In this bulletin:
1. UN — The world is waging a ‘war on nature’ as progress on biodiversity targets lags
2. FIJI — Fij PM rules out extending Constitution consultation period
3. PACIFIC — Pacific Forum, PCRIC discuss financing for El Niño risks
4. UN — WHO urges faster action to end lead exposure which kills 3.5 million annually
5. GUAM — Guam legislature passes $12M in pre-landfall funding in anticipation of new storm
6. SOL — PM Wale urges Australia awards scholards to return home and help build Solomon Islands
7. FIJI — FBC leadership commended for vision, nurturing next generation journalists
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Strengthening National Competent Authorities to support Pacific Seafood exports
9. PACNEWS BIZ — V20 Central Bank Governors advance the Lifeline Fund toward establishment
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific fishers face climate threats, funding gaps amid conservation push
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Palau Lawmakers push to cut sales tax and lower everyday bills
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Historic milestone for Tokelau with installation of first tide gauge
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Rethinking the 30 by 30 target to ensure the well-being of small-scale fishing communities
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Nearly half of Reef-Building Coral species face elevated relative risk of extinction
UN – BIODIVERSITY: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Fri 16 Oct 2026
The world is waging a ‘war on nature’ as progress on biodiversity targets lags
NEW YORK, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—-Fewer than half of the national targets set to protect the world’s plants, animals and ecosystems are on track, the UN warns in a new report, days before countries gather in Yerevan, Armenia, for the COP17 biodiversity conference.
The landmark deal struck in Montreal in 2022 – the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework – set out a vision of “living in harmony with nature” by 2050, with urgent action needed by 2030.
The new report suggests the world is falling behind.
“Biodiversity underpins life on Earth,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres wrote in the report.
“Safeguarding biological diversity is essential to the health of our planet, the resilience of our economies and the wellbeing of all people.”
One of the deal’s flagship goals was to protect at least 30 percent of the world’s land, inland waters, coasts and oceans by 2030.
Yet even if current commitments are met, only 26 per cent of land and 12 per cent of the ocean would be protected by that deadline, the report finds.
Progress is also lagging on money, skills, cooperation and data, as well as on economic incentives that reward protecting nature rather than destroying it.
“This bad news means that the war on nature has not yet ended,” Guterres said at the report’s launch in Yerevan.
He warned that the world is still caught in three interlinked crises: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
There has been some progress since 2022, however.
Nearly 90 per cent of countries that are parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity have set national targets, and more than half have drawn up their own plans to deliver them.
More than 70 percent have measured and reported on their results.
Indigenous Peoples, local communities, regional and city authorities, charities and businesses have also made some 5,000 commitments – though the report warns of a serious gap between ambition and action.
Closing that gap will require money and expertise for developing countries on a far bigger scale, the report says.
Governments need to scrap subsidies that harm nature, strengthen social protection, redirect spending towards protecting nature and work with businesses on strong disclosure rules.
Better coordination is also needed between governments, business, civil society, young people, women and Indigenous Peoples to strengthen accountability, enforcement and cooperation.
“Biodiversity must be part of every decision being made – across policies, regulations and budgets.
“Nature won’t thrive on good intentions,” Guterres said…..PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Fij PM rules out extending Constitution consultation period
SUVA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) —Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has ruled out extending the public consultation period on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, despite calls from non-governmental organisations for more time during consultations in Suva and Nausori.
“There will be no extensions,” Rabuka said, adding that the process was bound by a set timeline that could not be changed without risking a breach of the Constitution.
“We have to remain within the reliable timeframe for the Constitution,” he said.
Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) executive director Vani Catanasiga called for a six-month extension.
She also rejected the current version of the Bill and called for the Constitution Review Commission’s draft to be reinstated.
“If you have to go first for elections, let’s go for elections. But you definitely need to ensure that people are engaged meaningfully in this process,” Catanasiga said.
Transparency and Integrity Fiji’s Cegu Babana also supported allowing more time for public consultations.
Centre for Democracy and Dialogue chief executive officer Nilesh Lal said only three hours had been allocated for consultations in the greater Suva area, home to about 300,000 people.
He said the process could be “the fastest constitution-making in the entire world”.
Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) executive director Nalini Singh said women, young women, girls and women with disabilities needed more time to provide feedback on a document intended to protect their rights.
Lami resident Tarun Tikaram said the process appeared “suspiciously, and unnecessarily rushed”.
Rabuka, who chairs the Special Committee, acknowledged earlier that time was limited.
“And we admit that we have not had time,” he said, adding that the Bill had to wait 30 days after its second reading before the third reading, which was scheduled for the first week of November.
Rabuka also thanked members of the public who came forward to make submissions.
“Everybody was free to come and give us their views without fear or favour.”
Written submissions would be summarised for the committee.
The Bill passed its second reading on 02 October. The Government has announced a referendum for 09 December.
The committee moves to Namosi and Nadroga today, followed by Lautoka and Rakiraki…..PACNEWS
PAC – WEATHER WATCH/ELNINO: PACNEWS/PIFS PACNEWS 3: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Pacific Forum, PCRIC discuss financing for El Niño risks
SUVA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS/PIFS) — The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) are exploring closer cooperation to help Pacific countries prepare financially for climate shocks, including drought risks linked to El Niño.
The Forum Secretariat’s Economic Policy Team, led by Salaseini Raiwalui, recently met with PCRIC Chief Executive Officer Aholotu Palu and his team to discuss support for Forum Island Countries facing growing climate-related risks.
Discussions focused on PCRIC’s role in providing pre-arranged disaster risk financing, which helps countries access funds when eligible disasters occur.
With many Forum Island Countries facing potential drought risks associated with El Niño, the meeting examined how stronger collaboration between the two organisations could help governments prepare for climate shocks before they occur.
Pre-arranged disaster financing can help countries respond more quickly to emergencies, reduce pressure on government budgets and support recovery efforts following disasters.
The Forum Secretariat and PCRIC said they looked forward to continued cooperation to strengthen the financial resilience of the Blue Pacific region….PACNEWS
UN – HEALTH/LEAD: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Fri 16 Oct 2026
WHO urges faster action to end lead exposure which kills 3.5 million annually
GENEVA, 16 OCTOBER 2206 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—Countries must accelerate efforts to prevent lead exposure, which is estimated to cause more than 3.5 million deaths globally each year and affects hundreds of millions of children, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday.
The UN agency issued the call ahead of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which runs from 18-26 October.
Although exposure is entirely preventable, fewer than half of countries had confirmed legally binding controls on paint containing lead, according to the agency’s latest global assessment.
The risks to children are particularly dangerous because their developing brains and nervous systems are highly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead.
“Lead poisoning should not be stealing children’s potential in 2026,” said Bruce Gordon, interim director of WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration.
“We know where many exposures come from and we know how to prevent them. Countries now need to move upstream, removing lead from products and environments before it reaches a child’s bloodstream.”
Lead contamination can occur through paint, cookware, cosmetics, spices, informal recycling and industrial sources. There is no known safe level of contact, and even relatively low exposure can cause irreversible harm.
Lead poisoning affects multiple organs and contributes to health problems such as cardiovascular and kidney disease in adults and irreversible damage to the brain, health and development of children.
Lifelong consequences include learning difficulties, behavioural issues and poor health. As symptoms may not be immediately visible, many cases go unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred.
WHO Member States have recognized lead exposure as a pressing public health concern and mandated the agency to develop a Global Action Plan on Lead Mitigation that will be presented to the World Health Assembly (N-dash) – WHO’s governing body (N-dash) – next year.
The agency will also launch the PREVENT Technical Package on Lead Poisoning Prevention in 2027, to provide countries with practical guidance to identify priority sources of exposure, determine which interventions can have the greatest impact, strengthen and enforce regulations and monitor progress.
Last year, WHO joined partners in the Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative to build and improve laboratory capacity to test blood lead levels, thus enabling early detection of lead exposure.
Capacity building and technical support will be implemented in locations in Brazil, India, Nepal and in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania…..PACNEWS
GUAM – LANDFALL FUNDING: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Guam legislature passes $12M in pre-landfall funding in anticipation of new storm
HAGATNA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—The 38th Guam Legislature has passed an emergency bill appropriating US$12 million in pre-landfall funding to assist with storm preparation, response and recovery efforts in anticipation of Tropical Depression 29W, which the weather office said might have the same strength as Typhoon Mawar.
Bill 371-38, authored by Sen. Telo Taitague, taps Guam’s Rainy Day Fund to help government agencies, village mayors and emergency shelters prepare for Tropical Depression 29W.
Similar to appropriations made by the legislature in preparation for Typhoon Bavi, Bill 371-38 authorizes disbursement of the following, which are included within the total US$12 million appropriation.
*US$250,000 to each Mayor’s Office for village preparedness, emergency supplies, response, and assistance
* to residents.
*US$250,000 to each GDOE school activated as an emergency shelter to support shelter operations and
* families seeking refuge.
*US$100,000 to the Mayors’ Council of Guam for emergency-related administrative costs.
The bill includes an amendment from Senator Therese Terlaje to allocate an additional US$2 million from the Rainy-Day Fund to the Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Assistant Programme.
From this additional US$2 million appropriation, US$200,000 will be distributed to the Guam Farmer’s Co-op, and US$200,000 will be distributed to the Guam Fisherman’s Co-Op in anticipation of impacts from Tropical Depression 29W.
This bill also mandates expenditure reporting from the mayors, GDOE, the Mayors’ Council, and the Governor.
Additionally, any funds provided to the mayors, Mayors’ Council, or school shelters that are not spent must be returned to the Rainy Day Fund to ensure that unexpended funds appropriated for the impacts of Tropical Depression 29W remain available for future emergencies.
“Our mayors know which residents need assistance. Our schools provide shelter when families have nowhere else to go. They need the resources to prepare now, not after the storm arrives,” Taitague said.
“The bill requires DOA to make funds available for disbursement within 24 hours of enactment, subject to fund availability and applicable law… We should not wait until the storm hits to decide whether our communities have the resources to respond. We have seen what happens when families lose power, roads become impassable, or residents must leave their homes.”
“We must keep investing in stronger infrastructure, our schools, shelters, roads, power and water systems, and homes, so that our island can better withstand whatever Mother Nature brings our way,” she said. “Our goal should not simply be to recover from every storm, but to build a Guam that is stronger and better prepared for the next one.”
Senator Shawn Gumataotao said, “Every village must prepare, from Yigo to Merizo, and our people must act now. In more than a decade of public service, I have never seen this body move so quickly.”
This year, the legislature appropriated US$50 million for Sinlaku and Bavi response and recovery.
“My committee reviewed the Sinlaku response in June. Bavi grazed our island only three months ago, and its oversight hearing is still pending,” Gumataotao said following a special session on Bill 371-38.
“Until then, there is no full accounting. We are now being asked to take an additional US$12 million from the Rainy Day Fund. Drawing on our reserves is a serious decision, and it calls for the same accountability we owe on every dollar already spent,” he added.
“Now we must ask ourselves honestly: does this latest emergency funding policy make Guam ready for the impending storm, or only make us look ready?” he asked.
Republicans rejected Sen. Chris Barnett’s proposed amendment to provide nearly 40,000 households with US$500 each in one-time direct assistance to help families address the storm’s coming impacts.
“For families already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, fuel, and other necessities, US$500 could have helped purchase emergency supplies, fill vehicles with gasoline, secure future medications, and make minor home repairs,” Barnett said.
“Why should a family have to wait until their roof is damaged, their power goes out, or their refrigerator is full of spoiled food before we decide they need help?” Barnett said
“We know a storm is coming. We know families are struggling. And we had an opportunity to help them with recovery,” he said…..PACNEWS
SOL – EDUCATION: SOL GOVT PACNEWS 3: Fri 16 Oct 2026
PM Wale urges Australia awards scholards to return home and help build Solomon Islands
HONIARA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (SOL GOVT)—-Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale has urged 50 Solomon Islands students preparing to study in Australia under the 2027 Australia Awards scholarships to return home and use their skills to help address the country’s development challenges.
Speaking at the farewell event in Honiara on Wednesday, Prime Minister Wale described the scholarships as an investment in people that should ultimately benefit Solomon Islands.
“Australia has not invested in you so that Solomon Islands may lose you. This award is not a ticket out. It is a loan to your nation, and it is repaid not in money, but in service,” he said.
Prime Minister Wale encouraged the scholars to learn deeply, maintain their cultural and community connections, and return home ready to contribute to national development.
He urged them to observe how Australian institutions deliver public services, manage water resources, ensure local government accountability and implement audit recommendations.
“These are the lessons that are not written in any course outline, and they are the ones Solomon Islands needs most,” he said.
The Prime Minister thanked the Australian Government and people for their longstanding support, saying investment in education and human capacity could deliver lasting benefits.
He also reminded the scholars to uphold their faith, languages and cultural values while representing Solomon Islands abroad.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Jeff Roach said the Australia Awards programme aims to develop future leaders, strengthen institutions and build skills needed for the country’s prosperity.
Roach said the incoming cohort would study in diverse fields and join a network of more than 850 Australia Awards alumni contributing to Solomon Islands’ development.
The farewell event brought together the scholars, their families, Australian High Commission officials and programme representatives to celebrate the 50 awardees ahead of their studies.
Congratulating the students, Wale acknowledged the sacrifices made by their families and encouraged other young Solomon Islanders to pursue similar opportunities.
“Go well. Learn well. And come back to build,” he said….PACNEWS
FIJI – MEDIA: WANSOLWARA ONLINE PACNEWS 3: Fri 16 Oct 2026
FBC leadership commended for vision, nurturing next generation journalists
SUVA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (WANSOLWARA ONLINE)—The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation’s (FBC) commitment to nurturing young journalists and strengthening practical training has been commended by the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Journalism Programme, with its head, Dr Shailendra Singh, highlighting the corporation’s growing support for students entering the media industry.
Dr Singh said Chief Executive Officer Tarun Patel’s leadership has been a “breath of fresh air”.
He said FBC had become more receptive and inclusive, providing students with internship opportunities, access to its facilities, and training programmes, to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice.
“Our renewed partnership with FBC since Patel’s arrival and inspirational leadership is a mutually beneficial arrangement,” Dr Singh said.
“The biggest beneficiaries are the students, who should always be uppermost in our minds.”
He said Fiji’s high turnover of journalists often meant young graduates were called upon to fill vacancies early in their careers, making practical training essential to preparing them for the demands of professional journalism.
Dr Singh also acknowledged the contribution of experienced journalists, including FBC General Manager News, Current Affairs and Sports Felix Chaudhary, FBC Strategic Development Specialist Daniel Singh and Strategic Partnership Officer Satish Narayan, whose experience and guidance provided valuable inspiration for aspiring journalists.
Several USP Journalism graduates have gone on to build successful careers at FBC, demonstrating the importance of industry partnerships in developing local media talent.
Some of them include Nikhil Kumar, Riya Bhagwan and Mollyn Nakabea.
Bhagwan is an award-winning USP Journalism graduate and FBC multimedia journalist. She won the Online Category of the 2024 Vision Pasifika Media Awards – Cleaner Pacific for her Wansolwara feature on Fiji’s plastic pollution battle. In 2026, she received USP’s Gold Medal for the most outstanding Journalism graduate and was selected for a joint FBC News–SBS Australia media training programme.
Kumar is a USP Journalism graduate recognised for his achievements in student journalism. At the 2023 USP Journalism Students Awards, he jointly won Best News Reporting with another student journalist. He will be travelling to Türkiye to cover COP 31 next month.
Nakabea is a USP Journalism graduate and multimedia journalist at FBC. Her professional work involves newsroom reporting and multimedia journalism, applying the practical skills developed through her studies at USP to her career in the media industry.
Dr Singh’s comments came during an educational visit two weeks ago to FBC by second-year USP Journalism students studying broadcast and digital journalism, who gained first-hand insight into the operations of one of Fiji’s major media organisations.
Patel welcomed the students and outlined the work involved in producing news bulletins and keeping the public informed across multiple platforms. He emphasised the need for speed and accuracy, noting that modern newsroom operations extend beyond radio and television to the continuous production and publication of digital and social media content.
Veteran journalist Chaudhary took the students and staff through the corporation’s radio and television facilities, explaining how different departments coordinate to deliver news and other content to the public.
Chaudhary said FBC worked with the USP Journalism Programme to provide internship opportunities, an important component of students’ practical training.
During a question-and-answer session, students engaged with FBC representatives on newsroom operations and career opportunities in the media industry, including pathways for international students interested in working in the sector.
Patel also introduced the students to the Pacific Multimedia Academy, FBC’s training initiative, which has facilitated programmes with support from media organisations including BBC Media Action and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
He outlined plans to introduce formal training in media production, technology and engineering. The proposed programmes would combine theoretical learning, potentially delivered online, with practical training and assessments to ensure participants can apply their skills in professional settings.
The programmes are expected to be accredited through the Oceania Institute of Technology.
The students were accompanied by Journalism Teaching Assistants Shreya Kumar and Monika Singh….PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Strengthening National Competent Authorities to Support Pacific Seafood Exports
SUVA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (FFA)—National Competent Authorities play an important role in ensuring that fishery products meet the food safety and quality requirements of export markets.
A two-week training programme underway in Suva is helping officers from six Pacific countries strengthen their understanding of these requirements and how they apply in practice.
The National Competent Authority (CA) Officer Training Programme covers European Union (EU) requirements for fishery products, including EU and National standards and regulations, inspection and auditing, traceability, certification, and the responsibilities of national Competent Authorities.
For Pacific countries exporting, or looking to export, fishery products to the EU, meeting these requirements is an important part of ensuring products meet the necessary health and safety standards.
Under the EU regulatory framework, Competent Authorities are responsible for ensuring that the required systems are in place and working effectively across the seafood supply chain (from vessel to export).
This is to ensure that the fish and fishery products caught and or produced, processed, heat-treated, frozen, packaged, stored and transported in accordance with the applicable EU/National requirements; originate from an approved establishment; have been handled hygienically under appropriate HACCP-based procedures and official controls; and comply with the applicable public health, microbiological and other relevant food safety requirements for entry into the European Union or any Non EU markets like the PRC.
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Market Access Specialist Ratu Jope Tamani who is leading the training said officers need to understand the requirements and how to apply them in their day-to-day work.
“Competent Authority officers have an important responsibility in that the right effective systems are in place, from fishing vessels and processing facilities through to traceability and certification. The training gives participants an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and better understand what is required of them,” said Tamani.
“Compliance for an NCA officer means ensuring that the right systems are in place, requirements are met, and every official control is supported by verified evidence,” he adds.
Understanding the fish behind the regulations
Thursday’s session, led by Mr Tamani, focused on the fish itself and why this knowledge is important in inspection work.
Through practical examples and group exercises, participants learned about commercially important tuna species found in the Pacific, including skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore. They also looked at fish anatomy and the signs that can help inspectors assess freshness and quality, including the eyes, gills, skin and flesh.
The session covered how handling, temperature control, processing and storage can affect fish quality and safety, as well as the importance of managing histamine risks in tuna.
“As fish inspectors, you need to understand the fish we are dealing with, not just the regulations. Being able to identify different species and recognise signs of freshness and quality helps you make better-informed decisions during inspection,” said Tamani.
“You cannot effectively regulate what you do not understand. NCA officers must understand the fish, the fishing operations, handling, processing, and supply chain before they can effectively verify compliance and enforce the regulations.”
The session highlighted how the condition of fish can be affected at different stages, from capture and handling on board vessels through to processing and export. This practical knowledge complements the regulatory understanding officers need to carry out their responsibilities.
For FFA Members, having officers who understand these requirements and can carry out effective inspections is important for protecting consumers and maintaining confidence in Pacific fishery products. It also supports countries working to meet the requirements of international markets.
For Iasep Tui, a Fisheries Officer with the Tuvalu Fisheries Authority, the training has provided useful knowledge for his work at home.
“This training has given me the knowledge and skills I need to do my job better in Tuvalu, particularly in identifying non-compliance during vessel inspections and desktop audits, and understanding EU requirements,” he said.
Connie Tuvui, an Audit Certification Officer with the National Fisheries Authority in Papua New Guinea, said the sessions had also helped her reflect on the challenges she faces in her work and how to address them.
“The training has helped me better understand what inspections and audits really involve, and the responsibilities that come with them. It has also highlighted some of the challenges I face in my country and what I need to do, with the support of my team, to improve the way we carry out our work,” she said.
Around 15 officers – nine women and six men – are participating in the first week of training. They represent Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji.
Other parts of the training cover the roles and responsibilities of Competent Authorities, the ethics and competencies expected of officers, EU regulations, auditing procedures, microbiology, food-borne illness, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), traceability and certification.
Participants will also visit fresh and frozen fish processing facilities and landing sites to see how the requirements covered in the classroom apply in practice.
The programme also covers the different purposes of health and catch certification. Health certification addresses applicable food safety and public health requirements, while catch certification relates to the legality of catches and efforts to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The training is organised by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) through the EU-funded Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership Programme (PEUMP II)….PACNEWS
PAC – LIFELINE FUND: VCFV20 PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 16 Oct 2026
V20 Central Bank Governors advance the Lifeline Fund toward establishment
BANGKOK, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (VCFV20)—At the Sixth Meeting of the V20 Central Bank Governors Working Group, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF, central bank governors from climate-vulnerable countries signed a non-binding Statement of Endorsement expressing their interest in participating in the establishment of the Lifeline Fund.
A proposed climate-focused multi-regional financial arrangement designed to provide rapid liquidity support when climate shocks translate into balance-of-payments pressures.
Barbados, Bhutan, The Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, and Papua New Guinea signed the Statement of Endorsement, with additional countries expressing support pending completion of domestic approval processes.
The Statement is deliberately non-binding. It does not commit any central bank to join the Fund, nor does it commit reserves or any other financial resources.
Signatories affirm the need for a V20-owned, multi-regional financial arrangement capable of providing rapid liquidity following climate shocks; support the principal design direction developed collectively through the Working Group; and express an interest in participating in the establishment of the Fund, subject to each institution’s domestic processes.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of intensifying climate risks across vulnerable economies. The current strengthening El Niño, expected to persist into 2027, illustrates the potential for climate-related disruptions to place pressure on economic activity, external balances, and financial buffers.
Papua New Guinea, which has accessed the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility, highlighted the need for responsive instruments capable of addressing immediate pressures on international reserves and foreign exchange markets following climate shocks.
The Lifeline Fund addresses a structural gap in the Global Financial Safety Net (GFSN). There is no dedicated mechanism for providing fast, predictable balance-of-payments support following a climate shock. For the majority of V20 members, there is uneven access to currency swaps and regional financial arrangements. Existing IMF rapid instruments are limited in size and not pre-arranged, while longer-term facilities were not designed for immediate post-shock liquidity and carry broader programme requirements.
Upon establishment, the Lifeline Fund would become the first climate-focused multi-regional financial arrangement within the GFSN, spanning the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific.
Its design was developed through direct engagement with V20 central banks, including four focused technical consultations, a high-level technical meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados, in July 2026, and subsequent stress testing and bilateral engagement. At the CVF Leaders’ Meeting in September 2026, Leaders welcomed progress toward establishing Lifeline and mandated completion of the technical, legal, and institutional work necessary to bring the Fund into operation.
The Fund’s design centres on two lending facilities:
*The Rapid Resilience Facility (RRF) provides short-term liquidity after climate-triggered shocks, with disbursement linked to a qualifying climate event and a maturity of one to three years.
*The Stabilisation Credit Facility (SCF) supports medium-term balance-of-payments adjustment arising from climate shocks, with a maturity of three to five years.
Based on the initial capitalisation and stress-testing results, the Fund is expected to begin operations with the Rapid Resilience Facility, with the Stabilisation Credit Facility to be introduced as the Fund’s capital base and lending capacity expand, subject to the appropriate governance approvals.
The initial operational capitalisation objective is US$500 million, with a pathway to at least US$1.6 billion as membership and partner participation expand. For planning purposes, indicative member contributions have been estimated at the equivalent of 0.2 percent of international reserves; actual subscriptions remain subject to domestic approval.
The Fund’s capital structure is designed to be strengthened over time through additional member and partner contributions, retained investment income, and potential borrowing from international capital markets, subject to appropriate governance decisions and risk management safeguards.
Chaired by Dr Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados and Chair of the V20 Central Bank Governors Working Group, the meeting advanced the operational pathway toward establishment.
Governor Greenidge said: “When a climate shock creates sudden balance-of-payments and liquidity pressures, climate-vulnerable economies should have access to financial support that arrives at the speed the shock requires. That is the problem Lifeline is intended to address. We have now shown that climate-vulnerable countries can build a financial safety net designed for the shocks we actually face. The task before us is to build it.”
The Working Group will now complete the remaining technical and legal work on the draft Governing Instrument, including outstanding questions concerning reserve-asset treatment, access arrangements, pricing, and financial risk management.
The objective is to have the founding instrument ready for signature by the 2027 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF.
Entry into force and the first Board of Governors meeting will follow once the conditions established in the founding treaty are satisfied. Establishment preparations will also include interim reserve-management arrangements, host-country arrangements, transitional governance, and the competitive selection of the permanent Executive Director…..PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Pacific fishers face climate threats, funding gaps amid conservation push
HAGATNA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—As warming seas alter fish populations and extreme weather makes fishing more dangerous, Pacific Island communities face another challenge: securing the funding and authority to protect the coastal waters on which they depend.
The pressures have placed small-scale fisheries at the center of questions about ocean conservation, including how international efforts to protect 30 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030 can recognise traditional practices and local livelihoods.
Rocky Sanchez Tirona, managing director of regional programmes at conservation organization Rare, said fishing communities need a greater role in determining how their marine resources are managed, rather than relying exclusively on policies developed elsewhere.
In an interview with the Pacific Island Times connected to discussions surrounding a United Nations fisheries summit held 07 – 11 September, Tirona described climate impacts, funding barriers and the potential for community-led conservation across the region.
Rising ocean temperatures are changing where fish can be found, she said, requiring some fishers to travel farther to catch species previously available closer to shore.
“The fish are changing their path for migration. They’re not necessarily in the same places that they used to be found in,” Tirona said.
Greater distances can increase the risks associated with fishing, particularly as severe weather brings higher waves and heavier rainfall. Those conditions can also reduce opportunities to work.
The stakes extend beyond income. In Pacific communities, fishing contributes to household food supplies and cultural practices and celebrations, making changes in the ocean a concern that extends beyond the fishing industry.
Rare’s background materials estimate that roughly 50 million people worldwide participate in small-scale fishing and that the sector accounts for about 90 percent of fishers and fish workers globally.
The organisation works with more than 2,300 fishing communities across multiple countries.
Tirona oversees regional programs involving coastal fisheries and other community-led conservation work, including initiatives in the Pacific, Philippines and Indonesia.
She said effective management begins by asking residents what they want for their waters, then combining their priorities with scientific information to develop workable rules.
That can involve deciding where fishing should be restricted, how large protected areas should be and how communities will monitor compliance.
In Palau, Tirona cited Rare’s work with communities in Melekeok and Ngaraard to establish managed access and reserve areas. Residents participated in developing management plans that incorporated traditional knowledge alongside scientific findings.
She pointed to the traditional practice of temporarily closing an area to fishing, allowing fish populations time to recover before fishing resumes or restrictions move elsewhere.
Such practices can serve purposes similar to scientific approaches that establish no-take zones, she said, while retaining systems of governance familiar to local residents.
“Science has its place, right? It helps people really understand what’s going on and then make decisions around that,” Tirona said.
Working with communities also requires understanding the different roles of elected officials, village chiefs and other traditional leaders, particularly where their responsibilities intersect.
Tirona said conservation organizations must consult those groups before translating local agreements into government policy and community rules.
The approach has implications for the international goal of conserving 30 percent of oceans by 2030, commonly called 30 by 30.
While supporting the the target, Tirona said governments should avoid protecting areas solely to increase the recorded percentage.
Decisions should consider habitat conditions and the people who already use those waters.
She said locally managed marine areas could contribute to the target through recognition as other effective area-based conservation measures, even when they are not formally designated marine protected areas.
That recognition could acknowledge conservation work already carried out through traditional leadership, rather than treating formal protected areas as the only legitimate approach.
The interview followed a media outreach effort tied to the September summit. Rare’s materials identified climate change, biodiversity loss and inadequate investment as challenges for coastal communities.
Tirona said the Pacific presents opportunities for locally led management because fishing is closely connected to identity and longstanding ocean stewardship.
However, conservation plans must also account for practical trade-offs, including whether restrictions reduce access to customary fishing grounds or place pressure on households dealing with changing ocean conditions.
Money remains a major obstacle. Tirona said grant applications, reporting requirements and other administrative procedures often make it difficult for small community organizations to access international conservation financing.
She called for changes on both sides: simpler requirements from donors and additional support to help local groups plan projects, manage funds and report results.
Video updates, for example, could offer a more accessible way for communities to explain how grant money was used. Financial intermediaries could also help distribute large commitments among smaller projects.
Tirona pointed to Niue’s approach of estimating the cost of conserving a square kilometer of ocean and inviting supporters to help finance that protection.
She said the example reflects a broader argument that Pacific countries should receive support for stewarding waters whose ecological benefits extend well beyond their borders.
Technology could help communities document those benefits and track environmental changes, although Tirona cautioned against allowing it to replace local decisions.
In Papua New Guinea, she cited the use of underwater video footage processed with artificial intelligence to assess reef conditions. Such analysis could reduce the expense of repeated scientific surveys.
Rare also uses environmental data to assess climate vulnerability, including sea temperatures, sea-level rise, and habitat conditions, before sharing findings with communities.
“I think that’s as far as I would go with AI for now. I’m not putting anything more because the rest of it is really about people and the choices that they make,” Tirona said.
Looking a decade ahead, Tirona said.
she hopes communities will see recovering habitats, healthier fish populations and improved livelihoods resulting from their management choices.
She also emphasised the need to strengthen local food production alongside fisheries, reducing dependence on imports and improving resilience when storms or other disruptions affect supplies……PACNEWS
PALAU – BILLS: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Palau Lawmakers push to cut sales tax and lower everyday bills
KOROR, 16 OCTOBER 2026(ISLAND TIMES) —Lawmakers in Palau are working on two new bills to help families save money on daily living costs as prices for groceries and basic services keep going up.
The bills were brought forward by five senators—TJ Imrur Remengesau, Stevenson J. Kuartei, Salvador “Sadoi” Tellames, Lentcer Basilius, and Kerai Mariur—who want to change how the Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST) works. PGST is the extra tax added to items when you buy them at a store or pay a bill.
The first proposal, Senate Bill No. 12-83, wants to cut the main PGST tax rate in half, dropping it from 10% down to 5 percent. It would also stop the government from charging sales and income taxes to public service companies like the Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC), Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC), and Belau Submarine Cable Corporation (BSCC).
Senators explained that electricity and phone services are essential for everyday life. They pointed out that “since the implementation of the PGST Act, individuals and families have felt the financial impact of the new tax regime in their daily lives,” making it harder for people to pay their monthly bills.
The second proposal, Senate Bill No. 12-82, focuses directly on food. It would remove the PGST tax from all grocery items—whether raw ingredients, cooked food, or snacks. Lawmakers said this is necessary because “the cost of food has increased substantially, placing a disproportionate burden on low-income households, large families, senior citizens, and other residents with limited financial resources.”
While many local families would love to pay less at the cash register, top government leaders urge caution.
President Surangel Whipps Jr warns that cutting taxes too much could leave the government without enough money to run public services, fix roads, or run essential community programs. During discussions about tax policy, President Whipps cautioned that “the proposal to reduce the Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST) while increasing subsidies risks government revenue and stability.”
When discussing broad tax cuts and money-back programs, President Whipps added that “the rebate was an untargeted subsidy that would have diverted public funds away from targeted assistance programs… and provided government money to individuals who do not require assistance.”
This debate leaves Palau at an important crossroads: while senators want to give families instant relief on their grocery and power bills, executive leaders argue that a strong tax system is necessary to keep the country running smoothly. Lawmakers will continue reviewing both bills to decide what comes next. …. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Historic milestone for Tokelau with installation of first tide gauge
NUKUNONU, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (SPC)—Tokelau has reached a significant milestone with the installation and commissioning of its first-ever tide gauge, providing high-quality sea-level, climate and geodetic information to support evidence-based planning, climate resilience and disaster preparedness across the country.
The tide gauge was officially commissioned on 08 October 2026 in Nukunonu by the Ulu o Tokelau, Alapati Pita Tavite, alongside the Administrator of Tokelau,Andre van der Walt, the Director of the Tokelau Meteorological Service, Asi Fangalua Halaleva-Pasilio, representatives of the Taupulega, the Fatupaepae and members of the community.
The new station will continuously measure sea levels and coastal conditions. The data collected will help improve understanding of tides and sea-level changes, support coastal planning and infrastructure development, enhance forecasting skills, and strengthen early warning systems for communities across Tokelau.
In addition to the tide gauge, the station includes a rain gauge that will measure rainfall and provide important complementary climate information.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Ulu highlighted the importance of the new facility and acknowledged the support of the Australian and New Zealand Governments and the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Climate and Ocean Support Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac), as well as the dedication and the invaluable assistance provided by staff from the Department of Economic Development, Natural Resources and Environment (EDNRE) and from the Ministry of Climate, Oceans and Resilience (MiCORE).
“Today’s event is the result of strong regional partnerships and a shared commitment to strengthening climate and ocean services for the people of Tokelau,” he said.
He also emphasised that the initiative was a national project that would benefit all three atolls.
“While this tide gauge is installed here in Nukunonu, the information and benefits it provides will serve all of Tokelau and support national decision-making for years to come.”
Since 2021, COSPPac has worked with the Tokelau Meteorological Service to strengthen national climate and ocean monitoring and prediction services.
With Tokelau’s inclusion, the tide gauge network has now expanded to 14 Pacific Island countries and territories, as part of the Pacific Sea Level and Geodetic Monitoring (PSLGM) Network, a regional network that has operated across the Pacific for more than three decades….PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Rethinking the 30 by 30 target to ensure the well-being of small-scale fishing communities
SUVA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (SPC)—The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) sets an ambitious, necessary, and urgent target: protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30×30).
Yet the success of this vision will depend on our ability to answer a fundamental question: how can we expand marine conservation while ensuring the well-being and resilience of the communities whose lives and livelihoods are intrinsically linked to the ocean?
In the Pacific, the ocean is much more than a vast expense of water or an economic resource. It is a cornerstone of food security, culture and livelihoods for many Pacific Islanders, especially local coastal communities that are predominantly engaged in small-scale fisheries.
While the ‘30×30’ aims to halt biodiversity loss, its implementation can sometimes create tensions when it does not fully account for local realities. Top-down or overly hasty approaches risk excluding communities, despite the fact that they are often the primary guardians of marine resources and have the greatest stake in the management of these resources.
Protecting the ocean is not simply a matter of drawing boundaries. It also requires strengthening interconnected social and ecological systems that sustain marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
This is precisely what a new study highlights, which argues for rethinking the ‘30 by 2030’ target so that it works with, rather than against, small-scale fishing communities.
Drawing on case studies from coastal communities in the Solomon Islands, the study demonstrates the importance of aligning conservation goals with local livelihoods….PACNEWS
More informations: Watisoni Lalavanua, Community-Based Fisheries Adviser, Pacific Community | watisonil@spc.int
Margaret Fox, Gender and Human Rights Adviser – Green Climate Fund, Regional Tuna Programme (GCF-RTP), Pacific Community | margaretf@spc.int
Véronique Waneisi, Digital Communication and Engagement Assistant, Pacific Community | veroniquew@spc.int
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Nearly half of Reef-Building Coral species face elevated relative risk of extinction
MOMBASA, 16 OCTOBER 2026 (IUCN)— A global reassessment of reef-building corals has found that 44 percent of species are threatened with extinction.
But in the years since the assessment period ended, the fourth global coral bleaching event and startup of the strongest El Niño ever recorded place corals in even greater jeopardy. The assessment stresses that every tenth of a degree of warming avoided can help preserve coral biodiversity and reef functions.
Of greatest concern to the authors is that the assessment was completed before the extraordinary increase in ocean temperatures and fourth global coral bleaching event of 2023–2025. The authors therefore caution that the proportion of coral species currently at risk is likely higher than the 44 percent captured by the assessment. The current ramp-up in the super El Niño of 2026-27 further exacerbates risk to corals.
Conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) Coral Specialist Group, the study reassessed the 892 reef-building coral species on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, drawing on data and expertise from more than 60 coral experts globally.
The study updates the first global IUCN Red List assessment of reef-building corals, first completed in 2008. The findings, which use data up until 2020, reveal a marked deterioration in the status of reef-building corals over this period.
Of the 774 species for which sufficient data were available (excluding those listed as Data Deficient), 340 (or 44 percent of assessed species) fell into the highest risk categories and are therefore threatened with extinction. Thirty-three are classed as Critically Endangered, 251 Endangered, and 56 are Vulnerable. The threats to reef-building corals were last assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2008, at which time one third were found to be threatened.
“This assessment provides the most comprehensive evaluation to date of global extinction risk among reef-building corals, and a stark warning of the accelerating increase in global threats to coral reefs,” said Dr David Obura, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Coral Specialist Group and Director of CORDIO East Africa, Kenya. ‘
“It also highlights the challenges we face in addressing major data and knowledge gaps on the status of species at global scales, at the same time as having to take urgent decisions to reduce the drivers of global declines in critical species and ecosystems.”
Climate change is the main threat to reef-building coral species, determining the final status of over 90 percent of species at highest risk. The assessment used multiple sources of evidence, including global coral-cover trends and projections of future severe bleaching events (both over three decades), and biological traits associated with vulnerability, to create a comprehensive overview of extinction risk.
The coral Red List Index – a metric used to track changes in extinction risk over time – shows the species are facing accelerating increases in risk, the index worsening from 0.96 before 1998, to 0.89 in 2008 and then 0.74 in 2024 (where a value of 1 means no species face high risk, and 0 means all are extinct).
A major update to the global picture of coral extinction risk
The number of reef-building coral species considered in this assessment increased from 845 in the previous assessment to 892, while improved knowledge reduced the number classified as Data Deficient from 141 to 118.
The results also show that extinction risk is not distributed evenly among coral groups or regions. In the Indo-Pacific, 43 percent of assessed species were classified as threatened, compared with 50 percent of assessed Atlantic species.
Some important reef-building groups face particularly high levels of risk. Among Indo-Pacific Acroporidae, 191 of 279 species—68 percent —were classified as Endangered. This family includes staghorn corals (Acropora) and plating corals, encrusting corals (Montipora), corals that contribute substantially to the three-dimensional structure and complexity of reefs.
“Coral reefs are experiencing rapid environmental change, but responses vary greatly among species and regions,” said Dr Francoise Cabada-Blanco, Co-Chair of the IUCN Coral Specialist Group and Professor at the University of Portsmouth, UK.
“Improving data on regional to local variation in coral and reef responses to threats, in particular global warming, and in coral species and population traits and responses will improve future reassessments of extinction risk and help managers take action to protect and restore corals around the world.”
Every tenth of a degree of avoided warming matters
The reassessment provides a snapshot against a rapidly changing climatic background. Responses to warming differ among coral species, populations and locations, meaning the future of coral reefs cannot be understood as a simple threshold between survival and disappearance.
It also reaffirms that corals show the most rapid decline in status (increase in extinction risk) of all comprehensively-assessed groups (compared to mammals, sharks and rays, birds, amphibians and cycads). The Red List Index for corals is declining at -0.07 to -0.094 points per decade compared to -0.002 to -0.039 per decade for others, as per the Red List index scale.
Both this variation and urgency make action at every increment of warming important: the more warming that can be avoided, the more coral diversity, ecosystem function and opportunities for adaptation can potentially be retained, supporting regeneration.
Reducing the drivers of climate change and other causes of reef decline is therefore fundamental to slowing the escalating extinction risk facing reef-building corals, alongside stronger conservation and management of resilient reefs.
The assessment covers all reef-building corals, which are found in shallow, warm water habitats and form the colourful reefs seen in tropical and sub-tropical ocean areas. Red List assessments of cold-water corals, which are found in colder, deeper waters around the world and do not depend on sunlight, are ongoing.
“Protecting coral reefs requires a strong scientific foundation. That is why the MSC Foundation invested in this IUCN Red List research that deepens our understanding of the threats that coral species face. This reassessment provides essential evidence to help guide our conservation priorities and direct efforts where they can make the greatest difference,” said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation…..PACNEWS
