In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific financial system under threat as banking links shrink, Forum report warns
2. FIJI — Referendum flaws put constitution changes at risk
3. PAC — Fuel support considered for diesel-dependent Pacific
4. VAN — Questions over building safety after quake in Vanuatu’s north, as services slowly return
5. SAMOA — Samoa Press freedom under pressure as newspaper ban, new rules raise alarm
6. FIJI — Fiji diabetes cases up from 10 – 17 percent
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific faces fuel shock as Middle East conflict drives oil Price surge
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation calls for clear fuel crisis messaging, inconsistent signals hurting businesses
9. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG set for US$216m IMF boost as reforms stay on track
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Air Niugini Airbus A220-300 launches inaugural service to Sydney
11. PACNEWS BIZ — ‘No precedent’ for seafarers caught in war zone in post-WW2 era
12. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — UN General Assembly adopts landmark resolution to strengthen the work of the UN system
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Strengthening Island Resilience Through Biocontrol of Weeds
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — New programme KiriLEAD to strengthen civil society engagement and government systems
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Reform by design: PNG aligns law with customary reality
PAC – CORRESPONDENT BANKING: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Pacific financial system under threat as banking links shrink, Forum report warns
By Pita Ligaiula
SUVA, 01 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Pacific’s access to global finance is under growing strain, with a new Pacific Islands Forum report warning that the steady loss of correspondent banking relationships is pushing the region toward a critical tipping point.
The ‘2025 Annual Report on the Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project’ paints a grim picture of a system under pressure, with the number of active correspondent banks servicing Pacific institutions falling sharply over the past decade.
“The withdrawal of Correspondent Banking relationships (CBRs), a well-documented global phenomenon affecting many emerging markets and developing economies, has adverse consequences and negative externalities for Pacific Islanders, including seasonal workers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and vulnerable populations.”
“Based on publicly available data, the number of active correspondents for Pacific banks has declined significantly since 2011 to unsustainably low levels that put the whole Pacific financial system at risk,” the report said.
For Pacific Island countries, the stakes are high. These banking relationships underpin almost every aspect of economic activity, from trade and tourism to remittances and humanitarian assistance.
“Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are uniquely vulnerable to the withdrawal of the CBRs that underpin international trade, tourism, remittances, and humanitarian financial flows”.
The report makes clear that the issue is not abstract. Reduced access to correspondent banking services can lead to higher transaction costs, disrupted payment systems and limited financial access for communities already facing geographic and economic challenges.
In response, the Forum, working closely with the World Bank and regional partners, has launched a coordinated effort to stabilise and strengthen these critical financial links.
“In response to these risks, the Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project was developed as a coordinated regional initiative aimed at safeguarding continued access to international financial services.”
The project, valued at US$68 million and running through to 2030, currently covers Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, with other countries expected to join.
The 2025 report outlines progress made during the first year of implementation, despite a late project start in April. Much of the year focused on setting up the Project Management Unit and building the foundation for delivery.
Under its first key component ensuring continued access to correspondent banking services- work is underway to secure a service provider that can offer temporary access to banking links for countries at risk of losing them.
A formal request for expressions of interest has already been completed, with four financial institutions responding and three progressing to the next stage of negotiations. Final contracting is expected by mid-2026.
At the same time, the project is moving to address deeper structural issues through its second component-improving the regulatory and institutional environment across the region.
Efforts in 2025 included launching data collection pilots in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Marshall Islands to support the development of a CBR Resilience Index, a tool that will assess financial institutions’ eligibility for support and track system stability.
The report also highlights progress in strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks, with draft action plans developed for participating countries in collaboration with regional and international partners.
These plans identify key gaps in legal, regulatory and supervisory systems and will guide targeted technical assistance in the years ahead.
Beyond regulation, the project is also looking at modernising payment systems across the Pacific.
A regional workshop held in Nadi in December brought together central banks, regulators and development partners to advance work on faster, more efficient payment systems tailored to small island economies.
Work is also progressing on a feasibility study for a Pacific Payments Mechanism, aimed at improving cross-border payment efficiency and reducing costs through greater regional integration.
Despite these steps forward, the report acknowledges that progress in 2025 was limited by the short implementation window, with many targets yet to be met.
Still, Forum officials say the groundwork laid during the year is critical to long-term success and to protecting the region’s financial connectivity.
“This report details the project’s progress for the year 2025, highlighting key achievements, challenges encountered, and strategic adjustments made to strengthen the resilience of correspondent banking relationships across Pacific Island Countries.”
Without sustained action, the decline in correspondent banking relationships could further isolate Pacific economies from global markets.
But with coordinated regional effort now underway, the Forum and its partners are betting that the Pacific can stabilise its financial links and build a more resilient system for the future…. PACNEWS
FIJI – REFRENDUM BILL: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Referendum flaws put constitution changes at risk
SUVA, 01 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Fiji Opposition claims serious legal gaps in Fiji’s proposed referendum framework are raising concerns about whether a national vote can be conducted with clarity and authority.
The issue emerged during standing committee scrutiny, where Opposition parliamentarian Faiyaz Koya questioned the absence of a structured legal framework to support Section 160 of the Constitution.
Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution requires any constitutional amendment to first secure a 75 percent majority in Parliament and then be approved by at least 75 percent of registered voters in a national referendum.
Electoral Commission Chairperson Usaia Ratuvili said the concern was not minor.
He indicated the Constitution outlines when a referendum is required but does not explain how it should be carried out.
“All electoral activities in Fiji or elections in terms of local government general election are started by way of a writ. There’s no equivalent process here. And then how do you conduct the election? Who formulates the question? What is the format of the referendum? In some jurisdictions, it’s simple, yes or no, a binary choice.”
Ratuvili said once Parliament passes a constitutional amendment with the required majority, the Speaker informs the President, who then directs the Commission to conduct a referendum.
However, he stressed there is no supporting law that sets out the operational process.
He said the bill does not define how a referendum is initiated. It also fails to clarify who sets the question or what format the vote should take.
Ratuvili noted that in some country’s referendums are simple yes-or-no votes. In others, voters choose from multiple options. He said the absence of guidance leaves critical decisions unresolved.
He also drew a clear distinction between referendums and plebiscites. He said referendums relate to constitutional amendments, while plebiscites are used in other jurisdictions to gauge public opinion on national issues.
Ratuvili stressed that drafting the question is not the role of the Electoral Commission. He said its mandate was to administer the vote and ensure the result is credible.
The Commission’s legal team outlined further weaknesses in the bill. They pointed to missing provisions on ballot design, voter education and campaign rules.
They also highlighted gaps in vote counting procedures and the declaration of results. In addition, they said the bill does not state whether a referendum outcome would be binding.
Koya suggests the law could be expanded to cover both referendums and plebiscites. He claimed a single framework could be more practical and efficient.
Ratuvili acknowledged the point but said the Commission focused on constitutional referendums due to their basis in Section 160. He added that similar principles could apply to plebiscites if required.
He said the Commission’s priority was to ensure voters understand the issue and can participate without confusion.
He added that every vote must be properly counted and reflected in the final result.
Ratuvili also noted Fiji has never conducted a referendum since independence.
He states that this makes it critical that the legal framework is clear, complete and workable…. PACNEWS
PAC – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: AAP PACNEWS 3: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Fuel support considered for diesel-dependent Pacific
CANBERRA, 01 APRIL 2026 (AAP) — Australia is considering aid options to ensure Pacific nations have access to fuel, as the Middle East war threatens to derail several diesel-dependent island economies.
The conflict is squeezing economies worldwide, but pressures are particularly acute for small island countries that rely heavily on diesel for power generation.
Skyrocketing fuel costs drain foreign exchange reserves and risk pushing countries into high levels of debt, leaving them vulnerable to future shocks and more reliant on foreign aid.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said there had been talks between Australia and Pacific allies about potential support measures.
“We’re looking at what we can do and how it is we might assist, but obviously at this time, our first priority has to be to secure supply for Australians,” she said.
“We’re a responsible Pacific partner; we’ll continue to work with them and look at what we can do to support them through this”
With 80 percent of regional energy currently dependent on imported oil, the crisis has accelerated the push for local clean energy generation.
While reducing emissions is a factor, for these nations responsible for just 0.03 percent of global conditions, the primary driver is energy security.
Australia and the Pacific are set to play key roles in the 2026 United Nations climate talks, with the larger nation running multilateral negotiations and pre-meeting leadership events in Fiji and Tuvalu.
Zero Carbon Analytics energy transition researcher Amy Kong said small economies were already spending huge proportions of GDP on fuel imports.
“The Iran oil crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities of small island states and their dependence on diesel,” she said.
“These are the countries that can least afford the volatility of the market” said Kong…. PACNEWS
VAN – EARTHQUAKE: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 3: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Questions over building safety after quake in Vanuatu’s north, as services slowly return
PORT VILA, 01 APRIL 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — There are questions about building safety standards in the main urban centre in Vanuatu’s north following a big earthquake.
Monday night’s magnitude 7.3 quake hit 35 kilometres northeast of Luganville, the main town on the country’s largest island, Espiritu Santo.
Several people had to be hospitalised for minor injuries, and there was moderate to severe damage to buildings, as well as disruption to public infrastructure.
Public utility services were today slowly being restored in Luganville, according to a provincial disaster officer, Kensly Shem, who said no deaths or serious injuries had been reported yet, and that damage assessments were ongoing.
The government decided to close schools in the province today. Many shops were closed too with collapsed shelves and damaged goods.
Shem said that while electricity service had been restored, water was a different story.
“We still have water outage in Luganville town,” he told RNZ Pacific.
“The (Northern Provincial) hospital is fifty percent up running, as they’re still waiting for engineers to do assessments on their buildings before they (return to) full operations.”
“We also have a report from the airport that the airstrip has minor cracks, about one centimetre. The assessment is still going on, and also the terminal has a minor crack on it.”
Throughout the town, buildings are showing minor surface cracks and broken windows.
But among the most severely damaged buildings is the Sunshine Shopping Centre – one of its tenants, restaurant owner Melinda, said her business had been effectively knocked out of action.
“We need to move to a new place, and relocation or demolition or whatever they want to do,” she said.
One high-profile builder is frustrated with what he sees as a decline in building standards nationwide.
Bradley Wood said it was no coincidence that the worst hit buildings looked like the Sunshine complex.
“As a builder I’m concerned that we’re lowering the standard, and letting the sub-standard buildings get built,” Wood said.
“If that earthquake was any stronger that building would have colllapsed. Had it have been like Port Vila (a 7.3 earthquake in December 2024) it would have looked like one of those buildings that pancaked to the ground, and had it have happened during the day, there’d be a whole lot of people dead.”
Vanuatu’s government said it was considering damage assessment reports from local authorities…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – MEDIA: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Samoa Press freedom under pressure as newspaper ban, new rules raise alarm
APIA, 01 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS) — Press freedom in Samoa is facing growing scrutiny after the government banned the Samoa Observer from press briefings, introduced draft media rules and charged a journalist with defamation, according to a report by CIVICUS Monitor.
While civic space in Samoa is still rated “open,” the report highlights a series of actions that critics say threaten freedom of expression and media independence.
“Samoa’s only daily newspaper – the Samoa Observer – was banned in November 2025 from attending press conferences with the Samoan Prime Minister, in a move that critics say threatens the democratic integrity of the Pacific nation.”
The ban followed tensions between Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and the newspaper over coverage during his medical stay in New Zealand. The situation escalated when an Observer journalist was removed from a press conference and ministers were told not to engage with the outlet.
Regional media groups say the move undermines public access to information.
“Banning an entire news organisation from press conferences hurts the public interest as people will lose access to independent reporting on matters of national importance. This ban appears to be a retaliatory measure against critical journalism rather than a legitimate response to disputed reporting.”
The concerns have widened with the release of proposed government media guidelines that would impose tighter controls on journalists.
According to the International Federation of Journalists, the draft rules would require media outlets to submit questions 24 hours in advance and ensure they protect the “integrity” of government operations.
“The draft protocol, in its current form, imposes serious restrictions on Samoa’s journalists to be able to report independently and critically, with a concerning impact on press freedom. The government must consult further with the industry and heed its recommendations to ensure the media’s independence and impartiality are upheld.”
The proposed protocol also includes background checks on journalists’ “political alignment,” powers to deny access to reporters, and authority for officials to decide which questions can be asked.
The Samoa Observer warned the measures could weaken democracy.
“The government’s stand on media freedom and proposed media policies have put transparency and accountability on their deathbeds. It seems that the government is shutting down all avenues to remain transparent. Why does a government do that when there is nothing to hide?”
Concerns escalated further in March when Observer journalists were denied access to parts of a visit by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Apia.
The Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) said it continues to push for “fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory access for all bona fide media organisations.”
At the same time, legal action against a journalist has added to fears about press freedom.
Police charged Observer senior reporter Marieta Ilalio with two counts of defamation following a complaint linked to a published article involving the Prime Minister’s family. She has been bailed and is due in court next month.
The CIVICUS report notes that these developments raise concerns about Samoa’s obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and constitutional protections for freedom of speech.
Media organisations across the Pacific warn that the combination of bans, proposed rules and legal action risks setting a precedent for tighter control over journalism in the region…. PACNEWS
FIJI – HEALTH: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Fiji diabetes cases up from 10 – 17 percent
SUVA, 01 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Diabetes cases in Fiji have surged from around 10 percent in 2011 to as high as 16 – 17 percent today, raising serious concerns for health authorities.
Diabetes Fiji Executive Director Kini Marawa said nearly half of all cases remain undiagnosed, describing the situation as a growing epidemic.
He warns that the impact is already being felt across households, with families losing loved ones early and more young people taking on caregiving roles.
Marawa said high obesity rates, poor diets and low physical activity continue to drive the crisis.
“From obesity, to say, over 70 percent of adults are considered to be at a high risk on this, and there is a low physical activity level, poor dietary habits, high salt intake, and also high fat intakes.”
Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said the latest figures show Fiji is heading in the wrong direction in terms of non-communicable diseases.
He is calling for stronger support for local, healthy food production and tighter controls on imported food.
Officials warn urgent national action is needed to prevent further loss of lives and protect Fiji’s future.
More than 80 percent of all surgical amputations in Fiji are linked to diabetes, and between three and five amputations are conducted every day, according to the Health Ministry…. PACNEWS
PAC – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Pacific faces fuel shock as Middle East conflict drives oil Price surge
SUVA, 01 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pacific Island economies are at risk of a major energy shock as tensions in the Middle East push up oil prices, with a new report warning of steep cost increases and growing pressure on already fragile economies.
Analysis by Zero Carbon Analytics shows the region’s heavy reliance on imported fuel leaves it exposed, with around 80 percent of energy supply tied to oil.
“Conflict in the Middle East risks pushing Pacific Island Countries into an energy crisis, with around 80% of their energy reliant on mostly imported oil products.”
The report highlights the scale of the potential impact, with Fiji facing a sharp jump in fuel costs.
“Fiji’s annual refined fuel import bill could rise by USD$670 million, a 115 percent increase from 2025 levels, equivalent to nearly three times the country’s annual healthcare budget.”
Other countries face similar pressure, with Vanuatu and Tonga also expected to see major increases.
“Vanuatu’s refined petroleum import costs could surge by USD$120 million (11 percent of GDP), and Tonga’s by USD$55 million (nine percent of GDP).”
Zero Carbon Analytics energy transition researcher Amy Kong said the crisis exposes long-standing vulnerabilities tied to fossil fuel dependence.
“Our analysis shows the Pacific is particularly vulnerable to fossil fuel price volatility, and the economic impact on these small economies is significant. These countries are already spending huge proportions of GDP on fuel imports, and that’s only going to get worse if the crisis is prolonged,” said Kong.
“The Iran oil crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities of small island states and their dependence on diesel. These are the countries that can least afford the volatility of the market. It has a huge knock-on effect on their foreign reserves and economy. Every extra dollar spent on fossil fuels is money that can’t be spent elsewhere, such as on healthcare or education.”
She said the situation reinforces the need to speed up the shift to renewable energy.
“Almost every Pacific nation has committed to 100% renewable energy, and the timelines are ambitious. The faster the international community supports that transition, the better the economic outcomes and the better the lives of people across the region.”
Officials in Fiji say the country is already moving in that direction.
“Fiji has made a clear commitment to deriving 100% of electricity production from renewable sources by 2035. Our national policies are clear that this commitment isn’t just about reducing emissions, it’s about protecting our economy and delivering long term energy security,” said Fiji’s Permanent secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Sivendra Michael.
“When our energy comes from the sun, wind and other indigenous sources of energy, nobody can cut off our supply and our exposure to oil price volatility and the implications of a war happening on the other side of the world are minimised.”
“Renewables will deliver us cheaper and more reliable power because Fiji has access to an abundance of renewable energy resources which we can utilise and control with the right technology. We need our partners to back our commitment to low carbon transition. Access to finance and technology is required to deliver against our potential and ambition is now more critical than ever,” he said
Youth climate advocates say the crisis is already being felt on the ground.
“The Pacific is caught in a cruel contradiction where we are reliant on the very fossil fuels that are drowning our islands and now, we find ourselves at the mercy of geopolitics. We had no part in this conflict, yet our people are paying for it every time prices spike. That isn’t just about expensive petrol. It’s more expensive food, transport, and the basics of life,” said Vishal Prasad, President, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC).
“In outer island communities running on diesel generators, schools and clinics don’t have a choice. This is what fossil fuel dependence actually looks like for our people. Rapid transition to renewable energy isn’t just about the climate. It’s the only path to economic security for the Pacific.”
The report concludes that without faster investment in renewable energy and electrification, Pacific countries will remain exposed to global oil shocks beyond their control…. PACNEWS
PAC – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation call for clear fuel crisis messaging, inconsistent signals hurting businesses
SUVA, 01 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN) — The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) is calling on Government to clearly communicate its plans and messaging on the fuel crisis, saying inconsistent signals are undermining business confidence.
“The assurance that we have adequate fuel for 90 days and that there will be no price hike and then the overnight announcement of price increases of four products is not generating confidence within the private sector,” said FCEF chief executive officer Edward Bernard.
He said in times of crisis it was imperative that clear and precise plans and messaging reached businesses and the public.
Business continuity depends on advanced planning and robust contingency measures to manage disruptions.
“An overnight increase of up to 35 percent for diesel and 20 percent for petrol impacts heavily on business planning and will have a direct impact on goods and services. While most businesses have a business continuity plan, understanding our government’s plan of action and have this clearly communicated is imperative,” said Eldon Eastgate, General Manager Pacific Islands at Essity Australasia (Fiji) Ltd and FCEF president.
FCEF said clear plans and consistent messaging must be communicated in a timely manner.
“The private sector acknowledges Government constraints and recognises that this is a global crisis – which will translate to an increase in the cost of doing business. However, Government must ensure that our alignment to ensuring the ease of doing business is maintained – this requires clear and precise planning, and messaging,” Mr Bernard said.
The federation welcomed the recent appointment of a Fuel Controller, a Fuel Advisory Committee and a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Fuel.
It said businesses and the public were looking forward to details of national plans to support business sustainability, ensure continued service delivery and protect jobs.
FCEF has also written to the Fuel Controller, stressing the importance of including private sector input in drafting regulations to support contingency measures, including fuel allocation priorities.
The organisation has advised businesses to activate their business continuity plans…. PACNEWS
PNG – REFORM: PACNEWS/IMF PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 01 Apr 2026
PNG set for US$216m IMF boost as reforms stay on track
PORT MORESBY, 01 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS/IMF) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Papua New Guinea authorities have reached a staff-level agreement that could unlock about US$216 million in financing, with officials saying reforms remain on track despite slowing growth and rising global pressures.
The agreement follows an IMF mission to Port Moresby from 19 March to 01 April, reviewing progress under PNG’s reform programme backed by the Extended Credit Facility, Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility.
“Upon approval by the IMF Executive Board, the completion of these reviews would allow for immediate disbursement of SDR60.53 million (approximately US$82 million) under the ECF/EFF arrangements and up to SDR98.7 million (approximately US$134 million) in financing under the RSF arrangement, bringing the total IMF financial support disbursed up to SDR781.71 million (approximately US$1.06 billion),” said IMF mission chief Nir Klein in a statement.
The IMF said the economy is holding steady but facing headwinds.
“Economic activity is expected to remain resilient, although real growth is projected to ease to 3.8 percent in 2026 from an estimated 5.6 percent in 2025. This easing reflects the levelling off of the LNG production capacity, and—amid unfolding events in the Middle East—weaker external demand for non-resource exports and higher import costs, including of oil.
Headline inflation is projected to modestly increase to 5.0 percent in 2026 as the impact of the extension of GST relief until end-2026 is expected to be more than offset by higher import costs. Gross international reserves, which stood at around US$4 billion at end-December 2025 (equivalent to about five months of imports of goods and services), are expected to remain adequate.”
Despite the slowdown, the IMF said programme performance remains strong, with all key targets met.
“Performance under the Fund-supported programme remains on track. The authorities have made steady progress in implementing their structural reform agenda and have demonstrated strong commitment to programme objectives, focused on advancing budget repair, easing FX shortages, modernising central banking policies and operations, strengthening governance frameworks, and enhancing resilience to climate change.
All quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets for end-December 2025 have been met, and all structural benchmarks and RSF reform measures due in the current reviews have been implemented or are expected to be implemented in the coming weeks.”
Fiscal consolidation is also progressing, with the deficit narrowing and further cuts planned.
“The government remains committed to their ambitious fiscal consolidation strategy despite elevated uncertainty. The fiscal deficit narrowed further to 2.4 percent of GDP in 2025 from 3.3 percent in 2024, mainly reflecting an increase in resource revenues and rationalization of current spending. At the same time, capital expenditure as a share of GDP increased for the first time since 2021.
Fiscal consolidation is set to continue in 2026, with the fiscal deficit projected to decline to 1.1 percent of GDP through a mix of additional revenue mobilisation and contained growth of current expenditure. The authorities’ determination to balance the budget by 2027 will help to further reduce public debt vulnerabilities.”
The IMF also highlighted progress by the Bank of Papua New Guinea in stabilising the currency and easing foreign exchange shortages.
“The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) has made substantial progress in implementing its roadmap of reforms, paving the way for a gradual return to Kina convertibility. The crawl-like arrangement has underpinned the exchange rate as the nominal anchor and has supported the narrowing of the Kina’s overvaluation. The latter, along with favorable commodity prices, has contributed to the easing of FX shortages.
In parallel, BPNG has continued to modernise its monetary policy operations with a view to strengthening its liquidity management and has made progress in operationalising the lender of last resort regime. Going forward, aligning the Kina Facility Rate to ensure consistency with the exchange rate arrangement, enhancing clarity and transparency around some key operational parameters of the FX regime, and further building interbank market infrastructure are critical to strengthening central bank credibility, enabling FX market transactions, and improving monetary policy transmission.”
On financial integrity, the IMF said more work is needed to exit global monitoring lists.
“The authorities have taken important actions to address weaknesses in the anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism framework, but further efforts—focused on increasing operational competence, enhancing compliance, and strengthening internal coordination and international cooperation—are needed to facilitate a fast exit from the grey list. Decisive and swift implementation of the authorities’ Action Plan will be critical to limit reputational risks and adverse macroeconomic effects.”
Climate resilience also remains a focus, with reforms underway to strengthen disaster response and climate financing.
“To reduce longer-term balance of payment risks posed by climate change, the authorities have taken steps to incentivize more efficient consumption of high-carbon fuel and enable an environment for climate finance, including by developing and issuing guidelines for mandatory reporting of banks’ exposures related to three priority sectors.
A new National Emergency Management Authority Act aimed at establishing a modern, centralised framework for disaster preparedness and response is close to being finalised. In addition, climate change considerations are being integrated into public investment management regulations as well as into maintenance standards and costing applied to national roads. The authorities are also committed to establishing a centralized database of climate mitigation and adaptation projects and developing a disaster risk financing strategy to strengthen resilience against disasters.”
The IMF team said it held talks with senior government officials, the central bank, private sector and development partners during the visit, and thanked authorities for “productive collaboration and open policy dialogue.”
The agreement now goes to the IMF Executive Board for approval, which would trigger the next round of funding support for Papua New Guinea…. PACNEWS
PNG – AIRLINE: AIR NIUGINI PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 01 Apr 2026
Air Niugini Airbus A220-300 launches inaugural service to Sydney
PORT MORESBY, 01 APRIL 2026 (AIR NIUGINI) — Air Niugini has marked another major milestone in its fleet modernisation and international expansion programme with the introduction of its new Airbus A220-300 aircraft on the Port Moresby–Sydney route.
The inaugural service operated on Sunday 29 March 2026, representing the airline’s second international deployment of the A220 following its recent entry into service on the Cairns route.
The launch of the A220-300 to Sydney Airport signifies a key step in Air Niugini’s strategy to enhance its international network while delivering a more efficient and comfortable travel experience for passengers. Sydney is one of the airline’s most important international destinations, and the introduction of the new-generation aircraft further strengthens connectivity between Papua New Guinea and Australia.
With the arrival of the Airbus A220-300 into the fleet, Air Niugini will increase its Sydney services to three flights per week. Services will operate every Sunday, Thursday and Friday, departing Port Moresby at 1:10pm and arriving in Sydney at 5:10pm, offering passengers greater flexibility and improved scheduling options.
Beyond Port Moresby, Air Niugini offers travellers from Sydney onward to travel to the rest of Papua New Guinea, as well as convenient international connections to Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Honiara, Port Vila, Nadi and, from July, Narita in Japan.
The Airbus A220-300 is configured in a two-class layout accommodating 138 passengers and is designed to deliver a superior onboard experience. Customers can expect wider seating, larger windows, quieter cabins, along with onboard Wi-Fi for added convenience- and is complimentary for all passengers. In addition to enhancing the passenger experience, the aircraft offers significant operational benefits, including improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and greater reliability.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Alan Milne, said the introduction of the A220-300 on the Sydney route represents an important advancement for the airline.
“The deployment of the Airbus A220-300 to Sydney is a significant development for Air Niugini as we continue to modernise our fleet and expand our international reach. This aircraft brings a new level of comfort and efficiency to our operations and reinforces our commitment to providing a higher standard of service to our passengers travelling between Papua New Guinea and Australia.”
Mr Milne added that Sydney remains a vital gateway for business, tourism and family travel, and the increased frequency will further support these important connections.
“Sydney is a key destination within our international network. By increasing our services and introducing the A220-300 on this route, we are enhancing accessibility and creating more opportunities for travel, trade and economic engagement between our two countries.”
Sydney Airport CEO, Scott Charlton said: “Today marks an exciting new chapter for Air Niugini at Sydney Airport. The introduction of the modern Airbus A220-300 on this route not only enhances comfort for passengers but also reflects a shared commitment to efficiency and sustainable growth.
“We’re proud to support Air Niugini as it expands its presence in Sydney and strengthens vital connections between Australia and Papua New Guinea.”
The introduction of the A220-300 will progressively replace older aircraft currently operating on the Sydney route, improving efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
As Air Niugini continues to take delivery of additional A220 aircraft, the type will play an increasingly central role across both domestic and international services, supporting the airline’s long-term vision of delivering safe, reliable and modern air travel for Papua New Guinea.
Following the introduction of services to Cairns and Sydney, Honiara in Solomon Islands will be the next international destination to welcome Air Niugini’s next-generation Airbus A220…. PACNEWS
UN – SEAFEARERS: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 01 Apr 2026
‘No precedent’ for seafarers caught in war zone in post-WW2 era
LONDON, 01 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — Some 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as the war in the Middle East continues, a situation which has been described as unprecedented in the post-Second World War era.
The seafarers are working on some 2,000 ships including oil and gas tankers, bulk carriers, cargo ships as well as six tourist cruise liners.
The ships are trapped in the Persian Gulf and are unable to pass through the narrow strait owing to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Iran borders the strait on its northern side and has said it will only allow passage to “non-hostile” ships.
Prior to the conflict, around 150 vessels passed through the waterway every day, but now only four or five do so.
On Monday, two Chinese-flagged cargo ships had reportedly embarked on the four-to-six-hour journey through the strait and into the Gulf of Oman and safer waters outside the war zone.
Since the beginning of the conflict a month ago, there have been 19 attacks on vessels in the strait, according to the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London.
Ten seafarers have been killed and eight injured since the Israeli-US bombing of Iran began, sparking Iranian strikes across the Gulf.
On Tuesday, a fully loaded oil tanker was struck off the coast of Dubai, probably by an armed drone.
400,000 seafarers are still at sea even though their contracts have ended.
It remains unclear why those 19 ships were specifically targeted.
There appear to have been fewer attacks in the past week, amid increased diplomatic moves to resolve the crisis.
The IMO, which is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping, is focused on ensuring the evacuation and safety of the 20,000 seafarers.
“There is no precedent for the stranding of so many seafarers in the modern age,” said Damien Chevallier, Director of the organisation’s Maritime Safety Division.
“IMO has called on all parties to the conflict to deescalate the attacks so that the seafarers can be evacuated to safety.”
“They have been working in an active war zone for a month,” said Chevallier. “It is a very scary situation, and one can only imagine the psychological stress they are under.”
The International Transport Workers’ Federation, an IMO partner which represents seafarers, said it had received more than 1,000 emails from crew stranded on ships voicing concern about on-board conditions and asking for repatriation to their home countries.
“It might be possible to relieve those seafarers by replacing them with others as a ship obviously needs to a crew to carry on operating, but the companies running those vessels would need to find volunteers,” said Chevallier.
“The best solution is for those vessels to be able to pass to safety through the Strait of Hormuz, but that would require a cessation of hostilities,” he added.
The 2,000 vessels in the Persian Gulf are being resupplied with food, water and fuel by companies operating out of Saudi Arabia and Oman. The Saudi authorities have worked with IMO to provide information to the industry about how to contact those resupply companies.
It is not necessarily safer for those ships to remain in port, so the vessels are moving around the Gulf in search of secure locations where they can wait out the conflict, following the protocols of the shipping companies that own them.
As the IMO continues to engage with a range of interlocutors towards the evacuation of seafarers, the IMO’s Damien Chevallier said that the organisation has asked Iran “for clarification of what constitutes a ‘hostile’ ship and one which could thus be under the threat of attack,” if it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is vitally important to the global economy. An estimated 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass through it.
An internationally agreed ship routing system, a two-way ship traffic separation scheme, was adopted by IMO in 1968 with agreement of countries in the region. This maps out the safest route through the narrow maritime corridor passing close to Oman in the south.
However, the few vessels that have transited have taken a northern route close to Iran, reportedly so the authorities there can monitor their movements more closely.
IMO’s short-term aim is to secure the safety of all the crew currently stuck in the Persian Gulf, but there are longer-term concerns about the future of seafaring.
“If seafarers do not feel safe due to conflicts like the one which is taking place now, then it will be difficult to attract the next generation to meet what are expanding needs,” Chevallier explained.
“Without seafarers there can be no global trade which the world’s economies depend on,” he said…. 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
UN General Assembly adopts landmark resolution to strengthen the work of the UN system
NEW YORK, 01 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a landmark resolution to strengthen how UN mandates – the decisions taken by Member States that guide the Organisation’s work – are created, implemented and reviewed across the system.
The move marks a major milestone under the UN80 Initiative, a system-wide reform effort to make the UN more effective, coherent and better equipped to deliver results in a changing world.
Speaking in the General Assembly Hall, Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the adoption, calling it a “historic resolution” and “a major step”.
“The resolution adopted today reflects a shared understanding of the full mandate lifecycle – and a shared commitment to strengthen each step of it,” he told Member States. “Today’s resolution helps translate the ambition of the UN80 Initiative into concrete, practical action.”
Why mandates matter
By creating mandates, Member States instruct and guide the whole UN system on how to address global challenges: from supporting peace and security and delivering humanitarian aid, to advancing development and protecting human rights.
Over time, however, the large number of mandates has created practical challenges.
Since 1946, more than 40,000 resolutions, decisions and presidential statements have been adopted across key UN bodies – a landscape that is increasingly difficult to navigate.
This has contributed to duplication and overlap, proliferating reports and meetings, and limited visibility and review mechanisms across the system.
This can place a heavy burden on both Member States and the United Nations system, while making it harder to ensure effective and efficient mandate implementation.
‘A more structured approach’
The resolution introduces, for the first time, a more structured approach across the full mandate lifecycle – from design to implementation and review.
In practice, this means:
· Clearer and more focused mandates, supported by better information for decision-making from the outset;
· Stronger and more coordinated implementation, with improved use of data, more user-oriented reporting and more effective use of resources;
· More systematic review of results, helping ensure mandates remain relevant and deliver impact, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement, grounded in evidence, accountability and results.
· Increased transparency through improved digital tools, including through an expanded UN Mandate Registry, giving Member States more consolidated and comparable information on mandates, resources and results.
Why this matters
The resolution is intended to make it easier for Member States to navigate an increasingly complex mandate landscape, while helping the United Nations reduce duplication, fragmentation and inefficiency.
By strengthening how mandates are designed, delivered and reviewed, it aims to improve how the UN system translates decisions into results.
What happens next
The resolution builds on the work of the General Assembly’s Informal Ad Hoc Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review, co-chaired by Jamaica and New Zealand.
The Working Group was established by the General Assembly to consider the proposals contained in the Secretary-General’s July 2025 report on the Mandate Implementation Review, prepared under Workstream 2 of the UN80 Initiative.
That report examined how mandates are created, implemented and reviewed across the United Nations system, and set out proposals to strengthen each stage of the mandate lifecycle.
The resolution decides to deliver through a formal Ad Hoc Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review, open to all Member States and observers. The tasks include, for example, developing better practical templates, stronger review clauses and further review of existing mandates.
“This is a major step. But it is only the beginning. We will work as a single, coherent Organisation – guided by the Working Group – to improve how mandates are supported and implemented”, Guterres said while reaffirming that this remains a Member State-led process.
Echoing this sentiment, the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, said that the adoption marked an important step in a much broader reform effort and invited Member States to continue engaging in the next phase of the work.
“Today we took an important step to make the UN more agile, more efficient, more effective, and fit for the future, so it can better deliver for the people we serve”, she said.
The resolution is the latest milestone of the UN80 Initiative. Launched by the Secretary General a year ago, the Initiative is designed to impact the UN from top to bottom, so that every mandate, dollar and decision delivers maximum value for people and planet.
Next Monday, the General Assembly will hold an informal meeting to receive the latest update on the UN80 Initiative Action Plan, including proposals under workstream 3 which outlines possible structural and programmatic realignments to better align the UN System…. 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
Strengthening Island Resilience Through Biocontrol of Weeds
RAROTONGA, 01 APRIL 2026 (SPREP) — At the recently held XVII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds (ISBCW), organised by the New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute, held in Rotorua, Pacific Island voices were front and centre. For nations on the frontline of invasive species impacts, participation in this global gathering was not just valuable, it was vital.
Invasive weeds threaten food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience across the Pacific, and the symposium offered a rare opportunity for island representatives to learn from international experts, share their own experiences, and build networks that will strengthen regional responses.
Pacific representatives from Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Vanuatu had an opportunity to present on the work their respective countries are doing in the field of Natural Enemies during the ISBCW session on Classical Biological Control (CBC) in developing countries.
Natural Enemies are a critical, cost-effective and sustainable method for managing invasive weeds in developing countries, particularly where resources for chemical or mechanical control are limited. In these regions, where livelihoods depend heavily on agriculture, Natural Enemies help protect biodiversity and reduce the impact of invasive species that can reduce crop yields, threaten livelihoods and ecosystem services.
From Vanuatu, Ms Leisongi Bulesulu from the Department of Biosecurity presented on research showcasing how they are improving the beef industry in Vanuatu through biological control of invasive weed species and how invasive weed management is directly linked to the beef industry, with biocontrol improving pasture quality and supporting rural communities.
The Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu Plant Health team, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity has worked in partnership with scientists from the New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute’s Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research Group, who are the technical lead of the PRISMSS Natural Enemies-Natural Solutions programme, to implement biocontrol solutions to manage invasive weeds that threaten biodiversity, agriculture, and rural livelihoods.
“The project focuses on introducing host-specific natural enemies to suppress weed growth and reproduction to reduce reliance on chemical herbicides, restore degraded ecosystems, and support more resilient land management practices,” said Ms Bulesulu.
The programme reflects a broader commitment to ecological restoration and sustainable agricultural development through nature-based solutions and has already yielded some impressive results,” she further added.
Michelle Pius from the Papua New Guinea (PNG), National Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Authority presented an overview of research on their weed biocontrol efforts, stressing the need to build national capacity and strengthen partnerships.
PNG has one of the longest and most active histories of weed biocontrol in the Pacific, with 19 agents released against 12 weed species. Early successes date back to the 1980s, however, activities have stalled since 2008, and there is currently no ongoing weed biocontrol work in PNG, as capacity and priorities have shifted to other areas.
“Weed problems continue to be significant in PNG, affecting agriculture, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods. Many potential agents identified for the Pacific remain under-utilised in PNG,” said Ms Pius.
“The presentation paper reviews the history and status of weed biocontrol in PNG, examines barriers to programme continuity, and proposes a pragmatic, phased roadmap to revive and expand biocontrol work in the country.
Ms Aradhana Deesh from the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture & Waterways presented on a research paper titled Weed biocontrol in Fiji with an analysis of past impacts, current projects and future directions.
Participants attending the paper presentation session learnt how classical weed biocontrol in the Pacific, initiated in 1911, is a critical tool for safeguarding agriculture and native ecosystems. Fiji, in recent years, has released 30 agents against 11 weed species. This approach has delivered durable, cost-effective control, reducing reliance on herbicides.
This approach reflects strengthened institutional capacity and the value of international partnerships. Looking ahead, the future efficacy of biocontrol in Fiji depends on sustained investment in key infrastructure particularly quarantine and diagnostic facilities, robust post-release surveillance, and the integration of biocontrol into broader Integrated Weed Management strategies.
While concluding her presentation Deesh highlighted that “by combining scientific rigour, regulatory safeguards and local knowledge, Fiji’s programme exemplifies a sustainable pathway for managing invasive weeds across the Pacific islands.”
At the ISBCW session, Asma Bibi from the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture presented research on Holophygdon melanesica, a Melanesian lace bug identified as a promising biocontrol agent for the invasive vine Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as taro vine in Niue.
“Invasive plants pose a major threat to Pacific islands, where their rapid spread often overwhelms native ecosystems. Taro vine is particularly destructive, a fast-growing climber that smothers forests, displaces understory plants, and aggressively colonizes cyclone-disturbed areas,” said Bibi.
Participants that attended the session were informed that the lace bug H. melanesica, native to Fiji, has shown strong potential as a biological control agent due to its close association with the target weed. To assess its safety and effectiveness, containment no-choice tests were conducted across selected Araceae species, evaluating feeding, oviposition, and development.
“The introduction of this Melanesian agent to address a Polynesian problem underscores the value of regional collaboration in agent selection and highlights the Pacific’s growing leadership in invasive weed management,” said Bibi while concluding her presentation.
Makereta Ranadi from the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways presented research on the prevalence and life-table studies of Calligrapha pantherina, a leaf-feeding beetle introduced to suppress Sida acuta.
Sida acuta, native to Central America, has become a serious invasive weed in Fiji, reducing both crop yields and livestock productivity. In 1997, C. pantherina was introduced from Papua New Guinea as a biological control agent. Field surveys across Viti Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Gau, Koro, Beqa, Ovalau, and parts of Vanua Levu in Fiji confirmed the beetle’s dispersal up to 5 km from release sites, with significant reductions in weed populations observed.
Participants attending the session were informed that to support mass rearing, laboratory studies were conducted under controlled conditions between 2017 and 2018. These studies identified critical points for intervention and improved overall yield during production.
“Findings confirm that C. pantherina remains an effective and sustainable biological control agent for S. acuta in Fiji, supporting ongoing efforts to protect agricultural productivity and strengthen ecosystem resilience,”, concluded Ranadi.
Pacific participation at ISBCW was made possible through the support of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) led Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS). Funding was provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Kingdom International Development.
Beyond enabling attendance, PRISMSS is helping countries align invasive species management with broader climate resilience strategies, ensuring that the knowledge gained at ISBCW translates into practical action on the ground…. 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
New programme KiriLEAD to strengthen civil society engagement and government systems
TARAWA, 01 APRIL 2026 (SPC) — With the call of a conch shell and collective unveiling of banners, the Governments of Kiribati and Australia, with the Pacific Community (SPC), celebrated the official launch of KiriLEAD – the Kiribati Leadership Engagement and Accountability for Development programme last Friday at Bairiki Square.
“KiriLEAD is a powerful reflection of our national priorities to ensure that development in our islands is not just for the people but truly driven by the people,” highlighted Ruth Cross Kwansing, Minister for Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs (MWYSSA).
MWYSSA will lead the implementation of the new initiative, which is aligned with realising the Kiribati Vision 20 (KV20) and Kiribati Development Plan, as well as the Government manifesto.
“Australia is proud to support the Government of Kiribati with this 3.5-year initiative that focusses on strengthening government systems, building civil society organisation capacity, and integrating gender equality, disability and social inclusion,” stated Mark Foxe, Australian High Commissioner to Kiribati. “Today’s event for KiriLEAD is more than a launch – it is a promise. A promise that Australia and Kiribati will walk together towards a shared vision.”
Representatives of civil society also joined today’s launch, with three taking to the podium to reflect on the occasion:
“I believe that this initiative will benefit all CSOs and their programmes… and I believe that they will take this golden opportunity to be serious on it so that we all progress.” – Aia Mwaea Ainen Kiribati (AMAK) President Teewata Aromata.
“We thank you MWYSSA, our government and organisations that are supporting this great initiative and making it a reality. We are hopeful that the support from MWYSSA through KiriLEAD will strengthen the capacity of NGOs and provide funding for initiatives. We believe too that KiriLEAD will strengthen partnership for collaborations with government and, more importantly, to focus on good mutual understandings to promote good governance and accountability.” – Teretia Tokam, Executive Director of the Kiribati Women and Children Support Centre (KWCSC).
“We are happy that today, the launch of KiriLEAD, and we would like to thank our government for this very good opportunity to get this support… for this day opens the door for Te Toa Matoa and its various groups so they can carry out their role in alignment with this support.” – Tabaia Iakobwa, Officer Manager of Te Toa Matoa (national organisation for persons with disabilities).
While the primary focus is on enhancing partnerships and capabilities – across both government and civil society organisations – KiriLEAD outcomes will more broadly contribute to the advancement of human rights, climate resilience, and social development for people of all diversity in Kiribati. SPC is providing technical support to MWYSSA throughout the life of the KiriLEAD programme.
“We are committed to serving our members – including the people of Kiribati – by building on the successes and learning of previous initiatives like the Pacific People Advancing Change civil society support programme and a long history of providing technical assistance to the region,” said Tara Chetty, Deputy Director of SPC’s Human Rights and Social Development Division.
“As we move forward, I call upon every stakeholder – our government ministries, civil society organisations, community leaders, and development partners – to embrace a spirit of radical collaboration,” added Kwansing. “It is our shared responsibility to honour past efforts and build upon the foundations already laid. Let’s ensure that the progress ahead leaves a lasting legacy of empowered communities for the generations yet to come.” …PACNEWS
Media Contacts: Sian Rolls, Communications Officer, Pacific Community (SPC), Human Rights and Social Development (HRSD) Division | sianr@spc.int
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Reform by design: PNG aligns law with customary reality
By Allan Donigi
PORT MORESBY, 01 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Papua New Guinea’s efforts to design a workable system of customary land registration are often described as an ongoing challenge, yet the intellectual foundations underpinning today’s reform momentum have been in place for a while. The arguments now advanced by parliamentary leaders echo themes articulated long before Independence and refined in successive waves of inquiry and legislative drafting. It is this long continuity (rather than sudden innovation) that makes the present reform moment historically significant.
In 1985, R.W. James’s Land Law and Policy in Papua New Guinea outlined the fundamental problem: a dual tenure system where over 95 percent of land remained customary, yet the legal frameworks available to facilitate economic participation were built on foreign assumptions. James cautioned that PNG could neither replicate western freehold nor adopt collectivist state ownership. Instead, he proposed an “evolution from a customary base”, rooted in clan authority, group representation and documentation mechanisms that strengthened customary governance rather than undermining it.
He recognised the Incorporated Land Group (ILG) — a legal entity through which customary landowning clans can formally incorporate under PNG law to hold, manage and make decisions about their land — as a vehicle for this balance, provided accountability and internal legitimacy were not compromised.
Five years later, the Law Reform Commission’s 1990 Resource Management Workshop grounded these ideas in constitutional values. The workshop emphasised that customary land ownership was to remain vested in clans, even where registration occurs, and that documentation should never convert customary land into an alienable commodity. The workshop stressed the National Goals and Directive Principles: participation, decentralisation, equity and respect for social forms. It warned that unclear mandates and poor coordination would continue to undermine legitimacy unless addressed through transparent, locally anchored institutions that insulated landowners from manipulation. These principles anticipated many contemporary concerns about land grabbing, administrative opacity and vulnerability to elite influence.
Later in 2005, Dr Jim Fingleton traced a century of customary land registration. He noted that laws had existed since 1889 but failed because titles were rarely issued, administrative capacity was inadequate, and the public feared that registration would lead to alienation. His analysis reinforced several lessons: registration must be voluntary, demand-driven, grounded in group title and accompanied by careful public communication to avoid misinterpretation. Importantly, he argued that political leadership was essential to balance custom and modern governance without forcing transformation of tenure systems.
The 2008 Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) Review of Incorporated Land Groups and Design of a System of Voluntary Customary Land Registration built on these earlier foundations by proposing detailed frameworks for ILG authenticity, genealogical and boundary verification, financial accountability, management committees, transparency safeguards and a staged system in which ILG incorporation precedes voluntary land registration. The report insisted that ILGs must reflect existing customary groups, not opportunistic associations, that registration should apply only to land portions intended for economic use and that clan ownership must remain intact. Importantly, it reaffirmed that customary systems should not be displaced and that voluntary registration must be embedded within PNG’s own social structures, anticipating the administrative and governance challenges that continue today.
Placed against this historical backdrop, the nationwide consultations conducted in 2025 by the Special Parliamentary Committee on Customary Land and Land Reforms, chaired by Keith Iduhu, reveal an extraordinary continuity of concerns. The Committee heard persistent fears of illegal land sales, fraudulent dealings, manipulated ILGs, missing records, weak enforcement and a lack of clarity in existing laws (echoes of the issues described by James, the 1990 workshop, Fingleton and the CLRC). Iduhu reported that landowners consistently insisted on two things: that customary land must remain in clan hands, and that a credible system of documentation was urgently required to protect communities, support SMEs and allow fair participation in the economy. These themes were affirmed across hearings around PNG, with over a thousand participants appearing before the Committee.
The public statements made during the inquiry reinforce this continuity. At the launch of the nationwide inquiry in June 2025, Iduhu reiterated that reform was not about replacing indigenous ownership concepts but about strengthening them in a rapidly changing society. He stressed Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), benefit sharing, clear mandates for institutions, stronger ILG governance and safeguards for customary rights as core pillars of the reform vision. These positions align almost point-for-point with the principles developed in the 1990 workshop and refined in the 2008 CLRC proposals.
At a high-level seminar in January 2026, Iduhu highlighted how colonial-era laws and administrative structures continued to disadvantage customary landowners, citing land corruption, forced evictions and displacement as ongoing legacies. His call for land governance reform grounded in human rights, FPIC, anti-corruption safeguards and restitution mirrors long-standing critiques that PNG’s legal architecture has not adequately protected Indigenous landowners from historic injustices or contemporary exploitation.
The significance of this long evolution became evident in March 2026 when Parliament unanimously endorsed the Committee’s report and passed the Customary Land Tenure Act 2026. The framework includes a national clan registry, a customary lands registry, clear rules for leases and subsidiary agreements and transparent, accountable decision-making processes. These mechanisms are almost direct descendants of the proposals advanced by James, the (then) LRC, Fingleton and the CLRC over four decades. Iduhu’s emphasis on safeguarding customary ownership while enabling fair economic use reflects a coherent synthesis of these long-standing principles, culminating in a modern legislative design shaped by public consultation and constitutional values.
This continuity also aligns with the long-standing advocacy of my uncle, Peter Donigi, for a PNG-centred customary land system grounded in Melanesian governance forms. Peter Donigi consistently rejected imported legal frameworks that undermined clan authority and argued for reform that strengthened customary tenure rather than commercialised it. His ideas, while distinct in expression, converge strongly with the combined intellectual tradition from 1985 to 2026.
Together, these sources reveal that PNG has long understood what type of land reform it needs: one that protects customary ownership, ensures transparent representation and provides secure pathways for economic participation without alienation. The work by Iduhu represents a moment in which scholarly analysis, constitutional principles and political will have genuinely aligned. Implemented carefully, the reforms may finally realise the vision articulated for decades — a land system that honours custom while enabling a fair and secure future for Papua New Guinea…PACNEWS
Allan Donigi is a disputes counsel and lawyer based in Papua New Guinea.