In this bulletin:
1. FIJI — Fiji has fuel, but price pain bites as PM Rabuka roll out $56 million response
2. PACIFIC — US$239M Pacific health push targets NCD crisis, 11,000 jobs un regional shake-up
3. COOKS — ‘Industrial colonial takeover’: Cook Islands environment groups slam U.S deep-sea mining firm merger
4. PACIFIC — Pacific’s fight against hybrid threats amid climate change challenges
5. FIJI — Drug networks posing national security risk, says Fiji Immigration Minister Naupoto
6. PNG — 2,000 soldiers short, PM Marape sorry for PNGDF discrepancies
7. FIJI — Fiji Constitution review submission hears call for Christian state
8. AUST — Australia ready to host nuclear-powered submarines: U.S
9. SOL — Solomon Islands worker dies in Australia under PALM scheme
10. PACNEWS BIZ — ‘We are at the mercy of the market’: Marshall Islands minister warns on fuel supply
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific fisheries crackdown steps up as Tuvalu hosts PNA compliance training
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Typhoon disrupts but doesnt derail PNA data trainning push for fisheries management
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Cook Islands supports stronger global standards on Ship registration
14. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Kanaky New Caledonia’s ongoing path to self-determination
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Prospects for global green shipping deal boosted by U.S tariff ruling, analysts say
FIJI – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Fiji has fuel, but price pain bites as PM Rabuka roll out $56 million response
SUVA, 24 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)—Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Fiji’s fuel supply is stable but warned more price pressure is coming, announcing a $56 million (US$39.95 million) government response to cushion families, businesses and key services.
Rabuka laid out the current fuel position, saying there is no shortage despite global disruptions.
“As of the 19th of April 2026, Fiji’s fuel supply remains stable. We currently have about 45 million litres of fuel in stock on land, and an additional 22 million litres is expected to arrive before the end of this month. This brings the total available supply for April to about 67 million litres, which is close to half of our total national storage capacity. Daily consumption remains steady at around two and half million litres,” he said in a statement.
He said stock levels will drop by the end of the month but insisted this is routine.
“Based on normal usage, fuel levels are expected to draw down to approximately 40 million litres, or about 29 percent of storage capacity, by the end of April. I want to assure you that this is not a cause for concern. This is part of the normal supply cycle. Storage levels must come down at the end of each cycle to allow the next shipment to be received and discharged safely.”
Rabuka said supply will rebound strongly in May.
“Looking ahead, fuel suppliers have already committed to delivering about 118 million litres in May. Once those shipments arrive, our national fuel stock is expected to rebound to over 59 percent of storage capacity. This means Fiji remains in a stable supply position. There is no shortage. We are currently operating in Phase 1 — a normal supply situation, but under pressure from high global fuel prices.”
He made clear the real issue is not supply, but cost.
“This is not a fuel shortage crisis. This is a global price crisis. Fuel prices have risen sharply due to the war in the Middle East, supply disruptions due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and rising costs in global markets.
Fuel is purchased in US dollars, and when global prices increase, those increases are passed through to our domestic market. This is why prices went up on the 1st of April. That decision was not made by Government but by the independent price regulator, FCCC to reflect real purchasing costs. Unfortunately, we anticipate another price rise in May.”
Rabuka said government is stepping in to ease the impact.
“We understand the pressure this is placing on families, businesses, and transport operators across the country. And we have acted.”
“On the 21st of April 2026, Cabinet approved the redeployment of $56 million (US$39.95 million) within the existing 2025–2026 Budget to respond to the impact of the global fuel crisis. This is not new borrowing. This is responsible Government, reprioritising funds from delayed projects to provide immediate support where it is needed most.”
“Our focus is simple: protect livelihoods, maintain essential services, and support the most vulnerable,” he said.
A key part of the response is support for public transport.
“First, we are taking action to keep Fiji moving.”
“Government has allocated $4 million (US$2 million) to support bus operators and ensure there is no disruption to public transport services.
For the next four months, from the 1st of April to the 31st of July, Government will fully absorb an additional 10 percent fare increase on top of existing bus fares. This is in addition to the current 10 percent subsidy already provided to passengers. On top of that, Government will provide a full fuel rebate of 20 cents (US$0.10) per litre to all bus companies during this period. This support ensures that our buses continue to operate and that ordinary Fijians can continue to travel affordably to work, school, and essential services,” said Rabuka.
Energy security is also a priority.
“At the same time, we are acting to keep the lights on.”
“Energy Fiji Limited relies on diesel and heavy fuel oil for approximately half of the country’s electricity generation. To ensure there is no disruption to power supply, Government will provide fuel rebates to EFL for the next four months. This includes 20 cents (US$0.10) per litre on diesel and 12 cents (US$0.06) per litre on heavy fuel oil. This support will stabilise electricity generation and ensure that homes, businesses, and essential services continue to have reliable power during this period.”
The government is also boosting social support.
“We are also focused on protecting those who need help the most.”
“With rising fuel prices increasing the cost of living, Government will provide a temporary 50 percent top-up to all social welfare recipients for three months, from the 1st of May to the 31st of July. This measure, costing approximately $24 million (US$12 million), is designed to give immediate relief to vulnerable households and ensure that no one is left behind during this difficult period,” said PM Rabuka.
Support for farmers is included in the package.
“In addition, we are supporting our rural economy and our farmers.”
“A total of $28 million (US$14 million) has been allocated for a sugar cane price top-up for the 2025 crop season. This will help stabilise incomes for our cane farmers and ensure continued production in one of our key sectors.”
Rabuka stressed the funding comes from within the current budget.
“All of these measures, totalling $56 million (US$39.95 million), are being funded through savings within the existing budget. Due to delays in some ongoing projects, funds have not been fully utilised, and Government has taken the responsible step to redeploy those funds to address this immediate national priority. At the same time, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been directed to implement strict cost-cutting measures. Government is tightening its own belt first.”
He also called on the public to conserve fuel and energy.
“While supply remains stable, we must all play our part. I urge everyone to use fuel wisely. Carpool where possible. Use public transport. Reduce unnecessary travel. Save electricity in your homes. I encourage you to invest in solar lights. These small actions, taken together, make a big difference in protecting our national fuel supply.”
“Let me leave you with this assurance.”
“Fuel is available. Government is acting. And Fiji is prepared.”
“We continue to monitor the situation daily, and we stand ready to take further action if global conditions change.”
“In times like this, our strength lies in our unity, our discipline, and our faith.”
“I ask you to remain calm, to look after your families, and to support one another. Let us also keep our nation in our prayers, and pray for peace and stability around the world,” he said…..PACNEWS
PAC – HEALTH: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
US$239 million Pacific health push targets NCD crisis, 11,000 jobs un regional shake-up
NADI, 24 APRIL 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — The Fiji Government, together with Pacific neighbours, on Thursday launched the Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation (PHIT) Project to tackle the region’s most pressing health crisis — non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for up to 66 percent of premature deaths among working-age Pacific Islanders.
The landmark US$239.5 million regional health initiative is supported by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the OPEC Fund and the Pandemic Fund.
The PHIT Project unites Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, and Tuvalu — with regional support extended through the Pacific Community (SPC) to Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu — under a single, coordinated platform formed to assist countries transform their health systems for a healthier and more resilient Pasifika.
Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, called the initiative a defining moment for Pacific health sovereignty.
“PHIT reflects a new level of ambition in regional collaboration. This approach strengthens regional health security, resource efficiency and our collective capacity to respond to crises – whether pandemics, climate related health risks, or system shocks.”
Across the region, the project is expected to generate approximately 11,000 jobs, and will train thousands of health workers, deploy telehealth systems across remote islands, and upgrade facilities in all four participating nations.
While bringing healthcare closer to people through empowered and equipped primary healthcare facilities, PHIT will also expand the region’s tertiary services, including the construction of the first unit of a new referral hospital, a Radiotherapy Centre that will allow Pacific cancer patients to receive world-class treatment at home for the first time.
“We’re proud to support this Pacific-led effort, working alongside partners such as ADB, the OPEC Fund, the Pandemic Fund, SPC, UNICEF and Australia, to help build healthier, more resilient communities across the region,” said Stefano Mocci, World Bank Group Country Manager for Fiji.
“This is our shared commitment to working together differently—to investing boldly, acting regionally, and transforming health systems locally so that Pacific people can live longer, healthier lives and thrive.”
PHIT also invests in the architecture of resilience: climate-proofed health facilities in a region where over half of hospitals face flooding risks, digital health systems providing real-time data for government decision-making, and a regional knowledge-sharing platform so no Pacific nation faces these challenges alone.
“This programme is a turning point for health in the Pacific. It will help countries prevent and tackle chronic diseases earlier, so fewer families face avoidable illness and hardship,” said Azusa Sato, Regional Director, Asian Development Bank.
“By investing in health workers, modern services and better facilities, we can deliver lasting improvements in everyday care—and a better future for Pacific people.”
The launch ceremony, as well as PHIT’s inaugural Regional Steering Committee held in Nadi, was presided over by Fiji Prime Minister as chief guest, bringing together ministers of health and finance, regional health leaders from 9 Pacific Island Countries, regional organisations, development partners, civil society and media partners from across the Pacific……PACNEWS
COOKS – DEEP SEA MINING: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
‘Industrial colonial takeover’: Cook Islands environment groups slam U.S deep-sea mining firm merger
RAROTONGA, 24 APRIL 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) —Cook Islands environmental groups have slammed the recent merger of an American minerals investment company with Odyssey, calling it “an industrial colonial takeover of our ocean”.
American Ocean Minerals Corporation (AOMC) recently announced its merger with Odyssey, seeking to develop high-value, critical minerals from polymetallic nodules in the deep waters of the Cook Islands.
Odyssey Marine Exploration is also an American ocean minerals exploration company that acts as a technical, financial, and strategic partner to Cook Islands Cobalt (CIC) Limited.
According to the CIC, the merger is a positive advancement for the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals sector.
“It will ensure the continuity of the licensed exploration work, with significant investments planned for two of the Cook Islands mineral exploration license holders – CIC Ltd and Moana Minerals Ltd,” CIC states.
“AOMC seeks to develop high-value critical minerals from polymetallic nodules throughout the world, including in the deep waters of the Cook Islands.”
Ocean Advocate’s Louisa Castledine said seabed mining remains an unproven, unconsented, and unendorsed industry.
Despite this, she said companies are already advancing development plans that bypass completion of any true precautionary approach criteria and any scientific grounding that SBMA (Seabed Minerals Authority) deems its priority.
“While [Prime Minister] Mark Brown and SBMA continue to suggest no decisions have been made, this merger shows that those decisions are, in fact, being shaped externally for our oceans, raising concerns about ‘who is really governing our ocean resources right now.’
“This is not self-determined development; it is an industrial colonial takeover of our ocean,” Castledine said.
Reuters reports that the deep-sea mining firm led by former Rio Tinto (RIO.L) CEO Tom Albanese would merge with Odyssey Marine Exploration in a US$1 billion all-stock deal aimed at building one of the world’s largest portfolios of underwater mineral deposits.
CIC Ltd states, “After extensive environmental research and eventual regulatory approval, these nodules could one day be harvested to support global demand for energy transition and technology supply chains.
AOMC aims to extract and then refine so-called polymetallic nodules, which are strewn across huge swaths of the Pacific seabed and composed of cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese. Photo: Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
“For the Cook Islands, this does not change the current status of seabed minerals activities.”
CIC states that exploration work will continue under existing exploration licenses, and no nodule harvesting will occur unless further approvals are granted under Cook Islands law.
CIC Ltd and Moana Minerals Ltd would continue to operate in accordance with Cook Islands laws and regulatory requirements.
“AOMC has indicated that their investments in the two Cook Islands License holders will serve to provide support for future activities under the Cook Islands’ existing regulatory framework, with a focus on environmental responsibility as well as further exploration and scientific assessment and review.”
The combined company will trade on the NASDAQ stock exchange as AOMC once regulatory approvals are completed.
Meanwhile, Castledine said, “US corporations, backed by state interests, are positioning themselves to control and extract our seabed resources without due process, in violation of responsible ocean governance or global consensus.
“These unilateral advancements compromise our sovereignty and autonomy, the very concerns we’ve continually raised. In a time of escalating global tensions, this push is not about our future but about foreign supply chains and strategic security advantage for other countries.”
“Masquerading as part of a ‘green energy transition, it ultimately serves external security agendas while placing the environmental and political risks squarely on our country and wider region,” she added.
Cook Islands environmental non-government organisation Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) said, “The Cook Islands’ resources are being used by these companies to attract investors into an industry that should never be allowed to start. It is all about the money. What about the health of our ocean?”
Reuters has further reported that the move “is just the latest in a slew of deals tied to the nascent deep-sea mining industry, which aims to extract critical minerals from the 70 percent of the planet covered by water, even as the practice has sparked outcry from environmentalists and some countries.
AOMC, which was formed earlier this year, aims to extract and then refine so-called polymetallic nodules, which are strewn across huge swaths of the Pacific seabed and composed of cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese.
The company will absorb Odyssey’s assets – which include an investment in privately held Ocean Minerals and its Cook Islands exploration license – along with those of CIC Limited, which Albanese chairs and holds a Cook Islands exploration license.
Reuters further reports that AOM said it had asked the U.S government for two international licenses in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a step that puts it at odds with the International Seabed Authority.
U. S President Donald Trump, in January, said he would speed up permitting for companies aiming to mine internationally…. PACNEWS
PAC – HYBRID WARFARE: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Pacific’s fight against hybrid threats amid climate change challenges
NADI, 24 APRIL 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—Hybrid threats intertwined with climate change impacts are reshaping the Pacific security landscape, requiring integrated, resilient responses.
The European Union (EU) frames hybrid threats as a central security challenge, amplified by climate change and emerging technologies, which affect Pacific Island nations’ sovereignty and stability.
“Climate change is identified as the single greatest security threat in the region,” said Barbara Plinkert, EU Ambassador to the Pacific, during the ESIWA+ (Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia and the Indo-Pacific) workshop in Nadi.
“Hybrid threats include foreign information manipulation, cybercrime, and attacks on maritime infrastructure, and natural disasters intensify vulnerabilities, creating openings for disinformation and other security risks.”
The EU links these dynamics to broader geopolitical shifts and disruptive technological advances.
Pacific countries are actively advancing national strategies to combat hybrid threats and build resilience, with recent examples from Fiji, including the adoption of new cybersecurity frameworks.
She said Pacific nations bring expertise in climate diplomacy, fisheries, maritime governance, and ocean stewardship.
“These efforts align with the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy and regional agreements like the Samoa Agreement.”
Plinkert emphasised the need for integrated approaches that combine disaster response with security measures, with regional protocols underscoring the importance of sovereignty and multilateral cooperation against shared threats.
EU’s comprehensive support includes humanitarian aid, cybersecurity, and maritime security initiatives, such as the primary projects, safeguarding critical sea routes.
“Capacity building spans disaster relief and digital resilience to counter foreign interference. Protecting submarine cables and pipelines is prioritised given their strategic importance,’’ Plinkert said.
“The initiative aims to bolster Pacific resilience to hybrid threats while respecting regional sovereignty. This integrated approach addresses the interconnectedness of natural disasters and hybrid security challenges.”
Geopolitical Context and Strategic Outlook
The evolving global power competition and fragmentation of the rules-based order shape the EU’s security engagement strategy in the Pacific.
EU acknowledges an increasingly fragmented and contested international order, stressing competition and coercive politics as outlined by High Representative Kaya Kallas.
She said the UN Charter’s authority is challenged by shifting alliances and confrontations.
“Foreign actors regularly launch campaigns to manipulate information and undermine democratic systems,’’ Kallas said.
“These hybrid tactics represent a foreign policy and security challenge, not just a communications issue. The EU seeks to balance avoiding entanglement with great powers with maintaining autonomy and resilience.”
The EU’s approach focuses on building resilience through anticipation, adaptation, and the absorption of shocks beyond military or economic power alone.
Plinkert added, resilience is framed as a capacity to withstand geopolitical, economic, and climate-related pressures.
“This philosophy guides the Pacific engagement to help countries prepare for and recover from hybrid threats and disasters.
“The strategic balance aims to safeguard security without escalating regional tensions. It reflects a nuanced understanding of the complexity of contemporary security in a multipolar world.”
The Pacific’s unique challenges and the EU’s shared priorities highlight a convergence around multilateralism and a rule-based order, with the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy, the Samoa Agreement, and the Pacific Protocol emphasising partnership and resilience.
“These frameworks support cooperative responses that integrate security, governance, and environmental concerns,” she said.
“The EU’s long-term vision is a stable, secure Pacific able to manage natural and geopolitical shocks, and this alignment strengthens the EU’s legitimacy as a partner respecting Pacific sovereignty and global norms,” she said….PACNEWS
FIJI – DRUGS FIGHT: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Drug networks posing national security risk, says Fiji Immigration Minister Naupoto
SUVA, 24 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS)—Fiji’s Ministry of Immigration is raising serious concerns over the growing presence of drugs in Fiji, warning that the issue is not only a health crisis but also a national security threat.
Immigration Minister Viliame Naupoto said Fiji’s border security agencies are now facing a more complex challenge as drug activity expands, creating what he describes as a “secret segment of society.”
He said that while drugs are often discussed in terms of their health impact, the deeper danger lies in the hidden networks they create within communities.
This underground system involves individuals who collect, store, guard, and transport illicit substances, forming a wider organised chain that operates out of public sight.
“I call it the secret segment of our society. In a small population base, even a small number of people falling into this segment is very damaging for our country. We must emphasise integrity among these individuals and doing what is right.”
Naupoto said maintaining integrity within immigration and other border agencies is critical to preventing officials from becoming part of these illegal networks.
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Roberts, said immigration agencies across the Pacific must adapt quickly to evolving security risks, increased mobility, and rising expectations around integrity, professionalism, and service delivery.
“Strong immigration agencies are essential not only for national security, but also for economic development, regional capability, and regional trust. These courses are designed with that in mind. You will have full-day sessions with experienced subject experts.”
Naupoto said no single agency can tackle the issue alone, and stronger inter-agency cooperation is essential to close gaps and strengthen border protection.
He said that continued collaboration is key to preventing Fiji’s borders from being exploited by drug networks and to curbing what he describes as a growing national threat…..PACNEWS
PNG – DEFENCE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
2,000 soldiers short, PM Marape sorry for PNGDF discrepancies
PORT MORESBY, 24 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) is about 2,000 short of its approved manpower ceiling, an audit has revealed.
Prime Minister and Defence Minister James Marape said an investigation which he had ordered into serious discrepancies, revealed that a 2024 integrated force audit showed 2,186 positions remained vacant.
It shows that of 5,000-plus approved positions only 3,057 were occupied.
In light of controversy over recruitment which had seen the sidelining of the defence minister in the last week, Marape apologised to the nation for the significant shortfall in manpower and other discrepancies uncovered.
“In addition, 399 positions remain unassigned, while 82 personnel are engaged in long-term training and courses, temporarily reducing operational strength,” Marape said.
“This is not a matter we will take lightly. We will leave no stone unturned.
“We will get to the bottom of this and establish exactly what has taken place.”
PNGDF chief Rear Admiral Philip Polewara and Defence Department secretary Hari John Akipe had been issued formal notices to respond, he said.
Marape said if necessary, a board of inquiry would be established following the initial report.
He said the shortfall in personnel must be urgently addressed through a transparent and merit-based recruitment process.
“We cannot allow administrative failures or misconduct to derail our national goal of building a strong Defence Force,” Marape said.
“Recruitment must be carried out with integrity, discipline, and fairness.”
He also outlined immediate reforms to recruitment practices, stressing that new intakes must prioritise young, qualified recruits directly from high schools for non-officer roles, alongside strict merit-based selection for officer-level recruitment, supported by comprehensive medical, character, and aptitude screening.
“This nonsense of recruiting unsuitable candidates will stop,” Marape said.
“We must recruit the best of our young people and train them to become disciplined and capable defenders of our nation.
“Our Defence Force must represent all provinces, all cultures, and all people of this country.
“It must be a true reflection of our national unity.”
Marape urged individuals with evidence of misconduct, corruption, or malpractice within the PNGDF to come forward.
“This is not about covering up. This is about restoring integrity,” he said.
“We are committed to accountability and reform.”
Marape confirmed that Australian Defence Force officer Brigadier Nick Foxall would be engaged to support the investigation, bringing independence and technical expertise.
“Australia is a key partner,” he said.
“Their support will ensure we uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and operational readiness,” he said …. PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Fiji Constitution review submission hears call for Christian state
SUVA, 24 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Declaring Fiji a secular State is a step too far, and the nation’s Christian identity must be formally recognised in the Constitution, a local business owner has told the Constitutional Review Commission.
In his submission, Founder & Chairman at Software Factory Limited Semi Tukana argued that Fiji’s Christian foundation is “not negotiable,” warning that removing explicit acknowledgment of faith from Fiji’s supreme law risks undermining the values shaped by its history.
Tukana took aim at the preamble of the 2013 Constitution, which defines Fiji as a Secular State.
He said such a designation ignores the role Christianity has played in transforming Fiji.
“To be secular is to be godless,” he said, adding that Fiji’s forefathers embraced Christianity in a way that reshaped communities into what he described as “one of the friendliest, tolerant and accepting peoples in the world.”
He pointed to the foreword of the 1997 Constitution, which explicitly referenced the ‘blessing of God’ and acknowledged the conversion of iTaukei to Christianity, as a more appropriate reflection to Fiji’s identity.
Tukana said Fiji’s democratic freedoms including the right to review the Constitution were rooted in that religious heritage.
He argued that formally recognising Christianity would not erode other religious freedoms, but rather coexist with them.
“There is nothing wrong, and no one will lose anything, by stating that the nation acknowledges Christianity,” he said.
Tukana recommended that the 2013 Constitution be amended to declare Fiji a Christian nation.
He also called for legislation to guard against what he described as “radical teachings,” saying freedom of religion should not be used as a shield for practices that restrict individual choice.
“The declaration… is not negotiable,” Tukana said….PACNEWS
AUST/US – DEFENCE: AAP PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Australia ready to host nuclear-powered submarines: U.S
WASHINGTON/CANBERRA, 24 APRIL 2026 (AAP)—The US could rotate nuclear-powered submarines through Australia a senior American military officer has declared, while providing an update on progress made under the AUKUS security pact.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, also reaffirmed Australia’s geographic position as “absolutely essential” to Washington as China expands its influence in the region.
Admiral Paparo told a House Armed Services Committee hearing that HMAS Stirling in Western Australia was on track for the rotational force that will arrive in Perth in a little over a year.
“We could be ready today to operate a rotational submarine squadron out of Australia tomorrow,” he said.
“The Australian submariners are performing well on the ships. They’re performing well in the schools, extremely well, and in every regard in Pillar I, we’re on track.
“We’re making strides in Pillar II among these non-traditional systems here. And to have a rotational base in the Indian Ocean is absolutely essential.”
Australia has been promised at least three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s, before a new fleet of vessels is built for delivery from the 2040s.
A Pentagon review of the AUKUS agreement last year sparked concern Australia might not be sold the boats, as US shipyards come under increasing pressure to keep up production.
But Admiral Paparo said his opinion on the necessity of the security deal was “vindicated” by the report.
Addressing the media in Canberra on Thursday, senior U.S Space Force officer Lieutenant General Gregory Gagnon warned warfare will extend to space, as China expanded the number of satellites in outer space to about 1400.
“About half of them are remote sensing … so that they can see Australian forces moving, so that they can see US forces moving,” he said.
Lieutenant General Gagnon said he was concerned by the “rapid acceleration” of the Chinese space program.
“They are moving out like a world-class sprinter and they are making gains,” he said.
“They have built the weapons to attack us in space. They have practised using those weapons to attack us in space.
“We no longer have the benefit of ignoring that,” he said……PACNEWS
SOL – PALM SCHEME DEATH: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands worker dies in Australia under PALM scheme
HONIARA, 24 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)—The Solomon Islands Government has confirmed the death of a 23-year-old national in Australia, saying it is working with authorities to return his body home.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said Norrish Waroa, from East Are’are in Malaita Province, died on 19 April 2026 in Queensland following a road incident.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade regrets to formally announce the passing of a Solomon Islands national participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in Australia.”
“The Ministry has been notified of the incident and is working closely with Australian authorities, the Approved Employer and relevant stakeholders to ensure all necessary procedures are followed,” the Ministry said in a statement.
The Government is now coordinating repatriation arrangements and providing support to the family.
“The Government of Solomon Islands is coordinating arrangements for the repatriation of Mr Waroa and will continue to provide consular assistance to his family during this difficult time.”
The Ministry also expressed sympathy to those affected.
“The Ministry conveys its deepest condolences to the family, relatives, and community of the late Waroa.”
It said more details will be shared with the family as they become available…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
MARSH – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 24 Apr 2026
‘We are at the mercy of the market’: Marshall Islands minister warns on fuel supply
MAJURO, 24 APRIL 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—Marshall Islands Finance Minister David Paul says he has no guarantee of fuel shipments for the next two months onward.
Paul told RNZ Pacific the country is at the mercy of the market, with no way of predicting future supply due to the conflict in the Middle East between Israel, the United States and Iran.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” he said.
“In order to be realistic, everything is still fluid, and anything can happen. I really cannot predict one way or the other.”
The country, which relies on diesel generators for 90 percent of its electricity, declared a 90-day state of economic emergency at the beginning of the month.
It gives the government broad powers to limit the use of fuel in its public sector.
Paul said its last shipment, which will last them about two months, was three times more expensive than normal.
“You tend to find yourself paying higher premiums than what is stipulated in the contract, because it is easier for companies in this particular predicament to declare force majeure because [the Iran war] is something they have no control over,” he said.
“We have a multinational company, ExxonMobil, still operating in the market. But our worry and the uncertainty that we face is [over] the fuel requirements for power generation … before the next load arrives.”
Under the new state of emergency, the Marshallese government and most of its services are shutting down at 3pm every day.
Aiming to reduce energy use by 30 percent over the 90 days, offices are required to shut off air conditioners, lights and any other equipment drawing power.
Public schools and major hospitals are exempt. Paul said he has contemplated a worst-case scenario where supply completely dries up.
“We’ll have to make sure that we insulate ourselves from this kind of exposure in the future, but at this point in time, we really are at the mercy of the availability of supply that the market will be able to offer.”
Speaking from Boston, Paul said he had discussed with the US possible ways it could assist, saying added financial assistance, on top of Compact funding, is on the table.
“We will continue to dialogue with them … making sure that we get the support and the supply needed, whether it’s providing personal assistance … or whether there’s going to be an actual supply [of fuel].”
Tuvalu has also declared a state of emergency, while Solomon Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia have introduced measures to limit the usage of their existing fuel stocks…..PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: TUVALU FISHERIES/PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Pacific fisheries crackdown steps up as Tuvalu hosts PNA compliance training
FUNAFUTI, 24 APRIL 2026 (TUVALU FISHERIES/PACNEWS)—The Tuvalu Fisheries Authority says Pacific countries are tightening fisheries enforcement after hosting a major regional training aimed at lifting compliance standards and protecting tuna resources.
“Strengthening Fisheries Compliance in the Pacific”
“This April, Parties to the Nauru Agreement officially launched the 2026 PNA Compliance Regime Training Programne right here in Funafuti”
The five-day programme brought together fisheries officers and compliance teams from across the region to sharpen monitoring and enforcement systems.
“From 13–17 April 2026, fisheries officers, observer debriefers, and compliance teams gathered for an intensive 5-day training workshop focused on improving how we monitor, assess, and respond to fisheries compliance across the region.”
The training forms part of a broader push by Parties to the Nauru Agreement to strengthen oversight under regional frameworks including the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.
“This programme is part of a regional effort to strengthen compliance systems and ensure sustainable fisheries management under frameworks like the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.”
Officials say the program introduced new tools and systems to improve how breaches are detected and handled.
Key highlights:
*Introduction of the new POA Debriefing Questionnaire
* Training on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Compliance Checklists
* Hands-on use of the PNA Compliance Case Register (PCCR)
* Practical exercises on observer debriefing, evidence collection, and case analysis
* Real-time port-based trialling using actual and simulated observer data”
Participants included frontline enforcement personnel from across PNA member countries.
“Observer debriefers, compliance officers, and national focal points from across PNA member countries—working together to build stronger, more consistent compliance systems.”
The Authority says the training is designed to improve enforcement outcomes across the Pacific’s most valuable resource—its fisheries.
This initiative will:
• Improve the quality of observer reporting and evidence
• Strengthen case management and resolution processes
• Support better decision-making at national and regional levels
• Contribute to stronger outcomes in regional forums like WCPFC”
The programme also included practical exercises using real and simulated data, aimed at improving how cases are built and prosecuted.
“Together, we are building a more robust and effective fisheries compliance system for the Pacific ”
The training in Funafuti underscores growing regional cooperation as Pacific nations move to tighten compliance, protect fish stocks and ensure long-term economic returns from the tuna industry….PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: PNA PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Typhoon disrupts but doesnt derail PNA data trainning push for fisheries management
MAJURO, 24 APRIL 2026 (PNA)—The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) held its first R Course training for members from 14–18 April 2026, marking a milestone in efforts to strengthen institutional capacity.
The training, initially planned as an in-person event, was disrupted by flight delays caused by Typhoon Sinlaku.
To ensure continuity, the PNA Office shifted to a virtual format. Participants in Majuro received on-site support from Policy Manager Brian Kumasi, while Dr Brouwer guided the sessions online.
Ten participants from Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, and Tuvalu attended in person, while six participants from FSM, Nauru, Tuvalu, and Solomon Islands joined virtually. Despite the challenges of hybrid delivery, participants successfully learned the basics of R and R Studio, including data structures, and techniques for importing and manipulating data files.
The training catered to participants with varying levels of familiarity with R, emphasizing the importance of regular practice to build confidence. R, an open-source statistical programme widely used by scientists, will enable PNA members to analyse their own data and better interpret scientific analyses presented in regional meetings.
Speaking on behalf of the CEO and OIC, Brian Kumasi welcomed participants and acknowledged the sudden shift in format. He emphasised that the R Course is part of PNA’s broader capacity-building initiative, designed to strengthen the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) and enhance institutional resilience.
Participants are expected to continue working alongside Dr Brouwer, gaining hands-on experience in data analysis and report writing. The initiative reflects PNA’s commitment to equipping its members with the tools and skills needed to make informed, data-driven decisions in fisheries management…..PACNEWS
COOKS – SHIPPING: COOK ISLANDS GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Cook Islands supports stronger global standards on Ship registration
LONDON, 24 APRIL 2026 (COOK ISLANDS GOVT)— The Cook Islands has welcomed progress at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Legal Committee (LEG 113) on the development of guidelines to strengthen ship registration practices globally.
In attendance, the two members of the Cook Islands Permanent Mission, Captain Ian Finley and Rafael Lopez as well as a representative from the Maritime Cook Islands, Paolo Favili.
During these discussions, the Cook Islands delegation reaffirmed its support for enhanced international cooperation to ensure that all ships operate in full compliance with international obligations. The delegation emphasised that it is a shared responsibility among flag States to uphold the integrity of the global maritime system.
The Cook Islands noted that strong, transparent and accountable registration systems are essential, and that continuous improvement is a core principle in maintaining high standards. It highlighted the importance of robust due diligence, strengthened verification procedures, and effective oversight of all entities involved in ship registration.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the Cook Islands pointed to the recent launch of its Vessel Verification Portal, which enables real-time verification of ships flying its flag and enhances transparency across its registry.
The Cook Islands reaffirmed its commitment to operating a credible, responsible and forward-looking registry, and to working constructively with international partners to support the development of a stronger and more robust global framework for ship registration. …. 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
Kanaky New Caledonia’s ongoing path to self-determination
by Jennis Naidu
NOUMEA, 24 APRIL 2026 (PANG)—The question of Kanaky New Caledonia (KNC) remains one of the most complex and unresolved decolonisation processes in the contemporary Pacific. Although framed by key agreements such as the Matignon Accords and the Nouméa Accord, which were intended to guide a gradual and peaceful transition toward self-determination, recent developments suggest that this process is far from complete.
To create a space for reflection and dialogue on the current situation in Kanaky New Caledonia, the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) held a webinar, ‘A Crucial Juncture in Kanaky New Caledonia’ on 25 March 2026, following the recent municipal elections in Kanaky New Caledonia.
2026 Municipal Elections
The two-round municipal elections held on 15th and 22nd March 2026 confirmed a deeply fractured New Caledonia. The Pro-France parties dominated in the capital, Nouméa. Incumbent pro-France Lady Mayor Sonia Lagarde won at the second round of the elections with a staggering 61.99 per cent of the votes, as the Pacific Island News Association (PINA) reported.
President of Women Weaving Peace KNC – Thooyimwâ, Roselyne Makalu, revealed that there was an abstention of votes from Nouméa. The abstention of votes was due to the centralisation of polling stations that were reduced from 56 to eight, as well as there being no availability of public transport in working-class areas on Sunday.
“The right to self-determination is exercised every day by Kanak people. Organising an election while restricting physical access for the most marginalised, the very people who expressed their suffering during the 2024 insurrection, is a form of democratic obstruction,” Makalu stated.
“If indigenous people feel excluded from the polls by administrative decrees, the entire legitimacy of the political process and social peace is put at risk.
“For instance, Inhabitants of Île Ouen (Mont-Dore), located in the South Province, had to travel by boat to Plum village just to cast their vote.”
“However, for the rural and maritime municipalities, Makalu said that the communities mobilised strongly to cast their votes and actively participate in civic life when barriers between the citizens and the ballot boxes are not erected.
As President of Women Weaving Peace KNC, Makalu emphasised that the 2026 Municipal Elections had the highest number of women leading candidacy lists.
“The number of female candidates leading a campaign has nearly doubled, rising from 14 in 2021 to approximately 25.”
‘A Crucial Juncture in Kanaky New Caledonia’
The webinar revealed that with concrete actions and small steps, the path to self-determination of KNC is attainable.
With such challenges and major issues remaining unresolved, PANG’s post-municipal election webinar’s five panellists, from different levels of leadership, brought together legal analysis, political developments, and lived experiences, offering interventions for the self-determination of KNC.
Kanak Youth Feel Abandoned
Teva Avea, an activist and civil society representative who played a crucial role during the 2024 unrest in securing negotiations between the youth and communities, noticed that the inequalities have risen in the working-class neighbourhoods of Nouméa since the 2024 riots.
Avea, who resides in Tuband District, considered a working-class neighbourhood in KNC, has felt these inequalities firsthand. He said that the results of the recent municipal elections indicate that the future of the neighbourhood remains bleak.
“We are feeling abandoned, we no longer have public transport, and the institutions have also abandoned the neighbourhoods, in terms of infrastructure and community centres that address youth problems are either closed or not open during significant hours.
“The Population in the northern districts had to travel 7 km to vote, as there is no longer any mode of public transport in these neighbourhoods.
“We clearly understand that there is a political agenda to maintain this inequality, to keep a foot on the leaders of the Kanak and Oceanian population. That is the consensus of the population living mainly in these neighbourhoods.”
Avea concluded his intervention and called for urgency from the French State for the territory to progress to make its own institutional decisions as mandated, without further political hindrances.
“The decisions of the institutional future of the country need to take place here in Kanaky New Caledonia and no longer 22,000 km away in mainland France.”
Decolonisation is Incomplete
Human Rights and Indigenous Law Officer, Viro Xulue, shared his legal analysis on how the decolonisation of New Caledonia is an ongoing international legal obligation of France that remains incomplete and not properly fulfilled.
“Kanaky New Caledonia remains in the United Nations (UN) list of Non-Self-Governing territories, meaning that France retains an international obligation to ensure the full realisation of the Kanak people’s right to self-determination,” Xulue added.
“France has breached international and domestic law by conducting the 2021 Referendum without proper consent, violating free, prior, informed consent, attempting to change electoral rules unilaterally, excluding Kanak customary institutions from decision-making, using excessive force and arbitrary detention during the 2024 crisis, and failing to uphold commitments under the Nouméa Accord.
Viro said that the 2024 uprising rekindled colonial trauma, bringing to light an alarming social and human situation that France had long ignored, both domestically and internationally.
“France is legally required to respect Kanak self-determination, ensure free, prior, informed consent, include indigenous institutions in decision-making, and allow impartial international oversight.”
Coloniser-Colonised Relationship
Oriane Trolue, child of the Apishö clan, in the Kingdom of Lössi in Drehu country, focused on the necessity of deconstructing the mechanisms of domination in the current political process and the indispensable role of women in the governance structures in the territory.
Serving as a political bureau member of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) and activist for the movement of pro-independence Oceanians, Trolue stated that this is more than a political negotiation; it is a struggle against an entire system of French domination.
“We see that the French State, instead of working on a win-win agreement with the indigenous people, chooses to maintain a colonialist method and approach,” she highlighted.
“The relationship between the French State and New Caledonia remains that of coloniser-colonised. The decolonisation process is unfinished and suffers from distortion, but also from a whole arsenal of colonialist assaults, political, legal, as well as media and military.”
“Being in a colonial relationship, it is important to remedy the asymmetry that exists due to the colonial fact. So, we must reach a dialogue where we know exactly whether the rebalancing has been achieved; if it hasn’t, to what extent. We need a truly real and detailed assessment of the colonisation.”
A Future Claimed, Not Given
Guillaume Vama, who describes himself as a ‘young Kanak’, resides in the south of New Caledonia. Being detained as a political prisoner in France in 2024, he is no stranger to the attempts of the French authorities to maintain sovereignty over the territory.
Vama further reiterated that the events that led up to the uprising in May are a continuity from the 1980s, of the French state and Macron Government wanting to silence the Kanak people, and remove the idea of independence from the youth, and deter the territory from reaching full sovereignty,” Vama said.
“I think on the day of the uprising, the youth finally said ‘no’, and mobilised in the hopes of defending our culture, our identity.”
Vama is calling on the region to help provide concrete actions to support the territory in the preservation of our culture and the development of our territory, and
“Young people were at the heart of the events; they expected concrete perspectives for integration and consideration. Without action, the social gap will continue to widen.
“We need investors, and we need to fund and train young people directly into entrepreneurship. These young Kanak youth need to be able to develop their own land through agriculture, fishing, alternative sustainable development systems like aquaculture, and local initiatives that respect the environment and traditions, while attracting investors.
“With this economic crisis we are facing today, and the relaunch of tourism, there is a clear desire from the population to be able to create economic development for themselves.
“I want them to feel that they are coming to Kanaky, they are coming to experience our culture, and not just stay in luxury hotels.”
Uncertainty Grows Ahead of Elections
Islands Business (IB) Magazine correspondent and French in the Pacific expert, Nic Maclellan, who introduced the political landscape of the overseas territory post-Bougival Agreement, said the French Presidential Elections must be held in May next year as mandated in the French Constitution.
“President Macron, who has very poor opinion polling, now faces serious problems getting policies through. If Bougival does not succeed, then there may not be an agreement until people decide who the next French president is, who they are dealing with.”
This uncertainty is heightened by the upcoming June 2026 legislative elections in New Caledonia and the May 2027 French presidential election, which could reshape the political landscape and delay any final agreement.
Maclellan stated that the economic, social, and cultural impacts on indigenous Kanak and other poor people from other communities are in a very difficult economic situation.
“There are global implications from the war against Palestine, against Lebanon, and against Iran that will affect tourism, will affect energy prices, and will affect food production.
‘Bougival is Dead’
The Union Calédonienne (UC) President Emmanuel Tjibaou, declared that ‘Bougival is dead’.
Almost a week after the municipal elections, on April 02, 2026, France’s Assemblée Nationale had rejected the government’s proposed constitutional Bill to reform the status of New Caledonia, without debate, in a 190–107 vote in the French legislature. The resolution to reject the text was proposed by Tjibaou.
This rejection came after two previous reform attempts that had sparked deadly riots in the archipelago, killing 14 people and plunging the local economy into crisis.
The Constitutional Reform Bill aimed to replace the 1998 Nouméa Accord and implement the outcomes of the Bougival Agreement (July 2025) and the Élysée–Oudinot Agreement (January 2026).
To achieve this, the government put forward legislation to implement two political agreements drafted by the French State with five of six New Caledonian parliamentary groups: the July 2025 Bougival Accord and a supplementary text adopted in Paris in January this year, known as the Elysée-Oudinot Accord.
However, both texts have been rejected by the main independence coalition, Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS). After adoption by the French Senate in February, the legislation was criticised by a range of political parties in the lower house.
A Future Defined by Hope
The future of KNC remains uncertain and continues to be shaped by ongoing struggle and support from across the region. In response, the PANG and the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) brought together a Pacific Peoples’ Mission in April 2025 to engage in cultural exchange and pastoral visits with communities most affected by the events of May 2024 in KNC.
The Pacific Peoples’ Mission to Kanaky New Caledonia report presents the mission’s findings, offering a rapid assessment of the situation on the ground. It aims to amplify the voices and lived experiences of affected communities while supporting the broader aspirations for self-determination among the Kanaky people.
Kanaky New Caledonia’s future remains uncertain, but as the report highlights, it is the voices and lived experiences of affected communities that continue to shape the struggle for self-determination. In the spirit of Kanak resistance and identity, as often expressed in independence discourse, “our land, our culture, and our people cannot be separated, and we will not be reduced by what we endure.”…PACNEWS
For more information, contact: Jennis Naidu | Media & Communications Manager | Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) | Email: communications@pang.org.fj
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Prospects for global green shipping deal boosted by U.S tariff ruling, analysts say
LONDON, 24 APRIL 2026 (CLIMATE HOME) —A recent U.S court ruling restricting President Trump’s ability to impose sweeping tariffs has improved the chances of an international deal to cut emissions from shipping, observers of UN maritime talks have said.
Government officials meeting at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London this week and next are resuming negotiations on a proposed set of measures known as the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), aimed at tackling the sector’s roughly 3% share of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Last October, Trump and his officials threatened any government voting to adopt provisionally agreed green shipping measures, known as the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), with tariffs that would make it harder for their businesses to export to the USA.
The intervention helped derail talks, with governments narrowly voting to postpone for a year the adoption of the NZF.
The framework, provisionally agreed in April 2025 after years of negotiations, would penalise the owners of particularly polluting ships and use the revenues to fund cleaner fuels, support affected workers and help developing countries manage the transition.
The delay plunged the future of the NZF into doubt. Vanuatu’s climate minister said the delay was “unacceptable” given the urgency of tackling climate change. A final decision on the NZF is not expected until November.
Tariff threat neutered
Since the last round of negotiations, the political landscape has shifted. In February 2026, the U.S Supreme Court ruled that Trump had no legal authority to impose sweeping tariffs without approval from Congress.
Rockford Weitz, professor of maritime studies at Tufts University, said that his officials would have “a more challenging time” using tariffs as threats at this month’s shipping talks than they did in October.
University College London professor Tristan Smith, a close observer of IMO talks, agreed that the tariff threat is “not quite as potent as it was last year”. He noted that the U.S also no longer benefits from the element of surprise. In October, Washington began lobbying governments only shortly before the talks, leaving little time for countries supporting the NZF to coordinate a response.
This time, Smith said supporters of the framework – which include most European countries, Pacific Islands and some African and Latin American states – are “working very closely together” to resist the U.S’s pressure.
He added that the U.S’s attempt to promote liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transition shipping fuel, rather than renewable-electricity-based solutions like ammonia or methanol, by weakening the NZF has been undermined by the spike in the cost of gas triggered by the Iran war.
Attempts to re-negotiate
But divisions remain in the talks scheduled to run until Friday next week. Ahead of this round of negotiations, some governments have proposed re-negotiating the core tenets of the NZF, while others insist it should be adopted in November largely as provisionally agreed in April 2025.
This debate played out last week on a webinar hosted by the African Futures Policies Hub. Liberian diplomat Grace Nuhn said the emissions-reduction requirements included in the NZF are “over-zealous” and “over-ambitious” and do not reflect the limited availability of clean fuels, while penalising “transitional fuels” such as LNG and biofuels.
In a formal submission, Liberia – alongside US ally Argentina and Panama – has proposed weakening emission targets and ditching any funding mechanism for the framework involving “direct revenue collection and disbursement”.
Liberia and Panama host the world’s two biggest ship registries, meaning their governments earn revenue from allowing shipowners from around the world to register vessels in their countries.
The NZF would penalise owners of ships that emit more than certain agreed amounts and use that revenue to clean up the maritime sector, help workers through the green transition and compensate for any negative impacts of the transition on developing economies.
Japan has also proposed that, in order to reach a compromise with the NZF’s opponents, emissions reduction targets and requirements to pay into the IMO’s Net-Zero Fund are weakened.
Yuki Inoue, a diplomat from Japan’s transport ministry, told the webinar that this would reduce the perception that the NZF is a “carbon tax”. Japan wants to get all governments “back to the discussion table”, he said.
NZF a “fragile compromise”
But Tuvalu’s IMO negotiator Pierre-Jean Bordahandy said that the NZF itself is a “fragile compromise” reached after lengthy discussions and is the “only viable path forward” to meet the sector’s climate targets agreed in 2023.
Tuvalu and six other Pacific nations have vowed to try to make the NZF more ambitious if it is reopened for negotiation. With rising sea levels threatening their survival, “time is not on our side”, Bordahandy told the webinar.
Brazil has also pushed back against attempts to renegotiate. Diplomat Adriana de Medeiros Gabinio warned that it would be unrealistic to expect countries to rewrite a deal in a matter of months after more than two years of negotiations involving over 100 nations culminated in the April 2025 vote in favour of the NZF.
She added that proposed changes to the NZF would not address climate change and food insecurity and “seem aimed at addressing diplomatic pressure imposed by a small group of countries rather than the issue itself”.
Mexico has defended the framework’s funding mechanism. Raul Zepeda Gil, an advisor to the country’s IMO mission, said the net-zero fund is essential to ensure developing countries can access financing for cleaner ships and infrastructure. Without the fund, “then just a few countries will be available to participate in the transition”, he warned
Some countries that previously supported delaying the NZF now appear more aligned with its backers. Kenya was among 16 African nations that voted for postponement last October.
But this month Michael Mbaru, maritime lead for the Kenyan government’s climate envoy office, told journalists that Kenya supports the NZF and hinted that other African and developing countries would follow.
“From the Global South perspective, as you’ve seen from the submissions from Africa, we are moving forward in terms of the framework as is”, he said, adding “we feel like we have compromised enough and we feel like the framework provides the best package.”
“If we are to reopen these discussions, we need to reopen them to strengthen the revenue, not to weaken the revenue”, he said.
Tacit or explicit approval?
Brazil’s Adriana de Medeiros Gabinio warned that even if the NZF is officially adopted in November, its opponents are trying to change the rules by which it comes into force as a “safety net to block” it.
The U.S and its allies want to shift away from a system of tacit approval where, after the NZF is approved at the IMO talks, its rules are automatically applied unless a certain number of countries object.
They prefer explicit approval instead, meaning it would not come into force unless enough governments – representing a certain percentage of the world’s shipping fleet – actively indicate support for it.
Critics say this change would give a small number of countries with large shipping registries the power to block implementation. Liberia has the world’s biggest shipping registry, which is run by a US-based company, followed by Panama and the Marshall Islands.
The Marshall Islands has long been one of the most vocal supporters of the NZF but, with its officials and its shipping registry income vulnerable to US retaliation, did not sign on to the recent Pacific proposal vowing to strengthen the NZF if it is re-opened.
Commenting on the chances of the NZF being approved, Smith said “there are lots of things which I think generally are much better and stronger than they were last year.”
“I can’t tell you now that that means we’re not going to have a difficult conversation and I can’t put odds on what the outcome is but I think things have improved on the energy transition question,” he said….PACNEWS
