In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — ‘The Pacific is our home, not a theatre for geopolitical competition’: Forum Chair Whipps
2. PACIFIC — Pacific Climate envoys take Pacific priorities to UNGA and New York Climate Week
3. PACIFIC — Pacific Editors and News leaders Forum adopts Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Declaration
4. PACIFIC — Cook Islands News editor launches Pacific misinformation platform
5. UN — Guterres calls on countries to set clear timelines for transition away from fossil fuels
6. FIJI — PM Rabuka says proposed Constitution could bar him from next election
7. PACIFIC— Savusavu town hall sets example for Pacific: Honimae
8. PACIFIC — Fiji PM rejects militarisation claims over Ocean of Peace agenda
9. PNG — PNG Military told to reject rifles, Nomane queries Aust’s 3,500 – gun gift
10. FIJI — Constitution review heard from one percent of Fijians, report reveals
11. PACIFIC — Torres Strait eyes Melanesian Spearhead Group observer statues bid after ‘Australian’ snub
12. PACIFC — Pacific calls for urgent action at UN summit as El Niño threats grow
13. GUAM — Guam pushes U.S to fund infrastructure strained by military buildup in territory
14. GUAM — Guam’s battle against invasive species may get a boost from U.S House bill
15. PACNEWS BIZ — China points to deepening economic ties with Vanuatu
16. PACNEWS BIZ — Measures taken to stop ghost names on PNG payroll
17. PACNEWS DIGEST — Civil Society paves the way to 2028 review of the Pact for the Future
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
‘The Pacific is our home, not a theatre for geopolitical competition’: Forum Chair Whipps
NEW YORK, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS)— Palau President and Forum Chair, Surangel Whipps Jr has warned that the Pacific must not be treated as a theatre for geopolitical competition, calling for respect for Pacific sovereignty, international law and the region’s right to determine its own future.
Delivering Palau’s High-Level Statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly(UNGA), Whipps said the Pacific was home to people, communities, cultures, fisheries and ecosystems and should remain an Ocean of Peace.
“The Pacific is our home, not a theatre for geopolitical competition.
“It must remain an ocean of peace where nations meet in cooperation, international law is respected, and the security of the Pacific peoples is never compromised,” Whipps said.
Whipps said Pacific leaders had raised concerns at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau over China’s ballistic missile test overflying several Pacific nations without adequate notice.
“Let me remind you: our region must never be treated as an empty expanse for strategic competition or test of military power,” he said.
He said the Pacific’s approach to security was to address tensions before they became crises, create space for dialogue and uphold respect, restraint and international law.
“The Pacific way is to address tensions before they become crisis, make room for dialogue before disagreement becomes conflict, seek inclusion rather than isolation, and uphold respect, restraint, and international law,” Whipps said.
Whipps said the Pacific’s security was also tied directly to climate change, ocean health, energy and access to finance.
He said the latest findings from the UN Environment Programme showed the world was now certain to exceed the 1.5°C temperature threshold, making delivery on climate commitments more urgent.
“This reality must strengthen our resolve to deliver what we have promised, prepare our communities for the impacts science tells us are inevitable,” he said.
Whipps highlighted the Pacific’s Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity initiative, launched at COP28 and reinforced by the Pacific Leaders’ Ocean Statement adopted in Palau.
He said the initiative brings together 22 Pacific countries and territories to mobilise investment for sustainable ocean management, food systems and resilient livelihoods.
Palau was translating the regional vision into national action through its Sustainable Ocean Policy, which commits to science-based and adaptive management of its ocean.
But Whipps said the key issue was now delivery.
“The task now is delivery,” he said.
“We need financing that reaches communities without adding debt, adaptation finance that is accessible to countries already bearing the cost of the problems they did not create, and full support of the loss and damage and the special circumstances of SIDS.”
He called for grant-based and concessional finance, support for energy systems and investment that reflects the circumstances of small island developing states.
“Those who contributed the least to this climate crisis yet confront the worst threats of rising sea levels must not be burdened with debt simply to purchase a life jacket for their survival,” Whipps said.
He also backed the Pacific Resilience Facility as a Pacific-led mechanism to turn resources into community-level climate and disaster resilience.
Whipps said energy security was also climate and national security.
“Energy security is climate security and national security,” he said.
He highlighted the Mana Bara Call to Action, through which Pacific leaders reaffirmed a vision of 100 percent renewable energy and a just and inclusive transition away from fossil fuels.
Palau’s latest national commitment targets a 44 percent reduction in fossil fuel use by 2035, supported by renewable energy generation and policies aimed at making the transition affordable and reliable.
He said reducing dependence on imported fuel would also reduce vulnerability to external shocks and prices that Pacific countries could not control.
Whipps said Palau would continue to work with partners but would not compromise its sovereignty.
“Partnership must never become pressure, and assistance must never come at the cost of the nation’s values, institutions, or the freedom to choose.
“Sovereignty is not isolation; it is the freedom to cooperate through mutual respect, transparency, accountability, dialogue, and international law,” he said.
He said Palau remained “a friend to all” and would choose partners based on shared values including democracy, human rights and a rules-based international order.
Whipps reaffirmed Palau’s support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international system, saying the UN should recognise the rights and voices of its 23 million people.
He said small states had the same sovereign right to determine their future, choose their partners and pursue development that served their people.
Whipps said the Pacific’s concerns extended beyond climate and ocean issues to global peace and security.
He cited the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz as reminders of the consequences of conflict and the need for diplomacy and international law.
Whipps said the Pacific continued to call for dialogue over escalation and for differences to be resolved peacefully.
He said the region’s vision was ultimately about protecting future generations.
“Our children and their children deserve a world that is safe, healthy, and clean.
“Knowledge is like ocean waves. It comes in many forms and sizes, yet no wave overpowers another, and they ultimately reach the same shore.”
“Let us leave this Assembly committed to multilateralism that honors every voice, values every form of knowledge, and carries us toward a safer, healthier, and more peaceful world,” Whipps said….PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: SPREP PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Pacific Climate envoys take Pacific priorities to UNGA and New York Climate Week
NEW YORK, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (SPREP)—Pacific Climate Envoys are taking the region’s climate priorities to world leaders and partners during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and New York Climate Week from 21-25 September.
Representing the COP31 Pacific Partnership, the three Envoys – Ocean Envoy Inia Seruiratu, Access to Climate Finance Envoy Ruel Yamuna, and Envoy for Oceania focusing on keeping the 1.5 goal within reach,Kristina Stege – are calling for stronger climate action, enhanced protection of our oceans, improved access to finance and to ensure global temperature increase stays below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
They are representing Pacific priorities ahead of the Pacific-hosted Pre-COP in Fiji and Tuvalu from 5-8 October and the UN Climate Change Conference COP31in Antalya, Turkiye from 09-20 November this year. Their mission is clear – amplify the Pacific’s priorities and experiences to influence global climate action, while building partnerships that turn commitments into results for our communities.
Seruiratu is highlighting the critical role of the ocean in climate solutions, including the protection and restoration of mangroves, coastal resilience and investment in nature-based solutions.
“The Ocean is central to the climate solution – climate action cannot succeed without it,” is his key message.
Yamuna is championing faster, fairer and more accessible climate finance for Small Island Developing States, where complex funding processes and limited resources prevent communities from accessing the support they urgently need.
“For Pacific countries, the challenge is not ambition, the challenge is access,” he says, highlighting the need for climate finance, technology and partnerships that reach communities on the ground.
Stege is reinforcing the Pacific’s call to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach, drawing attention to the science behind climate impacts from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the need to urgently reduce emissions, as well as stronger resilience and support for vulnerable countries:
“1.5 is really the threshold for safety and security of our planet that we live on. For those of us in the Pacific, we know this because of our experience living in a in environment that is defined by our ocean and the impacts of climate change on that ocean are things that we live with every day.”
The envoys are engaging with governments, investors, international organisations and civil society across a full programme of discussions and events. They are also participating in COP31 Presidency events, including the launch of the COP31 Action Agenda initiatives, participating in the Global Citizen Impact Sessions, and connecting Pacific priorities with the wider international climate efforts.
“This week is a key opportunity to build momentum for the upcoming pre-COP and strengthen the Australia–Turkiye–Pacific Partnership,” said Ms Tagaloa Cooper, Director of Climate Change Resilience of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
“For Pacific communities already experiencing the effects of climate change, the stakes are high. Rising seas, climate-related disasters and pressure on livelihoods means global action is needed immediately. Our Pacific voices must be heard; we must see action for all of humanity.”
As COP31 approaches, the envoys carry a shared message from the Pacific – climate promises must translate into real-world actions, and frontline voices must help shape the solutions….PACNEWS
PAC – PACIFIC MEDIA SUMMIT/LOSS & DAMAGE: SPREP PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Pacific Editors and News leaders Forum adopts Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Declaration
SAVUSAVU, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (SPREP)—The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Pacific Editors Forum on Loss and Damage has ended on a high with the adoption of the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration.
The Declaration re-emphasises the Media’s critical role in informing, educating, and amplifying the voices of our Pacific communities on the impacts of the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and the work being done by SPREP, Member countries and partners to address it.
It is also a renewed commitment from Editors and News leaders to consistently share critical information, amplify Pacific voices and stories on the triple planetary crises, for a more resilient and well-informed Pacific communities.
“We express deep concern on the findings of the United Nations Environment Programme’s report on Limiting Overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return. We call for action to ensure 1.5 degrees to stay alive and thrive,” reads the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration.
“We echo the call by our Pacific Leaders in the Boe Declaration, Belau Declaration and reiterated in 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Communiqué that climate change remains the greatest existential threat facing our Pacific communities.”
Held in the lead up to the 8th Pacific Media Summit, hosted by the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Fiji Media Association (FMA) in Savusavu, Fiji, the Forum from 21-22 September, was attended by Editors, Newsroom Leaders and representatives from Fiji, Naoero, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.
Organised and facilitated by SPREP, it was part of SPREP’s Pacific Voice Amplification work; to engage and continue to build the understanding of Pacific Media Leaders ensuring they are better equipped to report on climate change and Loss and Damage. The Forum was made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.
“We acknowledge the economic and non-economic losses and damages caused by climate change is an issue of climate justice for our Pacific communities,” the Savusavu declaration continues.
“We demand action to ensure these losses and damages are averted, minimised and addressed.”
Since 2008, SPREP has worked with partners to build the capacity of Pacific Islands media to report on the issue of climate change, and other environmental issues. With the support of the LDCC Project, SPREP has rolled out a series of trainings and media activities across the region that have empowered the Pacific Media to understand climate change, the connection with Loss and Damage, and the best ways to report on these pressing issues.
The first phase was a Regional Media training on Loss and Damage, held in Samoa in 2025. From the training a selection of reporters returned to Samoa to provide media coverage of the inaugural Youth Loss and Damage Dialogue, the second Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue as well as the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR).
All these reporters are part of the growing Pacific Loss and Damage Media Network. SPREP has also rolled out training nationally, with Solomon Islands the most recent country to benefit.
At the 8th Pacific Media Summit, dubbed the region’s premier biennial gathering of media professionals, SPREP elevated the advocacy on Loss and Damage to the decision makers in the newsroom.
“Editors and Newsroom managers shift newsroom priorities, allocate resources, and support reporters,” said Ms Nanette Woonton, SPREP Adviser Communications and Outreach Unit.
“As guardians of information, their engagement directly determines whether issues become peripheral stories or lead news and front-page priorities. We are pleased to have been able to host this Forum to bring them up to speed on developments in the environment space, particularly climate change and climate induced Loss and Damage.”
The Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration acknowledges SPREP and its role for over two decades, in building the capacity of Pacific media.
“To strengthen our work, we require access, transparency and resources. We call on political leaders, government and technical agencies to make themselves available in a timely manner for interviews and public interest questioning,” the Savusavu Declaration continues.
“We implore SPREP, other Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) Agencies, Pacific Islands News Association, development partners and other Pacific agencies to continue to collaborate and strengthen partnerships with the Pacific media. We strongly believe that this can be achieved through funding opportunities, capacity building activities, resource sharing and development, to enable our work and strengthen the delivery of content to the last mile.”
The Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration is part of the Outcome of the 8th Pacific Media Summit, opened by Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.
The Pacific Editors Forum on Loss and Damage was supported by the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project funded by the Government of New Zealand and implemented by SPREP.
The 8th Pacific Media Summit hosted by the Fiji Media Association in Savusavu Fiji is held from 21-25 September 2026….PACNEWS
PAC – PACIFIC MEDIA SUMMIT: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Cook Islands News editor launches Pacific misinformation platform
By Pita Ligaiula in Savusavu
SAVUSAVU, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PACNEWS)—Cook Islands News Editor Rashneel Kumar has called for Pacific media, civil society and universities to work together to tackle the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation across the region.
Speaking at the Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, Kumar introduced ‘Check Pacific’, a new platform aimed at bringing regional organisations and practitioners together to respond to misinformation.
“We want our civil societies, our media practitioners, and universities to come together and work together to actually battle this misinformation,” Kumar said.
Kumar said misinformation and disinformation were major challenges for Pacific countries, particularly given the region’s geographical remoteness and separation.
“We’re talking about remoteness and how we are divided, and we’re trying to come together in an alliance,” he said.
Kumar said ‘Check Pacific’ was still in its early stages but had been an initiative he had considered for some time before launching it.
“Disinformation is a big issue, so it’s on the infant stage at the moment,” he said.
“It has been in my head for quite some time, and it has taken a bit of time to put it out to the world.”
He urged Pacific media practitioners, civil society groups and universities to engage with the platform and contribute ideas on how it could develop.
“We would like to hear from you all your views on how we can develop this and work together,” Kumar said.
Kumar, who has worked with Cook Islands News since 2015, said he was also pleased to have been granted permanent residency in the Cook Islands, giving him a connection to both the Cook Islands and Fiji.
He encouraged participants at the Pacific media gathering to visit ‘Check Pacific’ and explore the platform as regional efforts to address misinformation continue.
“Please go and check checkpacific.com,” he said…..PACNEWS
UN – FOSSIL FUEL: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Guterres calls on countries to set clear timelines for transition away from fossil fuels
NEW YORK, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—“We are the first generation with the tools to end the fossil fuel age – and the last who can avert climate catastrophe,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday, calling on countries to draw up credible roadmaps with clear timelines to transition away from fossil fuels.
The appeal came in the middle of High-Level Week at UN Headquarters in New York, where the UN Climate Summit 2026 brought together leaders from major economies, vulnerable countries and major energy producers – alongside consumers – to push for faster climate action and greater cooperation.
“The world is crying out for climate justice – in mitigation, in adaptation, in finance. We must answer that call with action,” Guterres urged.
The UN chief decried the fact that greenhouse gas emissions continue rising when they should be plummeting.
“Fossil fuel expansion continues – defying science, economics, and common sense,” he said, adding that fossil fuel companies are “banking windfall profits – while everyday people foot the bill.”
Scientists now expect the world to temporarily exceed the 1.5°C limit for warming above pre-industrial levels set under the 2015 Paris Agreement. The challenge, the UN chief said, is to make that overshoot as small and as short as possible.
“Fortunately, we have a way out. Because the crisis is accelerating – but so are the solutions,” he underscored. Renewables, he said, are the cheapest, fastest, and most secure source of new electricity almost everywhere. Clean energy has gone from alternative to unstoppable”.
Guterres called for renewable energy capacity to triple, energy efficiency to double, faster electrification, sharp cuts in methane emissions and an end to deforestation. He also warned that the rapidly growing electricity demand, including from artificial intelligence, must be met with more renewable energy, grids and storage.
“I call on every country to develop a credible roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels – with clear timelines,” he said.
The G20, responsible for around 80percent of global emissions, must lead, he emphasised, reiterating that the transition must also be fair, creating jobs and strengthening social protection while allowing developing countries to shape it and share in its benefits.
Guterres called for at least US$300 billion a year to be mobilised for developing countries, with developed countries taking the lead, and for overall climate finance to reach US$1.3 trillion annually by 2035.
He also called for polluters to pay, debt burdens to be eased when disasters strike and developing countries to have a stronger voice in the international financial system.
The goal, he said, is to “match the revolution in energy with a revolution in finance”.
That finance is also needed for countries already dealing with impacts they cannot avoid. “Without adaptation, droughts become hunger crises; storms become debt crises; and heatwaves become killers”.
Across all fronts the Secretary General expressed that climate action depends on protecting its foundations: science and truth, international law and cooperation.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has confirmed that protecting the climate is an obligation, Guterres noted, while no country can decarbonise the global economy or shield itself from climate chaos alone.
The Summit also put forward three initiatives aimed at some of the practical barriers slowing climate action.
The new Global Grids Accelerator will initially focus on Africa and Southeast Asia, where renewable energy is expanding faster than the electricity networks needed to carry it.
More than 2,500 gigawatts of renewable projects are currently waiting for grid connections worldwide.
The Accelerator will bring governments, financial institutions and technical partners together to help move priority grid projects towards financing and implementation.
A second initiative under the Task Force on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, will begin work in Guinea, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Demand for minerals including copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt is expected to almost triple by 2030. The mechanism is designed to help resource-rich developing countries create more value and jobs at home, while strengthening governance and environmental safeguards.
Finally, the Early Warnings for All initiative , launched in 2022, has mobilised around 2 billion to ensure everyone on Earth is protected by an early warning system by the end of 2027. More than 160 countries are receiving direct support. …PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
PM Rabuka says proposed Constitution could bar him from next election
SAVUSAVU, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Fiji’s proposed new Constitution could prevent him from contesting the next general election.
Rabuka made the revelation this week while opening the eighth Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu.
“If the proposed Constitution is adopted, I will not be able to contest the next election,” he told the summit.
The proposed Constitution sets new limits on who can serve as Prime Minister, including a provision that would prevent a person who has already been appointed or elected Prime Minister on two previous occasions from being appointed again in certain circumstances.
Rabuka has served as Prime Minister twice — from 1992 to 1999 and since 2022.
The proposed Constitution was tabled in Parliament this week after the Constitutional Review Commission completed its review.
Rabuka said the provisions would have direct implications for his political future.
The proposed Constitution has yet to be adopted and remains subject to parliamentary and referendum processes.
The Government has indicated that it is working towards completing the constitutional process before the end of the year….PACNEWS
FIJI – PACIFIC MEDIA SUMMIT: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Savusavu town hall sets example for Pacific: Honimae
SAVUSAVU, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—A media-led town hall forum that allowed Savusavu residents to directly question Government leaders on issues unresolved for decades has drawn praise from regional media leaders.
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) chief executive officer Johnson Honimae has praised the Fiji Media Association’s Savusavu Town Hall, describing it as a model for transparency and accountability that could be replicated across the Pacific.
Speaking during the Surviving with Core Values: Independent Yet Resourceful to Reach the Remote panel in Savusavu, Honimae said the media-led initiative provided a valuable platform for communities to directly question Government leaders on issues affecting them.
“I must congratulate the Fiji Media Association who are actually organising that,” Honimae said.
He said the forum provided a rare opportunity for members of the public to raise concerns directly with Government representatives and seek answers on long-standing community issues.
“I don’t remember how many questions were there, but one thing I noticed was the genuineness about your response and how you (Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica) and your Minister responded to the questions,” he said.
Honimae acknowledged Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu for engaging openly with residents during the town hall.
“The commitment that you made to answer, to deal with the issues, some of the issues that have been lying around for 20 years,” Honimae said.
He said initiatives such as the Savusavu Town Hall helped create greater understanding between communities and Government by allowing people to hear directly from decision-makers while providing a platform to raise concerns.
Honimae said the success of the event could inspire similar forums in other Pacific countries.
“After last night, don’t be surprised if we start hearing something like that happening in Solomon Islands,” he said.
The town hall was held as part of activities surrounding the PINA Media Summit, which has brought together journalists, media leaders and communications professionals from across the Pacific.
Honimae said the initiative highlighted the important role of open dialogue in strengthening transparency, accountability and public trust…..PACNEWS
PAC – PACIFIC MEDIA SUMMIT/OCEANS OF PEACE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Fiji PM rejects militarisation claims over Ocean of Peace agenda
SAVUSAVU 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) —Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed claims that some forms of militarisation are affecting the Ocean of Peace agenda, assuring that Government remains committed to promoting peace in the region.
Rabuka responded to questions from this masthead in Savusavu Wednesday during a press conference. He officially opened the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) media summit at Wasawasa Resort.
Rabuka questioned who was behind such claims, saying Pacific people wanted peace and that this was why his Government remained committed to the Ocean of Peace agenda.
Rabuka reiterated that the Ocean of Peace initiative aims to gain global recognition.
He revealed that Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Sakiusa Ditoka, who is in New York, United States, had met with the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs.
“The Russian Minister wants a bilateral meeting with Ditoka and some of the Pacific leaders,” he said.
“I asked him ( Ditoka) just to convey to him (Russian Minister) our wish and our prayers that the concept of the Pacific being a region, an ocean of peace, could be spread to the rest of the world.”
The Prime Minister said they would pursue enhanced bilateral agreements to promote the Ocean of Peace.
“What we are most interested in at the moment is to create a sense of peace, comfort and security among our Pacific nations,” he said.
He acknowledged Australia and New Zealand for being at the forefront of efforts to achieve the Ocean of Peace goal.
When asked about the Vuvale Partnership with Australia and whether Australian military officials would be embedded in Fiji’s military, Rabuka said this would only be required in situations involving transnational crime, such as drug trafficking.
“Unless only this, otherwise there is no need for it,” he said.
On strengthening Fiji’s borders against drug trafficking, following previous drug hauls amounting to billions of dollars, Rabuka reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with bilateral partners in the fight.
“We are talking to them constantly, what more depends on what the country, or the host country, will ask for,” he said.
“That is up to us to work out what else, and where else can our development partners, particularly regional partners, come in and assist in our fight against transnational crimes.”…PACNEWS
PNG – DEFENCE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
PNG Military told to reject rifles, Nomane queries Aust’s 3,500 – gun gift
PORT MORESBY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—-The country should not blindly accept the 3,500 rifles offered by Australia under the Pukpuk Treaty, says Papua New Guinea Opposition Leader James Nomane.
He said that the proposed transfer of 3,500 rifles under the Pukpuk Treaty was not the strategic priority of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
Speaking from his Chuave electorate, Nomane said: “The concern is not with Australia or with the PNGDF.
“The question is whether thousands of additional firearms are the PNGDF’s most urgent capability priority.
“PNG needs secure armouries, maritime surveillance, airlift capability, communications, logistics, engineering capacity, training and properly maintained barracks.
“We simply do not have the capacity to secure these rifles and have the capacity in place to ensure that they are safely used.
“Right now, we do not have running water at Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby where the combat battalion resides.”
While PNGDF commander Rear Admiral Philip Polewara was tightlipped when approached, he had in March raised his concern over the security of the rifles when it was first broached.
Nomane said Polewara’s concerns were well-founded – that the security of military-grade weapons and ammunition should be considered in light of the many high-powered guns being surrendered all over the country in the guns amnesty exercise currently afoot.
He said introducing thousands of rifles before those vulnerabilities were comprehensively addressed, would definitely create a security problem more than any issue it was trying to solve.
Nomane said there was also insufficient public transparency around the AUD$35 million (about K110.29 million) package under the treaty.
“Is this the overall package?” he asked.
“The initial commitment by Australia over the 3,500 rifles covered four years together with armoury-related work.
“But the publicly announced figures do not cover details such as how much these rifles cost, cost of ammunition, storage infrastructure, training, maintenance and other components.
“PNG should seek full disclosure and joint capability assessment before accepting the rifles or any other package under the treaty.
“We should tread with caution because of sovereignty issues and because of priorities in the PNGDF not being rifles at the moment.
“And the risk of these rifles being stolen with the impending General Election next year.
“These are problems that we do not need right now.”
Nomane said the country’s defence relations with Australia should strengthen PNG’s sovereign defence capability.
“Australia is our closed neighbor and our largest bilateral partner; and that means investing according to the PNGDF’s actual strategic priorities, not simply accumulating more guns,” he said.
“We should build capabilities and secure armouries first before getting rifles.
“If the Defence Force commander has rejected the transfer of 3,500 rifles, then it is lauded.”….PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Constitution review heard from one percent of Fijians, report reveals
SUVA, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Only 3,873 people took part in face-to-face consultations for the new Constitution, while 1,220 submissions were received — figures critics say fall short of reflecting the views of almost one million Fijians.
The Constitutional Review Commission’s (CRC) report, tabled in Parliament this week, shows the consultation process ran for just over five months, with 105 venues visited nationwide between May and early July.
Key figures from the report:
*832 individual submissions and 388 collective submissions;
*1,098 in-person submissions and 122 written submissions;
* iTaukei – 86percent; Fijians of Indian descent – 7percent; Rotuman – 6percent; other descent – 1percent; Banaban – 0.05percent;
*Rural – 61percent; urban – 20percent; maritime – 19percent;
*Central – 33percent; Northern – 26percent; Western – 21percent; Eastern – 13percent;
*Male – 69percent; female – 31percent; and
*Median age – 50.
The CRC acknowledges the imbalance, saying it was “transparent in its consideration of whether consultation participants are reflective of Fiji’s diverse population.”
It also flagged low attendance among non-iTaukei citizens and from urban areas, particularly along the Suva-Nausori corridor.
Centre for Democracy and Dialogue chief executive officer Nilesh Lal said the numbers were not enough.
“It definitely is not, and I think right from the outset we have said that the timeline was just too short,” Mr Lal said.
He said the seven percent participation by Indo-Fijians was a concern.
Narube wants fresh round
Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube also questioned whether the process adequately reflected the population.
“No, it doesn’t,” Narube said. “That means the views expressed… may not fully reflect the views of the people.”
He called for another round of consultations before Parliament proceeds with the recommendations.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said there had been no rush, while Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said six months was “a good enough process.”
Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga said the consultation was “much better than the 2013 Constitution.”
The Cabinet Subcommittee will reconsider the CRC’s recommendations before tabling its own recommendations in Parliament.
Parliament is scheduled to begin debating the CRC report on 28 September…..PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: TORRES NEWS PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Torres Strait eyes Melanesian Spearhead Group observer statues bid after ‘Australian’ snub
BRISBANE, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (TORRES NEWS)—-Torres Strait islanders plan to apply for observer status with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) after revelations the Australian government was already in the process of doing so butwithout them.
Last edition the Torres News reported the federal government was applying for “Australian” observer status at the Pacific sub-regional organisation and would not detail a role for its Melanesian traditional owners in the Torres Strait.
Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Land and Sea Council (GBK) chair, Ned David, said he was appalled the federal government had neglected to consult the region’s peak native title body.
“We had absolutely no hint, no idea,” Mr David told Torres News. “There’s been no approach to us.”
“Any government in this day and age would be aware that you don’t do business without including the very people that you are trying to assist or develop, this is an old adage now, but ‘don’t do work for us, work with us’.”
Federal Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy, confirmed the “Australian” bid in response to questions from the Torres News at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau this month.
David said the GBK board would now discuss seeking entry-level observer status with the MSG.
“The most appropriate group to be at that forum would be my people, Torres Strait Islanders,” he said.
“We absolutely satisfy the criteria, we are Melanesian by identity, we are people that are seeking to run our own affairs, manage our own affairs.
“We should be at the table, we have every right to be, and I do hope that when we submit our interest, that the Australian government will support it.”
The Melanesian Spearhead Group was founded in 1986 to advocate for decolonisation and self-determination for Melanesian people.
The group’s newly appointed director general Dr Anna Naupa told the media in Palau the MSG’s preference was for Australia to engage through its Melanesian citizens.
“Because of our attention to our Indigenous Melanesian peoples, very much that is the preference,” Dr Naupa said.
Full MSG members are the governments of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) independence movement of the French territory of New Caledonia.
The United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) and Timor Leste are observers, and Indonesia is an associate member.
Torres Strait Island Regional Council member for Warraber, Councillor Kabay Tamu, posted on social media that “we are a Melanesian people with deep cultural, family and historical connections across the region”.
“Torres Strait should have a stronger strategic role in spaces such as the Melanesian Spearhead Group and other Pacific forums,” he said.
“With our aspirations for self-determination and greater regional autonomy, we should be supported to have a seat at these tables and a direct voice in decisions that affect our islands, seas, culture and future.”
The issue has stirred online debate, with Melanesian Women Today International posting: “Sorry, Australia, you can’t go through the window, you have to go through the door”.
The Australian government’s First Nations Ambassador Justin Mohamed told Torres News that “listening to and engaging in genuine dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been critical to ensuring their voices and perspectives are reflected in Australia’s international engagement”.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said he was “shocked” by the federal government’s actions.
“You would have thought Torres Strait Islanders would have been the first to know about this,” Senator Shoebridge told the Torres News.
“Done right, Torres Strait Islanders could be a huge benefit to foreign policy in the region.
“But that requires representing their interests as well.”
The federally funded Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) – whose role is to support the economic, social, and cultural wellbeing of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people from the region and advise the Australian government on Indigenous issues – did not respond…..PACNEWS
PAC – WEATHER WATCH: PMN PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Pacific calls for urgent action at UN summit as El Niño threats grow
NEW YORK/WELLINGTON, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PMN)—The Pacific is calling for climate action now as a powerful El Niño threatens to add pressure on food and water supplies and increase cyclone risks across parts of the region.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr said Pacific countries needed greater access to climate finance to prepare for worsening climate shocks.
“Those who contributed the least to this climate crisis, yet confront the worst threats of rising sea levels, must not be burdened with debt simply to purchase a life jacket for their survival,” Whipps told the General Assembly.
Whipps has also called for greater funding for the Pacific Resilience Facility, which is designed to support Pacific communities with climate adaptation.
“Pacific Islands communities shouldn’t have to rely on door-knocking asking for funding – climate impact funding is simply the right for big polluting nations to do.
“The Pacific Resilience Facility must ultimately be accessible and reach the communities it was created to support, and not become clogged up in the government machine,” he said.
His comments come as scientists warn of the potential impact of a strong El Niño developing across the Pacific.
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that occurs when ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific become warmer than usual, changing weather patterns around the world.
Professor James Renwick, a climate scientist at Victoria University in Wellington, told Pacific Mornings the event is particularly concerning because it is occurring on top of an already warmer climate.
“These big El Niños happen every 10, 15 years, and they always have major consequences, big loss of life, infrastructure damage, economic costs, food security impacts, etc,” Renwick said.
He said sea temperatures in the eastern Pacific are already at record levels for this stage of the event.
Renwick said the effects will vary across the Pacific region but tropical cyclones are a major concern.
“You tend to have more cyclones during an El Niño. And they tend to be able to rove around across the Pacific further than they would otherwise.”
He expects a higher risk of cyclone activity in the eastern parts of the southwest Pacific including French Polynesia and areas further east.
Renwick said some Pacific countries could also face drier conditions and growing pressure on water supplies as the cyclone season develops.
“Water security could well be an issue for some places as the cyclone season evolves,” he said.
The warning comes as a new report projects almost 451,000 additional heat-related deaths globally between June 2026 and February 2027 from the extra heat linked to El Niño.
Renwick said governments already have the monitoring and forecasting systems needed to prepare for the effects of El Niño.
“We have excellent monitoring and forecasting services on all sorts of timescales. And governments know what to do,” he said.
Whipps has also pointed to practical adaptation measures including a Pacific Resilience Facility pilot in Palau restoring traditional taro patch systems to help protect food security and coastal water tables during El Niño dry spells.
The Pacific leaders’ call for early action at the UN comes as the General Assembly holds a high-level meeting this week focused on the growing threat of sea-level rise and the need for international cooperation to help vulnerable island states adapt.
For Pacific countries already dealing with rising seas, changing rainfall and pressure on food and water supplies, Whipps says the message from New York and the climate science is clear: preparation needs to happen before the next climate shock arrives….PACNEWS
GUAM – DEFENCE: PMN PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Guam pushes U.S to fund infrastructure strained by military buildup in territory
HAGATNA, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PMN)—Guam is pressing Washington to help pay for the growing pressure the United States military buildup is putting on the island’s civilian infrastructure.
Governor Lou Leon-Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio led a Guam delegation to San Francisco this week for talks with U.S federal officials.
Guam’s territorial government is led by Leon-Guerrero with Tenorio serving as her deputy. Both leaders presented data on the impact of the buildup on hospitals, utilities, ports, schools, housing and emergency services.
The San Francisco meeting follows a joint request from Guam’s territorial leaders for senior U.S defence officials to address the costs of national security decisions on the island.
The latest meeting is expected to lead to further interagency coordination and support the possible reconvening of an Economic Adjustment Committee (EAC).
The process follows a response from the US Department of Defence last year acknowledging the pressure created by the military buildup.
Guam is a U.S territory in the western Pacific, about 6400 kilometres from New Zealand. It is home to around 169,000 people and is a key part of the US military presence in the region.
In a November 2025 letter, Pentagon official Robert E. Thompson said the department was committed to an incremental process to lay the groundwork for potentially convening an Economic Adjustment Committee, starting with a regional meeting of federal agencies.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Office, Leon-Guerrero says the push is about recognising the local cost of Guam’s role in U.S defence planning.
“This letter acknowledges what we have been saying in every meeting in Washington and here at home – that national defence decisions in Guam carry very real costs for our people and our local government,” Leon-Guerrero said in response to Thompson’s letter.
Thompson’s letter acknowledged the strain on Guam’s civilian infrastructure.
Tenorio says Guam’s strategic role needs to be matched with long-term federal investment.
“Because of our unique and invaluable role in America’s Pacific force posture, the economic costs and benefits to Guam can be affecting us through the next decade,” he said during the San Francisco meetings.
The U.S Pacific territory has been preparing for these pressures for years through its Community Defence Liaison Office (CDLO).
Officials say working groups have been collecting data on power, water, wastewater, transport, housing, healthcare, education, labour, emergency response and ports.
Tenorio says that work has documented the scale of the challenge facing the island.
‘These teams have spent years compiling data, identifying shortfalls, and documenting how the population growth and military construction for the buildup and Guam Defence System will impact our island,” he said.
For Guam, he says the issue is not only about new military facilities but whether civilian services can keep pace with the population growth and infrastructure demands that come with them.
Leon-Guerrero says the territory wants Washington to recognise that burden as part of the wider U.S defence partnership.
“As we deepen our strategic role in the region, we will continue to insist on a fair partnership – one that protects our people, respects our capacity, and honors the sacrifices Guam makes in service to the nation,” she said.
The San Francisco talks are expected to lead to further federal coordination and could pave the way for the Economic Adjustment Committee to be reconvened in the coming months.
The latest push also comes as Guam’s congressional delegate, James Moylan, introduced legislation in the U.S House last week that would require regular consultation between Guam and the U.S Federal Government, including consideration of future multi-year federal financial assistance.
The key question now is whether that federal process results in concrete support for the civilian infrastructure that also has to carry the cost of the island’s growing strategic role in the Pacific…..PACNEWS
GUAM – INVASIVE SPECIES: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Guam’s battle against invasive species may get a boost from U.S House bill
HAGATNA, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—Guam’s efforts to control further repopulation invasive species on island may receive a boost from a bill seeking to expand federal efforts to combat environmentally destructive species.
The U.S House of Representatives has voted 371-33 to approve representative Ed Case’s National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act, which would expand federal efforts to combat invasive species that pose threats to the nation’s environments.
“For island communities like Guam, invasive species are more than an environmental concern; they threaten our ecosystems, agriculture, economy and way of life,” said Guam Del. James Moylan.
“Once an invasive species takes hold on an island, the cost of eradication can be enormous, and the damage may be impossible to reverse,” he added.
The bill would authorise US$10 million annually from fiscal 2027 through 2033 to support ongoing initiatives to control invasive species.
Case, a Democrat from Hawaii, said his state is facing unique challenges from invasive species.
“Our isolation has led to the evolution of many endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth,” he said.
“Our measure is especially timely as we reckon with the wide-ranging ripple effect of the recent storms that have struck the state, including accelerated spread of destructive invasive species especially in vulnerable places such as our national wildlife refuges.”
The bill intends to strengthen early detection and rapid response from the National Wildlife Refuge System.
“Prevention is our best defence, and investing in it today will help protect America’s natural resources, preserve our unique biodiversity and save taxpayers from far greater costs down the road,” Case said.
The bill would codify the existing Invasive Species Strike Teams program currently operated by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. The specialised teams play an essential role in managing emerging invasive species, employing strategies tailored to local conditions across the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Jill Feldhusen, senior manager of wildlife policy at the National Wildlife Federation, welcomed the bill’s passage.
“By establishing dedicated, regional strike teams, this bipartisan bill helps refuges respond more rapidly to invasive species threats before they cause lasting harm,” she said.
Case said formally establishing the Invasive Species Strike Teams program will create a stable and legally supported framework to ensure consistent funding and enhance management efforts. The act also signifies a transformative shift within the FWS, moving from a reactive, species-by-species approach to a more strategic, ecosystem-wide framework for managing emerging invasive species…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
VAN – ECONOMY: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 24 Sep 2026
China points to deepening economic ties with Vanuatu
PORT VILA, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST)—China has pointed to expanding trade and economic cooperation with Vanuatu, with bilateral trade reaching US$419 million in 2025, according to Chinese Chargé d’Affaires Gu Zihua.
Gu outlined the growing economic and development relationship between the two countries marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Gu said bilateral trade reached US$419 million in 2025, double the 2024 figure.
He said China and Vanuatu had also signed a Framework Agreement on Enhancing Economic Partnership, which is intended to facilitate the entry of Vanuatu products into the Chinese market.
Gu pointed to a number of Chinese-supported infrastructure projects in Vanuatu, including post-earthquake rehabilitation of the State House, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korman Stadium and Malapoa College, as well as the Tanna and Ambae road projects.
He highlighted the signing last week of the Implementation Agreement for the Port Vila Road Upgrading Project, describing it as an important step towards delivering the major infrastructure project.
The Chinese diplomat said the project would contribute to Vanuatu’s infrastructure development as the country continues its national development.
Gu said China and Vanuatu had maintained 44 years of diplomatic relations based on mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation.
He said China would continue to deepen cooperation with Vanuatu, including through the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Vanuatu’s Santo Economic Corridor.
“China will deepen all-weather, all-round cooperation with Vanuatu,” Gu said, adding that the two countries would continue building what he described as a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future.
The relationship also extends into health and education.
Gu said more than 300 Chinese doctors had worked in Vanuatu over the years, while increasing numbers of Vanuatu students were travelling to China to study with support from Chinese scholarships.
The reception also provided an opportunity for Gu to express sympathy to the people of Ambae affected by volcanic ashfall and condolences to the families and communities affected by the recent MV Matui tragedy.
China has provided US$100,000, approximately VT11 million, in emergency assistance to support communities affected by the ashfall.
Gu said, “We hope the 100,000 USD emergency aid we provide will help people fight against these difficulties.”
President Vurobaravu, in his remarks, thanked China for its continued friendship, cooperation and support to Vanuatu.
He said the relationship between the two countries had been built over more than four decades on mutual respect, equality and respect for sovereignty.
“I would like to thank you for your friendship and comprehensive partnership with the People’s Republic of China,” President Vurobaravu said.
Vanuatu’s position on One-China policy clear and unchanged: President Vurobaravu
He also reaffirmed Vanuatu’s position on the One-China policy, saying Vanuatu’s position remained clear and unchanged.
“Vanuatu recognised the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing China,” he said.
The President said Vanuatu looked forward to working closely with China on sustainable development, climate change, resilience and issues affecting developing countries and small island developing states.
The reception also highlighted growing links between local governments in Vanuatu and China.
Gu said Shanghai, Foshan and Liaocheng had established friendly-city or cooperation relationships with Port Vila, while the President of the Shefa Provincial Council had recently visited Hunan Province.
He said the two sides had expressed an intention to establish sister-province relations in the future.
A delegation from Zigong City in Sichuan Province also travelled to Vanuatu for the reception, showcasing the Chinese city’s culture and products.
Gu said such subnational cooperation was an important part of China-Vanuatu relations and could further strengthen people-to-people exchanges.
The reception concluded with a toast to the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and to continued friendship and cooperation between China and Vanuatu……PACNEWS
PNG – PAYROLL: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 24 Sep 2026
Measures taken to stop ghost names on PNG payroll
PORT MORESBY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (THENATIONAL)—-Payroll compliance measures will be undertaken on Papua New Guinea public servants who are listed as “unattached” in the public service, says Personnel Management Department Secretary Taies Sansan.
“Decisive payroll compliance measures will be undertaken on public servants who have reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 years and officers who remain unattached within the public service,” she said.
The measures, outlined in Circular Instruction No. 21 of 2026, will take effect on 31 December, as part of efforts to improve workforce management, strengthen establishment control, and ensure payroll integrity in the public service.
The key compliance strategies are:
*Completion of the five-year retirement strategy. All officers who have attained the compulsory retirement age of 65 years must be processed for retirement as per General Order 4.2; and,
*Completion of the Unattached Officer Strategy. Government agencies are required to identify and appropriately address all unattached officers, excess officers and officers occupying payroll positions without approved establishment placements in accordance with Circular Instruction No. 11 of 2026, General Order 3.
Sansan said the payroll actions were to address longstanding unresolved retirement cases and unattached officers who remained on the payroll without proper administrative action.
“Payroll actions will target unresolved retirement cases and unattached officers without proper administrative actions,” she said.
“Agency heads are responsible for managing affected officers before these changes take effect.”
Sansan encouraged agencies to use available internal funding to facilitate retirement benefit payments and, where necessary, consider appropriate funding arrangements for unattached officers after all redundancy and administrative processes have been completed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Between now and December, the department is urging all government agencies to review their workforce records, resolve outstanding retirement matters, and regularise unattached officers ahead of the deadline to avoid payroll disruptions.
“Where internal funding is insufficient, agencies should liaise with the Department of Treasury through the normal budgetary process,” Sansan said.
“Funding arrangements for unattached officers will only be considered following the formal declaration of redundancy and in accordance with applicable Government processes.”….PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Civil Society paves the way to 2028 review of the Pact for the Future
By Adam Lupel, Nudhara Yusuf, and Jebilson Raja Joslin
NEW YOR, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 (SDG KNOWLEDGE)—It has been only two years since the Summit of the Future convened in New York and UN Member States agreed on their comprehensive Pact for the Future. Yet that hard-won moment of international consensus often feels distant in a world characterised by elevated crises and geopolitical division.
Nevertheless, Member States remain largely committed to the ambitions of the Pact as reflected in many official statements. As we enter the mid-point between the Pact’s adoption and its official review in 2028, implementation is ongoing with positive progress being recorded on upwards of half of the action items currently being tracked.
To make that progress more comprehensive, a multi-stakeholder approach will be required, incorporating the insights, energy, and commitment of all Member States, the Secretariat, civil society, and the private sector.
In that spirit, over the past year, the Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN) has been working with an extraordinary group of regional partners and ImPact Coalitions to convene a series of consultations across Africa, Asia, the Arab States, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Europe, the Pacific Islands, and North America. This process culminated in the 2026 Global Futures Forum held in New York, U.S, on 11 July 2026.
These consultations brought together more than 1,150 participants from over 100 countries, representing more than 1,000 organisations, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), youth networks, academia, Indigenous Peoples, UN entities, local authorities, philanthropic organisations, labour organisations, the private sector, and the media to develop actionable recommendations and advance collective efforts to strengthen global governance and shape the road to the 2028 review of the Pact for the Future.
Although regional priorities differed, and the views of civil society are abundantly diverse, the fora revealed a remarkable degree of convergence on a few points:
1. Implementation
Most pronounced, across regions, participants viewed implementation – not the negotiation or declaration of new commitments – as the defining challenge for the Pact and the SDGs heading into the post-2030 period.
Implementation was widely seen as requiring stronger institutions and better coordination. Fragmentation across institutions, policy areas, and levels of governance was repeatedly identified as a barrier to delivery.
Participants emphasised the need for greater coherence between global commitments and national implementation, as well as stronger links between local experience and international decision making.
The experience of one youth peacebuilder from Malawi comes to mind. As she described her programming, it was quickly evident that for her local organisation, the lines between working on peacebuilding, gender equality, climate resilience, and poverty eradication didn’t exist. In practice, these approaches combine in obvious and natural ways from a local perspective.
In this respect, the Pact and the SDGs are inherently complementary. An integrated approach to implementation must be maintained and strengthened, including in any future frameworks, recognizing the mutual interdependence of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
2. Accountability
Participants were clear: effective implementation requires improved accountability. They consistently highlighted weaknesses in monitoring, follow-up, and review arrangements, noting that political commitments were rarely matched by mechanisms capable of tracking progress, identifying implementation gaps, and supporting corrective action.
Greater transparency, stronger local public oversight, and broader participation in monitoring processes were widely seen as essential for strengthening accountability. This includes the need to ensure that governing bodies and accountability mechanisms provide representation for those most affected by their policies. Participants consistently called for the UN to better reflect the post-colonial world of the 21st century, rather than the post-World-War-II order of the mid-20th century.
3. Resources
Across regions, participants concluded that effective implementation and systemic accountability require adequate resources. Financing constraints, debt burdens, limited fiscal space, unequal access to development finance, and persistent inequalities within global governance continue to limit progress in many countries, particularly across parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
This should not be understood as a counter-cyclical plea for more funds at a time of shrinking official development assistance (ODA). Rather, it is as much about the “how” of financing as it is about the “how much.”
For example, research by ReformWorks shows that when local implementing partners and civil society are sustainably resourced and given the flexibility to respond to local conditions, they provide strategic benefits by building trust and improving program effectiveness and accountability.
In addition, fairer access to concessional finance, credible sovereign debt resolution, and progress on international tax cooperation were highlighted as key components of a revitalized UN system that could deliver for people in tangible ways.
4. Leadership
Finally, as we engage in a once-in-a-decade process to select the next UN Secretary-General, participants from all regions of the world were keen to discuss “leadership.”
Conversations were less about who should lead the UN than about what kind of leadership is needed to meet the great challenges of our time. Qualities such as independence, courage, empathy, clarity of purpose, inspiration, and consistency came up time and again, as did strong support for gender equality at the highest levels. It is time for the first woman to be appointed UN Secretary-General.
Discussions acknowledged that the next Secretary-General will grapple with very real financial constraints. Success will require a bold reformer who can lead with a vision to make the UN more efficient, effective, accountable, and financially resilient. This will require the ability to inspire all Member States to meet their financial obligations on time, in full, and without conditions.
In doing so, UN leadership from the Secretary-General on down must defend international law and the principles of the UN Charter with consistency, promoting the interdependence of the three pillars of peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.
It would be easy to dismiss agreement on the Pact for the Future as the product of another time, not long ago but distant from the geopolitical present. This would elide the fact that the Pact provides proof that agreement is possible despite division. At a time of profound transformation, it showed that there is more that unites us than divides us.
This is the hope and the promise of the Pact, grounded in the recognition of our common humanity and a commitment to our shared interest in a more sustainable future for all. It is incumbent upon each of us to pursue that hope together….PACNEWS
