In this bulletin:
- FIJI — Fiji Assistant Foreign Minister break ranks, Opposes Vuda waste to energy project
- SOL — Solomon Islands’ political crisis will ‘not fundamentally change’ ties with Beijing
- PACIFIC — Pacific wisdom key to climate response: Fiji PM Rabuka
- COOKS — Cook Islands parliament launches AI agents to support operations
- PACIFIC — UK strengthens support to Pacific communities on climate crisis
- PNG — PM Marape begins three-day visit to China, PNG targets investment opportunities
- TAIWAN — Taiwan and Tuvalu expand media cooperation through MOU between Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation and Rti
- FIJI — Inia Seruiratu appointed People First Party leader
- PACNEWS BIZ — Nicta to proceed with Starlink licence in PNG, Digicel signs 4G deal
- PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Islands Opposition leader Wale claims fuel Tax revocation as a “lie”
- PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Airways cuts Dallas route amid fuel pressure
- PACNEWS IN FOCUS — High oil prices are devastating Island states – and moving the needle on Climate
- PACNEWS DIGEST — The European Green Deal – our new growth strategy
- PACNEWS DIGEST — WHO expands global biomanufacturing workforce network to strengthen equitable access and health security
FIJI – INCENRATOR PROJECT: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Fiji Assistant Foreign Minister breaks rank, Opposes Vuda waste to energy project
SUVA, 29 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji’s Assistant Foreign Minister and National Federation Party (NFP) MP Lenora Qereqeretabua has publicly opposed the proposed Energy-to-Waste (ETW) project in Saweni, Vuda, warning it could breach Fiji’s long-standing environmental commitments under regional law.
In a blunt social media statement, Qereqeretabua said she was prepared to risk her position over the issue.
“At the cost of my job, and with no support from my party, I oppose the EtW proposed Saweni project.”
She cited Fiji’s obligations under the Waigani Convention, warning the country must not backtrack on its commitments.
“The Waigani Convention is clear: Fiji agreed not to become a dumping ground for hazardous waste and to manage its own waste within its borders. We are bound to uphold that principle in both law and intent.”
Qereqeretabua said Fiji’s commitment to the convention dates back decades and should not be ignored.
“Fiji signed the Waigani Convention in 1995 and ratified it in April 1996, becoming legally bound by its provisions well before it entered into force in 2001.”
“The Convention was established to protect the Pacific region from the dumping and movement of hazardous and radioactive waste. These dates matter because they reflect a long-standing commitment by Fiji to uphold strong environmental safeguards and regional responsibility.”
She warned that any large-scale waste project must be assessed against those obligations.
“Any current development that involves large-scale waste processing must be measured against these obligations, not treated as optional or outdated.”
The Assistant Minister also raised concerns about transparency around the project.
“My input to the propsed Waste to Energy facility in Saweni which…. I have to ask. Builders already identified?
Her comments highlight growing scrutiny over the proposed project and raise questions about how Fiji balances waste management needs with its regional environmental commitments.
The Waigani agreement was signed by current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and remains binding
Meanwhile, the National Federation Party has clarified its position on the proposed waste-to-energy project in Vuda-Saweni following public opposition from deputy Speaker and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua.
In a statement to The Fiji Times, party leader Biman Prasad said the Government has not granted formal approval for the project.
“The party stance is as follows. The Government has not given formal approval as clearly stated by the Prime Minister,” Prasad said.
He added that both the Minister for Lands and the Minister for Environment had confirmed that key processes, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and land acquisition matters, would be addressed through proper procedures.
“Government has already acknowledged issues raised during consultation and it is not going to ignore these concerns from different stakeholders,” he said.
Prasad said it would be premature to assume the project would proceed.
“It is inappropriate for us to assume that the project is going ahead,” he said.
While acknowledging that Members of Parliament are free to express their views, he emphasised the importance of adhering to party processes and protocols.
“Members of Parliament are free to articulate their views but there are also established processes and protocols, especially when you are part of a party in Government,” he said.
Prasad said the party would continue to take a measured approach on national issues.
“As a party, we have always taken a considered view of national issues of concern and we will continue to do that,” he added.
He also welcomed public engagement on the issue, noting that consultations had generated valuable feedback.
“It is a good thing that people… have been able to highlight their concerns and some have provided really good analysis,” he said.
Addressing references to the Waigani Convention, Prof Prasad noted that the agreement specifically relates to hazardous and nuclear waste.
The statement comes amid ongoing public debate over the proposed facility, with stakeholders continuing to raise environmental and governance concerns…. PACNEWS
SOL – POLITICS/DIPLOMACY: RADIO FREE ASIA PACNEWS 1: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands’ political crisis will ‘not fundamentally change’ ties with Beijing
HONIARA, 29 APRIL 2026 (RADIO FREE ASIA) — Regardless of how the current political crisis in the Solomon Islands unfolds, experts told Radio Free Asia that they anticipate no change in the country’s close-knit relationship with China.
The crisis was kicked into full gear in March, when 19 members of parliament defected from Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s ruling coalition, called the Government for National Unity and Transformation, or GNUT, to join the opposition.
This created an opposition coalition of 28 parliament members, a majority of the 50-seat legislative body. They immediately filed a motion for no confidence and called on Manele to convene parliament so a vote could be held.
But Manele has been refusing to convene, so he remains Prime Minister.
Manele has been described by observers as pro-Chinese, just like his predecessor Manasseh Sogavare, under whom Manele served as foreign minister.
Then-Foreign Minister Manele signed the 2019 agreement to recognise China instead of Taiwan and was a central figure in negotiating the 2022 security pact with Beijing that opposition leader Matthew Wale has criticised as being too secretive and undermining the security of the Solomon Islands, based on leaked drafts of the agreement prior to its signing.
Beijing has even set up a police station in the capital Honiara, a move that sparked concern among the U.S and Australia that China was expanding its security and surveillance capabilities beyond its borders.
Violent civil unrest broke out in 2021, with protesters claiming that Sogavare was selling off the country’s sovereignty to Beijing and calling for him to resign. Rioters attacked Chinatown businesses in the capital Honiara, torched one of Sogavare’s homes, and attempted to storm parliament.
Three years later, Chinese influence in the Solomons was very much on the ballot in 2024, with opposition candidates even saying that if elected as prime minister, they would cancel the security agreement and switch back to recognizing Taiwan, but Manele’s party prevailed and he was sworn in.
Manele’s government is a continuation of the Sogavare’s pro-Beijing stance, Joseph Foukona, a history professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, who hails from the Solomon Islands, told RFA.
“So, in his role in the previous government, which was where Sogavare was the prime minister, it’s obvious that he promotes the one China policy and his government is sort of aligned with that policy as well,” Foukona said.
But when asked what the current rift in the government is about, Foukona said that there was not really much detail about why the 19 members of parliament defected, only saying that they must be having “internal issues.”
The rift is over more than just the pro-China stances of Manele’s government, Kathryn Paik, deputy director and senior fellow with the Australia Chair at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS, told RFA.
“There’s a lot more going on domestically and there’s a lot of power plays domestically happening within the parliament that might have nothing to do with China and the China relationship,” she said. “Parliamentarians are also going to use that relationship with China for their advantage whether it’s to oust Manele or if that’s a good argument against it.
But she said it is likely that China has started to build relationships with other politicians in the Solomon Islands as a hedge, just in case they come into power in the future.
The opposition, now referred to as the New Coalition, won a legal challenge in mid-April, with the country’s High Court ruling that Manele was unconstitutionally delaying the vote.
Manele’s government has filed an appeal to that decision, and the Court of Appeal is expected to issue a ruling on Friday.
But even if he wins the appeal, Manele will eventually have to convene parliament. Legally, the country’s constitution mandates that the body must meet at least once per year, and practically, it must pass yearly appropriations budgets to avoid a government shutdown.
Barring a breakup in the New Coalition or a withdrawal of the motion of no confidence, Manele will have to face the music eventually, and that could lead to his ouster.
Regardless of whether Manele survives the vote or is ousted, the country’s relationship with China will be more of the same, Paik said.
“I don’t expect there to be a fundamental change,” she said. “China has established a pretty regular presence on the ground as of right now and we haven’t seen any real push by any parliamentarians to change that significantly outside of Wale and some other opposition leaders.”
Manele has already survived one vote of no confidence roughly a year ago, defeating a motion led by his predecessor Sogavare.
Shortly after the 19 parliament members switched sides in March, Manele swore in Sogavare as his deputy prime minister in an attempt to stabilize the remaining pieces of his coalition.
Foukona said the off-again, on-again alliance between Sogavare and Manele is driven by their respective personal interests.
“They usually say that in Solomon’s politics there’s no permanent enemy,” he said.
China’s foreign ministry and its embassy in Honiara have not made any direct statement regarding the Solomon Islands since the beginning of the political crisis…. PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Pacific wisdom key to climate response: Fiji PM Rabuka
SUVA, 29 APRIL 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — ‘For Fiji, climate change is encountered through our relationship with the Vanua, ocean, communities, and in our faiths.’
These were the sentiments shared by the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the launch of the book “Climate Change in Pasifika Relational Perspectives” in Suva Tuesday.
The book “Climate Change in Pasifika Relational Perspectives” is published by the Pasifika Communities University Press under the Toda Peace Institute, led by Rev Dr Upolu Lumā Vaai, and edited by Dr Volker Boege, Dr Carol Fartbotko, Professor John Campbell, and Dr Tammy Tabe.
The Prime Minister said Pacific societies have never viewed life only through technical or rational lenses, noting that responses to crises are guided by spiritual responsibility, political relationships, and moral obligation.
“While science, technology, and evidence-based policy remain natural, they cannot stand alone,” Rabuka stated.
Recognising that climate change issue is more a global multifaceted threat, Hon. Prime Minister said there was a need to develop multifaceted responses through quality research, one that also recognises the wisdom of our communities and forebears.
“As climate change increasingly reshapes global concessions on security and stability, the Pacific offers an important perspective. It holds approaches that are effective rather than reactive, relational rather than transactional and grounded in long-term responsibility.”
“This volume stands as a compelling testament to Pacific thoughts, Pacific leadership, and Pacific collective goals. It brings together rigorous insight, cultural wisdom, and forward-looking perspective to frame a distinctly Pacific response to climate change, one that is answered in stewardship, shared responsibility, and enduring regional best.
“Beyond articulating the scale of our challenges, it advances a strategic vision that connects climate action with peace, with security, and sustainable development. In doing so, it reinforces the Pacific’s role, not only as a region of vulnerability, but a region of solutions, leadership, and innovation.”
Rabuka said the book addresses a significant gap in climate change discourse and aims to introduce alternative marginalised approaches to the climate discourse, particularly highlighting the relationship between climate science and the relational wisdom of forebears and Pacific communities.
“As the editors have declared, the two, climate science and the communities-based knowledge and faith, must be held together in a ‘whole of life’ fashion for an effective approach to climate change, security, and peace.”
The Prime Minister said the volume is a timely reminder of the power of spirituality in addressing global challenges like climate change.
The book transcends the confines of the Western philosophical view that forms the basis of the conventional climate discourse. It is grounded in the all-encompassing interconnectedness of tensions and contradictions and relationality of ways of being and knowing…. PACNEWS
COOKS – AI AGENTS: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS 1: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Cook Islands parliament launches AI agents to support operations
RAROTONGA, 29 APRIL 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) — Cook Islands parliament has taken a step into artificial intelligence (AI) with the launch of two AI agents designed to support both public access to information and internal parliamentary operations.
The new system was unveiled at Parliament House on Friday with clerk of parliament Tangata Vainerere announcing that the institution is now “officially AI-enabled”.
The initiative introduces two AI agents – ‘INA’, a public-facing chatbot available on the parliament website, and “Tumutoa”, an internal system designed to assist parliamentary staff with procedures and institutional knowledge.
The development was delivered in collaboration with Pacific Group AI founder Tayla Jayne Beddoes and her team.
Vainerere acknowledged the advantages this will bring to Parliament operations.
He said the move reflects Parliament’s efforts to modernise the way it operates while maintaining the rules and principles that govern the institution.
“Some people might be sceptical, as we can expect … but let me just confirm that what’s happening today is not accidental. It’s not something where we woke up the other morning and be like, ‘Wouldn’t it be a marvellous idea if we became AI-enabled?”
He said the introduction of AI followed a deliberate process, including training sessions held only weeks earlier for parliamentary staff where they learned how to use around five AI tools.
Vainerere said the training demonstrated how artificial intelligence could help staff work more efficiently.
“It was an eye-opener. It was a realisation that all this time we’ve been working here, we have been wasting a lot of time. We have been wasting a lot of energy. There are better ways to work.”
He also stressed that while AI will support parliamentary functions, it will not replace human decision-making.
“Everything happening in this institution must still be human-led, not AI-led. AI is just a tool that we have to use to facilitate efficiency in our institution.”
The AI agents were developed by Pacific Group AI, whose founder Beddoes said the project marks an important step for the country.
Beddoes said she was excited to launch Cook Islands parliament’s AI system and the Cook Island government’s very first AI agents, INA and Tumutoa.
She explained that the idea emerged from discussions during an earlier AI training session in parliament and is a big step in the right direction.
Beddoes said the public-facing agent INA was created to improve how parliamentary information is shared with the public while the internal agent Tumutoa is designed to support staff by guiding them through parliamentary processes and procedures.
“There is a lot that they have to learn when they come into that role – a lot of processes and procedures. Often times, that falls on someone having to personally be responsible to show them along the way,” she said.
The project also received support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which is assisting with digital and institutional strengthening across Pacific parliaments.
UNDP portfolio coordinator Louisa Apelu said the support comes through the Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative Phase 3, a five-year programme funded by the Government of New Zealand.
She said the programme focuses on strengthening parliamentary effectiveness through professional development, legislative reform and improved systems.
She said it is also to make things a bit easier and more manageable for parliamentary staff to focus more on providing improved parliamentary service, which serves the best interests of the people of the Cook Islands.
The new AI chatbot INA is now available to the public through the Cook Islands Parliament website…. PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: UK GOVT PACNEWS 1: Wed 29 Apr 2026
UK strengthens support to Pacific communities on climate crisis
LONDON/SUVA, 29 APRIL 2026 (UK GOVT) — New United Kingdom funding will support communities across the Pacific on the frontline of the climate crisis, helping them prepare for extreme weather, protect vital ecosystems and build long‑term resilience.
Pacific Island countries are already facing the impacts of rising sea levels, stronger storms and growing pressure on food, livelihoods and natural resources. Working in partnership with Pacific governments, regional organisations and local communities, the UK’s new support will focus on practical, locally led action that helps people anticipate climate shocks, respond more quickly when disasters strike, and recover faster.
The new funding of £14 million (US$18.92 million) builds on the UK’s long‑standing work across the Pacific through its flagship climate adaptation programme, Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA). Through CARA, the UK is supporting community‑focused projects across the region, including nature‑based solutions, stronger food systems, ocean protection and local preparedness, with initiatives under way in countries such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.
UK Minister for the Indo‑Pacific Seema Malhotra said: “Pacific Island countries are on the frontline of the climate crisis. We’re investing in Pacific communities so that they can become more resilient to extreme weather, better protect the ecosystems they depend on and generate sustainable growth.
Our modern approach to development is all about backing effective, locally led solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change”.
UK funding is also helping to unlock wider sources of climate finance, including through embedded climate finance advisors in Pacific governments to strengthen Pacific countries’ ability to access and absorb funding.
The UK has already supported the Pacific’s first blue bond in Fiji, raising FJD100 million (US$50 million) for initiatives that support sustainable livelihoods, including the establishment of four marine protected areas and an aquaculture food security programme benefiting nearly 400 farmers.
The new funding will also strengthen disaster preparedness, including improved weather forecasting and early warning systems delivered by the UK Met Office in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). This helps communities and authorities act earlier to protect lives and livelihoods. Regional disaster risk insurance is also supporting faster recovery after major climate‑related disasters, reducing long‑term economic impacts.
Together with New Zealand, the UK has already committed £23.9 million (US$32.20 million) through a blended finance initiative designed to mobilise up to US$100 million in private investment. This is supporting renewable energy projects across the region, reducing reliance on imported diesel and strengthening energy security…. PACNEWS
PNG – DIPLOMACY: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Wed 29 Apr 2026
PM Marape begins three-day visit to China, PNG targets investment opportunities
BEIJING, 29 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Papua New Guinea is targeting increased investment opportunities in China as Prime Minister James Marape begins a three-day visit to Guangdong province.
Marape said China was PNG’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade worth more than US$8 billion (about K33.6 billion) a year.
“If Guangdong were a country, its economy would rank among the top 15 in the world,” he said.
Marape said the province was a global manufacturing and export hub, and home to Shenzhen, one of the world’s most advanced cities.
He said the visit would focus on growing exports, especially in coffee and fisheries.
“We cannot supply the entire Chinese market, but we can grow our presence (there),” he said.
Marape is accompanied by International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru, Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Jelta Wong and Minister for Coffee William Bando.
Leaders from key coffee-producing areas are also part of the delegation.
Marape said talks would include investment in mining, agriculture and fisheries.
Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso will be acting prime minister while Marape is in China.
Marape is expected to return on Friday…. PACNEWS
TAIWAN – MEDIA: RADIO TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Taiwan and Tuvalu expand media cooperation through MOU between Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation and Rti
TAIPEI, 29 APRIL 2026 (RADIO TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL) — Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation (TVBC) and Radio Taiwan International (Rti) signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in news, program, and personnel exchanges this Tuesday, 28 April.
The MOU renews the first agreement signed between the organisations in 2005 and pledges to jointly address global challenges, including the digital divide, climate change, and the spread of disinformation.
Tuvalu has maintained diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979, making it one of the nation’s longest-standing Pacific allies.
Tuvalu Ambassador Lily Tangisia Faavae signed on behalf of TVBC and said that the cooperation ensures the people of Tuvalu have timely access to accurate information, remain connected, and have a voice.
The ambassador mentioned that Tuvalu’s government announced 21 priorities for the new government in 2024. These include priorities to address climate change as an existential threat to the island nation and one priority dedicated to reaffirming its commitment to the long-term and lasting “special” relationship between Tuvalu and Taiwan.
Ambassador Faavae noted that the MOU reflects the government’s priorities in strengthening relations with Taiwan.
Rti Chairperson Cheryl Lai said the MOU reflects the continuity of a partnership that spans nearly five decades and enables Tuvalu and Taiwan to address challenges, including the digital divide, climate change, and the growing need for accurate, reliable information.
Lai said she believes the newly signed agreement will serve as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and mutual growth in the media sector.
Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Ger Baushuan, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said he hopes the MOU will amplify Taiwan’s voice in the Pacific region, bring societies closer through information sharing, and promote mutual understanding, prosperity, and sustainable development…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Inia Seruiratu appointed People First Party leader
SUVA, 29 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN) — The People First Party has appointed opposition leader Inia Seruiratu as its new leader, with Parveen Bala Kumar named deputy leader.
The appointments were unanimously endorsed by the party’s Board of Governors, the party said in a statement issued in Suva on 28 April.
Party chair Jone Usamate said both leaders brought extensive experience in governance, policy development and organisational leadership.
Their appointment reflects the party’s commitment to strong and principled leadership, as well as a focus on unity during what it described as a critical period for the country.
“We are confident that our newly appointed leaders will guide the People First Party with wisdom, compassion, and vision,” Usamate said.
The party said the leadership changes were part of efforts to strengthen its direction and positioning moving forward…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PNG – STARLINK: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Nicta to proceed with Starlink licence in PNG, Digicel signs 4G deal
PORT MORESBY, 29 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) will now proceed to finalise Starlink’s licence in accordance with regulatory requirements, says chief executive officer Polume Lume.
This follows a ruling by the National Court on Friday, authorising Nicta to issue an operator’s license to Starlink.
“Nicta welcomes the court outcome as it reinforces the integrity of Papua New Guinea’s regulatory framework and the need for all operators to comply with national laws governing the telecommunications sector,” he said.
“We are working through the necessary paperwork, with the process expected to be completed within the next two to three weeks.”
He said users who already had Starlink devices could begin using the service once the licensing process was completed.
Lume said that existing telecommunication providers and new entrants must operate within the established legal framework to ensure fair competition, protect consumers, and support sustainable industry growth.
“Starlink’s entry into the market, alongside other licensed providers such as OneWeb, will boost competition in the satellite broadband space and drive better service delivery across the country,” he added.
Prime Minister James Marape said that he would tell Nicta to ensure that Starlink was granted a licence.
Meanwhile, Digicel PNG has signed an agreement with the National Information and Communications Technology Authority to deliver 4G mobile broadband services to rural communities around the country.
The agreement was awarded through the National Procurement Commission Board.
It is part of the Government’s commitment to expand access and bridge the digital gap in the country.
Digicel PNG will provide 4G mobile infrastructure to under-served and rural areas, such as parts of Oro, Gulf, Morobe, Bougainville, and Southern Highlands.
The initiative is to enable people in remote parts of the country to access digital services, support education, healthcare and financial services.
Digicel PNG acting chief executive officer Abdallah Nassar reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national development connectivity priorities.
“With this shared vision, this collaboration is more than infrastructure,” Nassar said.
“It is about connecting people and communities to services ensuring they are not left behind in Papua New Guinea’s digital transformation journey.
“We are proud to support efforts that strengthen communities and enable inclusive growth to be better connected.
“When people and communities are connected, they gain access to digital services needed for education, healthcare, financial services, and economic participation.”
Nassar said the agreement highlighted the strength of collaboration between the Government and the private sector in advancing the country’s digital transformation and building a more inclusive, connected nation.
Nassar said the agreement reinforced Digicel PNG commitment and investment in PNG’s digital growth.
He added that it reflected the communication company’s long-term responsibility for operating and maintaining the network in the country…. PACNEWS
SOL – POLITICS/FUEL TAX: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands Opposition leader Wale claims fuel tax revocation as a “lie”
HONIARA, 29 APRIL 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS) — Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Matthew Wale MP, says the Finance Minister’s explanation over the controversial fuel tax exemption has now collapsed under its own contradictions.
Wale pointed out that while the finance minister claims the exemption granted to BS Pacific Resources was revoked, the beneficiary has confirmed to the media that it never received any revocation notice.
“The Minister says it was cancelled. The recipient says no revocation was ever served. Both cannot be true and that contradiction exposes the truth,” Wale said.
He said this completely undermines the credibility of the Government’s position.
“You do not revoke millions of dollar tax instrument in silence. If there is no formal revocation notice, then there is no revocation. It’s that simple,” Wale added.
The Opposition Leader said the public is now being asked to accept a claim with no evidence.
“Produce the revocation letter. If it exists, show it. If it doesn’t, stop misleading the country,” he said.
He described the situation as a clear case of damage control after exposure.
“This is not governance. This is a rushed cover up after millions in concession to a politically connected beneficiary was brought to light.”
The Opposition Leader said the issue goes beyond process and strikes at the heart of leadership integrity.
“It was a massive tax concession granted in the middle of a fuel crisis, while ordinary Solomon Islanders continue to pay high prices. And now the Government expects blind trust that it was undone behind closed doors? That is unacceptable,” Wale stated.
He warned that the absence of documentation only deepens public suspicion.
“This looks exactly like preferential treatment for a political financier followed by a failed attempt to clean up lies,” the Opposition Leader said.
Wale said the actions of the finance minister is clearly deceptive.
He said these are not private powers he is exercising.
“Public powers must be exercised with responsibility and transparency. Minister Rex Ramofafia must stop deceiving the people of Solomon Islands.”
However, in a statement on Tuesday, the government said it has officially revoked the tax exemption previously awarded to BS Pacific Resources on fuel import prices.
“This decision was made after careful review and evaluation to ensure alignment with national interests and established policies.
The Minister of Finance and Treasury, Rexson Ramofafia, acted promptly to revoke the exemption, guided by principles of fairness, transparency, and good governance,” it said.
It added, while the Government retains the prerogative to grant tax exemptions to local companies, such decisions are made following careful case-by-case review and evaluation to ensure alignment with national interests and established policies.
“The government remains committed to managing current fuel price increases. The revocation order, which took effect on 24 April, now resolves public concerns raised recently on social media,” the government said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – AIRLILNE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Fiji Airways cuts Dallas route amid fuel pressure
NADI, 29 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Airways will suspend its Nadi–Dallas service from September as rising fuel costs force the national carrier to adjust its network, despite strong travel demand.
The airline confirmed the route will cease on 07 September, with affected passengers to be rebooked through alternative connections via Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver.
Fiji Airways said measures were in place to minimise disruption, with customers being contacted directly and offered flexible options, including rebooking, travel credit or refunds.
The move comes as global aviation faces mounting cost pressures, with jet fuel prices more than doubling since the start of the year.
Despite this, Fiji Airways says demand remains strong across key markets, particularly Australia and New Zealand, and it will continue to operate up to 11 weekly flights into the United States through Los Angeles and San Francisco.
“These changes allow us to focus on markets where we are seeing the strongest and most sustainable demand. This includes the upgauge of our three weekly Vancouver services from the A330 to our flagship A350 aircraft effective 08 September, as well as increasing Hong Kong frequencies to up to four flights per week year-round from 22 September,” said managing director and chief executive officer Paul Scurrah.
“At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining global connectivity for our customers.”
The airline will also maintain onward connections across the United States, including Dallas Fort Worth, through its partnership with American Airlines.
Fiji Airways said forward bookings remain encouraging, supported by record visitor arrivals in March.
“Given Fiji has just hit an all-time visitor record for March, we know Fiji remains an attractive and accessible destination. Our forward bookings continue to be encouraging and reflect a level of increased interest in Fiji as a safe and family friendly destination,” Scurrah said.
“Our priority is to maintain reliable services, manage costs responsibly, and ensure confidence in travel to Fiji remains strong.”
The airline said it was implementing targeted cost management measures while working with Government and industry partners to maintain stability and connectivity.
Customers are advised to check flight updates online or contact Fiji Airways or their travel agents for assistance…. 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
High oil prices are devastating Island states – and moving the needle on Climate
By Fenton Lutunatabua
SANTA MARTA, 29 APRIL 2026 (THE DIPLOMAT) — This week, over 50 countries are joining forces to move the needle on what is proving to be one of the world’s most urgent needs: to overcome dependence on fossil fuels. As decision-makers gather in Santa Marta, Colombia for the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, history will remember the legacy of Small Island Developing States in demanding the “impossible” and bringing global climate cooperation to this moment.
From the overhaul of global climate finance infrastructure in the Bridgetown Initiative, to the historic Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice, oceanic regions like the Caribbean and the Pacific have consistently pressed the international community to rise to a higher standard of climate action.
Behind these efforts is the very real fight for sovereignty and survival. For many small island states, the abstract concept of a “polycrisis” has become a dangerously tangible threat. Across oceans, these regions are currently caught in the crosshairs of three intersecting emergencies: a volatile fuel crisis driven by geopolitical conflict, a relentless climate crisis driven by fossil fuels, and a deepening affordability crisis. Together, these forces are draining trillions from household budgets and national coffers, forcing leaders to declare emergencies and everyday people to empty their pockets.
Despite their minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, island nations are among the most fossil-fuel-dependent economies in the world. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has exposed the fragility of this reliance. Most fuel used in the Pacific is benchmarked against Singapore Gasoil, which recently surged past US$180 per barrel. Because Pacific island nations must import refined fuel across vast ocean distances, the “island premium” on energy is devastating. High fuel prices bleed into every aspect of island life, with farmers paying more to transport cash crops to markets, and the inevitable cyclone recovery costing more in dollars and lives than ever before.
In countries like Tuvalu, where many citizens depend on fisheries to sustain their families, the cost of fish often serves as a signal of inflation. With fisherfolk paying more to take boats out to secure their catch, both producers and the consumers are now keeping an anxious eye on developments in the Strait of Hormuz. In Papua New Guinea, boats that typically transport remote communities to medical centres for life-saving HIV and tuberculosis treatment are now financially out of reach. Everyday people have been stripped of basic dignities, all so that the oil conglomerates thousands of miles away can safely line their pockets in the midst of a catastrophic war.
Oceans away, another island nation shackled to fossil fuels is dealing with its own energy crisis in a different way. Power cuts are not new in Cuba, but the level of precarity seen today is. Following COVID-19, the country fell into a deep economic crisis, with little money to invest in infrastructure and fewer allies willing to supply fuel. Since then, blackouts have become more frequent, along with repeated collapses of the National Electric System.
The tightening of the U.S-implemented energy blockade has “pressed on the wound.” With power cuts more widespread and lasting much longer, Cuba is now often described by its citizens as a “ghost country.” On a typical morning, the streets are empty: no children going to school, no workers commuting, no cars, no young people gathering for coffee. The people of Cuba are paying for a system designed to profit distant producers, their suffering a byproduct of a geopolitical tug-of-war.
So, what needs to be done to address these compounding crises and protect the people that populate these islands?
At this week’s conference in Santa Marta, leaders from both regions are now converging on a unified strategy: the global phase-out of fossil fuels as the only path to economic survival, and the upscaling of safe and fair renewable energy as the key to thriving island communities. As the world takes a necessary step out of the shadow of fossil fuel dependence, it is crucial that high-emitting nations begin to show the same commitment that island states have shown for decades. Those most responsible for this crisis must pay their fair share of its damages. And those most able to lead the energy transition must do so with the intention of taking the most vulnerable along with them.
The transition to renewable energy is no longer just a question of climate responsibility and environmental stewardship. The war in West Asia has shown us that access to reliable, affordable energy is intricately tied to food security, health, and economic wellbeing. It is time that world leaders act in line with the science – as well as the numbers. On top of what they’re already paying for oil and gas, people are losing trillions of dollars more each year to fossil fuel subsidies and climate damages.
As the climate crisis worsens and cyclones multiply across our oceans, leaders must make polluters pay and put money back in the pockets of everyday people — and ensure a livable, dignified future for islanders everywhere…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
The European Green Deal – our new growth strategy
By Op-ed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
BRUSSELS, 29 APRIL 2026 (EU COMMISSION) — Do we, humans, want to continue living well and safely on this planet? Humanity faces an existential threat – the whole world is beginning to see. Forests burn from America to Australia. Deserts are advancing across Africa and Asia. Rising sea levels threaten our European cities as well as Pacific islands. Mankind has seen such phenomena before, but never at this speed.
Science tells us that we can still stop this epidemic, but we are running out of time. The new European Commission is wasting no time. Today, less than two weeks into our mandate, we present our roadmap for a European Green Deal.
Our goal is to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, slowing down global warming and mitigating its effects. This is a task for our generation and the next, but change must begin right now – and we know we can do it.
The European Green Deal that we present today is Europe’s new growth strategy. It will cut emissions while also creating jobs and improving our quality of life.
It is the green thread that will run through all our policies – from transport to taxation, from food to farming, from industry to infrastructure. With our Green Deal we want to invest in clean energy and extend emission trading, but we will also boost the circular economy and preserve Europe’s biodiversity.
The European Green Deal is not just a necessity: it will be a driver of new economic opportunities. Many European firms are already going green. They are cutting their carbon footprint and discovering the clean technologies. They understand that there are planetary boundaries: European companies of all sizes understand that everyone has to take care of our common home. They also know that if they discover the sustainable solutions of tomorrow, this will give them first mover advantage.
What businesses and change-makers need from us is easy access to financing. To pull this off, we will deliver a Sustainable Europe Investment Plan. It will support one trillion euros of investment over the next decade. We will work hand in hand with the European Investment Bank, Europe’s climate bank.
Next March, we will propose the first-ever European Climate Law to chart the way ahead and make it irreversible: investors, innovators and entrepreneurs need clear rules to plan their long-term investments.
While we will promote transformation in how we produce and consume, live and work, we must also protect and accompany those who risk being hit harder by such change. This transition must work for all, or it will not work at all. I will propose to set up a Just Transition Fund – and I want it to mobilise, together with the leverage of the European Investment Bank and private money, one hundred billion euros in investment over the next seven years. We will make sure that we help those European regions who will have to take a bigger step, so that we leave no one behind.
Across Europe, people young and old are not only asking for climate action. They are already changing their lifestyle: think of the commuters who take the bike or public transport, parents who choose reusable diapers, companies that renounce single-use plastics and bring sustainable alternatives to the market. Many of us are part of this European and global movement for climate.
Nine European citizens out of ten ask for decisive climate action. Our children rely on us. Europeans want their Union to act at home and lead abroad. In these very days, the whole world has gathered in Madrid for the United Nations’ conference on climate, to discuss collective action against global warming.
The European Green Deal is Europe’s response to our people’s call. It is a deal by Europe, for Europe and a contribution for a better world. Every European can be part of the change…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
WHO expands global biomanufacturing workforce network to strengthen equitable access and health security
GENEVA, 29 APRIL 2026 (WHO) — The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated a network of regional training centres for biomanufacturing across all six WHO regions, marking a major step forward in strengthening the global workforce needed to produce vaccines, biotherapeutics and other biological products.
As global efforts continue to expand manufacturing infrastructure and advance technology transfer, WHO is placing equal emphasis on the people and systems required to make these investments sustainable and impactful.
The designation follows a rigorous global selection process conducted through two calls for expressions of interest and forms part of the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative established in 2023.
This flagship effort addresses critical skills gaps across the biomanufacturing value chain, enabling countries to translate technological advances into sustainable local production.
“Building a skilled biomanufacturing workforce is fundamental to advancing equitable access to health products and strengthening global health security. By designating regional training centres across all WHO regions, we are investing in people and systems that enable countries not only to produce quality-assured essential health technologies, but to sustain and scale them,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data.
“This network reflects a strategic shift towards more resilient, geographically diversified manufacturing capacity, grounded in science and collaboration.”
A global network with regional impact
The newly designated regional training centres will operate as part of a coordinated global network, delivering context-specific training aligned with regional priorities, regulatory environments and languages.
By partnering with academia and industry, they will expand access to training, strengthen regional expertise and foster collaboration across countries, supporting the development of a skilled and sustainable workforce. While operating independently, they will work in close collaboration with WHO under agreed frameworks to ensure quality, alignment and accountability.
The selected institutions are:
*African Region: Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Senegal; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa
*Region of the Americas: Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Brazil
*South-East Asia Region: Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, India
*European Region: National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Ireland
*Eastern Mediterranean Region: Centre for Continuing Professional Development, Egyptian Drug Authority, Egypt Western Pacific Region: Peking University, China
These centres will complement the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH- B), established in 2022 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea. The Global Hub delivers standardized training programmes that combine hands-on experience and classroom-based learning, while also supporting the WHO initiative through training-of-trainers programmes.
A cornerstone of health equity and preparedness
The WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative directly supports the implementation of World Health Assembly resolution WHA74.6 on strengthening local production of medicines and other health technologies.
By investing in workforce development, WHO is helping to address longstanding inequities in access to health products and to ensure that all countries are better equipped to respond rapidly and effectively to future health emergencies.
As global health systems move from crisis response to long-term resilience, building a skilled and geographically distributed biomanufacturing workforce is emerging as a cornerstone of pandemic preparedness and health security…. PACNEWS
