In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — France reaffirms commitment to Pacific disaster preparedness with €1 million contribution
2. W|PAPUA — Stop selling arms to Indonesia, West Papuans urge Netherlands
2. FIJI — Fiji, Australia deepen Vuvale ties with focus on fuel security and regional stability
4. PACIFIC — MSG officials meet in Suva to set budget, priorities amid regional challenges
5. UN — WHO says billions saw health gains in 2025 despite funding cuts
6. GUAM — Torres vows to show ‘what it takes to deliver’; Moylan says Guam needs continuity of representation
7. FIJI — Fiji Military hunting well known drug kingpin; Three attempts were made to access armoury, Drones sighted several times
8. GUAM — Panelists: Guam in the crosshairs for major cyber attacks; U.S adversaries prove they can disrupt services
9. SOL — Diarrhoea outbreak scare for Gizo as drought looms
10. PACIFIC — Japan responds to nuclear waste dump fears for Guam; Parkinson plans public roundtable
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Middle East war: After oil and gas, concerns grow over minerals crunch
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Energy transition gaps risk widening inequality in Fiji
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Tonga Reserve Bank warns public over rise in online romance scams
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific aims at “resilience from within”
PAC – DISASTER RESPONSE: SPC PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
France reaffirms commitment to Pacific disaster preparedness with €1 million contribution
SUVA, 24 APRIL 2206 (SPC)— As funding for humanitarian preparedness becomes increasingly constrained worldwide, the Pacific Community (SPC) has welcomed the Government of France’s €1 million (US$1.16 million) contribution to the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Programme (PHWP).
This contribution underscores France’s long-standing partnership with the Pacific and recognises that strengthened preparedness remains essential as Pacific Island countries face more frequent and severe climate-related disasters. The support will assist SPC and participating countries to sustain and consolidate critical systems at a time when predictable funding for preparedness is becoming increasingly constrained.
The funding will enable SPC to continue delivering tailored warehouse management systems, targeted capacity strengthening, personnel support and effective programme coordination through the PHWP.
As a Pacific-led initiative, the programme focuses on reinforcing national systems and building sovereign capability across participating countries, supporting their ability to manage and coordinate humanitarian supplies within the crucial first 24 to 48 hours following a disaster.
By strengthening national readiness ahead of emergencies, the PHWP supports countries to act decisively and pre-emptively when disasters strike, thus improving the timeliness, accountability and appropriateness of humanitarian response.
The programme prioritises practical systems, trained national personnel and inclusive approaches that support the safety and dignity of affected communities.
SPC Director for the Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division, Rhonda Robinson, said the contribution was particularly significant in the current global funding environment.
“At a time when resources for preparedness are under increasing pressure worldwide, we sincerely thank the Government of France for its continued commitment to supporting disaster readiness in the Pacific. This contribution enables countries to strengthen their own systems and respond quickly and inclusively when disasters occur, helping to protect lives and livelihoods.”
Philippe Lalliot, Director of the Crisis and Support Centre of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed France’s support for the programme.
“France remains committed to working with SPC and Pacific Island Countries to strengthen disaster preparedness and response as disasters continue to regularly impact the region. Supporting the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program reflects our shared focus on resilience, partnership and ensuring that participating countries are able to manage their own stocks and act rapidly in the critical first hours following a disaster.”
The PHWP extends beyond physical infrastructure and equipment. It supports the development of skills, systems and governance arrangements that strengthen operational readiness over time.
This includes prepositioning essential relief supplies, strengthening the capabilities of national disaster risk management offices and humanitarian partners, embedding gender equality, disability and social inclusion principles across warehousing and logistics functions, and supporting transparent management through reporting, monitoring and coordination mechanisms.
The programme also promotes localisation and environmentally responsible practices by working with local suppliers and reducing the environmental footprint of humanitarian logistics wherever possible.
As a multi-partner initiative, the PHWP complements national and regional investments in preparedness and response, contributing to improved access to climate-resilient warehousing and more coordinated humanitarian systems across the Pacific….PACNEWS
W|PAPUA – ARMS: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Stop selling arms to Indonesia, West Papuans urge Netherlands
JAYAPURA, 24 APRIL 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has called on the Netherlands to stop selling arms to Indonesia.
Representatives of the ULMWP were this week at the Dutch Parliament for a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the human rights situation in West Papua.
In a video relayed to the Dutch from ULMWP members in Papua, the pro-independence group called on the Netherlands to stop selling weapons to Indonesia.
“We, the people of West Papua, urge the Dutch government to stop cooperation and the supply of weapons to Indonesia, because these transactions between Indonesia and the Netherlands, especially weapons, are being bought and used to carry out killings against us.”
This comes amid a recent escalation of violent conflict between Indonesia’s military and Papuan pro-independence fighters.
Indonesia’s Human Rights Commission this week said it was investigating the deaths of a dozen West Papuan civilians last week as the result of a military operation in Central Papua.
The Netherlands was the former colonial power in West Papua and the rest of Indonesia. As such, the Liberation Movement said the Dutch had a responsibility to respond to ongoing human rights violations and conflict in Papua.
Current and recent Dutch military exports are largely tied to the Indonesian Navy and concentrated on naval vessels, ship systems and supporting weapons.
A spokesperson for the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia said all license applications for the export of military goods from the Netherlands were examined carefully and on a case‑by‑case basis, within the framework of the Arms Trade Treaty and the EU Common Position on arms export controls.
“Central to this assessment are the end user of the goods, the intended end use, and the situation in the country of destination.
“In conducting these assessments, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs systematically takes into account all relevant information, including political, security and human rights developments.
“License applications are refused where the assessment identifies an overriding risk that the military goods in question could be misused by the end user. The Ministry does not exclude any end users in advance, the spokesperson said.
RNZ Pacific has sought comment from the Indonesian govenment. Previously, Jakarta has refused to acknowledge the ULMWP has any legitimacy.
At the parliament hearing in the Hague, the president of ULMWP’s provisional government, Benny Wenda met with some Dutch lawmakers from parties including the Christian Union and the Progressive Party.
Also in attendance was the British Labour MP Alex Sobel, the chair person of International Parliamentarians for West Papua. …PACNEWS
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Fiji, Australia deepen Vuvale ties with focus on fuel security and regional stability
SUVA, 24 APRIL 2026 (FIJI GOVT) —Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Sakiasi Ditoka, has successfully concluded a series of high-level bilateral meetings in Canberra, reaffirming the strength of Fiji’s Vuvale Partnership with Australia in addressing current fuel security challenges, while advancing broader bilateral and regional priorities.
During his official visit, Minister Ditoka held substantive discussions with Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Pat Conroy , Minister for International Development and the Pacific; and Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism.
The meetings reaffirmed that Fiji–Australia relations are at their strongest, underpinned by deep people-to-people ties and sustained engagement at the highest political levels through the Vuvale Partnership.
A central focus of discussions was the evolving global fuel situation, including disruptions linked to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz blockade and broader geopolitical tensions.
Both sides acknowledged that while immediate supply concerns are being managed, instability in global fuel markets is expected to persist, requiring coordinated and forward-looking responses.
Minister Ditoka briefed his counterparts on the outcomes of his recent mission to Singapore, where Fiji secured high-level assurances from major suppliers on the continuity of fuel supply.
He emphasised, however, that these engagements also highlighted the limitations of relying solely on market-based mechanisms in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
In response, Australia reaffirmed its strong and enduring support for Fiji and the wider Pacific, underscoring a shared commitment to navigating current global challenges together.
This includes the provision of technical assistance to support Fiji’s efforts to strengthen national fuel security, enhance supply chain resilience, and advance strategic planning in this area.
Australia also conveyed its openness to considering Fiji and the Pacific within its broader international engagements and arrangements on fuel supply continuity, recognising Fiji’s pivotal role as a regional hub.
Beyond fuel security, the meetings covered a wide range of bilateral and regional priorities. Australia reaffirmed its support for Fiji’s transition to renewable energy, recognising the importance of reducing long-term dependence on imported fossil fuels while enhancing climate resilience.
Minister Ditoka extended the Government of Fiji’s gratitude for Australia’s continued investment in the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF), which serves as a model for the region’s transition to a sustainable, renewable energy future.
On climate diplomacy, Australia welcomed Fiji’s leadership role, including its hosting of the upcoming pre-COP meetings, and recognised Fiji’s pivotal position in advancing the collective interests and strategic priorities of the Pacific on the global stage.
The Ministers also discussed advancing economic cooperation, including support for Fiji’s efforts to diversify and expand exports through value addition and technical assistance. Both sides acknowledged the need to address outstanding issues under the PACER Plus framework through continued constructive engagement.
Discussions also covered regional security matters, with Australia reaffirming its support to Fiji in addressing transnational challenges, including illicit drug trafficking.
Minister Ditoka also welcomed Australia’s continued advocacy with international development banks to better address the unique and multifaceted vulnerabilities and financing needs of Pacific Island countries.
Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining the Pacific as an “Ocean of Peace,” reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability, cooperation, and sustainable development.
The visit underscores Fiji’s proactive diplomacy to safeguard national interests, particularly in energy security and resilience, while advancing practical, collective solutions and strengthening regional cooperation across the Pacific. …PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
MSG officials meet in Suva to set budget, priorities amid regional challenges
SUVA, 24 APRIL 2026 (FIJI GOVT)—- The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) was formally opened Thursday by the Chair of SOM and Fiji Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Raijeli Taga.
In her opening remarks, Dr Taga expressed gratitude to the Senior Officials for their commitment in attending the governing body meeting at the BLV Talanoa Lounge in Suva, despite ongoing global challenges affecting the region.
She emphasised the significance of the two-day session, noting that members would deliberate on the Secretariat’s Work Programme and Budget, as well as other key strategic priorities.
In his address to the meeting, Acting Director General Ilan Kiloe thanked Fiji for the hosting arrangements and conveyed his appreciation to the membership for its continued support and understanding, as the Secretariat has undertaken a strategic reorientation over the past year in response to a number of challenges, particularly the loss of the MSG Building in Port Vila, Vanuatu, following the December 2024 earthquake, while also looking ahead to plans set for the year.
The MSG remains a vital platform for advancing regional cooperation, strengthening trade among members, and promoting the rich exchange of Melanesian cultures, traditions and values. It upholds the principle of sovereign equality while driving economic and technical collaboration, harmonising policies that support inclusive growth, sustainable development, sound governance and collective security.
Since joining the MSG in 1996, Fiji has played an active role in advancing these shared goals and reinforcing regional solidarity.
The outcomes of the SOM will be submitted to the Foreign Ministers Meeting today, which will be chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Sakiasi Ditoka…..PACNEWS
UN – HEALTH: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
WHO says billions saw health gains in 2025 despite funding cuts
GENEVA, 24 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—Despite significant funding cuts, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was able to support significant national health gains for hundreds of millions of people in 2025, according to its annual Results Report released on Thursday.
“The Results Report 2025 shows that with support from WHO and partners, countries have delivered tangible benefits for millions of people,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“At the same time, these gains cannot be taken for granted.”
The report, released ahead of the World Health Assembly next month, finds progress on three fronts: expanding access to essential health services; strengthening protection from health emergencies; and improving overall wellbeing.
Yet roughly half of its output targets went unmet, with financial pressures and internal restructuring taking a toll on delivery – and the world remains off track to meet the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Though WHO failed to reach it’s ‘Triple Billion’ goals, which aimed for one billion more people to benefit in each of the three fronts by the end of 2025 compared with 2018, there was nonetheless substantial progress.
An estimated 567 million additional people were covered by essential health services in 2025, up 136 million from 2024.
Around 698 million more people were better protected from health emergencies, a rise of 61 million on the previous year. And, 1.75 billion additional people were living healthier lives, a jump of 300 million since 2024.
Progress toward universal health coverage was driven by expanded services for communicable diseases including HIV and tuberculosis, improved sanitation and a growing health workforce. Gaps remain, however, in diabetes management, measles surveillance and financial protection.
Gains in emergency preparedness were supported in part by the newly adopted Pandemic Agreement and revised International Health Regulations.
WHO responded to 66 emergencies across 88 countries in 2025, including delivering 33 million medical consultations through health partners in Gaza.
Other areas, including disease detection, emergency response and polio eradication, remain more challenging, reflecting constraints in country capacity, financing and operations.
Meanwhile, WHO also strengthened emergency mental health and psychosocial support systems, increasing country coverage from 28 per cent to 48 per cent.
HPV vaccine coverage climbed from 17 per cent in 2019 to 31 per cent in 2024 through simplified single-dose schedules. A new global air pollution roadmap targets a 50 per cent cut in related deaths by 2040.
However, reduced staffing capacity, limited technical support and slower programme implementation were among the immediate consequences.
A large share of WHO’s budget also remains earmarked for specific thematic areas, limiting strategic flexibility.
The findings will be presented by Tedros at the 79th World Health Assembly, running from 18 to 23 May 2026 in Geneva.
“Protecting and expanding [these gains] will require sustained support and investment, so that together we can continue advancing the vision set out in WHO’s Constitution: the highest attainable standard of health as a right for all,” Tedros said….PACNEWS
GUAM – POLITICS: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Torres vows to show ‘what it takes to deliver’; Moylan says Guam needs continuity of representation
HAGATNA, 24 APRIL 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—Former senator Mary Camacho Torres has officially entered Guam’s congressional race, challenging incumbent Delegate James Moylan for the Republican nomination and setting in motion the battle for the territory’s non-voting seat in the U.S House of Representatives.
Torres filed her candidacy with the Guam Election Commission on Wednesday, pledging to lower the cost of living, advocate for equitable treatment and strengthen the island’s representation in Washington.
Moylan filed his candidacy on March 10, launching his bid for a third term, arguing that “continued progress for Guam depends on strengthening the relationships and partnerships built in Congress.”
The Republican candidate who wins the 01 August primary will advance to the Nov. 3 general election to face the Democratic nominee in the hotly contested race.
Former attorney general Alicia Limtiaco is so far the only emerging Democratic candidate seeking the congressional seat.
The deadline for filing candidacy is 01 May.
Guam’s exclusion from certain federal programs, such as the Supplemental Security Income and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, as well as broader access to benefits and services for regional veterans, are some of the unresolved issues that gauge the effectiveness of a delegate’s representation in the halls of Congress.
“These are not new problems. Guam had a real chance to move these issues forward last year, but our delegate didn’t deliver. And when that happens, it’s our people who pay the price,” Torres said.
“I’m not running to offer easy answers. I’m running to do the work and to be clear with people about what it takes to deliver,” she added.
In an earlier press statement, Moylan itemised federal dollars that he said he successfully pushed for Guam throughout his term in Congress, including a US$1.2 billion authorization to strengthen the island’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region and a US$50 million appropriation for defence access roads.
Torres, however, said federal investment in Guam has been lopsided, mostly directed toward military installations.
“If the investment is happening here, our people should see the benefit through real opportunities for our businesses and our workforce,” she said.
Moylan and Torres both hail from a political powerhouse.
Moylan is the nephew of former lieutenant governor Kurt Moylan. Kaleo Moylan, also a former lieutenant governor, is James Moylna’s nephew. Before his election to Congress, James Moylan served in the Guam legislature.
Torres is the daughter of former Gov. Carlos Camacho and the sister of former Gov. Felix Camacho. She is married to Supreme Court Justice Robert Torres. A four-term senator, Torres is the former head of the Port Authority of Guam, the Guam International Airport Authority and the Guam Visitors Bureau.
She said her public service background at the local government would guide her work at the federal level.
“This work starts well before a vote is ever taken,” she said. “It takes building bipartisan support, securing partners who can carry it through Congress and doing the work to turn an idea into law—and that’s what I will do.”
Torres underscored the need to ensure that federal spending on Guam benefits the broader community, not just projects within military installations.
“Guam families are working harder than ever, yet the cost of living continues to rise faster than wages. Young families are doubling up, seniors are struggling, and many of our best and brightest are leaving the island because they cannot build a future here,” Torres said. “Our families deserve better—and they deserve honesty about what it takes to get things done,” she added.
Moylan, for his part, said Guam needs consistent representation to hold its political foundation.
“Those relationships take time. They take effort. And they take consistency,” he said. “They are built through trust, through partnership, and through years of standing up for the people we represent.”
Delegates from the U.S. territories can introduce bills, including appropriations requests and resolutions, in the House. However, they do not have a vote on the floor and cannot vote in recorded votes on final passage of any bill or resolution.
…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DRUGS FIGHT: MAI TV PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Fiji Military hunting well known drug kingpin; Three attempts were made to access armoury, Drones sighted several times
SUVA, 24 APRIL 2026 (MAI TV) —The search is on for a well-known Fiji drug kingpin who is suspected of being linked to the recent attempts on the Fiji Military armoury, military sources tell Mai TV.
It is believed the drug kingpin fled to the west where he is now believed to be in hiding and seeking to get out of the country.
The Kingpin is allegedly linked to Jone Vakarisi who died last week in military custody after being questioned about involvement in the attempts on the armoury.
Sources say Vakarisi gave up information before he died from asphyxiation from the beating received. Mai TV hasnt been able to verify what information was given.
However Mai TV has been reliably informed that there were three attempts on the RFMF armoury – once in Nabua and twice in Lautoka.
In the first attempt, the military handled the breach internally and strengthened security measures within the facility.
The two attempts in Lautoka was blatant. In one attempt the perpetrator cut through the fence to gain access to the camp, and then cut another fence to gain access to the armoury, before he was interrupted by a sentry and fled.
Prior to all these soldiers on guard had been logging sightings of drones over the camps over a span of time.
After the second attempt, a statement was put out to confirm the events and reassure the public with Police leading investigations.
Internal investigations within the camp saw the military identify a number of soldiers with close association to Vakarisi who are suspected of passing him information.
Sources also tell Mai TV that the guard on duty when Vakarisi visited the camp weeks before and the soldier who escorted him both knew Vakarisi or had prior association with him.
One of the soldiers who was held for his alleged involvement in the security breach was released last night, but the joint task force are continuing investigations – although trust among the two institutions is being questioned.
Meanwhile the men who were taken up with Vakarisi and severely beaten have had their statements taken by Police, and reportedly taken back to QEB to provide a rundown of what took place that morning.
The men insist they are unaware of the attempts on the armoury.
Police are treating Vakarisi’s death as murder.
In an exclusive interview with Mai TV’s The Brunch Show this week, the mother of Vakarisi’s children Queenie Osbourne and daughter Isabella called for those involved in his death to be brought to justice.
Osbourne called for transparency and accountability and the protection of her family and children. She says despite the allegations against him, Vakarisi did not deserve to die.
The RFMF has released a statement expressing their commitment to accountability, and “where wrongdoing is established, it will be addressed in accordance with the law.” They have also extended their condolences to the family.
The men who were taken up with Vakarisi have passed messages to Mai TV through a third party confirming that their statements have been taken by Police and they have been taken to QEB to show and describe what happened to them prior to Vakarisi’s death.
The men say they were severely beaten and asked questions around four main issues; Were they part of the attempt on the armoury, where are the drones, where are the guns and magazines, and to give up names of those allegedly involved.
The men tell Mai TV they have no knowledge of the attempt on the armoury and are unaware of the drones and guns they have been questioned about.
They say Vakarisi and some others were subjected to severe beatings and boiling water.
“Sa toka tuga na waikatakata (they kept boiling the hot water),” one said and while they maintain innocence they acknowledge that “so na information e tiko vei Vakarisi e information bibi (the information with Vakarisi was very deep and important)” and had to do with the involvement of certain leaders in drugs.
However they said that despite the severe treatment they were subjected to, they maintained that they had no information at all about the attempts on the armoury pitching it as an attempt to frame them.
The military has however put out a statement warning of the “existence of an organized criminal network attempting to compromise national stability. Investigations have identified the presence of unauthorized weaponry, verified as being outside of the RFMF’s official inventory. Documentation suggests a continued intent by this network to target state infrastructure, posing a credible threat to public safety.”
No drones or guns have been found yet but security sources tell Mai TV they are pursuing strong leads….PACNEWS
GUAM- CYBER ATTACKS: GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Panelists: Guam in the crosshairs for major cyber attacks; US adversaries prove they can disrupt services
HAGATNA, 24 APRIL 2026 (GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS) —Guam is in the crosshairs for rising cyber threats, with U.S adversaries already proving they can hack and disrupt critical infrastructure, according to multiple public and private sector officials speaking at a Guam Power Authority (GPA) symposium this week.
Cyber security was a major topic at GPA’s Promoting Optimal Ways to Energy Resilience, POWER, Symposium, hosted this week in Guam.
“Critical infrastructure is a new domain of conflict between nation states,” said Nate Gleason, with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
“Quite frankly, Ukraine, Taiwan and Guam are kind of the big three around the world that are really on the front lines of having their critical infrastructure attacked by some of the most sophisticated adversaries that exist,” Gleason said.
China was already pre-positioning cyber capabilities in U.S critical infrastructure facilities, Gleason told the crowd, and Guam is one of its targets.
“The threat is real and it is very capable,” he said, stating that China, Russia, and increasingly Iran are the biggest players.
China-backed hacking group Volt Typhoon had infiltrated telecommunications and infrastructure systems on Guam as far back as 2021, Microsoft reported two years ago.
Bloomberg in 2025 reported that Volt Typhoon was targeting GPA, whose biggest customer is the U.S Navy.
“Volt Typhoon actors had been seen operating against multiple critical infrastructure sectors, energy, transportation, communications and water and wastewater,” Matthew Tarduogno, with the U.S Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, CESER, said this week.
Tarduogno said the activity was observed in both the continental and noncontinental United States, including Guam.
U.S threat assessments found that China had demonstrated the ability to compromise infrastructure through “formidable cyber capability,” according to Tarduogno.
Those cyber attacks could be fielded during a conflict, Tarduogno said.
Threat assessments indicate that the People’s Republic of China will continue pushing for unification with Taiwan, he said, and use wide-ranging cyber operations against U.S. targets for espionage and strategic advantage.
Tarduogno said CESER and the federal government had a number of efforts underway to better identify cyber threats and secure energy infrastructure, including the use of artificial intelligence.
He said they were already partnering with GPA on Guam, and had tied in the power authority and Guam National Guard to the Liberty Eclipse cyber threat exercises.
GPA chief information officer Melvin Kwek said federal support made a difference, and made it easier for the power authority to focus on day-to-day operations.
Kwek highlighted the threats GPA was seeing, including from nation-state level groups.
“Our back door is being knocked on every single day by Russia, by China,” he said. “We see brute force attempts on our network, and so every little bit helps.”
One example of a recent, successful attack on energy infrastructure was shared by Chuck Weissenborn, public sector chief technology officer of cybersecurity company Dragos.
“December of last year…Russians popped 30-plus substations and a combined heat and power facility in Poland,” Weissenborn said.
Those 30-plus substations supported a number of renewable energy resources, like solar, and power, he said.
By comparison, GPA operates 29 major energy substations across all of Guam.
In the Poland incident, attackers managed to get into over 60 devices used across all the substations that had the same credentials and passwords, and lock out system administrators.
“We got lucky,” Weissenborn said of the incident, “because of the way some of those systems were engineered, that there were no significant power outages.”
He said the country’s electrical grid had enough power generation alternatives, and the system was designed in a way that avoided a major impact on energy transmission
“But I don’t like relying on luck,” Weisssenborn said.
Weissenborn said hackers had been inside the system for six months before they actually carried out the attack, and there were three or more cyber capabilities that electrical operators could have used to detect the attack.
There are also unused security features on the compromised devices, though, luckily, the system was protected from being totally “bricked” because of firmware update.
He said the incident highlighted two basic cyber security principles: change your passwords and update your devices.
Foreign manufacturers
Sam Chanoski, from Idaho National Lab, highlighted another issue for protecting energy grids from attack, specific to big utility-scale energy storage batteries.
“Batteries, the materials that come from them, a significant percentage of them come from China,” Chanoski said this week. “There’s no getting around that. They have a corner on the rare earth metals market, in many cases, that is the raw materials.”
A significant amount of the controls for battery storage systems also comes from China, Chanoski said.
Electrical infrastructure sourced from a “foreign entity of concern” could have undocumented features, like kill switches, or communications back doors.
Those aren’t always malicious, Chanoski said, but could be problematic.
There is so much tech sourced from outside the U.S, and it is so important that it could not realistically be ripped out and replaced, according to Chanoski. Planners would have to secure “around and through” them.
Chanoski also pointed to a battery energy storage system that the Guam Power Authority plans to install, which will regulate the electrical frequency for the island’s entire power system.
“That’s pretty important and needs to be protected,” he said.
“If I have somebody smart enough and evil enough that can compromise that device and make it produce that waveform in something other than what I wanted to…and I’ve got an energy source behind that—that’s a weapon,” Chanoski said. “That is a weapon on the grid.”
Utilities should keep tabs on where they source their equipment from, he said. That could be difficult, with manufacturers constantly being bought up and shifted around between shell companies.
“And at the end of the day, it might be Huawei manufacturing at the end,” Chanoski said, referring to the Chinese telecom giant whose products are largely banned in the U.S.
He said the federal government is now working on procurement and contracting requirements, so that entities could reject equipment bids from certain companies when there is a legitimate concern.
That could take some time, he said, and it might be quicker to work policy at the local level, Chanoski added….PACNEWS
SOL – HEALTH: SOLOMON STAR PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Diarrhoea outbreak scare for Gizo as drought looms
HONIARA, 24 APRIL 2026 (SOLOMON STAR)—Solomon Islands health authorities are warning of a likely diarrhoea outbreak in Gizo, the Western Provincial Capital as water shortages begin to hit across parts of Western Province, with children identified as the most vulnerable.
Reports reaching Solomon Star indicate that several primary school students in Gizo have already been sent home after complaining of severe stomach pains, raising early concerns among teachers and parents.
The situation comes as most water tanks in Gizo are rapidly running dry, forcing many households to rely on limited and potentially unsafe water sources.
Teachers and parents have begun advising families to purchase bottled mineral water from shops as a precautionary measure.
Provincial Health Director, Dr Dickson Boara, earlier told Solomon Star that diarrhoea cases are expected to rise in the most affected areas if the dry conditions persist.
He confirmed that health teams have already been deployed to Simbo and South Rannoggah, where communities are still recovering from the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila and are facing serious water supply and sanitation challenges.
“Cases are likely to increase, especially in areas where access to clean drinking water is limited,” Dr Boara said.
Communities in Simbo and Rannoga are among the hardest hit, with many residents relying on contaminated or unsafe water sources following the cyclone’s destruction of infrastructure and water systems.
In Gizo, concerns are mounting as the drought threat intensifies, with authorities urging residents to prioritise safe drinking water and maintain proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely as fears grow that the province could face a wider public health issue if urgent measures are not taken….PACNEWS
PAC – NUKE WASTE DUMP: GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS PACNEWS 3: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Japan responds to nuclear waste dump fears for Guam; Parkinson plans public roundtable
HAGATNA, 24 APRIL 2026 (GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS)—Japan assured responsible disposal of waste, risk assessment, and respecting community input, as it responded to Sen. Will Parkinson’s concerns about risks to Guam of Japan’s plans to designate one of its distant islands as a potential final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste.
The Japanese island of Minamitorishima is less than 1,000 miles from Guam, and Parkinson raised concerns as early as March about potential fallout effects to Guam.
Japan Consul General Susumu Ueda shared a response with the senator on April 21, reflecting the government of Japan’s position as of 13 April.
Japan emphasised that use of its distant island Minamitorishima as a nuclear waste dump is still in preliminary discussions, with no official decisions made yet.
Parkinson, in his March letter to the Japan government, included five specific requests for clarity, public accountability, diplomacy, transparency, and environmental responsibility.
Concerns included the risk of lingering contaminants reaching the Marianas via southbound wind and water currents, as well as a repetition of history, referring to how the Marshall Islands and French Polynesia were subjected to repeated nuclear testing.
According to Ueda, the Japanese government is aware of subsequent developments following their 13A pril response to Parkinson’s letter.
On 20 April, international media reported that the mayor of Ogasawara submitted a document to the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, “stating that the village will accept a literature survey on Minamitorishima if the national government decides to proceed with it,” the consul general wrote.
Parkinson said he appreciates the Japan consulate transmitting the position of the Japanese government and thought it was helpful in clarifying some important baseline facts.
However, he felt the letter did not fully reassure his concerns nor resolve the central concern for Guam and the whole of the Marianas.
To Parkinson’s first request for formal clarification of the selection process, literature survey, and criteria for termination of proposal, Japan said the selection of a site for the construction of a final disposal facility for specified radioactive waste is carried out through a “stepwise investigation process comprising three stages,” literature survey, preliminary investigation, and detailed investigation.
These steps are in accordance with the Act on Final Disposal of Specified Radioactive Waste, the letter said.
In Japan, a literature survey is a desk-based survey that analyzes regional geological data using existing literature and records and does not involve on-site investigations.
“If a literature survey were to begin on Minamitori Island, it would include confirming whether clearly exclusionary conditions, such as volcanic activity or active faults, exist. If no area on the island is found suitable for advancing to the preliminary investigation stage, the investigation process would conclude without proceeding further,” Japan said.
Additionally, moving on to the preliminary investigation requires seeking the opinions of both the prefectural governor and the municipal mayor. If either of them expresses opposition, the process does not proceed contrary to their opinions, Japan added.
“Regarding the initiation of the literature survey, the law does not stipulate specific procedures. The process begins either when a municipal mayor applies to the Nuclear Waste Management Organisation of Japan, the organisation responsible for implementing final disposal, or when the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry makes a request to the municipal mayor to conduct a literature survey and the mayor accepts that request,” Japan said.
The response further said the process is still at the stage before the initiation of the literature survey.
It said METI made a request to Mayor Shibuya of Ogasawara regarding the initiation of a literature survey on 03 March. However, as of 13 April, METI had not yet received a response.
Although the Minister requested a literature survey, METI has not made any decision to conduct final disposal in Minamitorishima.
METI is also conducting literature surveys in three sites in Japan, including Minamitorishima, the letter added.
“METI intends to expand the number of sites undergoing literature surveys, then compare and evaluate underground surface geological information, narrow down the multiple candidate sites, and ultimately select the final disposal facility site,” Japan said.
Because METI has yet to make a decision to carry out final disposal on the island, Japan’s government “would prefer to refrain from making any premature statements” regarding a possible transition to the preliminary investigation and on-site investigations.
Parkinson on Thursday said he intends to continue the conversation with the Japan consulate and Adelup, as well as issuing a formal public process on Guam.
He also plans to engage with government counterparts in the CNMI, once the Commonwealth has recovered from Typhoon Sinlaku, as they are the closest human population to Minamitorishima.
Parkinson wants Guam to be on the record “in a serious and substantive way” so it can receive satisfactory answers and so its environmental and public interests can be respected.
“I plan to introduce a substantive resolution so we can hold a roundtable hearing and bring in interested local environmental groups, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant stakeholders to examine the issue in full view of the public,” Parkinson said. “Guam and the CNMI have every right to ask hard questions now, not later.”
The senator said the Pacific has lived too long with the “consequences of major powers treating our region as remote, convenient, and expendable.”
Parkinson’s second request was for public explanation of the potential waste inventory being contemplated for disposal, “including the expected waste form, radionuclide profile, estimated total volume, cooling assumptions,” and whether materials include vitrified high-level or any related transuranic materials.
Based on the Act on the Final Disposal, high-level radioactive waste generated from the operation of nuclear power plants and a portion of transuranic, TRU, waste containing transuranic elements are to be safely disposed of in geological formations at depths of 300 metres or more underground.
The Japanese government said it currently possesses the equivalent of 27,000 canisters of high-level radioactive waste.
As a national policy, Japan plans to construct a disposal facility with the capacity to accommodate more than 40,000 canisters of high-level radioactive waste and more than 19,000 cubic meters of TRU waste.
NUMO plans to construct one final disposal facility in Japan, either combining or separately handling high level radioactive waste and TRU waste.
“High-level radioactive waste contains more than 40 types of radioactive nuclides…After approximately 1,000 years from its generation, the radioactivity of high-level radioactive waste decreases by more than 99 percent. For the disposal of high-level radioactive waste, the waste is mixed with glass that is highly resistant to dissolution in water and vitrified,” Japan said.
To ensure that it does not affect the surrounding environment during disposal, the waste is cooled for approximately 30 to 50 years.
Afterward, it is sealed in a metal container known as an overpack, and multiple engineered barrier systems are applied, such as surrounding the container with clay that has low water permeability.
By employing such a system, the waste is disposed of in suitable host rock at depths of 300 meters or more underground.
“TRU waste contains more than 40 types of radioactive nuclides…For the disposal of TRU waste, the waste is sealed in containers such as drums or canisters, which are then placed inside a metal box approximately 5 cm thick. The interior of the box is filled with cement-based materials that absorb radioactive substances and retard their migration,” Japan said.
By surrounding the boxes with clay and other materials, multiple engineered barrier systems are implemented, and the waste is disposed of through emplacement in suitable host rock at depths of 300 meters or more underground, Japan added.
Regarding Parkinson’s third request, concerning low elevation, salt damage, limited land area, typhoons, and more, Japan said it is conceivable that measures could be implemented, including the construction of seawalls, countermeasures against salt damage, and appropriate design considerations for above-ground facilities.
It also wrote that the site for constructing a final disposal facility is to be determined; therefore, “it is not possible to assess the feasibility” of a final project in Minamitorishima “when even a literature survey has not been conducted.”
“If Minamitori Island were to accept the initiation of a literature survey, we would carefully examine the issues you have raised as the sequential investigation stages progress,” Japan said.
Transparency
Responding to Parkinson’s fourth request—for the government of Japan to commit to consultation with the government of Guam, the CNMI, and other potentially affected Pacific stakeholders—Japan said it would provide upon request comprehensive explanation and relevant information to people outside its municipalities.
The Japanese government reiterated that METI, pursuant to the Act on the Final Disposal of Specified Radioactive Waste, must hear the opinions of the prefectural governor and the municipal mayor before moving onto site investigations.
“[Furthermore], the process will not proceed contrary to their expressed opinions. We therefore consider it essential, first and foremost, to gain an understanding of the local community that will undertake the literature survey,” Japan said.
Parkinson’s final request was for a statement of how Japan intends to satisfy regional duties of transparency, notification, and cooperative engagement.
The intent was for this request was accountability and appropriate action should any radiological accident, transport incident, or marine contamination scenario occur.
Japan again said it would prefer to refrain from speculating details before an official investigation of literature survey is completed on the island.
“If an accident were to occur, Japan would take appropriate measures in accordance with international rules established by the International Atomic Energy Agency and other relevant bodies,” Japan said.
In closing, the response letter would again emphasise the Act on the Final Disposal of Specified Radioactive Waste’s requirement for high level radioactive waste and a portion of transuranic waste to be safely disposed of in geological formations at depths of 300 meters or more underground.
Japan’s response stated that the material at issue includes approximately 27,000 canisters of high-level radioactive waste, as well as a portion of TRU waste containing transuranic elements.
High-level radioactive nuclides with relatively short half‑lives, such as cesium‑137 and strontium‑90, last for about 30 years.
Those with relatively long half‑lives, such as technetium‑99 and neptunium‑237, can last for up to 220,000 to 2 million years.
“That is an extraordinary long-term burden, and it underscores why this issue must be treated with the utmost seriousness. What the response does confirm is that this is not a vague or hypothetical category of waste,” Parkinson said.
The senator’s initial reaction was that Japan answered some of the easier questions, but reserved judgment on the ones that matter most to Guam and the wider region.
Japan’s stance on key issues (regional consultation, advance notification, cooperative engagement, accident planning, marine contamination scenarios, and cross-border transparency) is “essentially that it is too early to say,” Parkinson added.
He was also not fully satisfied by the Japanese government’s answer on challenges and risks related to Minamitorishima’s low elevation, salt exposure, typhoon vulnerability, and limited land area.
“It says that measures could be conceivable. That is not yet a site-specific safety case. For an island in the Pacific that is low-lying and exposed to marine hazards, the people of our region are entitled to more than a generic assurance. From Guam’s perspective, that is precisely why consultation should begin now, before momentum builds further,” Parkinson said.
The most important part of Japan’s response was that Minamitorishima has not yet entered the literature survey stage, and that no final decision has been made to place a disposal facility there.
Because the literature survey has not been conducted yet, there is still time to insist on transparency and consultation before the project goes any further, Parkinson added.
He said now is the appropriate moment for Guam, the CNMI, and other Pacific stakeholders to “demand a seat at the table, not after positions harden and decisions become harder to unwind.”
“But it is equally important that the cover letter acknowledges subsequent reporting that Ogasawara Village submitted a document on April 20, indicating it will accept a literature survey if the national government proceeds. So, this remains a live and moving issue, not a closed question,” Parkinson said.
The senator said Japan’s response shows why continued scrutiny is necessary, and that Guam and the Marianas should continue pressing for detailed technical answers, meaningful consultation, and recognition that “Pacific islands are not disposable spaces for risks others would rather place far from home.”
The broader issue remains unchanged, Parkinson added.
“Minamitorishima may be remote from Japan’s main population centers, but it is not remote from the Pacific,” Parkinson said. “The Marianas are the closest human habitation to the island, and our islands have too much history with nuclear testing, fallout, and decisions made by larger powers that treated the Pacific as convenient distance.” …. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
UN – CRITICAL MINERALS: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Middle East war: After oil and gas, concerns grow over minerals crunch
NEW YORK/TEHRAN, 24 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) –The shipping crisis in the Strait of Hormuz caused by war in the Middle East has exposed a new threat: a looming shortage of strategic minerals that drive economies all over the world – and a race by countries to obtain them.
Until war erupted on 28 February with the Israeli-U.S bombing of Iran and counterstrikes across Gulf States, a wide range of key minerals and related products was available, according to the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
But as the conflict goes on, the pressure has increased to obtain these same raw materials, to ensure the continuing production of everything from semiconductors to solar panels.
The result has been higher prices on commodities markets and a potential pivot to new production sites where there’s less geopolitical uncertainty, increasing the number of countries that can process minerals such as rare earths.
“The impact of the Gulf War, it is not only in the energy market, it’s been impacting some sub-products coming from oil” such as sulphur, helium and naphtha – said Dario Liguti, Director of UNECE’s Sustainable Energy Division.
All are byproducts of oil refining and used in a wide range of manufacturing applications, from fertilizers to insecticides, plastics and matches, along with cooling and semiconductor production.
Naphtha is another byproduct of oil refining and a key building block of the chemicals industry.
“The first reaction – besides of course the increase in prices – will be industries lowering their use and therefore lowering their production…whether it’s solar panels, whether it’s magnets, whether it’s batteries, et cetera, going forward,” Liguti maintained.
Before the war, a full 30 percent of the world’s production of sulphur – which is used in metals processing – transited through the Strait of Hormuz.
But that was when some 140 ships per day transited the crucial trade waterway. Today, shipping is at a virtual standstill, following attacks on vessels and an ongoing stand-off between Iran and the US over use of the strait.
If the conflict situation continues, shortages in key minerals “will become evident”, the UNECE official continued, forcing industry “to lower their production” of critical minerals used in renewable energy equipment and digital technology.
“Therefore over time, that will have an increasing impact on prices first…and then secondly on the availability of that equipment.”
Today, industries that relied on supplies from the Strait of Hormuz “are using their existing stocks and they’re using the reserves and they’re ramping up production elsewhere”, Liguti said.
He highlighted a “drive from many Member States around the world to secure those minerals” which will result in countries increasingly building “strategic stocks…to avoid a similar disruption in future.
“So far, the situation is being felt in some regional markets, particularly in South Asia and Southeast Asia, where there is a lot of refining and processing going on of these initial commodities. But over time, the geographical scope will become larger.”
In addition to the massive human cost of the war, the UNECE official noted how the oil and natural gas crisis also threatens to undermine the global shift to green energy sources.
“You can see how a crisis which is fundamentally focused on the old traditional fossil fuels sector, how that that impacts the new renewable energy, and the transition that we have been undertaking and we actually need to accelerate, as you know, as we are falling behind in the Paris 2030 targets”.
UNECE encompasses 56 Member States in Europe, North America and Asia; it is making efforts to align critical raw materials with the UN Sustainable Development Goals…..PACNEWS
FIJI – ENERGY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Energy transition gaps risk widening inequality in Fiji
SUVA, 24 APRIL 2036 (FIJI TIMES)—Fiji’s transition to renewable energy could deepen inequality if not managed inclusively, according to the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026.
The report warns that the costs and benefits of energy transitions are often unevenly shared, with vulnerable groups bearing the heaviest burden.
In Fiji, while renewable electricity levels are high during favourable hydrological conditions, continued reliance on diesel in outer islands has reinforced perceptions that the benefits of clean energy are concentrated in urban centres.
This imbalance, the report says, risks undermining public trust in national renewable energy strategies.
ESCAP also highlighted broader regional concerns, noting that transitions can lead to job losses, rising energy costs and reduced fiscal support in fossil-dependent areas, disproportionately affecting low-income communities.
The report further raised concerns about how renewable projects are implemented, pointing to issues such as limited community consultation, centralised land acquisition and unequal benefit sharing.
Without inclusive dialogue and transparency, ESCAP warned, such projects could face resistance, legal challenges or political backlash, potentially delaying or reversing reforms.
The findings underscore the need for Fiji to ensure a “just transition” — one that balances environmental goals with social equity and community inclusion….PACNEWS
TONGA – SCAMS: TALANOAOTONGA PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Tonga Reserve Bank warns public over rise in online romance scams
NUKU’ALOFA, 24 APRIL 2026 (TALANOAOTONGA)—The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) has warned the public to stay alert against a growing form of online fraud known as “romance scams”, saying vulnerable community members are increasingly being targeted through social media.
In a public notice, the bank said scammers are creating fake romantic relationships online, building trust before asking victims to send money for emergencies, travel costs, gifts or supposed investment opportunities. The warning comes as regional banks across the Pacific report a rise in digital fraud linked to emotional manipulation.
The NRBT said people should be cautious when dealing with individuals they have never met in person, particularly if they quickly express strong feelings or refuse to appear on video calls.
Other warning signs include claims of working overseas, requests to move conversations from public platforms to private messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Viber, and demands for unusual payments through cryptocurrency, gift cards or wire transfers.
The bank also warned against offers involving expensive gifts or business investments that require upfront fees, describing these as common scam tactics.
Earlier this year, the Reserve Bank also issued warnings about investment scams affecting Tongans in Tonga and overseas, including Ponzi-style schemes and fake cryptocurrency offers, highlighting broader concerns over online financial fraud.
People who believe they may have been targeted are urged to contact their bank immediately to protect their accounts and report the matter to the Tonga Police Cybercrime Unit.
The bank says the safest rule remains simple: never send money or share banking details with someone you only know online…PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific aims at “resilience from within”
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, 24 APRIL 2206 (FAO)— Ministers from around Asia and the Pacific gathered in here to negotiate collaboration pathways with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). They aim to harness the region’s increasingly prosperous and dynamic agricultural capacities to bolster food security for all, while ensuring smallholders benefit from technology and trade.
This week’s 38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC38) will indicate the priority regional and local themes and areas for FAO to take into account while preparing the Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium, and aligning them with FAO’s Strategic Framework, Medium-Term Plan and country programming frameworks.
“We must build resilience from within, because no external help will be sustainable without our own collective will,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said in remarks to the key Ministerial meeting on Thursday. The event was opened by the Crown Prince of Brunei, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibini His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.
FAO’s Director-General noted that the region, home to more than half the world’s population and food production, has made remarkable progress in agricultural productivity, trade and technological innovation, yet remains home to more food insecure people than any other.
“Public resources alone will not be enough,” he said, urging participants to engage with the theme of financing and investments in agrifood systems, which are at the center of several roundtable dialogues at the APRC38.
Qu pointed to “unprecedented opportunities” for the region through science and innovation, digitalisation, investment and partnerships, noting that more and more countries in the region are graduating out of Least Developed Country status and, having a stronger food security base, are aiming to increase trade in their agricultural surpluses and value-added products.
The Regional Conference
The APRC38’s agenda includes bolstering access to affordable and nutritious diets – which are relatively expensive compared to global averages – speeding up low-emission and sustainable agricultural practices, facilitating trade and market integration and mobilizing domestic and international finance and investment and directing it to smallholders, who constitute 80 percent of all agricultural producers in the region.
Among the ministerial roundtables are sessions focusing on bolstering resilient and inclusive aquatic food systems, accelerating sustainable bioeconomy approaches, and accelerating agrifood investment pathways through FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative.
Those subjects align with FAO’s regional priority areas of work, which comprise Blue transformation, One Health, small-scale producers’ equitable access to resources, digital agriculture; healthy diets for all, safe food for everyone; Climate change-mitigating and adapted agrifood systems; biodiversity and ecosystem services for food and agriculture; and resilient agrifood systems.
FAO Members in Asia and the Pacific have been particularly active in various FAO initiatives that support country-owned and country-led solutions, such as the Digital Village Initiative, the One Country One Priority Product Initiative and the Green Cities Initiative.
“Across Asia and the Pacific, countries are no longer only recipients of solutions,” Qu noted, emphasizing how success stories such as those achieved by South-South Cooperation reflect the spirit of dignified partnership that defines the region. “They are providers of expertise, technology, policy innovation and financing models”
The challenge ahead
While Asia and the Pacific produces 54 percent of global agriculture and fish output, the region is also characterized by a vast number of smallholders, who can be vulnerable to shocks in global food, fuel and fertilizer markets and extremely so to impacts from climate change.
For Qu, innovation that leaves behind the smallholder is not innovation, but exclusion. That’s doubly relevant as smallholder-dominated landscapes under pressure face challenges from water scarcity and overextraction as well as nutrient depletion. Land degradation is a particularly salient risk across the region.
At the same time, there will be another 200 million people to feed in the region by 2050, which will require distributed access to productivity-boosting tools ranging from improved seeds and weather forecasting to digital advisory services, precision farming methods to save water in the Mekong Delta, solar-powered cold chains to cut post-harvest losses in South Asia, and low-methane rice farming wherever possible.
“FAO is fully committed to supporting you,” the Director-General told the ministers. “We must act now, with courage and creativity,” he said…. PACNEWS
