In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific opposition grows: Tuvalu, Palau and Vanuatu condemn China missile test
2. PNG — Marape calls for the Pacific to remain an Ocean of Peace
3. SOL — Solomon Islands PM Wale condemns missile test over Pacific Region
4. COOKS — Main electoral roll open for inspection ahead of 2026 general election
5. NMI — Torres asks CNMI leaders to prioritise disaster assessments, aid requests
6. SAMOA — FAST Party Joins Proceedings in HRPP’s Challenge of Fono Faavae’s Governance Setup
7. PNG — Bando calls for probe into public-funded overseas travel
8. FIJI — Youth voices rise at COP31
9. FIJI — Fiji’s Police Commissioner attends global UN Policing Summit
10. FIJI — Pregnant women removed from UN missions, gender report finds
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Airlines makes first flight to Port Moresby
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Airways terminates partnership with FHTA
13. PACNEWS BIZ — SBD150 million development policy loan
14. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Security pacts without tangible investments are just colonial outposts
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Pacific Leaders launch first regional violence prevention knowledge hub
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — El Niño is back, and Pacific meteorologists are turning outlooks into action
PAC – DEFENCE/SECURITY: PMN PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Pacific opposition grows: Tuvalu, Palau and Vanuatu condemn China missile test
WELLINGTON, 09 JULY 2026 (PMN) — Three more Pacific governments have condemned China’s recent ballistic missile test over the Pacific, adding to growing regional pressure for major powers to respect the Blue Continent’s commitment to peace.
Leaders in Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Palau have all issued strong statements over the launch, joining Fiji’s Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua and other Pacific leaders in warning against growing militarisation in the region.
The latest responses come as Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders prepare to release a joint statement on the missile test following meetings in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo said the launch was “contrary” to the Pacific’s long-standing commitment to peace and a nuclear-free region.
“I share the same grave and serious concern and disappointment of other Pacific leaders for the recent launch of a Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile into the Pacific Ocean by China,” Teo said.
“The Pacific region has long advocated for peace, security, and freedom from nuclear threats.”
He said the missile launch went against the PIF’s Ocean of Peace Declaration agreed by leaders in Honiara last year and conflicted with the region’s commitment under the Treaty of Rarotonga.
“As a leader of one of the smaller island countries in the Pacific, I join the call of other Pacific Leaders on all countries with military capabilities to respect our collective determination for the Blue Pacific Continent to be defined by peace, cooperation, and stewardship and not by militarisation and strategic competition amongst the major powers, and for those superpowers to refrain from using the Pacific Ocean as a testing ground for their military arsenals,” Teo said.
Vanuatu also expressed “serious concern” over the missile launch, saying it was inconsistent with the region’s vision of peace.
“The Pacific must remain a zone of peace, free from nuclear weapons and militarisation,” the Office of the Prime Minister said.
While reaffirming China as an important development partner, the government in Port Vila said all countries must respect decisions made by Pacific leaders.
“We are also concerned by the lack of prior consultation and transparency surrounding this launch. Such actions raise questions about commitments to peace, security and stability in the Blue Pacific.”
Vanuatu called on China to immediately stop ballistic missile testing in the Pacific and urged greater transparency over activities that could affect the region.
Palau also condemned the launch, describing it as a threat to regional peace and security.
“Pacific nations have worked for decades to ensure our region remains a place of peace. Actions that heighten military tensions have no place in our Blue Pacific,” President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. said.
Earlier this week, Fiji Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua revealed he had personally urged the Chinese Embassy in Suva not to proceed with the launch before it took place.
“China is a big power, we are only a small nation,” Tikoduadua said. “If we all have respect for each other in a quest for peace, I’m sure incidents like this can be avoided.”
The Pacific Elders, an independent group of former presidents, prime ministers, and prominent leaders from across the region, also warned that increasing geopolitical competition risks undermining Pacific sovereignty.
The group said regional security decisions must remain firmly in the hands of Pacific leaders.
The growing chorus of Pacific voices sends a clear message: while Pacific countries value partnerships with major powers, they do not want their ocean caught in strategic rivalry or used as a testing ground for military competition…. PACNEWS
PNG – DEFENCE/SECURITY: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Marape calls for the Pacific to remain an Ocean of Peace
PORT MORESBY, 09 JULY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has urged major powers to keep the Pacific out of military rivalry after China fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile into waters near Tuvalu.
Marape called on world powers to regard the region as an “Ocean of Peace”.
He said Papua New Guinea respected the sovereignty of all countries and their rights under international law but said the Pacific should not be used for weapons testing or preparations for war.
“Our Pacific is an Ocean of Peace,” he said, adding that the concept reflected the consistent aspiration of Pacific Islands Forum leaders and the region’s Blue Pacific vision,” Marape said.
“We want our ocean to remain clean, peaceful and dedicated to sustaining life – not to military rivalry or preparations for war.”
He said the Pacific still carried the legacy of wars and nuclear tests imposed by outside powers.
“Our region has lived through war, nuclear testing and military activities imposed upon us by larger powers. We do not want history repeated.’’
Marape said the appeal was not directed at China alone, but at all military powers.
“It applies equally to the United States, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and every nation with military capability,” he said.
He said Pacific waters should not be used for missile testing or military trials of any kind.
“If you respect the Pacific and its people, then please respect our ocean,” Marape said.
“We ask all major powers to refrain from using Pacific waters for missile testing, military weapons trials or any activity that contributes to conflict or militarisation.”
Marape said he would raise Papua New Guinea’s concerns directly with Chinese leaders through diplomatic channels, while continuing to press the same position with other partners.
Papua New Guinea established diplomatic relations with China in 1976, and this year marks 50 years of ties, Marape said, describing the relationship as longstanding, genuine and founded on mutual respect…. PACNEWS
SOL – DEFENCE/SECURITY: SIBC NEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Solomon Islands PM Wale condemns missile test over Pacific Region
HONIARA, 09 JULY 2026 (SIBC NEWS) — Prime Minister Matthew Wale has strongly condemned a recent missile test that traversed parts of the Pacific region, describing it as inappropriate and concerning for regional peace and security.
The Prime Minister highlighted this when asked during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Honiara on Wednesday.
Reports indicate that the missile, which carried a dummy warhead, passed over the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of several Pacific Island countries, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and Kiribati.
It is understood to have landed near, or possibly within, the EEZ of Tuvalu, approximately 1,000 kilometres north-east of Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Wale expressed deep concern over the implications of such actions for the region, emphasising the Pacific’s longstanding position as a zone of peace.
“China is a good friend of Solomon Islands, but this is not something a friend does. This is not good in our region,” the Prime Minister stated.
As Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister Wale said he has also formally registered its protest regarding the incident.
“I have conveyed our strong protest to the Ambassador and Solomon Islands has also lodged an official protest note,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated the Pacific’s firm stance against military testing in the region by any nation.
“We do not want to see any more countries like China, the United States, or anyone else conducting intercontinental ballistic missile tests in the Pacific Islands region. That is the bottom line.”
“Be our friend, but do not threaten us,” Prime Minister Wale added.
Prime Minister Wale calls on all partners to respect the region’s security, sovereignty, and shared commitment to peace and stability…. PACNEWS
COOKS – ELECTION: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Main electoral roll open for inspection ahead of 2026 general election
RAROTONGA, 09 JULY 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) — With just over five weeks until the 2026 General Election on 12 August, Cook Islands Electoral Office is encouraging all eligible voters to inspect the Main Electoral Roll and ensure their enrolment details are correct.
According to the Electoral Office, printed copies of the 2026 Parliamentary General Election Main Roll are available for inspection at the Electoral Office, the Ministry of Justice in Avarua, Island Administration offices throughout the Pa Enua (outer islands), and online via the Cook Islands Statistics Office website.
Chief electoral officer Taggy Tangimetua said enrolment by first-time voters had been slow, though there are encouraging signs of increased engagement.
“At this stage, first-time young voter enrolment has been slow, but with Census teams out in the community and outreach being carried out by youth organisations, participation is looking better compared with previous elections,” Tangimetua said.
She also confirmed that people receiving their Permanent Resident (PR) status during the citizenship ceremony on 10 July would be able to enrol to vote once they met the legal eligibility requirements (PR certificates).
Under the Cook Islands Electoral Act 2004, a person is eligible to enrol if they – are a Cook Islander, New Zealand citizen or hold Permanent Resident status in the Cook Islands; have lived continuously in the Cook Islands for at least 12 months at some stage; are aged 18 years or older; have lived in the Cook Islands continuously for the three months immediately before applying to enrol; have not been convicted of electoral corruption or a serious criminal offence punishable by death or imprisonment of one year or more, unless they have received a free pardon or completed their sentence; and are of sound mind.
Generally, electors must enrol in the constituency where they have most recently lived continuously for at least three months.
People can become disqualified if they leave the Cook Islands or their electorate for more than three consecutive months.
However, the law provides several important exceptions. Time spent away for education, technical training, medical treatment, diplomatic service, or accompanying a family member serving overseas does not automatically affect a person’s enrolment, provided the absence meets the conditions set out in the Electoral Act.
Anyone who becomes disqualified because of an extended absence can requalify by returning to the Cook Islands and living continuously in the country, or in their electorate, for at least three months.
Tangimetua urges all electors to check the Main Roll as early as possible.
“We encourage everyone to inspect the Main Roll to ensure their enrolment details are correct. If you believe there is an error or omission, or wish to lodge an objection, please contact the Electoral Office,” she said…. PACNEWS
NMI – DISASTERS: MARIANAS VARIETY PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Torres asks CNMI leaders to prioritise disaster assessments, aid requests
SAIPAN, 19 JULY 2026 (MARIANAS VARIETY) — Former Governor Ralph DLG Torres on Tuesday called for unity as the Commonwealth begins the long recovery process following Super Typhoon Bavi.
Torres said his thoughts and prayers are especially with the people of Rota, which was directly struck by the Category 5 super typhoon on 05 July 2026.
Acknowledging that Rota residents suffered the worst impacts of the storm, Torres said they are not alone.
“The entire Commonwealth stands with them,” he said. “Let us come together as one Marianas family and extend our hands to help Rota through this difficult time.”
Addressing residents across the CNMI, Torres said, “My heart is heavy as our Commonwealth once again faces the aftermath of another powerful storm.”
“Shortly after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands have been tested again by Super Typhoon Bavi,” he said. “These consecutive disasters place an enormous burden on our families, businesses, and communities, and I know many are facing uncertainty as they begin the difficult task of checking on their homes, loved ones, workplaces, and villages.”
Despite the challenges, Torres said the people of the CNMI have consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience.
“Our greatest strength has never been the absence of hardship, but our willingness to stand together, support one another, and move forward as one community,” he said.
Torres recognised first responders, healthcare workers, utility crews, emergency management personnel, municipal leaders, government employees, nonprofit organisations, churches, businesses, and volunteers who are already working to protect lives, restore essential services, and assist residents in need.
Many of them, he said, have continued serving the community while also worrying about their own families and homes. He expressed gratitude for their dedication and urged residents to continue supporting and praying for them.
Torres also urged the CNMI government to immediately conduct comprehensive damage assessments across all affected islands, with particular urgency for Rota, and to promptly submit any additional requests needed for federal disaster assistance, including a major disaster declaration if warranted.
He said timely action is critical to ensuring that residents receive the resources needed to recover and rebuild.
“In the days ahead, our people will need clear information, swift coordination, and visible support,” Torres said. “Families need to know where to find shelter, food, drinking water, medical care, power restoration updates, debris removal assistance, and other emergency resources. Every hour matters to those who have lost power, suffered damage, or are unsure what help is available.”
Torres is the Republican candidate for governor. His opponents are Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao and former Education Commissioner Lawrence F. Camacho, both of whom are running as independents. The NMI Democratic Party has yet to announce its candidate…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – POLITICS: SAMOA GLOBAL NEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
FAST Party Joins Proceedings in HRPP’s Challenge of Fono Faavae’s Governance Setup
APIA, 09 JULY 2026 (SAMOA GLOBAL NEWS) — The Faatuatua i Le Atua Samoa (FAST) Party has been granted leave to join as an Intervener in the judicial review proceedings of Samoa’s District Development Project (Fono Faavae).
Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke granted the FAST party application to join proceedings with no objections from HRPP as the Applicant.
The Government and Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt as leader, is the Respondent.
The Human Rights Protection Party are challenging the governance and establishment procedures of the Fono Faavae, including the selection of Chairperson positions.
At the start of the hearing, Justice Clarke clarified that there was only one application before the Court despite earlier confusion surrounding an affidavit filed by Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa of the Samoa United Party (SUP).
The Judge explained that, after reviewing the documents, it was clear the affidavit had been filed in support of the FAST Party’s application and was not a separate application for intervener status.
Justice Clarke clarified that the FAST Party’s role is limited to making submissions on the relief that may be granted, should the Court ultimately find the decisions challenged by HRPP to be unlawful.
“By consent of the Applicant and the Respondent, leave is granted to the FAST Party to be joined as an intervener in these proceedings.”
The hearing also dealt with a request by counsel for the respondent, Keith, for a one-day extension to file the remaining court documents.
Counsel told the Court that the respondent was still finalising its written submissions, bundle of authorities, case book and a short affidavit.
The Court granted the extension and ordered that all remaining documents be filed and served by 12:00pm on Thursday, 9 July 2026, ahead of the substantive hearing scheduled for 13 July 2026…. PACNEWS
PNG – POLITICS: NBC PNG PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Bando calls for probe into public-funded overseas travel
PORT MORESBY, 09 JULY 2026 (NBC PNG) —Papua New Guinea Coffee Minister William Bando has called on government departments, statutory authorities and state agencies to publicly account for overseas trips funded by taxpayers, warning that public money must be spent on service delivery rather than privileges.
In a statement, Bando expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of government officials travelling to Australia for meetings and workshops that appear to coincide with major rugby league matches in Brisbane.
He said the trips raised serious questions about the use of public funds at a time when Papua New Guinea was facing pressing national challenges, including the continuing impacts of El Niño on food security, water supply and essential services.
“We cannot ignore the reality facing Papua New Guinea. Our priority must be ensuring our communities have access to essential services, food security, water, health care and government support,” Bando said.
The minister said it was unacceptable for government agencies to use public resources and valuable working time on overseas travel while many Papua New Guineans continued to struggle with drought, food shortages and limited access to healthcare.
He urged public servants to remain focused on delivering services in districts, provinces and communities, saying taxpayers expected government institutions to put people before privilege.
Bando called on every government department, statutory authority and state agency that had travelled overseas using public funds to release a full account of their trips.
He said the public should be informed of the names of officials who travelled, the purpose of the trip, dates and locations, total costs, allowances paid and the measurable outcomes achieved for the country.
“The people have every right to ask why ten or more officials would need to travel overseas to attend meetings or activities that could have been undertaken through more cost-effective means,” he said.
Bando stressed that every kina spent by government belongs to the people and should be managed responsibly.
He warned that if officials were using overseas travel as an opportunity for personal enjoyment or to attend sporting events under the guise of official business, it would represent a serious breach of public trust.
The minister called on all government agencies to demonstrate greater accountability, transparency and fiscal discipline, saying leaders and public servants must put service before privilege and ensure public resources are directed towards improving the lives of Papua New Guineans.
“The people of Papua New Guinea deserve a government that leads by example,” Bando said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CLIMATE CHANGE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Youth voices rise at COP31
SUVA, 09 JULY 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Young Pacific voices must be part of global climate discussions as island communities continue to face the growing impacts of climate change.
Director of Oileán Coordinator at the Island Youth Network, Adam Ó Ceallaigh, says young island leaders should not be left out of decisions that will shape their communities’ future.
He adds that the purpose of the network is to support young climate advocates and island leaders by helping them achieve their goals and take part in international climate processes.
Ó Ceallaigh says there is currently no global youth network specifically connecting young island leaders, and creating this platform allows them to realise that they are not alone in facing similar challenges.
“And the importance of a network like this is for young island leaders to recognise that you’re not alone. There are other people out there facing the same challenges and in the same position as you. And if we can come together as a united front to share ideas and learn from each other and create opportunities for each other, we will be in a much stronger and better position to represent our island communities at the international level.”
With the upcoming COP31 climate talks, Ó Ceallaigh says it is important for young Pacific islanders to have a place at the table to share their experiences and perspectives.
He adds that young leaders bring valuable knowledge from their communities and can help influence discussions on climate solutions.
The Island Youth Network says its focus in the coming months will be supporting young islanders to engage in climate discussions and strengthen their collective voice on the global stage…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DIPLOMACY/SECURITY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Fiji’s Police Commissioner attends global UN Policing Summit
SUVA, 09 JULY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu is joining police leaders from around the world at the fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026) in New York, where global discussions are focused on strengthening international peace, security and the future of policing.
The two-day summit, which began on Monday, brings together ministers, police commissioners and senior representatives of regional and professional policing organisations at the United Nations Headquarters.
Pacific police leaders are playing an active role in the discussions, sharing policing approaches shaped by partnership, resilience and regional cooperation while contributing to conversations on the security challenges affecting the Pacific.
The summit provides a platform for police executives and United Nations leadership to discuss how national police services and United Nations policing can work together to address current and emerging global security threats.
For more than six decades, United Nations Police (UNPOL) has supported countries and communities affected by conflict through peacekeeping operations, helping strengthen policing institutions and promote sustainable peace.
The summit concludes today, with discussions expected to reinforce international cooperation in policing and peacekeeping efforts worldwide…. PACNEWS
FIJI – UN MISSION: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Pregnant women removed from UN missions, gender report finds
SUVA, 09 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Women in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) who become pregnant before or during a United Nations deployment are removed from their posting, while men face no equivalent consequence for the same pregnancy, according to a new gender assessment.
The 2026 Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) assessment, conducted by Ethos CRS and the DCAF Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, described pregnancy-related removal from deployment as “a recurring problem” within the force.
The report said personnel selected for deployment must undergo pregnancy testing before departure.
A key decision-maker interviewed for the assessment said a woman who tested positive would be replaced and would not deploy because the RFMF “can’t afford to have someone pregnant” on mission.
Researchers found women were automatically identified when a pregnancy occurred, while establishing a man’s involvement required a formal investigation.
The report also described an unofficial practice preventing mothers of children under 12 months from deploying, a restriction that did not apply to fathers.
It found that 88 per cent of women considered breastfeeding facilities within the RFMF inadequate, while only 20 per cent believed women felt comfortable breastfeeding or expressing milk at work.
The report noted that the RFMF provides 98 days of paid maternity leave for a woman’s first three children, with women returning to their previous position and seniority afterwards.
Most personnel also reported access to flexible working arrangements, including the ability to leave work during family emergencies.
Researchers recommended the RFMF review its pregnancy-related deployment policy and ensure affected personnel are treated with dignity and respect…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – AIRLINE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Solomon Airlines makes first flight to Port Moresby
PORT MORESBY, 09 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — The Jackson International airport in Port welcomed passengers on board a Solomon Airlines aircraft arriving from Honiara accompanied by traditional dancers during the airline’s inaugural flight.
The new Honiara-Port Moresby service will be using Solomon Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft.
Solomon Airlines currently operates an international fleet comprising two Airbus A320.
Its domestic fleet consists of one Dash-8 aircraft, and two Twin Otter aircraft.
Solomon Airlines commercial manager John Wopereis said that the introduction of the route was a strategic investment in regional connectivity.
“Beyond providing a direct air link, the service will facilitate trade, tourism, business travel, government engagement, and Melanesian connection between PNG and the Solomon Islands,” he said.
“It also provides travellers with more convenient access to each country and creates onward connections through Solomon Airlines’ international and domestic network.
“As this is a new direct service, there is no historical passenger data available for the Honiara-Port Moresby route.
“The new route marks an important milestone in enhancing air connectivity between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, supporting increased tourism, business travel, and people-to-people exchange across the region.”
Wopereis added that with enough support from local and international travellers, the route should become sustainable in its own right over time, with the support of codeshare and interline airline partners also crucial for the services success.
Tourism Solomon acting chief executive officer Dagnal Dereveke described the move as a positive and timely development for the national carrier and the Solomon Islands tourism sector…. PACNEWS
FIJI – AIRLINE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Fiji Airways terminates partnership with FHTA
SUVA, 09 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Airways is reshaping its tourism partnerships, ending its long-standing agreement with the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) while shifting to direct commercial relationships with individual hotels and resorts.
Fiji Airways and the FHTA signed an MOU in 2023 to support the growth of the tourism sector which allowed members to receive discounted airfares for international trade events and roadshows.
Fiji Airways’ chief executive services officer Kameli Batiweti said terminating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FHTA was part of Fiji Airways’ continued approach to managing costs amid economic pressures.
“As part of ongoing global aviation and economic pressures, including fuel volatility, inflation, and rising operational costs, Fiji Airways continues to take a disciplined and proactive approach to managing costs and reviewing operations across every part of the business,” he said.
“This includes a broader review of the airline’s commercial partnerships and arrangements, to ensure they continue to deliver genuine value and support long-term sustainability.”
Batiweti said although the partnership had ended, Fiji Airways would continue its efforts to promote Fiji’s tourism.
This work includes moving toward more direct commercial relationships with individual hotels and resorts across Fiji, allowing for arrangements tailored to each partner’s needs.
FHTA chief executive officer Fantasha Lockington acknowledged the termination of the MOU.
FHTA can confirm that Fiji Airways has advised us of its decision to discontinue its Memorandum of Understanding with the association. We were informed of this recently and understand that the airline is reviewing its partnerships as part of its own strategic direction,” Lockington said.
She also said all 120 FHTA active members had been informed of the decision.
The termination of the partnership came after the FHTA rejected the Government’s claim that the tourism industry supported a proposed five per cent tourism services tax to help fund Fiji Airways.
FHTA said the tax which was announced in the 2026-2027 National Budget would increase costs, hurt competitiveness and was done without proper consultation.
Lockington said suggestions the industry had agreed to the measure were inaccurate…. PACNEWS
SOL – LOAN: SOLOMON STAR PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 09 Jul 2026
SBD150 million development policy loan
HONIARA, 09 JULY 2026 (SOLOMON STAR) — The Governments of Solomon Islands and Japan on Wednesday signed an Exchange of Notes for a Development Policy Loan valued at 3 billion Japanese Yen (approximately SBD150 million/US$18.58 million) to support the strengthening of Solomon Islands’ fiscal and economic resilience.
The signing ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Rick Houenipwela and Japan’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Higuchi Keiichi in Honiara.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Houenipwela expressed the Government and people’s sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their continued friendship and longstanding commitment to Solomon Islands’ development.
“Japan has been a trusted and valued development partner, and today’s signing is another testament to the strong partnership our two countries have built over the years,” Minister Houenipwela said.
The Minister noted that the Development Policy Loan comes at a critical time as Solomon Islands continues to strengthen its fiscal position and build a more resilient economy.
He said the financing will support the Government’s ongoing efforts to implement key economic and policy reforms, strengthen public financial management, and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Minister Houenipwela acknowledged Japan’s continued support through development cooperation, technical assistance and policy dialogue, all of which have made a significant contribution to the country’s national development.
The Minister also thanked officials from both Governments whose dedication and close collaboration made the Exchange of Notes possible.
He concluded by reaffirming Solomon Islands’ appreciation for Japan’s generous assistance and expressed confidence that the enduring partnership between the two countries will continue to grow in the years ahead.
He further welcomed the signing and noted that engagements of this nature play an important role in strengthening mutual trust, confidence, and the enduring friendship between Solomon Islands and Japan…. 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
Security pacts without tangible investments are just colonial outposts
By Sameed Basha
CANBERRA, 09 JULY 2026 (CGTN) — Australia has been on a security-pact signing spree in the Pacific, with the signing of the Ocean of Peace Alliance with Fiji, a mutual defense pact framed around joint cooperation, consultation, and collective responses to security threats in the region, aiming at countering China’s influence. The hypocrisy, however, is hard to ignore, as a week earlier, Australia signed the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu to prevent the securitisation of its ports and infrastructure by any third party, essentially forcing the country to remain neutral in its relations with China while expanding its own security footprint in the region. This urgency reveals Canberra’s internal anxieties, especially after Donald Trump dismantled the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID). And in 2025, he withdrew the U.S from its development partnerships in the Pacific, leaving Australia alone in countering the so-called China’s rising influence in the region.
But Australia’s security pacts, without tangible investments, are bound to be reduced to colonial outposts designed to deny China a strategic stake in the Pacific. Australia prioritises aid, not trade, as its form of investment, while China concentrates on trade and infrastructure development throughout the region, integrating them into its global supply chain. According to the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Aid Map, Australia is the largest aid donor to the Pacific Island countries, accounting for 38 percent of total aid over the past 15 years, significantly higher than China’s contribution of 9 percent.
However, another estimate from the Institute shows that 40-50 percent of Australia’s aid to the Pacific Islands is spent on technical assistance, such as advisors, rather than on infrastructure, thereby signaling to Australia’s domestic audience that swift action has been taken to counter China. This strategy has not gained any prevalence, as a 2026 study found that 39 percent of respondents believed China held greater influence in the Pacific, compared to 33 percent who said Australia did. Australia’s trade with Pacific nations is heavily skewed towards three countries: Papua New Guinea (80 percent), Fiji (8 percent), and New Caledonia (6 percent), with the remaining 12 Pacific Island countries accounting for just 6 percent of Australia’s total trade with the Pacific nations.
This is further evidenced in a report by Jubilee Australia, which found that many of Australia’s commitments were geopolitically motivated, aimed less at genuine Pacific development and poverty alleviation than at re-establishing Canberra’s influence in the face of China’s growing presence. A recent example of this failing approach is the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Electrification Partnership signed at the 2018 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting by Australia, the U.S, Japan and New Zealand. The initiative aimed to increase PNG’s electricity coverage from 13 percent to 70 percent by 2030. New Zealand has since suspended the project due to rising violence and an inability to understand the country’s complexities, and it is expected to miss the previous deadline, demonstrating how quickly strategic ambitions can falter when decisions are made in haste.
In contrast, China’s influence in the Pacific has been direct and focused on local needs, rather than delivering stern moral lectures or dangling defense pacts as a gateway towards economic cooperation. China’s appeal rests on tangible assets that an average person can use. Beijing has funded critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, stadiums, government buildings, telecommunications towers, and energy projects across the region without favoritism. The $135 million (US$93.54 million) Vanua Levu Road upgrade in Fiji connected 61 villages and 15 schools, improving access to vital resources. China also supported major infrastructure like $75 million (US$51.96 million) for the Digital TV Transformation project in PNG, $66 million (US$45.73 million) for the Huawei Cell tower project to improve telecommunications coverage across the Solomon Islands, and $120 million (US$83.14 million) for the Malekula Phase III roads project in Vanuatu.
Canberra, however, views these initiatives with fear. It created the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific as a counter to China’s soft-loans programme, but its lending terms are more expensive and focus on strategic rather than economically meritorious projects. But what it fails to realise is that a road reduces travel time, a bridge connects communities, a telecommunication tower expands access to local and global markets, education, and emergency services, and enhances government communication, especially in a climate-affected region like the Pacific.
Ultimately, treaties such as Falepili with Tuvalu, Pukpuk with PNG, the Nauru treaty, Nakamal with Vanuatu, and efforts to enforce neutrality in the Solomon Islands may strengthen diplomacy, but they offer limited material benefit to ordinary Pacific Islander citizens. Based on Australia’s record over the past decade, its primary initiatives have rarely been about economic transformation but rather about strategic denial aimed at restricting China’s influence and preserving Australia’s regional hegemony.
The danger is that Australia is reproducing a security architecture in the Pacific with the same dependency model that the U.S built in Europe after World War II. For decades, Washington provided Europe with a security umbrella, leaving much of the continent reliant on U.S military power and direction. This dependency became a source of leverage that Donald Trump has repeatedly used to threaten the partnership if Europe failed to heed.
The Pacific Islands that sign these treaties risk the same dependencies that Canberra is trying to foster. In a future confrontation with China, that dependency could be used to pressurise Pacific states into alignment, eroding their strategic autonomy. Canberra still views the region through its colonial hangover, professing respect for Pacific sovereignty in speeches and handshakes but, in practice, containing the region whenever it conflicts with Australia’s China anxiety…. PACNEWS
Sameed Basha, a special commentator for CGTN, is a defense and political analyst based in Australia, specialising in Asia-Pacific regional dynamics and conflict and security studies.
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Pacific Leaders launch first regional violence prevention knowledge hub
NADI, 09 JULY 2026 (SPC) — “The launch of the Pacific VAWG Prevention Hub is not the beginning of this journey. It is the next chapter. It builds on decades of Pacific leadership, advocacy, innovation and resilience.”
This message from Mereseini Rakuita, Pacific Community’s (SPC) Principal Strategic Lead for Pacific Women and Girls, set the tone for the official launch of the Pacific Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Prevention Hub, a first-of-its-kind regional digital knowledge platform dedicated to strengthening prevention efforts across the Pacific.
The Hub was launched through a partnership between the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women (PWNAVAW), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UN Women during a two-day event at the Crowne Plaza in Nadi, Fiji.
Bringing together government representatives, women’s rights organisations, development partners, researchers, practitioners and community leaders from across the region, the launch highlighted the importance of working collectively to prevent violence before it occurs.
The Pacific VAWG Prevention Hub serves as a central online repository of knowledge, research, tools, resources and promising practices developed by women’s organisations, crisis centres and partners throughout the region. The platform aims to strengthen information sharing, learning and collaboration to support evidence-based violence prevention initiatives.
In her keynote address, Rakuita reminded participants that violence against women and girls remains one of the Pacific’s most pressing development challenges, with two in every three Pacific women experiencing violence during their lifetime.
“Violence against women and girls is not a marginal issue. It affects every part of our vast Blue Pacific region,” she said.
She stressed that while response services for survivors remain critical, achieving lasting change requires greater investment in prevention and addressing the root causes of violence, including unequal power relations, harmful gender norms and discrimination.
Panel discussions over the two days highlighted Pacific perspectives on prevention and reinforced the importance of approaches that are locally led, culturally grounded and informed by the lived realities of Pacific communities. Participants also examined regional and national priorities to ensure the Hub remains responsive to community needs while supporting stronger partnerships and collaboration across sectors.
The second day focused on practical user training, equipping participants with the skills to navigate the platform, access resources, and contribute materials to help expand the regional knowledge base.
Speakers also acknowledged the decades of leadership demonstrated by Pacific women’s organisations, crisis centres and advocates who have championed efforts to end violence against women and girls across the region.
Describing the Hub as the next step in that journey, Rakuita said it builds on years of Pacific leadership, innovation and resilience while creating new opportunities for learning and collaboration.
The launch marks a significant milestone in regional efforts to prevent violence against women and girls and reflects a shared commitment to building a Pacific where all women and girls can live with safety, dignity and equal opportunity…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
El Niño is back, and Pacific meteorologists are turning outlooks into action
SUVA, 09 JULY 2026 (SPC) — The trade winds over the tropical Pacific have weakened, warm water is drifting east, and meteorologists across the region have reached the same conclusion: El Niño has arrived and is gaining strength. For some Pacific island countries, it is likely to mean months of limited rain. For others, it will bring flooding, higher, warmer seas, and unusually productive tuna grounds.
On 12 June 2026, national meteorological services across the Pacific formally declared the onset of El Niño, after months of monitoring its development and meeting all preconditions.
However, the Japan Meteorological Agency was the first major weather body to formally declare the onset of El Niño on 11 June 2026, followed a day later by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which issued its official El Niño Advisory on 12 June, confirming conditions had developed across the tropical Pacific.
NOAA’s forecasters put a 63 percent chance on the event becoming “very strong” – defined as sea surface temperatures exceeding 2.0°C above average in the central Pacific by the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2026 – 27, which would rank it among the largest events since modern records began in 1950. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology declared El Niño underway on 16 June, and on 3 July the World Meteorological Organisation warned that the event is “forecast to strengthen rapidly into a strong event,” intensifying risks of drought, heavy rainfall, and heatwaves across many regions, including the Pacific.
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) across the Pacific are closely monitoring the event. Although El Niño begins in the ocean, its effects reach far beyond the coastline, influencing rainfall, agriculture, economic activity and public health, and raising risks to food and water security.
El Niño occurs “when the trade winds over the tropical Pacific weaken, allowing warm water that usually accumulates in the western Pacific to move eastward,” said Dr Moleni Tuʻuholoaki, Ocean Science Officer with the Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac) at the Pacific Community (SPC).
“This shift changes ocean and atmospheric conditions, affecting rainfall, temperature, and weather patterns in many parts of the world. It is a natural fluctuation, not caused by climate change, although climate change can influence how its impacts are experienced.” – Dr Moleni Tu’uholoaki, COSPPac’s Ocean Science Officer, SPC
Through COSPPac’s monthly Ocean and Climate Outlook Forum (OCOF) and the Pacific Ocean Portal, national meteorological services monitor conditions as they evolve, giving governments timely, science-based information to prepare for potential impacts and shape their responses
“Monitoring is critically important as the current El Niño system continues to advance and shows potential of developing with moderate to strong intensity.” – Philip Malsale, COSPPac’s Senior Climatologist, based at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment (SPREP).
“The Pacific Regional Climate Centre has been tracking this since early indications in January 2026, ensuring NMHSs are equipped with the information needed to plan.”
Past El Niño events show what is at stake. Previous events brought frost damage to crops and the coffee industry in Papua New Guinea, loss of livestock in Vanuatu, reduced sugarcane production in Fiji, and widespread water shortages and bushfires across parts of the western Pacific.
During the 2015–16 El Niño, the Government of Papua New Guinea estimated that around 480,000 people faced critical food shortages after drought and repeated frosts. Across the region, the UN estimated in 2015 that 4.3 million people in 12 Pacific countries were at risk from El Niño-driven changes in rainfall.
Yet no two El Niño events are the same, and better monitoring and forecasting have not changed that. Impacts differ not only in intensity but also from place to place across the Pacific.
“Variation in impacts is driven by changes in sea surface temperatures, which become unusually warm in the eastern Pacific and cooler in the western Pacific.” – Bipendra Prakash, Pacific Islands Global Ocean Observing System Coordinator, SPC.
The result is a region of contrasts. Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Niue, the southern Cook Islands, Tonga, and Palau often face reduced rainfall and prolonged dry periods.
Low-lying atoll nations such as Kiribati, Tokelau, and parts of Tuvalu tend to receive more rainfall, increasing the risk of flooding, water contamination, and strain on infrastructure. Warmer ocean temperatures can also contribute to temporary sea-level rise, increasing the likelihood of coastal inundation during high tides.
For Kiribati, where freshwater is scarce, the outlook carries both risks and opportunities.
“[Kiribati] can expect increased rainfall, possible flooding, more storms and strong winds, and warm ocean conditions combined with high tides, which could result in coastal inundation.” – Ueneta Toorua, Director of the Kiribati Meteorological Service.
The same conditions can also help. Increased rainfall can replenish water sources, and shifting ocean conditions can benefit fisheries.
“The shift in ocean conditions also bodes well for Kiribati as warmer ocean conditions make our waters more favourable for migratory species like tuna, which are a key source of government revenue.”
In countries facing drier conditions, agriculture bears the brunt. Reduced rainfall cuts crop production, depletes water supplies, and increases the risk of food insecurity and climate-sensitive diseases.
The ocean itself is not spared. “Changes in ocean conditions, both offshore and nearshore, can reduce fish availability, stress reef habitats, and disrupt coastal ecosystems that support fishing communities,” Dr Tu’uholoaki said.
Warmer ocean temperatures heighten the risk of coral bleaching, marine heatwaves, and fish deaths, particularly in the tropical central and eastern Pacific.
As the impacts fall so unevenly, how strong the event becomes and how it progresses matter for planning. National meteorological services, supported by COSPPac, turn the science into practical guidance for governments.
Tonga offers one example: “El Niño information is communicated to the National Emergency Committee and sectoral clusters to support the development and activation of drought response plans,” said Laitia Fifita, Director of the Tonga Meteorological Services.
“We use the OCOF and Pacific Ocean Portal to guide our decision-makers on what to expect in the coming months.” – Laitia Fifita, Director of the Tonga Meteorological Services…. PACNEWS
