In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Taiwan foreign minister to attend Pacific islands leaders summit events
2. KIRIBATI — Kiribati considers constitutional change to cement diplomatic recognition of China
3. COOKS — Mark Brown’s Cook Islands Party set to govern for historic fifth consecutive term
4. PNG — Registrar to strictly regulate political parties’ behaviour
5. PNG — El Nino top agenda
6. FIJI — Exercise Bougainville 2026 strengthens Fiji’s national crisis readiness
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific workers’ complaints put labour mobility protections under scrutiny
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Airways to stop direct Canberra-Nadi flights, Canberra Times reports
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji exports pilot consignment of fresh produce to Naoero
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji to expand hydroponics, protected agriculture to reduce reliance on imports
11. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Long time coming: After decades of struggle, is Bougainville on the brink of statehood?
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — COP31 Pacific Climate Priorities
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — West Tanna communities explore new livelihoods through small livestock farming
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Community-Led Climate Adaptation Projects Strengthen Resilience Across Solomon Islands
PAC – PIFLM55: REUTERS PACNEWS 1: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Taiwan foreign minister to attend Pacific islands leaders summit events
TAIPEI, 27 AUGUST 2026 (REUTERS) — Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will attend events related to a major summit of leaders from Pacific islands nations in Palau starting next week, his office said on Wednesday, though China said he had no right to take part.
China’s test-firing in July of a missile into the Pacific alarmed regional powers but failed to spur a unified response from Pacific Island governments, underscoring divisions over how to confront growing strategic competition in the region.
China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has gradually whittled away the number of Pacific Island countries with formal ties to Taipei, with only three remaining – Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said that Lin would leave for Palau on Thursday and be there for a week, taking part in side events to the summit, including a Pacific Islands Forum dialogue meeting hosted by the forum’s secretariat, and the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit.
Lin will also meet Taiwan’s Pacific diplomatic allies and “other friendly nations to exchange views on deepening the partnership between Taiwan and Pacific island nations, as well as jointly maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” the ministry said in a statement.
China says Taiwan is one of its provinces, not a country.
Beijing’s foreign ministry said Taipei had “no qualifications” to take part in the forum, which is being held from Sunday until 4 September.
“The Taiwan authorities sending Lin Chia-lung and other Taiwan independence separatists scurrying about all over to curry favour is a futile attempt to grab attention,” it said in a statement sent to Reuters.
The forum’s Fiji-based secretariat did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Chinese comments.
China has expanded its influence in the Pacific in recent years through infrastructure financing, diplomatic outreach and security cooperation, which has prompted concern among traditional partners including Australia, New Zealand and the United States…. PACNEWS
KIRIBATI – POLITICS: ABC PACNEWS 1: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Kiribati considers constitutional change to cement diplomatic recognition of China
TARAWA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (ABC) — Kiribati could be on the brink of amending its constitution to stop future governments from switching diplomatic recognition back to Taiwan, with its parliament set to vote on a bill declaring that maintaining ties with countries not recognised by the United Nations is “embarrassing” and like a poor marriage.
The Pacific nation has switched diplomatic recognition between China and Taiwan three times, most recently in 2019 when it dumped Taipei and re-established diplomatic ties with Beijing.
Since then, Kiribati’s President Taneti Maamau has rapidly established a very warm relationship with China, emerging as one of its strongest supporters across the region.
The bill, which has been championed by a government MP and backed by Maamau, does not mention Taiwan or China, but seems aimed at making it much harder for future governments to recognise Taipei.
“As our BSHK (Beloved Sunny Home Kiribati) is an Independent State Member of the United Nations, our diplomatic relations shall be only with a country which had achieved its independent (sic) and (is) recognised as a State Member of the United Nations or a Permanent Observer,” it says.
Taiwan has not been a member of the United Nations since 1971 when its seat, which it held as the Republic of China, was handed to the People’s Republic of China.
The bill’s explanatory memorandum also says the constitutional change would “harmonise our diplomatic relations with our traditional culture, belief, and practices of our Beloved Sunny Home Kiribati (BSHK)”.
It does not explain the cultural affinity in detail but says that establishing diplomatic ties with a non-UN member “is embarrassing and very much like bringing our BSHK’s reputation down”.
The bill even compares it to a substandard marital match, saying that in Kiribati the parents of a boy seek “a remarkable girl who is perfect in all aspects” when identifying a suitable partner.
Graeme Smith from the Australian National University told the ABC that the bill was clearly aimed at making sure Kiribati never “flipped” back to recognise Taiwan in the future, after Maamau steps down or loses power.
“This move by Maamau appears to be almost entirely about sending a message to Beijing that Kiribati, or Beloved Sunny Home Kiribati [BSHK] as it is referred to in the proposal, is its most important booster at the Pacific Islands Forum,” he said.
“Kiribati has switched between Taiwan and China thrice, going first to China [1980], then Taiwan [2003] and back to China [2019] setting a record bested only by Nauru which has switched four times.
“Its need to compensate for its status as a frequent flipper, [Kiribati could well switch back if there were a change of government], in part drives this strange document.”
The ABC has sent several questions to Maamau’s office about the passage of the bill and the government’s rationale for pursuing it but has not yet received a response.
But the President told parliament it was vital for Kiribati to maintain control over its foreign policy and that the amendment would deliver more certainty.
He also suggested that Kiribati wanted to stay aligned with the United Nations and that the country did not want to become caught up in geopolitical agendas.
China has succeeded in whittling down the number of countries maintaining official ties with Taipei, although it still maintains a dwindling band of 12 diplomatic allies including Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu in the Pacific.
Mark Harrison from the University of Tasmania said the proposed constitutional revision “would seem to be intended to secure Kiribati-PRC relations permanently or at least make them much more difficult to change than they would be as a matter of foreign policy”.
But he warned it could have unpredictable consequences for Kiribati.
“Using the UN as the standard to assess the legitimacy of relations in the constitution might make it harder for Kiribati to engage with the other ways Taiwan operates in the international system separate from the UN system — most importantly economically in the context of Taiwan’s central role in the global economy and its current tremendous rate of economic growth,” he said.
It is not yet clear whether Kiribati’s parliament will pass the constitutional change, although a vote on the bill could come as soon as today.
Maamau holds a clear majority on the floor of parliament but the bill fell short of the two-thirds majority needed when it was last put to parliament in April.
The proposed constitutional change could also theoretically complicate Kiribati’s ties with five Pacific Islands Forum members — Niue, Tokelau, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and New Caledonia — which are not independent states with full UN membership.
But the bill seeks to avoid this complication by saying that the constitutional change does not apply to Non-Self-Governing Territories, which includes New Caledonia and French Polynesia, or “states and territories in free association with a UN member state”, which include Niue, Cook Islands and Tokelau…. PACNEWS
COOKS – POLITICS: COOK ISLANDS NEWS/RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 1: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Mark Brown’s Cook Islands Party set to govern for historic fifth consecutive term
RAROTONGA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS/RNZ PACIFIC) — Mark Brown’s governing Cook Islands Party (CIP) is set to return to power for a historic fifth consecutive term after securing an absolute majority of 13 of the 24 parliamentary seats following final count of the 2026 general election.
The Democratic Party, the country’s main opposition in the previous parliament, has been wiped out after losing all its seats, with its outspoken leader Tina Pupuke-Browne and deputy leader Vaitoti Tupa both defeated.
The Cook Islands United Party secured four seats, one more than in 2022, while independents won seven seats, including three from Mangaia, two from Atiu and one each from Mauke and Manihiki.
Brown, who was first elected to parliament in 2010, will serve his fifth consecutive term as an MP. He is currently in his second term as prime minister, having taken office in October 2020 and led his party to victory again at the 2022 and 2026 elections.
According to Cook Islands News, Brown’s CIP is expected to form a government for a historic fifth consecutive term on its own.
In addition, the CIP had already received support from six independents, the newspaper reported.
“This brings the incoming government caucus to 19 seats in the 24-member Parliament, giving them an unprecedented supermajority.”
Brown told Cook Islands News on Tuesday local time, that according to advice from Crown Law, “the Prime Minister has held his warrants because he’s won his seat and now commands a majority”.
He also confirmed that all Cabinet ministers who retained their seats would remain in their positions.
Brown said once the chief electoral officer issued the official Gazette with the final count, the successful members of parliament would be named, formally “endorsing” the government.
Final results
– Tupapa Maraerenga: Tamaiti Maru Willie (CIP) – 617, Rota Tama Williams (CIUP) – 227, Edward Victor Drollett (Demo) – 117
– Avatiu Ruatonga Palmerston: Albert Taaviri Kaitara Nicholas (CIP) – 376, Teina Rongo (CIUP) – 226
– Ruaau: Tim Tunui (Shadow) Varu (CIUP) – 370, Arama Joseph Wichman (CIP) – 301, William (Smiley) Heather (Demo) – 44
– Akaoa: Robert Stanley Heather (CIUP) – 324, Teakaau Tex Tangimetua (CIP) – 68
– Murienua: Teariki Heather (CIUP) – 344, Nooroa Baker (CIP) – 169, Samuel Mataroa (Demo) – 17
– Titikaveka: Sonny Williams (CIP) – 363, Elizabeth Iro (CIUP) – 238, Sholan Ivaiti (Demo) – 189
– Ngatangiia: Tutaka Ama (CIP) – 272, Mapi Ioteva (CIUP) – 241, Itinga Maoate (Demo) – 65, Chris Denny (Progressive) – 18
– Matavera: Taneao Ngamata (CIUP) – 240, Vaitoti Tupa (Demo) – 231, Aneru Tautu (CIP) – 166
– Amuri-Ureia: Toanui Isamaela (CIP) – 165, Nicholas Henry (IND) – 98, Terepai Maoate (Demo) – 106, Tumutoa Nicholls (CIUP) – 25
– Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara: Tereapii Maki Kavana (CIP) – 179, Maitoe Henry (CIUP) – 113, Tekura Bishop (IND) – 91
– Vaipae-Tautu: Teokotai Herman (CIP) – 241, Teariki George (Demo) – 139, Teariki Tangua (CIUP) – 81
– Teenui-Mapumai: Rose Toki Brown (IND Enuamanu) – 81, Charles Amaru Koronui (IND) – 23
– Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua: Te-Hani Brown (IND Enuamanu) – 95, Puai Wichman (IND) – 47
– Oneroa: Rimmel Poila-Mokoroa (IND) – 77, Wesley Kareroa (Demo) – 64, Teina Tearii (CIP) – 66
– Tamarua: Tetangi Matapo (IND) – 34, Ngatamaroa Ngatokorua (CIP) – 23
– Ivirua: Agnes Armstrong (IND) – unopposed
– Mauke: Stephen Matapo (IND Party) – 175, James Beer (IND) – 21
– Mitiaro: Tuakeu Tangapoto (CIP) – 60, Makara Murare (CIUP) – 35, Paul Allsworth (Demo) – 2
– Rakahanga: Levi Teinaki (CIP) – 32, Tina Browne (Demo) – 27
– Penrhyn: Vaine Wichman (CIP) – 71, Sarakura Tapaitau (IND) – 50
– Pukapuka-Nassau: Tingika Elikana (CIP) – 146, Dr Kirianu Nio (IND) – 140
– Manihiki: George ‘Maggie’ Angene (IND) – 56, Akaiti Puna (CIP) – 51, Puapii William (IND) – 15…. PACNEWS
PNG – POLITICS: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Registrar to strictly regulate political parties’ behaviour
PORT MORESBY, 27 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Papua New Guinea currently has 44 registered political parties, but fewer than half of them have representation in Parliament.
Political Parties Registrar Emmanuel Pok said out of the 44, only 22 had MPs and 22 did not.
As of 21 August, the political parties with MPs are the Pangu Pati, Our United Revolution Pati, United Resources Party, Social Democratic Party, National Alliance Party, United Labour Party, People’s Progress Party, PNG Party, Liberal Party, People’s Movement for Change Party, Melanesian Alliance Party, Melanesian Liberal Party, People’s Transformation Party, Papua New Guinea Destiny Party, People’s National Congress, People’s Party, Papua New Guinea National Party, Our Development Party, Allegiance Party, Papua New Guinea Youth Empowerment Party, People’s Reform Party and Nesenel Unity Pati.
The ones without MPs are the People First Party, PNG Country Party, People’s Labour Party, United Party, Christian Democratic Party, People’s Action Party, People’s Freedom Party, Papua New Guinea Greens Party, People’s Democratic Movement, New Generation Party, , Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party, People’s United Assembly Party, Model Nation Party, PNG Youths Party, Adore Papua New Guinea Party, Papua New Guinea Liberal Democratic Party, People’s Empowerment Party, PNG Prosperity Party, Indigenous Liberation Party, League for National Advancement Party, Great Nation Party and National Development Party.
Pok said: “Political parties are founded and established by like-minded individuals that have a strong membership to be voted by the people.
“They are institutions that represent and belong to the people and must be accountable to them.
“Therefore, we will now be strictly regulating the behaviour of political parties.”
He also advised that the establishment of any new political party must follow the relevant provisions in the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (Olippac).
Sections 24 to 35 of the Olippac outlines the registration process, which include:
– APPLICATION for a political party;
– APPLICATION to be advertised;
– GROUNDS of objection;
– REFERRAL of application to the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC);
– CONSIDERATION of application by the IPPCC;
– REGISTRATION of a political party; and,
– NOTIFICATION of decision of the IPPCC by the registrar…. PACNEWS
PNG – EL NINO: NBC PNG PACNEWS 1: Thu 27 Aug 2026
El Nino top agenda
PORT MORESBY, 27 AUGUST 2026 (NBC PNG) — El Nino, its funding and preparedness was top of the agenda as parliament resumed Wednesday.
Southern Highlands Governor William Powi asked a series of supplementary questions to Health Minister Dr Billy Joseph on El Nino prepardness, funding and its impacts on the health and education sectors.
Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa backed up his counterpart with similar questions.
The prolonged dry season is now having serious impacts on provinces with severe consequeses.
It is affecting communities, and health and education services.
Southern Highlands Governors William Powi says the country needs to know what the government is doing to assist the country at this time.
Governor Wai Rapa told the house to declare it as a state of emergency and set up a task force to assist with the el nino impacts.
Health Minister Dr Billy told the house he will provide detailed answers during this sitting as this an issue that concerns the whole country…. PACNEWS
FIJI – SECURITY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Exercise Bougainville 2026 strengthens Fiji’s national crisis readiness
SUVA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — Three weeks of testing Fiji’s ability to coordinate, make decisions and mobilise resources during major emergencies concluded Wednesday with the completion of Exercise Bougainville 2026 at Blackrock Camp in Nadi.
The exercise brought together the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Government ministries and agencies, and defence partners to test how Fiji’s national response systems operate under pressure.
Minister for Policing and Communications, Ioane Naivalurua, highlighted the Exercise Bougainville as an important national investment in preparedness, coordination and resilience.
The exercise tested how information moves between agencies, how decisions are made, how resources are requested and deployed, and how leadership and coordination arrangements function during a crisis.
Minister Naivalurua said the exercise was not intended to demonstrate that Fiji’s systems are flawless, but to identify gaps and address them before the country faces its next major emergency.
He also highlighted the changing nature of risks facing Fiji, noting that national response systems must be capable of dealing with a range of hazards and security challenges.
“The same coastline a cyclone strikes is the coastline across which illicit drugs are landed. The same communities a flood displaces are the communities being harmed by methamphetamine,” Minister Naivalurua said.
Lessons identified during Exercise Bougainville will now be consolidated, with shortfalls register and lessons learnt booklet to be shared with participating agencies within the next 14 days.
The findings will support further improvements to Fiji’s national coordination and response arrangements ahead of the second iteration of Exercise Bougainville in 2028.
The completion of the exercise also recognised the contribution of RFMF planners, controllers, evaluators and facilitators, participating Government agencies and defence partners…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – LABOUR: PMN PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Pacific workers’ complaints put labour mobility protections under scrutiny
WELLINGTON, 27 AUGUST 2026 (PMN) — Pacific workers are calling for stronger protection and accountability after sharing concerns about sexual harassment, restrictive living conditions and what happens when employers face serious complaints.
The concerns were raised at a Pacific Islands Council of Trade Unions (PICTU) workshop in Port Vila, Vanuatu, focused on labour mobility and strengthening support for workers overseas.
Workers from across the region spoke about their experiences under Australia’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
Talamua Media reported that several women at the meeting said they had faced strict rules at their accommodation, including initially being given just three minutes to shower. After complaining, the time was increased to six minutes.
Workers also questioned what happens to employers after serious complaints are made.
One worker alleged an employer whose company was closed following a complaint later set up another company under a different name and began recruiting Pacific workers again.
Latileta Gaga, Australian Workers Union representative, told Talamua the complaint should have been treated as a criminal matter and said she would look into the concerns.
The accounts have raised questions about how effectively Pacific workers can be protected when they are far from home and dependent on an employer for work and, in some cases, accommodation.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) says the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) received 44 complaints or reports of alleged employment-standard breaches or migrant exploitation involving RSE-accredited employers over the past five financial years.
Twelve resulted in formal investigations. None progressed to the Employment Relations Authority for breaches of minimum employment standards while two resulted in enforceable undertakings and three in employers voluntarily taking steps to comply.
Loua Ward, Immigration NZ’s National Manager Pacific, says the agency is concerned about any reports of mistreatment, harassment or exploitation.
“We take such allegations seriously,” she says in a statement to PMN News.
Immigration NZ says employers can have their RSE accreditation revoked, worker numbers reduced or future recruitment requests declined when breaches are identified.
However, an employer whose accreditation is revoked can reapply after one year and if they meet the requirements for re-entry.
The New Zealand Government announced further RSE changes in July, including improved complaints processes, stronger support for workers experiencing exploitation and more flexibility for some workers to move between accredited employers.
In Australia, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) told PMN News it has “zero tolerance” for sexual harassment, exploitation or mistreatment of PALM workers.
It says workers can raise concerns through dedicated grievance channels, Country Liaison Officers and a 24/7 PALM support service without going through their employer.
Workers can also receive support to transfer to another approved employer.
DEWR says non-compliant employers can face corrective action, suspension or termination from the scheme, or referral to Australian enforcement agencies.
As of 1 July 2026, two approved employers had been removed from the PALM scheme for non-compliance.
Seveaoga Saina Tomi Fetalaiga, Sāmoa First Union director and PICTU vice-chair, attended the workshop and said workers’ experiences are helping unions understand what is happening on the ground.
“Their first-hand experiences, challenges and successes are at the heart of the discussions,” she says in a social media post.
PICTU says the accounts shared in Vanuatu will help Pacific unions strengthen how they represent and support labour mobility workers, particularly when problems arise overseas…. PACNEWS
FIJI – AIRLINE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Fiji Airways to stop direct Canberra-Nadi flights, Canberra Times reports
SUVA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji Airways will suspend its direct flights between Canberra and Nadi early next year, citing challenging market conditions.
According to a report by The Canberra Times, Fiji Airways informed affected passengers that the service would be suspended from 5 February 2027.
“Due to market conditions, we have taken the difficult decision to suspend our Canberra to Nadi services effective 5th February 2027,” the airline reportedly told a passenger booked to travel after that date.
Fiji Airways told The Canberra Times that travellers from Canberra would still be able to reach Fiji through its daily Sydney-Nadi services, which it said were already used by many Canberra passengers.
The airline described the decision as a suspension but did not provide a date for the route’s possible resumption.
The Canberra-Nadi route was launched three years ago with considerable fanfare and initially operated three times a week.
Canberra Airport Head of Aviation Michael Thomson said global uncertainty, rising aviation fuel prices and weaker demand for travel to the United States had affected the viability of the service.
“The impacts of global uncertainty continued escalation of fuel prices and softer demand for travel to the United States have currently made the service challenging to sustain,” Thomson told The Canberra Times.
He described Fiji Airways’ decision as disappointing but expressed hope the airline would eventually return.
“We thank Fiji Airways for its commitment to Canberra and look forward to welcoming them back when the economic conditions improve,” he said.
Thomson said Canberra Airport remained focused on expanding direct international connectivity for the region.
Fiji Airways’ withdrawal will bring an end, at least temporarily, to Canberra’s direct air connection with Nadi, requiring Fiji-bound passengers to consider connecting services, including through Sydney…. PACNEWS
FIJI – EXPORT: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Fiji exports pilot consignment of fresh produce to Naoero
SUVA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Fiji exported its first pilot consignment of fresh agricultural produce to the Republic of Naoero Tuesday night, sending 54 boxes of fruits, vegetables and root crops grown and harvested by farmers across Viti Levu under a regional partnership.
The consignment was exported under the Pacific Fresh AirLink (PFAL) initiative, part of the Food and Nutrition Security project coordinated by the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) and followed a Memorandum of Understanding between PIDF and New Valley Processors (Fiji) Limited (NVPL) signed on 23 July 2026.
The produce, which departed Nadi Airport on a Nauru Airlines flight and has since arrived in Naoero, included eggplants, long beans, telegraph cucumbers, English cabbage, cassava, watermelons, pineapples, tomatoes, taro leaves, taro, papayas, bananas, kumquats and lemons.
PIDF Secretary General Arpana Pratap said the consignment demonstrated Fiji’s potential to expand its agriculture sector beyond the local market and supply Pacific neighbours.
“Fiji has fertile land, favorable climatic conditions and hardworking farmers that can till the land, grow vegetables and crops that has a demand in the Northern Pacific market,” Pratap said.
She said the first consignment had faced challenges but was completed with support from NVPL, Nauru Airlines and the farmers.
“While we encountered some challenges in preparing this first pilot consignment, we successfully worked through them,” Pratap said.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our project partners, including NVPL, Nauru Airlines and the dedicated farmers.”
The PFAL initiative was set up to support exports of fresh agricultural produce from Fijian farmers to regional markets, create new economic opportunities for local producers and improve access to fresh and nutritious food in Pacific communities.
NVPL Chief Executive Officer Navitalai Tuivuniwai said the company had visited farmers across Viti Levu to ensure that the quality and quantity of produce met export-market requirements.
“This first pilot consignment involved a lot of planning, discussions and meeting the farmers as well to ensure that we are able to meet the deadline for the flight,” Tuivuniwai said.
“I am pleased that we were able to do so and we will continue to work with the PIDF to export more to the Northern Pacific because at the end of the day, our goal is to support and improve the economic livelihood of our farmers.”
NVPL supplies seedlings to its cluster of farmers to help scale commercial production and processing of high-value crops and create market opportunities for growers, Tuivuniwai said. A Biosecurity Authority of Fiji official conducted the necessary inspections before the consignment was loaded onto the Nauru Airlines flight…. PACNEWS
FIJI – IMPORT: XINHUA PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 27 Aug 2026
Fiji to expand hydroponics, protected agriculture to reduce reliance on imports
SUVA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (XINHUA) — Fiji is stepping up efforts to expand hydroponics and protected agriculture as part of a broader push to increase year-round vegetable production, reduce reliance on food imports and strengthen national food security.
Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Tomasi Tunabuna said controlled-environment farming could help farmers maintain a more stable supply of vegetables when seasonal conditions affect conventional production, reported local news on Wednesday.
Protected agriculture, including greenhouse and other controlled growing systems, can allow farmers to better manage temperature, moisture, pests and other growing conditions, while hydroponic systems enable crops to be cultivated without conventional soil-based production.
The approaches are particularly relevant to Fiji’s efforts to maintain vegetable supplies during periods when adverse weather or seasonal conditions disrupt production.
Tunabuna said more consistent domestic production would benefit not only local consumers but also Fiji’s tourism industry, which depends on a reliable supply of fresh produce.
Fiji continues to rely significantly on imported food and other agricultural products.
According to the minister, the country imported about US$1.1 billion worth of agricultural goods last year, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing efforts to increase domestic supply…. 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
Long time coming: After decades of struggle, is Bougainville on the brink of statehood?
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist
BUKA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — We could be about to find out whether a part of the Pacific Islands will become the world’s newest nation.
After a seven-year wait, Papua New Guinea’s parliament is today (Thursday, 27 August) expected to finally table the question of whether to approve of independence for the country’s autonomous region of Bougainville.
In a 2019 referendum, an overwhelming 97.7 percent of Bougainvilleans voted for independence – but the referendum was non-binding and PNG’s national parliament has the final say in whether to ratify this result.
They are to debate the matter from today, before later putting it to a vote, with support from a three-quarters majority of MPs being the threshold required for ratification.
The decision is no small thing. Bougainville is around 2 percent of PNG’s total landmass, or 2.7 percent of PNG’s total population.
It may seem small, but in the New Zealand context, this would be a bit like giving up, in land mass terms, the Auckland region or, in population terms, like letting go of Dunedin City.
So, it is a big call for a bunch of MPs to make.
No country is comfortable with ceding some of its territory. But in this case, the context is the legacy of a brutal civil war and ensuing crisis that played out during the 1990s, which brought not just Bougainville to its knees, but PNG too.
New Zealand played a central role in mediating a lasting peace – 2001’s Bougainville Peace Agreement ultimately provided for the referendum that took place in 2019, in which over 200,000 people from an overall population of around 300,000 cast their vote.
The tabling of the referendum result in parliament has been a long time coming and follows a series of consultations over the years between the PNG government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) over how the result would be processed.
It is already clear there is some reluctance among PNG MPs to set a precedent for other parts of the country to look to break away. But it is not easy to ignore the clear call for independence from almost 98 percent of Bougainvilleans.
However, PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape has pointed out that without economic independence, Bougainville would not be able to stand on its own feet. He has hinted at allowing for a period of time in which the region works on developing that economic self-reliance before the parliament might then revisit the question political independence.
In the eyes of many, economic self-reliance means re-habilitating Bougainville’s large Panguna copper mine, conflict over which sparked the civil war in the first place.
ABG President Ishmael Toroama is already pursuing the development of Panguna and has signalled Bougainville’s intention to declare independence in 2030.
The Burnham Accord, signed by both parties last year in Christchurch, included an agreement for PNG and Bougainville to be bound by any decision of the parliament and to maintain dialogue after that over the way forward.
So, if Bougainville is not granted independence now, it does not necessarily mean it will not get independence at a later point. Either way, it could be the world’s next new country…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
COP31 Pacific Climate Priorities
Pacific Climate Envoys will strive to elevate regional priorities on a global stage at COP31.
By Mojdeh Kashani, Tavishek Sharma, Tuipoloa Evan Charlton
CANBERRA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (SBS) — Each year, countries that are party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change gather for the Conference of the Parties, known as COP, to negotiate the global response to climate change.
The process has produced major international agreements, including the Paris Agreement at COP21 in 2015, under which countries committed to holding the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.
This November, the world’s nations will gather in Türkiye for COP31, with Australia serving as President of Negotiations under the COP31 Türkiye-Australia partnership.
For Pacific Island countries, the talks are about more than international agreements. Climate change is already affecting communities across the region, with rising sea levels threatening homes and infrastructure, and increasing pressure on food and water security.
Three Pacific Climate Envoys have been appointed to take the region’s priorities to COP31, focusing on keeping the 1.5°C temperature goal within reach, improving access to climate finance and putting the ocean at the centre of global climate action.
“What we lack is the political will.” – Kristina Eonemto Stege
At COP31, Pacific Envoy for Oceania Kristina Eonemto Stege, from the Marshall Islands, will lead regional efforts to keep that goal within reach.
“The only way that we were going to achieve this is by ending the dependence that we currently have on fossil fuels that’s causing the present crisis.”
The 1.5°C target is increasingly under pressure, with some arguing it is unrealistic or too difficult to achieve.
But Stege rejects that view.
“The science tells us that the pathways are there. We do have the technology; we do have the resources. What we lack is the political will.”
For Stege, exceeding 1.5°C would not mean the world should abandon the target.
“We also have to remember that every fraction of a degree counts. And so, breaching the 1.5 limit, does not mean we should therefore abandon that limit because we also know from the science that we can come back down.”
But keeping temperatures within 1.5°C is only one of the Pacific’s priorities at COP31.
“Every fraction of a degree counts.” – Kristina Eonemto Stege
Papua New Guinea is the home of Ruel Yamuna – the Pacific COP31 Envoy for Access to Climate Finance.
“Ultimately my job is to help ensure that climate finance works better for the Pacific.”
Yamuna says the focus cannot simply be on announcing new financial commitments. But on ensuring climate finance reaches communities and is delivered in a way that works for Pacific countries.
“Another challenge is ensuring that adaptation receives the same level of attention as mitigation. For the Pacific, adaptation is not optional. It is an existential necessity.”
\Yamuna also wants greater support for Pacific-led climate solutions and initiatives.
“That collaborative approach is at the heart of the COP31 Pacific partnership and the role envisioned for the Pacific and Voice.”
“For the Pacific, adaptation is not optional. It is an existential necessity.” – Ruel Yamuna
The third Pacific Envoy will focus on an issue that is fundamental to the region’s identity and survival: the ocean.
Fiji’s Inia B Seruiratu is the Pacific Envoy for the Ocean. He says the Pacific’s relationship with the ocean gives the region a unique authority in global discussions about ocean health.
“The Pacific are global ocean leaders because it defines us. In terms of the climate solution, there cannot be a successful climate solution without oceans.”
Oceans and marine ecosystems play an important role in regulating the climate, but they are increasingly under pressure.
For Pacific countries, the impacts of climate change are already visible in their coastal communities.
“Sea level rise is threatening us in so many ways, threatening our communities, threatening our infrastructure, our fresh water supplies, food security. The long-term effect is habitability of entire nations. In Fiji, we are relocating coastal communities, and this comes with a cost.”
The impacts also raise questions about displacement and migration.
“Sea level rise is threatening us in so many ways.” – Inia B Seruiratu
The Falepili Union treaty provides selected people from Tuvalu with a pathway to live in Australia, but Seruiratu says the broader issue is what climate change could mean for the future of Pacific Island countries.
“The issue of internal displacement and forced migration is so important. It threatens the lives and livelihoods, including statehood of small Pacific Island countries.”
The Pacific will host pre-COP31 meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu, before the main negotiations take place in Antalya, Türkiye.
The three Envoys will use that platform to push for stronger climate action, better access to finance, and greater recognition of the Pacific’s role in protecting the ocean.
For the Pacific, COP31 is not simply another international meeting. The region is already living with the consequences of a changing climate. The Envoys want the global response to reflect that reality…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
West Tanna communities explore new livelihoods through small livestock farming
LENAKEL, 27 AUGUST 2026 (SPREP) — For coastal communities in West Tanna, protecting marine resources means thinking beyond the ocean.
As communities commit their coastal areas to marine conservation, they are also exploring alternative ways to support their families and generate income. Small livestock farming is emerging as one promising option.
From 15 to 26 June 2026, over 50 community members from across the 14 tribes of West Tanna participated in small livestock training held at Loukatai Village and Lenakel Town.
The five-day training, delivered twice back-to-back, was organised as part of planned activities under the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC+) project in partnership with the Vanuatu Government.
Participants included 24 youth, 19 men and nine women, representing communities including Lounelapen, Letekren, Leniai, Lounapkiko, Tanna Sul, Lowinio, Isini, Lenmaot and Iru.
For Leitau Natuman, a resident farmer from Lounelapen, the training provided an opportunity to gain knowledge she had never previously accessed. She said, “I, for one, have never attended such training before and it is very much an eye-opener for us.”
The training comes at an important time for communities seeking to balance conservation with their livelihood needs.
The PEBACC+ project is supporting communities to explore alternative livelihood options that can complement marine conservation, particularly where coastal fisheries may eventually be closed or restricted to allow marine resources to recover.
For experienced small livestock farmer and meat supplier Kennedy Iarapia, strengthening local livestock production could also help address the high cost of bringing meat to Tanna from other islands.
He said, “The resource is very scarce on the island as I have to buy meat from the northern islands and have it shipped all the way to Tanna; and this is a very costly exercise. We need young people to seriously invest in the livestock industry.”
For many participants, the highlight of the training was getting out of the classroom and seeing practical examples of improved farming techniques.
During field visits, participants observed integrated fish farming, backyard gardening and small livestock farming at household level.
The visits generated strong interest, with participants able to see first-hand how different farming activities could be combined to support household food production and livelihoods.
The practical demonstrations were particularly valuable for participants attending their first livestock training.
Chief Peter Marcel, Chairman of the Nikoletan Council of Chiefs, Tanna, encouraged young people to make use of opportunities to gain knowledge and develop new livelihood skills.
“This is a very important training for you, the young generation. In my time, when growing up, resources were abundant, and life was simple and easy. Now, with an increased population, you have to tread wisely and utilise all available knowledge and information to guide your existence,” said Chief Marcel.
The training was delivered by local government livestock officers, with support from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the PEBACC+ project funded by the Kiwa Initiative and the French Facility for Global Environment.
The training reflects the broader objectives of the PEBACC+ project to strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable livelihood options for communities across the Pacific.
William Bani, SPREP’s PEBACC+ Country Coordinator, said, “For West Tanna communities, conserving coastal resources and strengthening livelihoods do not have to be competing priorities.
“By developing skills in small livestock farming and other complementary livelihood activities, communities can build greater resilience while continuing to protect the marine resources on which their future depends.”
PEBACC+ is a regional project implemented by SPREP and funded by the Kiwa Initiative through its donors the European Union, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), with co-financing from French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM).
The project aims to develop, sustain, and institutionalise ecosystem-based approaches in Fiji, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. These efforts will strengthen the resilience of ecosystems, local economies, and communities against the impacts of climate 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
Community-Led Climate Adaptation Projects Strengthen Resilience Across Solomon Islands
HONIARA, 27 AUGUST 2026 (UNDP) — Five rural communities across Solomon Islands are better prepared to face the impacts of climate change following the successful completion of the Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) Phase III Programme, implemented through the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP).
Funded by the Government of Australia, the programme invested US$150,000 in community-led adaptation initiatives between 2022 and 2026. The projects focused on strengthening climate resilience through nature-based solutions, sustainable livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and coastal protection.
To mark the programme’s completion, UNDP convened a three-day closing workshop in June 2026, bringing together representatives from the five grantee organisations, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, and UNDP staff to reflect on achievements, exchange lessons learned, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
The projects delivered tangible benefits to participating communities. In West Kwarae, Malaita Province, the Ado Rural Farmers Association expanded its agroforestry nursery, improving food security and supporting sustainable farming practices. In South Malaita, the Angouru Community Development Association rehabilitated mangrove ecosystems and established a community research and meeting centre to strengthen environmental awareness and conservation efforts.
The Kauhata Foundation Trust Board restored degraded landscapes through large-scale reforestation activities in West Are’are, while Afio Primary School implemented innovative land restoration activities that improved environmental management and created safer access for students travelling to and from school. In Marau Sound, East Guadalcanal, the Wahere Community Association constructed a seawall that now protects homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods from coastal erosion and rising sea levels.
Collectively, the projects strengthened the resilience of vulnerable rural communities while promoting the active participation of women, youth, and other underrepresented groups in climate adaptation and local decision-making processes.
Director of Environment and GEF Operational Focal Point, Thaddeus Siota, commended the grantees for their achievements and acknowledged the contribution of community-based adaptation to national development priorities.
“The results achieved through these projects show the value of investing in local solutions. Communities have demonstrated that small-scale initiatives can make a significant contribution to climate resilience, environmental conservation, and sustainable development,” he said.
Speaking at the closing workshop, UNDP Solomon Islands Resilience and Climate Change Programme Specialist, Barnabas Bago, highlighted the importance of community leadership in driving sustainable development outcomes.
“These projects demonstrate that local communities are at the forefront of climate action. Through their commitment, innovation, and leadership, they have developed practical solutions that not only address climate risks but also improve livelihoods and protect natural resources for future generations,” he said.
Participants at the workshop identified several key factors behind the success of the projects, including strong community ownership, local leadership, inclusive participation, and the effectiveness of nature-based adaptation approaches. They also emphasised the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences between communities to strengthen future climate resilience efforts across Solomon Islands.
The CBA Phase III Programme has demonstrated that community-driven adaptation can deliver lasting environmental, social, and economic benefits. By empowering local organisations and strengthening community capacity, the programme has provided a strong foundation for future climate action and contributed to the Solomon Islands’ broader climate and sustainable development goals.
As climate-related challenges continue to affect communities across the country, the experiences and lessons generated through these projects will help inform and inspire future locally led adaptation initiatives, ensuring that communities remain at the centre of building a more resilient Solomon Islands…. PACNEWS
