanning priorities from different community conservation areas across Vanuatu. The involvement of the PRISMSS team from SPREP ensures that these efforts are aligned with regional frameworks and contribute to a wider Pacific battle against invasive species.
SPREP Invasive Species Adviser, David Moverley shared that, “the PRISMSS RERC Rangers Network Exchange Programme is more than a workshop but a collective movement that equips communities with tools, knowledge and solidarity to fight invasive weeds, protect cultural heritage and build community resilience.”
“These ranger exchanges are seeds of hope that resilience grows strongest when nurtured by community, culture and collaboration and for Vanuatu, resilience means the ability to withstand shocks whether environmental, economic or social and invasive species management is a critical part of that equation.
The Pacific islands share common challenges such as invasive species, climate change, and fragile ecosystems. Ranger networks are the bridges that connect communities across these scattered lands.
Beyond Vanuatu, ranger networks are vital for the wider Pacific as they can create pathways for knowledge exchange, allowing lessons learned in Tanna to inform strategies in the region. They strengthen capacity building, equipping rangers with skills that ripple across the region and foster solidarity and resilience, reminding communities that they are part of a larger Pacific battle facing shared challenges.
The PRISMSS RERC programme has similar planned rangers’ network and learning exchange programmes scheduled for Solomon Islands and Federated States of Micronesia in 2026….PACNEWS
For additional information please contact Dominic Sadler, PRISMSS Manager on dominics@sprep.org or Nitish Narayan, PRISMSS Communications & Liaison Officer on nitishn@sprep.org
