In this bulletin:
1. SOL — Solomon Islands warns of Climate crisis at UN, pledges sustainable urban growth
2. FIJI — New Constitution could be ready before next election: Fiji Acting AG
3. USA/SOL— Solomon Islands PM Wale in Washington: Pushing partnerships forward
4. PACIFIC — Envoy warns Pacific strategic contest is shifting as PNG says it will close Taiwan office
5. PNG — No Papua New Guinean should be left behind: ICT Minister
6. AUST — Regional peace tops agenda for ASEAN foreign ministers
7. FIJI — Fiji Navy honours Veterans, unveils memorial to fallen Sailors
8. PACIFIC — Taiwan says Chinese vessel activity jumps, raising fears for Pacific supply routes
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Australia’s $1.57b Vuvale funding awaits parliamentary ratification
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Air Niugini operates first resumption flight on the Port Moresby- Tokyo route
11. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG, Solomon Islands to host first joint investment conference
12. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Tongan women rescued from China after arranged marriage scheme
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — “Small states must help shape a fairer multilateral order”, says former New Zealand PM Helen Clark
SOL – CLIMATE CHANGE: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS 1: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Solomon Islands warns of Climate crisis at UN, pledges sustainable urban growth
NEW YORK, 21 JULY 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS)—Solomon Islands has told the United Nations that climate change and rapid urban growth are reshaping the nation’s towns and settlements.
Minister of Lands and Housing Survey, Oliver Salopuka, delivered the country’s address at the UN as world leaders discussed sustainable urban development and the New Urban Agenda.
He said the country’s fast-growing urban population — mostly in Honiara and provincial centres — is putting more pressure on housing, roads, water supplies and land.
“With a high population growth rate of three percent and 70 percent of our people under 29 years old, we are facing rapid, unplanned urban expansion,” the Minister said.
While city growth brings chances for economic development and better services, it has also led to more informal settlements across the country.
Minister Salopuka pointed to climate change as a serious threat to Solomon Islands towns.
“Sea levels are rising, coastal flooding is becoming more frequent, and extreme weather events continue to threaten communities, critical infrastructure and livelihoods,” he said.
He stressed the need to include climate resilience in all urban planning and development.
The Minister said the Solomon Islands Urban Policy is the Government’s plan to manage urban growth in a sustainable way, working alongside the National Disaster Management Policy.
He reported good progress on basic services. More than 93 percent of urban Solomon Islanders now have access to clean drinking water, and over 81 percent have improved sanitation.
“The Government is also backing major projects like the Tina River Hydropower Project, which will provide cheaper, cleaner electricity and support the move to renewable energy.”
Minister Salopuka said urban development must include everyone.
“Women, young people, persons with disabilities, customary landowners and vulnerable communities must all have a voice in shaping the future of our cities and settlements,” he said.
To address informal settlements, he called for solutions that combine land rights, affordable housing, better services, education and community participation.
He also stressed the need to improve life in rural areas to reduce the poverty that forces people to move to towns — a key goal of the National Development Strategy 2016–2035, guided by the vision of “Improving the Social and Economic Livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.” …. PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTION: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Tue 21 July 2026
New Constitution could be ready before next election’: Fiji Acting AG
SUVA, 21 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN) —-Fiji’s Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga says constitutional drafters and consultant Professor Anthony Regan are already working from his office as the Coalition Government pushes to have a new draft Constitution ready before 01 September 2026.
Turaga revealed that maximum resources within the Attorney-General’s Office had been dedicated to the constitutional review.
“Right now, they’re dedicated to this issue.”
He said the office was compiling and summarising public submissions before forwarding them to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) for consideration, recommendations and drafting.
“The target date is before the first of September,” he said.
Asked whether the next general election could be held under a new Constitution, Turaga said it was possible but declined to make any guarantees.
“That is possible. I think that’s from the submissions by the public. There’s a very strong public opinion on that,” he said.
“I don’t want to make any predictions. It’s an independent CRC appointed. We just have to wait for their recommendations, and of course the draft, before we present it to Cabinet.”
Turaga said the writ of election could legally be issued the day after Parliament reaches three years and six months, but the Government’s immediate priority remained completing the constitutional review.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has previously said Fiji may still go to the polls under the current Constitution if reforms are not be completed in time, with the next general election due by February 2027……PACNEWS
USA/SOL – DIPLOMACY: SOL GOVT PACNEWS 1: Tue 21 July 2026
Solomon Islands PM Wale in Washington: Pushing Partnerships forward
WASHINGTON, 21 JULY 2026 (SOL GOVT) —Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has arrived in Washington, ahead of a series of high-level bilateral engagements scheduled for this week.
As part of his official programme, the Prime Minister is expected to meet with United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Monday, marking a key engagement in advancing Solomon Islands–United States relations.
Prime Minister Wale will also hold meetings with senior officials from the Development Finance Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Peace Corps.
These discussions will focus on strengthening development cooperation, expanding economic opportunities and advancing shared priorities between Solomon Islands and the United States.
Upon arrival in Washington, the Prime Minister convened a briefing with his delegation to outline key objectives and align priorities ahead of the scheduled meetings.
The visit emphasises the Government’s commitment to deepening international partnerships and pursuing opportunities that support national development and the well-being of all Solomon Islanders.
Wale is scheduled to travel from Washington to Tokyo for a visit from 22 to 25 July, where the Japanese government will accord him a formal guard of honour before he meets with the Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi……PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PMN PACNEWS 1: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Envoy warns Pacific strategic contest is shifting as PNG says it will close Taiwan office
TOKYO, 21 JULY 2026 (PMN)— A senior Australian diplomat has warned that Western democracies are losing ground in the strategic contest across the Indo-Pacific.
The warning comes as Papua New Guinea moves to close Taiwan or Republic of China’s representative office in Port Moresby. The mission has been in PNG since 1990.
Speaking at an international conference in Tokyo, Australia’s Ambassador to Japan and former head of the Office of National Intelligence, Andrew Shearer, said China is steadily reshaping the regional balance of power.
“We’re seeing increasingly concerted efforts to unpick the regional order, to strip it away, strip away its more liberal characteristics, and over time unpick the U.S alliance system … and replace it with a more illiberal, more hierarchical, and inherently more coercive order.”
Shearer said China’s growing military reach and expanding influence across Southeast Asia and the Pacific have created a difficult challenge for Western countries.
“I think that’s a very difficult problem set for us to respond to as Western liberal democracies,” he said. “I think, if you’re objective, you would say we are sort of gradually losing some of that contest.”
He also pointed to China’s expanding military activities including a recent submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile test into the Pacific, warning the region faces greater uncertainty and a higher risk of miscalculation.
“We’re also, of course, seeing the increasing overuse of both conventional and, in a coercive sense, nuclear capability in the region.”
Shearer said those developments are increasing tensions across the Indo-Pacific.
“The threshold for conflict has come down in recent years, and that is something that should worry us all.”
His comments came as Papua New Guinea announced last week it would close the Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby, ending Taiwan’s diplomatic presence in the country.
PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko confirmed the decision in a statement, telling China’s Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang that the “physical presence of Chinese Taipei will no longer be recognised or required within the jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea”.
The move was welcomed by Beijing, which said it “highly appreciated” the decision and described it as strengthening relations between China and Papua New Guinea.
Yang told EMTV the decision reflected PNG’s support for the One China principle and said China was ready to continue strengthening its relationship with Papua New Guinea.
The comments come as China and PNG mark 50 years of diplomatic relations with both countries highlighting closer cooperation in recent years.
Taiwan has rejected Papua New Guinea’s decision, saying the Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby remains open and that it will reassess its relationship with PNG.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision was made without prior negotiations and described it as a unilateral move.
In a statement, the ministry said Taiwan would reassess cooperative projects and economic exchanges with Papua New Guinea and consider further steps in response.
Taiwan’s representative office in PNG was established in 1990 following a trade agreement between the two sides despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations.
The United States has also raised concerns over Papua New Guinea’s decision, saying it supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international community.
A U.S State Department spokesperson told a White House briefing that Washington remained concerned about actions that limit Taiwan’s international engagement.
If the closure goes ahead, Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands would remain the only Pacific island nations that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The developments come amid growing strategic competition across the Pacific where regional nations continue to balance relationships with traditional partners, China and other international powers while maintaining that Pacific priorities including climate change, development and sovereignty remain at the centre of regional decision-making….PACNEWS
PNG- ICT MEET: NBC PNG NEWS PACNEWS 1: Tue 21 Jul 2026
No Papua New Guinean should be left behind: ICT Minister
PORT MORESBY, 21 JULY 2026 (NBC PNG NEWS)—New Information and Communication Technology Minister Robert Naguri says every Papua New Guinean should have equal access to digital services, regardless of where they live.
Speaking at the opening of the Digital Transformation Summit 2026 in Port Moresby, Naguri said digital transformation must benefit everyone, including people in rural communities, women, youth, people living with disabilities and small businesses.
“Digital transformation must benefit every Papua New Guinean. No one should be excluded because of geography, gender, disability, age or income,” Naguri said.
The minister said building trust, improving digital infrastructure, supporting innovation and promoting inclusion are the four priorities that will guide Papua New Guinea’s digital transformation.
He said people will only use digital government services if they trust that their personal information is protected and that online systems are secure.
“Trust is the foundation upon which a successful society is built,” he said.
Naguri also said the government remains committed to expanding digital infrastructure so more provinces, districts and communities can connect to the digital economy.
He said reliable internet, secure data centres and stronger government digital systems are now essential for improving education, healthcare, business and public services.
“These are no longer optional investments. They are essential infrastructure,” he said.
Naguri encouraged government agencies, businesses, development partners and young innovators to work together to turn ideas from the summit into practical solutions that improve the lives of Papua New Guineans.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape says Papua New Guinea and the Pacific must not be left behind as the world moves rapidly towards artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology.
Speaking at the opening of the Digital Transformation Summit 2026 in Port Moresby, the Prime Minister said information and communication technology (ICT) is now a key driver of economic growth, education, health and government services.
“AI has leapfrogged almost all other ICT conversations and AI is taking dominance. We must not be left behind,” Marape said.
Marape said Papua New Guinea has made significant progress in expanding internet access, with broadband coverage increasing from 40 percent in 2020 to 80 percent this year.
“We have made some progress in this space. And we have also seen good and the bad side about this. Papua New Guinea, to give you all some context, is not a nation of one or two or three islands.
The Prime Minister said the government is working to elevate ICT as a central government function to strengthen digital services and support the country’s development.
“ICT will be elevated to the central government agencies. We want to make sure it protects and develops our country,” he said.
The Prime Minister also warned that greater digital connectivity has brought new security risks.
“Papua New Guinea is now witnessing almost an 80 percent increase in cyber threats,” he said.
Marape called on Pacific leaders who are also at this summit to work together on ICT policies that improve digital connectivity while protecting people, businesses and government systems from cybercrime.
He said the Pacific should develop a common approach to ICT that supports economic growth, improves services and strengthens regional cooperation.
The summit is hosted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)……PACNEWS
AUST – DIPLOMACY: AAP PACNEWS 1: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Regional peace tops agenda for ASEAN foreign ministers
MANILA, 21 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Australia’s foreign minister has travelled to the Philippines to work with Asian countries on improving peace and prosperity in the region.
Penny Wong flew out on Monday to attend the summit of foreign ministers, being held ahead of the ASEAN leaders’ summit later in 2026, saying the trip would improve Australian ties.
“At a time of rising strategic competition and global economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever for Australia to work closely with ASEAN partners to help shape a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous,” Senator Wong said in a statement.
“My meetings with regional and global counterparts will be an opportunity to advance Australia’s interests and continue work on shared challenges, including energy security, supply chain resilience and long-term economic prosperity.”
The association includes 11 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and East Timor.
Australia is not a member, but works closely with ASEAN on economic and trade issues. Australia and the Philippines have had diplomatic ties for 80 years.
Senator Wong said she planned to work on “energy security, supply chain resilience and long-term economic prosperity” for Australia.
She will meet with Philippine counterpart Theresa Lazaro and has expressed support for Manila’s ASEAN presidency this year.
Meeting as also expected to promote strengthening of regional resilience and respect for international norms, including in war.
One of the issues expected to dominate the agenda is the situation in Myanmar, following the foreign ministers’ first face-to-face meeting with a representative of the military regime since the 2021 coup in Bangkok last Sunday.
At that meeting, the bloc said it wanted to move towards an end to violence and better dialogue in the area.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, along with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, will also be in attendance.
The U.S is using the meeting to strengthen its partnerships in Southeast Asia as the threat of Chinese dominance looms in the region.
The trip to the Philippines comes following Australia signing security partnerships with Fiji, which was aimed at curbing Chinese influence in the Pacific….PACNEWS
FIJI – NAVY WEEK: FIJI NAVY PACNEWS 1: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Fiji Navy honours veterans, unveils memorial to fallen sailors
SUVA, 21 JULY 2026 (FIJI NAVY)— The Fiji Navy Monday honoured its veterans and remembered personnel who died in service during a Navy Veterans Day ceremony at RFNS Stanley Brown.
The event, attended by serving personnel and Navy veterans despite light rain, was officiated by retired Commander Inoke Luveni, a former senior naval engineer and former Head of the Fiji Navy Engineering Department.
The ceremony featured the unveiling of commemorative plaques bearing the names of naval personnel who died while serving, creating a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and dedication to the nation.
Veterans were also recognised for their contribution to building the foundations of today’s Fiji Navy through years of dedicated service, professionalism and discipline.
As part of the commemorations, the Fiji Navy presented its history book and the Fiji Navy Strategic Plan 2035 – Headmark to the Fiji Naval Association, ensuring veterans remain connected to the Navy’s future direction and development.
In his address, Commander (Retd) Luveni paid tribute to serving personnel and highlighted the Navy’s continuing role in safeguarding Fiji’s maritime security and safety.
He also acknowledged the vision of Fiji’s founding Prime Minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, whose leadership led to the establishment of the Fiji Navy in 1975.
Commander Fiji Navy thanked veterans for their service and said the occasion was an important reminder for today’s sailors to honour those who paved the way for the modern Navy.
He said that while the Navy continues to modernise and strengthen its capabilities, it must never forget those whose service and sacrifice laid the foundation for the force that exists today.
The annual observance recognises the contribution of former naval personnel while remembering those who gave their lives in service, reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to preserving its history as it prepares for the future…..PACNEWS
PAC – DEFENCE: REUTERS PACNEWS 1: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Taiwan says Chinese vessel activity jumps, raising fears for Pacific supply routes
TAIPEI, 21 JULY 2026 (REUTERTS)—Taiwan detected a sharp rise in Chinese coast guard and research vessel activity around the island in June, prompting Taipei to plan drills simulating Chinese escalations off its Pacific coast, according to Taiwan Coast Guard data and officials.
Taiwan reported 55 Chinese government vessel sightings, including coast guard and research boats, around the island in June, up from 30 in May, the data showed.
The sightings marked an 83 percent increase from May and a 120% rise from 25 sightings in June last year. The tally excluded sightings around Taiwan-controlled islands near the Chinese coast.
The figures underscore the growing role of China’s coast guard in Beijing’s latest pressure campaign against Taiwan, which angers Taipei and alarms some Western nations including U.S, Britain, France and Germany.
China’s military operates almost daily around Taiwan, but Beijing has increasingly used its coast guard to assert its territorial claims in what Taipei calls “lawfare” — efforts to create a legal basis for Chinese actions around the island.
Taiwan officials said the activity points to a critical wartime risk: that Beijing may be rehearsing how to sever Taiwan’s Pacific supply lines from allies.
“If the situation escalates to a blockade — or what would already amount to a quasi-war — we have plans to work with the navy to jointly protect Taiwan’s lifeline sea routes,” a senior Taiwan Coast Guard official said at a briefing, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We have anticipated this scenario not only through tabletop exercises but also through live drills,” the official said.
China’s defence ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
China does not recognise Taiwan sovereignty and says the democratic island is part of China. Taipei says Beijing has no right to claim sovereignty or jurisdiction over the island or its waters and that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.
A senior Taiwan Coast Guard official said some Chinese coast guard ships had been converted from former naval destroyers and repainted for coast guard use, posing a heightened threat to Taiwan’s coast guard because of their size, endurance and military-grade capabilities.
Chinese coast guard vessels now often operate in pairs just outside Taiwan’s economic waters in the Pacific, an expansive area that places a major strain on Taiwan’s limited coast guard fleet, the official added.
“This places a major strain on the capacity of Taiwan’s coast guard vessels,” the official said.
A second senior official described the Chinese activity as “expansion” and an attempt to change the status quo.
China’s coast guard had broadcast questions to merchant vessels about port entry and exit information, putting pressure on commercial shipping even though no vessel had so far changed course, officials said.
Taiwan had broadcast back to the ships, telling them to maintain normal navigation and ignore Chinese interference.
“It knows it has no jurisdiction now, so it is trying to create something out of nothing,” said the second official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity……PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Australia’s $1.57b Vuvale funding awaits parliamentary ratification
SUVA, 21 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN) —Australia’s $1billion (FJD$1.57 billion) funding package and other benefits under the Vuvale Union will only take effect after Fiji’s Parliament formally ratifies the agreement.
Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga said he had received advice from Australian officials that funding and other provisions would commence only after the treaty was ratified.
“I’ve just been advised by someone within the Australian family that once ratified, that’s when the funds and other parts of the provisions of the Vuvale Agreement kick in,” Turaga said.
He said the treaty was expected to be tabled during the next sitting of Parliament, scheduled for August-September.
The Vuvale Union and the Ocean of Peace Alliance, also known as the Veitacini Treaty, were signed by Fiji and Australia on 06 July. Both agreements must be ratified by Parliament under the 2013 Constitution before they come into force.
Turaga said the treaties would first be referred to a parliamentary select committee for scrutiny before returning to the House for debate and a final vote.
The Vuvale Union is intended to deepen Fiji-Australia relations, while the Ocean of Peace Alliance gives effect to the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration, an initiative championed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka……PACNEWS
PNG – AIRLINE: AIR NIUGINI PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Air Niugini operates first resumption flight on the Port Moresby- Tokyo route
PORT MORESY, 21 JULY 2026 (AIR NIUGINI)—Air Niugini operated its first non-stop flight between Port Moresby and Tokyo, Japan on Saturday 18th July, 2026, marking the official resumption of scheduled services between the two countries after a six-year absence.
Flight PX54 departed Jacksons International Airport at 2:10pm for Narita International Airport, restoring an important international air link that will now operate twice weekly, every Wednesday and Saturday.
The return of the Tokyo service represents a significant milestone in Air Niugini’s international network expansion, providing faster, more convenient travel between Papua New Guinea and Japan while strengthening trade, tourism, investment, education and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
The inaugural departure ceremony was attended by Vice Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Raphael Tonpi, Japanese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Hisanobu Mochizuki, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Air Niugini Board Chairman Karl Yalo, Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne, members of the Air Niugini Board, government officials, invited guests and passengers travelling on the historic flight.
The inaugural service was operated by Air Niugini’s Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. The route will also be served by the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft, providing customers with greater travel flexibility.
Passengers enjoyed complimentary meals and beverages, inflight entertainment and generous baggage allowances, while experiencing Air Niugini’s renowned Papua New Guinean hospitality.
They were also introduced to the airline’s refreshed onboard dining concept, featuring premium Papua New Guinean ingredients infused with Japanese-inspired flavours to celebrate the renewed connection between the two countries.
Speaking at the departure ceremony, Vice Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Raphael Tonpi, said the resumption of the service symbolised far more than the return of a commercial air route.
“Today’s inaugural flight signifies the strengthening of the long-standing friendship between Papua New Guinea and Japan and opens a new chapter in our economic, tourism and people-to-people relationship. It demonstrates our confidence in the future of that partnership while creating new opportunities for business, education, tourism and investment.”
The Vice Minister said the restored direct air link would also create significant opportunities for Papua New Guinea exporters by providing faster access to one of Asia’s largest markets for premium products such as coffee, vanilla, seafood and fresh produce.
Air Niugini Board Chairman Karl Yalo described the return of the Tokyo route as a key milestone in the airline’s transformation programme and its commitment to reconnecting Papua New Guinea with important international markets.
“Today is a proud day for Air Niugini. This is more than the return of a route. It represents our determination to reconnect Papua New Guinea with key international markets while supporting our country’s economic growth and development.”
Yalo said Air Niugini’s investment in fleet renewal was positioning the airline for sustainable long-term growth.
“Our fleet renewal programme is giving Air Niugini the capability to serve our customers better than ever before. Our Boeing aircraft continue to provide reliable long-haul international services, while our new Airbus A220 fleet is transforming domestic and regional travel. Together, they position the airline for sustainable growth well into the future.”
Japanese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Hisanobu Mochizuki, welcomed the resumption of the non-stop flights, describing it as an important achievement that reflects the strong and enduring friendship between Japan and Papua New Guinea.
The Ambassador thanked the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Japan, together with Air Niugini and all stakeholders, for their commitment in restoring the direct service, saying the renewed air link would further deepen bilateral cooperation and create new opportunities for both countries.
He said Papua New Guinea possesses abundant natural resources and produces world-class agricultural and seafood products that are highly valued in Japan.
“Papua New Guinea has tremendous potential. We look forward to seeing more Papua New Guinean exports, including coffee, seafood, vanilla and other quality products, reaching Japanese markets. Improved air connectivity will support stronger trade and encourage greater investment between our two countries.”
Mochizuki said the restored service would also encourage more Japanese visitors to experience Papua New Guinea’s unique culture, pristine environment and growing tourism industry while making it easier for Papua New Guineans to travel to Japan for business, education and leisure.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop also welcomed the return of the non-stop service, describing it as an important step in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s international connectivity and creating new opportunities for tourism, commerce, and cultural exchange.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne said the airline was delighted to welcome passengers onboard the inaugural flight and looked forward to rebuilding the Japan market.
“The resumption of our Tokyo service is another important step in Air Niugini’s transformation and international growth. It strengthens Port Moresby’s position as a gateway between Japan, Australia and the Pacific, while giving our customers a faster, more convenient travel option and improved access to our extensive domestic and regional network.”
The non-stop service reduces travel time between Port Moresby and Tokyo to approximately six hours, making Japan more accessible for Papua New Guineans while providing Japanese visitors with seamless connections through Port Moresby to destinations across Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Pacific via Air Niugini’s expanding domestic, regional and international network.
The return of the Tokyo service forms part of Air Niugini’s broader strategy to modernise its operations, expand its international network and support Papua New Guinea’s economic growth through improved global connectivity.
Air Niugini is currently offering special introductory fares on the Port Moresby–Tokyo route, with tickets available through Air Niugini sales offices, travel agents and online booking platforms.
The airline remains committed to providing safe, reliable and convenient air services while strengthening Papua New Guinea’s links with key international destinations…..PACNEWS
SOL – INVESTMENT CONFERENCE: ISLAND SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 21 Jul 2026
PNG, Solomon Islands to host first joint investment conference
HONIARA, 21 JULY 2026 (ISLAND SUN)—The first Papua New Guinea–Solomon Islands Investment Conference will be held in Honiara next month.
The conference is set to bring together government leaders, investors, business executives and development partners to strengthen economic cooperation between the two neighbouring Melanesian countries, according to Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).
The two-day conference is scheduled for 19–20 August 2026 at the Heritage Park Hotel under the theme, “From Opportunity to Investment: Building the PNG–Solomon Islands Growth Corridor”.
The event is jointly organised by the Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council Inc. and SICCI.
According to promotional information released by the organisers, the conference will provide a platform for participants to discuss investment opportunities and strengthen trade and commercial partnerships between the two countries.
Key sectors to be highlighted include trade, infrastructure, mining, tourism, agriculture and finance, with discussions expected to focus on unlocking new business opportunities and encouraging cross-border investment.
The conference will also provide opportunities for investors and businesses to engage directly with government leaders, chief executive officers and development partners on projects that can drive economic growth in both countries.
Organisers are encouraging interested participants to register before the 11 August 2026 deadline. Registration can be completed through the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry website.
The inaugural conference is expected to mark a significant step towards expanding economic cooperation and private sector partnerships between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands….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
Tongan women rescued from China after arranged marriage scheme
AUCKLAND/NUKU’ALOFA, 21 JULY 2026 (TVNZ)—Two young Tongan women – we agree to call them Ana and Peti to protect their identities – have a deadness to their eyes that comes from trauma, writes 1News’ Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver in this first of a two-part series on the situation.
Just rescued from China by fellow Tongans after they were lured there on a marriage scheme which ended badly, the women have agreed to be interviewed by 1News and TVNZ’s Tagata Pasifika in an effort to warn others not to take the same path they did.
It’s not an easy interview, and took place in a secret location with their counsellor from Tonga’s Women and Children Crisis Centre supporting them.
During Ana’s interview I catch sight of Peti in the corner of the room wiping tears away as she listens in. After Ana’s interview she collapses in the arms of her counsellor and during Peti’s interview she cuddles a soft toy for comfort.
Their story is a harrowing one.
Aged in their 20s they could be described as unworldly, which is likely why they were selected. Of the six young women we have found who were targeted by two different groups arranging marriage to China, we interview three of them.
Speaking in Tongan they tell us how they were all approached on Facebook messenger by two women based in China – a Tongan married to a Chinese and a Chinese woman, with business interests in the capital Nuku’alofa. In China Tongans pay for a VPN (a virtual private network) to use Facebook and other social media platforms banned in the country – which is how contact was able to be made.
The young women who were approached said they saw the pair as matchmakers, and they were told how there were many successful marriages between Tongans and Chinese there.
“I was told I had the opportunity to go overseas marry I was going to be paired up with someone who owns a car dealership amongst other businesses and each month a thousand dollars would be sent to my family,” Peti tells us in Tongan.
Ana tells a similar story. She was approached in October last year and told of a wonderful opportunity which would help her and her family.
“She said she would pay for my ticket, my clothes and whatever I wanted…she said she had a friend who was a rich man who would marry me and help my family,” she said.
The young women who went to China at different times were met by the Chinese woman and also a potential husband and his family in Fujian.
Both women used a translation app on their phone to communicate with their new families as they didn’t speak Chinese.
For Ana things did not go so well. Ana said she was told by her potential husband that he wanted to be sure that she was able to conceive and have a baby before he married her which she didn’t like.
“So I was given to another family I went to a room where the mothers come with their sons, there were about six to seven potential husbands who came to have a look,” Ana cried as she said she felt looked down on the way she looked, her figure, her body.
For the first month, while the women were on visitors visas, they were treated well by their new Chinese families and then they had to return back to Tonga to get a visa to return as a wife.
It was when they returned that things started to go wrong.
Ana said her passport was taken off her and when she asked for it back she wasn’t given it. Both women said the two ‘matchmakers’ were always contacting them pressuring them to sleep with their husbands often so they could get pregnant and have a child.
Peti said she worked long gruelling hours with her husband at a factory and when she asked her husband about the money which was promised to her it wasn’t forthcoming.
Seeing red flags, she asked for a Tongan translator, and when she came to the house she slipped her passport to her. After she asked for a divorce, the family locked her up and wouldn’t give her food. At times their phones were taken off them and they were unable to communicate completely isolated.
“In the end I thought it would be better if I was dead,” Peti 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
“Small states must help shape a fairer multilateral order”, says former New Zealand PM Helen Clark
LONDON, 21 JULY 2026 (COMSEC)—Small states must be given the space to help build a fairer, revitalised international system, Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, said at a Marlborough House Conversation hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat on the question: ‘What space is there for Commonwealth small states in a multipolar world where middle powers are also increasingly assertive?’
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, opened the event, welcoming Clark back to the Commonwealth family and setting out her determination that the Commonwealth will be an instrument for the transformation of its small states.
Speaking at the event, Secretary-General Botchwey said: “We must change the narrative around small states. We cannot speak only of vulnerability. Commonwealth small states are often the clearest voices in global affairs: they understand interdependence because they live it. In the Commonwealth, 56 nations, large and small, developed and developing, island and continental, speak with an equal voice. That is not a procedural detail; it is a political principle. Our task now is to turn that principle into influence, and I am determined that the Commonwealth will be an instrument for the transformation of its small states.”
Clark, Chair of the Global Leadership Foundation and former Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was joined as a guest of the Secretariat by the Hon Bill Blair, High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom.
The Conversation was moderated by Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom, the country that will host the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and assume the role of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office.
Small states are a vital part of the Commonwealth, accounting for 33 of its 56 member countries. During today’s panel, the speakers noted that while the current multilateral system has served the world for decades, it is under growing strain.
Institutions designed for a different age are struggling, cooperation is in retreat, climate impacts fall heaviest on those least responsible, and many countries feel that decisions affecting their futures are taken elsewhere. Yet the contribution of small states to multilateral engagement is often disproportionately high relative to their size, particularly on climate, ocean and environmental action.
The discussion explored how the Commonwealth’s model of consensus-based decision-making among 56 diverse nations, each with an equal voice, can inform a revitalised, values-based global order underpinned by international law, in which small and vulnerable states are participants and shapers rather than bystanders.
Helen Clark said: “The multilateral system was built on the promise that every nation, whatever its size, has a stake and a say in our shared future. That promise is fraying. As power shifts and middle powers rightly seek a greater role, we must ensure the answer is not simply a slightly larger club of the powerful. Small states bring moral clarity, hard-won experience and outsized leadership on climate, on oceans and on peace. A revitalised multilateralism must make room for them, not as an act of charity, but because the system will be stronger and more legitimate for it.”
Bill Blair said: “Canada believes that a rules-based international order only works if it works for everyone. Middle powers have a responsibility not to replicate the patterns of dominance we seek to change, but to open doors and build coalitions with small states as genuine partners. The Commonwealth shows what that partnership can look like in practice.”
Karen-Mae Hill said: “As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to welcome Commonwealth leaders to CHOGM 2026, this conversation could not be more timely. Small states are not asking for a seat at the margins of a new world order; we are asserting our place at its heart. I look forward to a time when the contribution of small states to multilateralism is fully recognised and supported, building on the Commonwealth’s decades of championing the voices of small states.”
The Marlborough House Conversation forms part of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s programme of dialogue in the lead up to CHOGM 2026, hosted by Antigua and Barbuda in November under the theme ‘Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth’, bringing together leaders from across the Commonwealth to deliver shared prosperity for its 2.7 billion people. ….PACNEWS
