In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Forum SG Waqa urges Smaller Island States to retain political leadership amid regional reforms
2. FIJI — World leaders need to see Pacific climate impacts firsthand: PM Rabuka
3. SOL — Solomon Islands stands firm on One China Policy: PM Wale
4. PACIFIC — Peters heads to Fiji as Pacific leaders prepare for crucial Forum talks
5. SOL — Solomon Islands drone officers to support Pacific Leaders Meeting security in Palau
6. TUVALU — Tuvalu officials wrap up preparatory talks ahead of Island leaders Assembly
7. SOL — WWII legacy continues to strengthen U.S–Solomon Islands Partnership
8. FIJI — Fiji, Australia step up anti-drug partnership under Vuvale Union
9. NZ — Pacific MPs say NZ First’s $5000 baby bonus misses the household reality
10. FIJI — Vanua o Vuda mourns passing of Tui Vuda
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Vanuatu Ombudsman investigates alleged leak of Shipping Registry Working Paper
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji maintains Biosecurity Emergency as Tongan Fruit Fly threat persists
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Vanuatu Government to turn schools, hospitals into major markets for local farmers
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Push for Vanuatu farmer-hotel contracts to secure local food supply
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Donors making a difference: Community-centred action for climate change adaptation
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — Budget delays can kill: medicine shortages in PNG health facilities
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Forum SG Waqa urges Smaller Island States to retain Political leadership amid regional reforms
SUVA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa has called on Smaller Island States (SIS) to retain political ownership of their priorities while using existing regional institutions to deliver results, as officials meet to shape the group’s future direction.
Opening the Smaller Island States Officials Meeting this week, Waqa acknowledged the growing demands placed on the region’s smallest administrations as multiple regional reviews and priorities progress simultaneously.
“As alluded to by the Chair, we are an interesting era of reviews, as we consider how best to position ourselves to better navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
“I recognise that for the SIS, this has meant that your small administrations have had to put in longer hours to stay abreast with both the advancement of regional priorities as well as the tracking of the various regional reviews that are ongoing,” said Waqa.
Waqa praised SIS members for continuing to play influential roles despite their size.
“You have demonstrated and continue to demonstrate your ability to punch above your weight – whether it is leading climate action advocacy, pioneering practice in deep sea minerals or leading the fight on nuclear legacy issues – to name a few.”
He also noted that Palau, a Smaller Island State member, will chair the Pacific Islands Forum this year and expressed confidence it would receive the full backing of the SIS group.
“This year, an SIS Member Government will again assume the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum – a mammoth task in itself for any Government. I am confident that the SIS Group will stand behind the Government of Palau in this endeavour as it spearheads the Forum, its priorities and its advocacy.”
Waqa said the papers before officials were designed to advance decisions made in 2025 and were informed by the 2024 SIS Review, technical advice from Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) agencies, national consultations and the work of the SIS Working Group.
He said the review proposed that SIS members continue to lead on setting priorities while relying on existing Forum, CROP and sectoral mechanisms for implementation rather than creating new governance structures.
“The central proposition is straightforward: SIS Members should retain political ownership of their priorities and identity, while using existing Forum, CROP and sectoral mechanisms to deliver results. This avoids adding new layers of governance and places the responsibility for implementation where the relevant mandates and expertise already sit,” Forum SG Waqa said.
Waqa said the Secretariat would focus on ensuring that decisions taken at the meeting are translated into practical outcomes.
“The Secretariat recognises that the value of today’s decisions will depend on disciplined follow-through. We will support Members to translate agreed Focus Areas into practical workplans, clarify institutional responsibilities, identify resource gaps and maintain visible reporting to SIS Officials and Leaders,” said Waqa…. PACNEWS
FIJI – PRE-COP31 MEET: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
World leaders need to see Pacific climate impacts firsthand: PM Rabuka
SUVA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI SUN) —Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says it would be “a sad thing” for Fiji if world leaders fail to attend the pre-COP31 climate meeting in Nadi this October.
His comments come after Australian media reports claimed Canberra was struggling to secure attendance from countries outside the Pacific.
It remains unclear how many countries have yet to confirm their participation.
Despite the reported challenges, Australia is continuing efforts to encourage world leaders to attend the meeting.
Rabuka said he was unaware of the reports, but said low attendance would deny leaders a rare opportunity to witness the impacts of climate change firsthand.
“We were hoping that more will come to Fiji for the pre-COP conference and have the opportunity to go out and see for themselves what is happening in some of the islands that have been badly affected by climate change, particularly Tuvalu,” he said.
A “special leaders’ component” of the gathering is planned in Tuvalu, where leaders will have the opportunity to visit the low-lying nation, which scientists warn could be effectively inundated by rising sea levels this century.
“That’s really the reason why we had asked Australia to support us to have a pre-COP in the Pacific.
“Before the main one happening in Türkiye, unfortunately, some of the leaders will not be able to come,” Rabuka said.
He said he did not blame leaders who “probably have higher priorities”, but stressed Pacific nations, which are “right in the frontline” of climate change, needed world leaders to better understand their situation.
“When we go and present our case, they’d be able to understand better,” he said.
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Sivendra Michael said no formal concerns had been raised with his office this week and preparations remained on track.
Fiji and Tuvalu will jointly host the official pre-COP31 conference from 05 – 08 October, with meetings in Nadi and Tuvalu.
Türkiye will host COP31 and the World Leaders Summit in Antalya in November….PACNEWS
SOL – DIPLOMACY: SIBC PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Solomon Islands stands firm on One China Policy: PM Wale
HONIARA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (SIBC)—Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the One China policy.
Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Wale emphasised its importance as the foundation of Solomon Islands’ relations with the People’s Republic of China.
The Prime Minister said Solomon Islands remains “a friend to all and an enemy to none,” with a deliberate reset of foreign relations already delivering positive outcomes for the country.
“Our relations with the People’s Republic of China remain important to our development. This Government reaffirms its continued commitment to the One China principle, which is the basis of our bilateral relationship,” the Prime Minister said.
He stressed that the Government’s foreign policy is guided by consistency, mutual respect and tangible outcomes for Solomon Islanders.
“The true test of any foreign policy is what it delivers for our people. By that measure, the reset of our foreign relations has begun well, strengthening our standing as a reliable and trusted partner,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that Solomon Islands will continue to engage constructively with all partners while maintaining principled and consistent positions across its international relationships.
“This is settled policy of the GREAT Coalition Government, and it will be honoured with the same consistency we bring to all our friendships,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PMN PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Peters heads to Fiji as Pacific leaders prepare for crucial Forum talks
AUCKLAND, 06 AUGUST 2026 (PMN) — New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters heads to Fiji on Thursday for talks with regional counterparts as preparations intensify for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau later this month.
The foreign ministers meeting in Suva will help shape the agenda for the annual leaders’ summit where issues including regional security, climate change, economic resilience and growing geopolitical competition are expected to dominate discussions.
“We have seen recently the impacts of global events on our region. It is timely to discuss those events and chart a common course for the Pacific,” Peters said.
The meeting comes as senior officials from across the region review progress on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and prepare recommendations for leaders ahead of the summit.
In his address at the recent Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa said the region’s challenges increasingly required countries to work together.
“The pressures we face have not only intensified, but have become increasingly interconnected, requiring responses that are regional, integrated and collaborative.”
Waqa said Forum members remained focused on delivering the priorities agreed by Pacific leaders.
“Our collective focus remains on delivering the regional outcomes that our people expect, grounded in the 2050 Strategy and shaped by Pacific priorities.”
The Forum Secretariat has also adopted a new five-year Strategic Plan that will guide its work from 2025 to 2030.
The plan sets six priorities for the region: strengthening political solidarity, peace and security, sustainable economic growth, trade and investment, protecting the Pacific Ocean and improving the Forum Secretariat delivery intended to support the long-term vision of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent as Pacific nations face climate change, economic pressures, natural disasters and increasing strategic competition.
As host of this year’s leaders’ summit, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr said the gathering would be one of the country’s biggest international events.
“This will be the most important regional event to be held in Palau in 2026, and its successful execution will impact our reputation and future opportunities for years to come,” he said during the establishment of the national organising committee for the 55th PIF leaders meetin in Koror.
The annual Forum meeting comes as Pacific nations continue balancing relationships with traditional partners and emerging powers while seeking to maintain the region’s collective priorities.
Professor Steven Ratuva, Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at Canterbury University, said Pacific governments had become increasingly skilled at navigating major power competition.
“So, the Pacific Island states, after years and years of being sandwiched between the big powers, they have come to learn the art of engaging with both sides, just to make sure they get the benefits from both sides.”
Officials are also reviewing recommendations from recent regional ministerial meetings including the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting and the Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting so they can be considered by leaders in Palau.
Peters said New Zealand was looking beyond this year’s meeting as it prepares to host the Forum in 2027.
“As New Zealand prepares to host next year’s Pacific Islands Forum, we look forward to working with Members to advance the priorities of the Blue Pacific and reinforce the value of strong regional cooperation.”
While in Fiji, Peters is also expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with Pacific leaders before returning to New Zealand on Friday.
The Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting (PIFMM) is on 7 August 2026 in Suva…. PACNEWS
SOL – POLICE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Solomon Islands drone officers to support Pacific Leaders Meeting security in Palau
HONIARA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS) — Two Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) drone specialists have been selected to join the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) for security operations at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Palau.
Drone Support Unit Officer-in-Charge Sergeant Moli Puiaraha and Police Constable Christopher Walerefoa will provide specialist unmanned aircraft support during the regional summit, highlighting the growing capability of the RSIPF’s Drone Support Unit (DSU).
Assistant Commissioner for National Operations Lionel Kapisa said the deployment reflects the confidence regional policing partners have in the professionalism and operational readiness of the Solomon Islands police.
“This deployment reflects our commitment to building modern policing capabilities that support our communities and regional security.
“The selection of Sgt Puiaraha and PC Walerefoa demonstrates the confidence our regional partners have in the capability, professionalism and readiness of our officers. I acknowledge the hard work of the DSU and the support from RAPPP in strengthening our training, capability and operational readiness,” Kapisa said in a statement.
The RSIPF said the Drone Support Unit has played a key role in supporting major national events, disaster response, search and rescue operations, public order policing, crime scene management and tactical deployments through the use of unmanned aircraft systems.
The unit has also become one of the first law enforcement agencies in the Pacific to receive certification under the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI) Part 102 framework, recognising its compliance with professional aviation and drone operating standards.
Sergeant Puiaraha described the deployment as a significant milestone for the unit.
“This is a proud moment for our unit and the RSIPF. Being selected reflects the confidence our regional partners have in our capability and professionalism. We are proud to have achieved certification under the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI) Part 102 framework, demonstrating our commitment to safe, professional and compliant drone operations.”
“We look forward to supporting the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting while representing Solomon Islands on the regional stage.””
Puiaraha also acknowledged the support of the RSIPF–Australian Federal Police Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP).
“I would also like to thank RAPPP for their continued support. Their guidance, training and investment in our capability have helped prepare us for opportunities like this meeting, and we are excited to put our skills into practice in Palau,” she said.
As part of their preparations, the two officers will travel to Pinkenba, Queensland, on 14 August for pre-deployment induction and operational recertification training before deploying to Palau from 26 August to 08 September.
During the Forum Leaders Meeting, they will provide aerial surveillance, situational awareness, operational intelligence and specialist drone support as part of the regional security operation.
The deployment reinforces Solomon Islands’ growing contribution to regional security cooperation while providing an opportunity for RSIPF officers to strengthen partnerships and further enhance their operational expertise…. PACNEWS
TUVALU – LEADERS ASSEMBLY: TUVALU GOVT PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Tuvalu officials wrap up preparatory talks ahead of Island leaders Assembly
VAITUPU, 06 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS)— Officials from Tuvalu’s Kaupule and Falekaupule have concluded three days of preparatory discussions ahead of the 5th Fonotaga a Takitaki o Fenua o Tuvalu (FTFT-5), agreeing on recommendations to guide deliberations by Island Leaders.
The Preparatory Meeting (Fonotaga Fakatoka), which opened on Monday in Vaitupu, produced an outcome report that was presented to the Island Leaders’ Assembly on Thursday for consideration.
Secretary to the Office of the Prime Minister, Fakasoa Tealei, said the meeting focused on issues of national importance affecting all islands.
“The discussions throughout the week have been intensive and fruitful, reflecting the shared commitment of our islands to work together for the benefit of our people,” Tealei said.
Key issues discussed included the implementation of Island Strategic Plans (ISPs), a review of the Falekaupule Trust Fund (FTF), recommendations arising from the review of the Falekaupule Act, and proposals to establish a formal governance framework for the Fonotaga a Takitaki o Fenua o Tuvalu.
Tealei said officials agreed that a more structured governance framework was needed to address gaps in procedures, processes and consistency, ensuring the FTFT continues to effectively support decision-making and development across Tuvalu’s Falekaupule.
“We now look to everyone to play their part in supporting and implementing these outcomes once the mandate is given by the leaders of our respective Falekaupule, so that together we can provide a clear path forward for the sustainable development of all the islands of Tuvalu,” he said.
The recommendations from Thursday’s Island Leaders’ meeting will form the basis of the official Falekaupule Leaders’ Communiqué, which is expected to be endorsed and signed on Friday.
A retreat involving Island Leaders and Members of Parliament is also scheduled for Friday to strengthen collaboration on national priorities.
Tealei thanked participants for their commitment throughout the meeting and acknowledged Vailopa Uatali, Pule Kaupule of Vaitupu, for co-chairing the preparatory discussions.
He also thanked the people of Vaitupu for hosting the meeting and extended special appreciation to Permanent Secretary Pepetua for leading much of the preparatory work ahead of the transition of the Department of Home Affairs to the Office of the Prime Minister…. PACNEWS
SOL – DIPLOMACY: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
WWII legacy continues to strengthen U.S–Solomon Islands Partnership
HONIARA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS) — The enduring legacy of World War II remains a cornerstone of the U.S.-Solomon Islands relations, with continued efforts to address the historical remnants of the conflict across the islands
At the United States of America 250th anniversary commemoration in Honiara, both U.S and Solomon Islands leaders reflected on the extraordinary circumstances of WWII, where Solomon Islanders stood alongside Allied forces.
Prime Minister Wale highlighted the gravity of this historical bond, saying, “Our two countries share a history that was forged under extraordinary circumstances.
Honouring the sacrifices made on Guadalcanal, he added, “That chapter of our shared history continues to remind us that peace is never something that should be taken for granted. It is something we must continually Choose, protect, and build together”.
U.S Chargé d’Affaires O’Hara reinforced this deep historical connection, affirming that the bilateral partnership “is rooted in the shared sacrifice of the Second World War”.
In terms of the ongoing recovery efforts, O’Hara highlighted a recent U.S-Solomon Islands diplomatic milestone.
“In June we signed an agreement allowing the Defence POW/MIA accounting agency to continue their sacred mission of bringing fallen Americans home. Washington, has committed an additional US$6 million to accelerate UXO clearance operations across the Solomon Islands, helping rid local communities and allow more land for development…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DRUGS FIGHT: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Fiji, Australia step up anti-drug partnership under Vuvale Union
SUVA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling transnational crime, with the fight against illicit drugs identified as the biggest priority under the newly signed Vuvale Union.
Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua met Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts to discuss priority areas under the Vuvale Union and the Ocean of Peace Alliance, with both sides confirming the treaty is on track and backed by a substantial multi-year work plan.
Minister Naivalurua said Fiji was looking to deepen cooperation on narcotics enforcement, while also strengthening the Fiji Police Force through continued investment in human resources and information and communications technology systems.
The meeting also explored support for strengthening Fiji’s national data centre and the responsible use of artificial intelligence to improve government services as part of the country’s broader Vuvale digital agenda.
The Minister and the High Commissioner also discussed Fiji’s wastewater drug testing programme, with the first round of results now completed.
The Ministry and the Australian High Commission will continue analysing the data to help shape the Government’s response to drug-related issues.
“These documents only mean something once we put them into action. That’s the conversation we had this week, not just what we’ve signed, but what people will actually see and feel on the ground,” Minister Naivalurua said.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to maintaining close dialogue and advancing areas of mutual interest under the Fiji-Australia partnership…. PACNEWS
NZ – BABY BONUS: PMN PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Pacific MPs say NZ First’s $5000 baby bonus misses the household reality
WELLINGTON, 06 AUGUST 2026 (PMN) — A NZD$5000 (US$2,942) annual payment for new parents would not go far enough to ease the pressures facing Pacific families, Labour and the Green parties say.
New Zealand First’s Kiwi Kids Grant would see eligible parents receive a tax-free payment of $5000 (US$2,942) a year for each child during their first three years of life.
The grant would apply to a family’s first, second and third child, with a maximum payout of $45,000(US$26,481) per household over time.
Payments would be made monthly through Inland Revenue, with parents able to claim the first year as an upfront lump sum for their first child.
NZ First says the policy, which would cost about $400 million (US$235) a year once fully implemented, is aimed at supporting families and reversing declining birth rates.
The party points to data showing citizen births fell from 52,506 in 2006 to 36,351 in 2025, while the national fertility rate dropped to 1.53 births per woman, far below the population replacement threshold of 2.1.
Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni says the focus needs to be on the wider pressures families are facing.
In the PMN News-Horizon Research Pacific Issues Election Survey released last month, 90 percent of Pacific respondents identified cost of living as a top issue going into the election.
Sepuloni says the proposed payment does not address the wider pressures shaping decisions about whether families can afford to have children.
“$5000 (US$2,942) per year wouldn’t even cover the childcare costs for one child. There are so many other issues that families are facing in terms of affordability, the cost of living, cost of housing,” she said.
“The structural costs that influence their decisions on whether or not they can start a family or whether or not they can have more children.”
Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono says support for families must go beyond a one-off payment, arguing parents also need secure jobs, fair wages and affordable living conditions.
“Presumably you want these babies to live in warm homes and their parents or guardians have good jobs as well. So, on one hand, it’s very good of them to say all this but where’s all the support?” he told PMN.
Sepuloni says decisions about having children are shaped by wider pressures including housing affordability, childcare costs and whether families have secure incomes.
The concerns raised by Sepuloni reflect the findings of the PMN-Horizon survey where nine in 10 Pacific respondents identified cost of living as a major issue ahead of the election.
With Pacific unemployment at 11.6 percent in the latest Stats NZ figures, Sepuloni says economic security is a key concern for families.
Statistics New Zealand released on Wednesday show Aotearoa’s unemployment rate has risen to 5.6 percent, its highest level in nearly 11 years with 171,000 people now unemployed.
“What has been proposed by New Zealand First is not a policy that would work for increasing the population,” Sepuloni says.
Tuiono also questioned whether the NZ First baby bonus policy addressed the wider support families need.
He says supporting families means addressing the economic position of women, particularly those working in lower-paid, female-dominated sectors.
“Why didn’t they want to pay their mothers? This is the political party that cancelled 33 pay equity claims. Those pay equity claims were generally the roles that were female-dominated roles,” Tuiono told PMN.
NZ First says the Kiwi Kids Grant is about giving parents more support during the early years of raising children and helping address New Zealand’s declining birth rate.
Party leader Winston Peters has defended the policy, saying it is backed by evidence showing the need to encourage more families to have children.
PMN News has approached NZ First for comment.
The debate comes as political parties campaign ahead of the election on 07 November with Pacific families continuing to highlight the pressures of housing costs, wages and the affordability of raising children…. PACNEWS
FIJI – OBITUARY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Vanua o Vuda mourns passing of Tui Vuda
VUDA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI SUN) — The Vanua of Vuda is mourning the loss of its chief, Tui Vuda Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia, as traditional mourning ceremonies begin ahead of his burial next week.
Ratu Eparama, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 95, will be laid to rest on Wednesday, 12 August, at his traditional chiefly burial grounds in Viseisei Village.
The Turaga na Taukei Nakelo of the Sauturaga, or kingmakers clan, Ratu Josaia Natakele, said preparations were well underway for the chiefly funeral.
Traditional reguregu begins today, 06 August, in Viseisei Village, where members of the Vanua, relatives and well-wishers are expected to present their condolences.
Ratu Eparama’s body has been kept at the Aspen Medical-managed Lautoka Hospital mortuary, where traditional warriors have maintained a vigil in accordance with chiefly customs.
Traditional protocols are also being strictly observed following the passing of the paramount chief.
Under custom, news of the Tui Vuda’s death must first be conveyed to the relevant traditional leaders before it is formally announced to the wider community by those with customary responsibilities.
Tributes have continued to flow for the late paramount chief.
McDonald’s Fiji managing director Marc McElrath, who spent much of his life in Vuda, described him as an exceptional leader.
“I spent my whole life growing up with him,” McElrath said.
“He was a remarkable leader and someone who meant a great deal to the people of Vuda.”
Aamira Restaurant founder Hafiz Rahiman also paid tribute.
“He would often visit the restaurant and shared bowls of yaqona, he loved the curries,” Rahiman said.
“I always felt proud to serve him. He was a caring gentleman and he will be greatly missed.”
Ratu Eparama is survived by his wife…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
VAN – SHHIPPING: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Vanuatu Ombudsman investigates alleged leak of Shipping Registry Working Paper
PORT VILA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — It is alleged that a Working Paper from the Office of the Vanuatu Ombudsman relating to its investigation into the tender process for the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry (VISR) is now in the public domain.
A Working Paper is a preliminary document prepared during an investigation that contains findings and analysis before the final public report is issued.
The Office of the Ombudsman said it is aware of the matter and an internal investigation is underway to determine which staff member may have been responsible for the alleged leakage of the document.
“It is illegal and in breach of the Ombudsman’s Act for the Working Paper to be in public hands while the public report has not yet been released,” an Ombudsman staff member said.
The public report is yet to be released, but the public already has access to recommendations contained in the report before its official publication.
The Working Paper cites the names of people who are allegedly involved in the signing of the tender agreement between the Government of Vanuatu and Vanuatu Logistics & Administrative Services Limited for the VISR contract.
The Working Paper, which was signed by Ombudsman Hamilson Bulu on 14 July 2026, includes the names of a government minister, a politician and a Member of Parliament.
Daily Post understands that the public report on the investigation carried out by the Office of the Ombudsman is expected to be released soon.
If the Working Paper’s recommendations are included in the public report, it would be the fifth minister in the current coalition Government against whom the Ombudsman has made recommendations.
It remains to be seen whether Prime Minister Jotham Napat will take disciplinary action against those named, as recommended by Ombudsman Bulu.
The former Minister of Trade and Vice President of the Vanua’aku Pati, Samson Samsen, voluntarily resigned over the VT180 million (US$1.5 million) Value Addition Investment Capital Fund (VAICF) issue. He was among those the Ombudsman recommended for disciplinary action in a public report.
The Office of the Ombudsman previously said that if PM Napat does not discipline ministers as recommended by the Ombudsman, he must explain his reasons in the next Parliament sitting.
Meanwhile, during his recent 46th Independence anniversary speech, Napat said that in recent years, work had been done to strengthen Vanuatu’s democratic institutions, improve stability and sharpen the focus of Government through a review of the machinery of government.
He said the reforms undertaken by the Government had one simple goal: to ensure the country’s democracy serves the people of Vanuatu better.
“But good governance is not only about Parliament. It is about respect for the rule of law. It is about establishing relevant institutions, including an anti-corruption agency to address growing corrupt behaviours,” he said.
“Democracy is about strong institutions. It is about ensuring that justice is independent, accessible and effective,” said PM Napat…. PACNEWS
FIJI – BIOSECURITY: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Fiji maintains Biosecurity Emergency as Tongan Fruit Fly threat persists
SUVA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji’s Biosecurity Emergency Declaration remains in force for the Yasawa Group and Mamanuca Islands as authorities continue efforts to contain and eradicate the Tongan Fruit Fly (Bactrocera facialis), a pest that poses a major threat to the country’s agriculture and export industry.
The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) said the movement of host fruits and vegetables from the affected islands remains strictly prohibited to prevent the spread of the invasive pest.
Restricted produce includes mangoes, guavas, papayas, citrus fruits, avocados, breadfruit, tomatoes, cucurbits and other identified host materials.
BAF warned that anyone found breaching the movement restrictions could face a fine of up to FJD$1,000 (US$500).
The authority said a single piece of infected fruit transported outside the declared areas has the potential to spread the pest to new locations, putting farmers, rural communities, food security and Fiji’s agricultural economy at risk.
Travellers are being urged to check their luggage before leaving the Yasawa Group and Mamanuca Islands to ensure they are not carrying restricted fruits or vegetables.
The Biosecurity Authority also called on the public to report any suspected sightings of the Tongan Fruit Fly as eradication efforts continue.
“Help us protect our crops, our farmers and our future,” the authority said…. PACNEWS
VAN – AGRICULTURE: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Vanuatu Government to turn schools, hospitals into major markets for local farmers
PORT VILA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Vanuatu Government plans to make schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and other public institutions major buyers of locally produced food as part of a new strategy to strengthen Vanuatu’s agriculture sector and provide farmers with guaranteed markets.
Agriculture Minister Ian Wilson announced the initiative during the opening of the National Agriculture Expo 2026 on Maewo Island, saying the Government has already begun working with chefs and public institutions to determine their food requirements.
“We have made a decision to engage the chefs of Vanuatu to work with our public institutions like schools, health services, correctional services and other public institutions to find out how much local produce they need,” he said.
The Minister said the Government believes domestic demand offers a significant opportunity for local farmers, particularly as agricultural exports continue to face biosecurity restrictions in overseas markets.
“We try so hard to enter overseas markets, but we know biosecurity restrictions affect our products. Rather than continue to focus only on that, we will concentrate on our public institutions,” Wilson said.
He cited a survey carried out in Sanma Province, which found that Santo East School alone consumes around two tonnes of root crops, including kumala, taro, manioc and Fiji taro, every day.
“When we look into every school, we are talking about more than 1,000 tonnes in Santo alone. We have not even talked about the other provinces, and that is a big market for our farmers,” he said.
Wilson said the initiative is designed to provide farmers with reliable buyers and encourage greater production by giving them confidence that there will be a consistent market for their crops.
The proposal is one of several policy measures announced by the Minister to strengthen food security, reduce dependence on imports and increase opportunities for farmers to supply the domestic market…. PACNEWS
VAN – AGRICULTURE: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 06 Aug 2026
Push for Vanuatu farmer-hotel contracts to secure local food supply
PORT VILA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Vanuatu Government is looking to establish stronger links between farmers, hotels and industries through formal supply agreements, with Agriculture Minister Ian Wilson saying farmers must know there is a market before investing in production.
Speaking at the National Agriculture Expo 2026 in Maewo, Minister Wilson said one of the biggest challenges raised by farmers was the lack of access to reliable markets.
He said many farmers continue to operate mainly at a subsistence level, producing crops and livestock to feed their households and only selling any surplus.
However, he said this approach cannot support a growing tourism industry that requires a consistent supply of locally produced food.
“When hotels feed tourists who come to our country, they cannot depend on that mentality,” Minister Wilson said.
The Minister said hotel managers have raised concerns about shortages of locally produced food, including eggs.
“They say in Vanuatu we always run short of eggs, and a lot of times they tell tourists who come that we have run out of eggs. If you want to eat an omelette in the morning, sorry, we have run out of eggs,” he said.
Wilson said the Government wants to change the way agricultural production is planned by moving from farmers producing first and searching for markets later to identifying market demand before production begins.
“We will move forward with a mindset to start on the plate and back to the farm,” he said.
“Understand what people want to eat, understand what our visitors want to see on their plates, then we make our way back to the farmers and tell them this is what you need to plant because you will have a market for it.”
He said the approach would apply to all agricultural products, including beef, pork, manioc and taro, where farmers would know the required quality, varieties and production standards needed by consumers.
The Minister said during the five-day expo, farmers, hotel managers and industry representatives would have the opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen the connection between producers and buyers.
“My dream as the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity is to see contracts signed between farmers and our hotels, and between farmers and industry players,” Wilson said.
He said such agreements would provide farmers with security and confidence to invest in production because they would know there is a market for their products…. PACNEWS
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The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Donors making a difference: Community-centred action for climate change adaptation
TARAWA, 06 AUGUST 2026 (WHO PACIFIC) — Imagine waking as first light spreads across still water and the rustling of coconut palms stir in the morning breeze. Your home, built from the pandanus tree, stands raised above the sandy atoll straddling the land between the lagoon and the Pacific Ocean.
Life here is shaped by the natural environment. Your village, Rawannawi, is 1 of 8 dotted around the ringed atolls.
Your family has lived here for generations, in a community connected by traditions deeply rooted in land and sea. Fishing and growing bwabwai, a traditional root crop in the taro family, are part of daily life.
For generations I-Kiribati have understood the innate patterns of life here: the predictability of the tides, periods of rain for water harvesting, and the places to grow crops even with limited soil.
Now things are changing.
The single road that circles Marakei Island. The island is 800m at its widest, although overall quite narrow, narrowing to 50m in some places.
On low-lying Marakei Island of Kiribati, residents are experiencing the impacts of climate change on their health.
Periods of drought are becoming more challenging, sea level rise and king tides are increasingly causing flooding, and coastal erosion is altering familiar shorelines.
Saltwater inundation threatens fragile underground freshwater and the ability to grow food locally. These changes can have direct consequences for health, nutrition and wellbeing.
To better understand and respond to these impacts, the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and WHO are working closely with communities across Kiribati, including on Marakei, listening to local experiences and identifying practical ways to strengthen resilience to climate change.
Reverend Tasiuta Erona Tarakabu, of the organisation Live and Learn Environmental Education Society (Kiribati), led the three-day community workshop on climate-sensitive health risks and adaptive strategies. Topics included water access and safety, sanitation, food security and preparedness, among others.
He shared, “people in Kiribati are already witnessing the effects of climate change. The workshop created an opportunity for people to share their observations, learn from one another, and explore actions they can take to adapt. The solutions come from the community itself, using their knowledge and a shared commitment to protecting health and wellbeing.”
For Kamauree Nimatu, a resident of Rawannawi village, the discussions brought climate change closer to home.
As a father, he often thinks about what the future will look life for his young children and whether the island’s natural resources will continue to sustain future generations as they have in the past.
The workshop helped him better understand the environmental changes affecting his community and, importantly, the practical actions that can be taken to adapt.
Kamauree spoke about his concerns regarding access to healthy food – a challenge shared by many community members and one that is increasingly affected by climate change.
Inspired by what he learned, Kamauree has since planted pandanus trees around his property to help strengthen local food security and resilience.
A familiar sight across Kiribati, pandanus is more than just a tree – it provides food, materials for building and weaving, and helps stabilise the soil against erosion.
For Kamauree, planting pandanus is a meaningful investment in the future of his family and community.
Across Marakei, the most pressing challenge reported by households is access to safe drinking water, confirming that water security remains the core climate-sensitive concern on the island.
In response, community members received training in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), including hands-on experience testing water wells with mobile water testing kits and learning practical methods for well cleaning and maintenance.
For Kaitaake Tekaie, protecting water is a responsibility shared by the whole community. As a member of Tekarakan village’s water committee, she has seen firsthand how increasingly powerful king tides can sweep into the village, bringing seawater closer to homes and threatening precious freshwater sources.
For Kaitaake, the training reinforced the importance of WASH for safeguarding the health and wellbeing of families across the island.
These are just a few examples of the actions identified through the community adaptation plans developed during the workshop, demonstrating how locally led solutions are helping communities respond to the growing impacts of climate change.
These adaptation efforts are part of a multi-year US$6 million project generously funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The project, jointly implemented by the Kiribati MHMS and WHO, aims to strengthen health systems, health care facilities, schools, and communities in Kiribati – with an emphasis on outer islands like Marakei – to protect and improve population health in a changing climate…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Budget delays can kill: medicine shortages in PNG health facilities
By Nematullah Bizhan, clement Meta
PORT MORESBY, 06 AUGUST 2026 (DEVPOLICY.ORG) — A budget allocation is often treated as evidence of government commitment. For a nurse, community health worker or patient waiting for basic medicines, that is beside the point. What matters is whether the money arrives on time, can be spent, and results in medicines on the shelf when patients need them.
The point bites hardest in remote provinces such as the island province of Manus, where geography makes service delivery difficult at the best of times. Manus has one provincial hospital which together with urban clinics, rural health centres and aid posts serves communities scattered across islands. When funding is delayed, the consequences are felt at the pharmacy counter, in the outpatient ward and in aid posts with thin buffer stocks.
Our recent research examined the link between delayed budget release and execution, healthcare delivery and medicine availability in Manus province. The study drew on a structured survey conducted from August to December 2025 in Manus province. It involved 172 health workers and stakeholders: nurses, community health workers, pharmacy staff, administrators and others with direct experience of the health system.
The findings should be interpreted with care. The study is descriptive and is based on reported experience and perception. It does not prove that budget delays cause medicine shortages. It does provide frontline evidence that budget execution problems are widely seen as a major contributor to shortages in Manus’s health facilities. A lack of antibiotics, in particular, can be fatal.
Shortages are not rare. 44 percent of respondents said essential medicine stock-outs occurred “sometimes”, or every few months. A further 22.7 percent said they happened “often”, or monthly, and 14.5 percent said medicines were “always” or constantly out of stock. Only 1.7 percent reported never experiencing shortages.
The drugs most often reported missing were not specialised. They were the basic medicines that make everyday primary healthcare possible. Antibiotics, particularly amoxicillin, accounted for 28 percent of reported stock-outs. Pain relievers such as paracetamol accounted for 26.8 percent. Medicines for chronic diseases and antimalarials were also commonly named.
Respondents said patients were often told to buy medicines privately, that treatment was delayed, that the patient’s health worsened and that some patients were referred elsewhere. When public facilities have no medicines, the cost shifts to patients and families. Those with money buy elsewhere. Those without go without.
Asked whether delays in government funding contributed to shortages, a majority (53 percent) named delayed funding as a major cause, and many others as one of several. That finding shifts attention from the size of the health budget to the reliability and timing with which it is executed.
The question is not only “how much is allocated?” It is “when is it released?”, “how quickly can it be used?” and “does it reach the systems responsible for procurement and delivery before medicines run out?”
If funding is approved but released late, procurement is delayed. If procurement is delayed, supply schedules break. In a remote island province, that means medicines may not reach rural health centres and aid posts for weeks or months.
Technical reforms alone will not solve this. Systems such as mSupply can improve visibility over stock levels. In principle they can also order medicines, but not if the money has not arrived. Stock data is useful only when it is connected to timely financing, access to supply and logistics.
Several policy priorities follow from the research.
First, health funding releases need to be predictable. Provincial health authorities need reliable cash flow to plan procurement, pay suppliers and avoid emergency purchasing. A fixed quarterly release schedule, with real accountability for delays, would reduce uncertainty.
Second, pharmaceutical funding should be better protected. A ring-fenced allocation for essential medicines would reduce the risk that funds are delayed, diverted or absorbed by other pressures. In a province like Manus, that should include safeguards for rural and island facilities.
Third, health facilities need stronger buffer stocks for high-priority medicines. Buffer stocks will not substitute for national procurement reform, but they would give the provincial system more resilience when funding, shipping or procurement slip. They should be managed transparently and prioritise the facilities most exposed to stock-outs.
Fourth, financial and medicine supply systems should be joined up. Monitoring should show not only whether medicines are out of stock, but whether funds have been released, whether procurement has started, whether orders have been paid for and where the delays sit.
Finally, reforms must fit the realities of remote service delivery.
An island province with high freight costs, irregular transport and limited facility-level autonomy cannot rely on systems designed for urban settings. Rural health centres have the least capacity to absorb delays and need the most attention.
Medicine availability depends not only on health policy but on the quality of public financial management. For Manus and other provinces, improving access to essential medicines requires approved funds moving predictably from the budget system into procurement, and from procurement into the clinics.
For patients, the test of the health budget is not whether funding appears in a budget document. It is whether the medicine is on the shelf when they need it. A minor administrative delay can cost Papua New Guinean lives, particularly among those who cannot pay for private care. Politicians and bureaucrats should act accordingly…. PACNEWS
