In this bulletin:
1. FIJI — Fiji general election campaign officially commences today
2. PACIFIC — Pacific Police chiefs back Joint fight against Transnational Crime
3. PACIFIC — Climate insurance eyed for fisheries, tourism in Pacific islands
4. PACIFIC — Population loss strains Micronesia, Marshall Islands economies
5. PACIFIC — Pacific Youth invited to shape Climate Action vision ahead of COP31
6. SOL — Five Solomon Islands Opposition MPs Join GREAT Coalition
7. FIJI — Fiji Police admit failures after Racagi case withdrawn
8. PACIFIC — Pacific patrol: USCG’s new fast response cutter to join fleet homeported in Guam
9. FIJI — Fijian Speaker praises Fiji-descended women elected to UK and Scottish parliaments
10. UN — WHO chief calls for urgent Ebola action and pandemic preparedness
11. PACNEWS BIZ — WCPFC launches independent review on support for developing states
12. PACNEWS BIZ — U.S removes negative travel advisory for New Caledonia
13 PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji government shields Fijians from rising fuel costs
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Vila to Vancouver service on the way
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Fiji Police Force and AFP commissioners release communique from first Pacific Transnational Crime Summit
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — Marshallese Awarded 2025 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year
17. PACNEWS DIGEST — Inside the training that’s shaping Pacific logistics readiness
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI ELECTION OFFICE PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Fiji general election campaign officially commences today
SUVA, 25 MAY 2026 (FIJI ELECTION OFFICE) — Fiji’s Electoral Commission has declared the campaign period for the country’s general election open effective from today, 25 May 2026.
The campaign period will end 48 hours before Election Day, in accordance with Section 109A (1) of the Electoral Act 2014.
Under the Electoral Act 2014, the campaign period cannot begin earlier than 30 days before the completion of three years and six months from the date Parliament first sat after the last General Election.
The declaration of the campaign period comes as Fiji prepares for the upcoming General Election, which must be held between 07 August 2026 and 06 February 2027.
The earliest possible Writ of Election may be issued from 24 June 2026.
The Fiji Electoral Commission urges all political parties, candidates, supporters, organisations, and members of the public to campaign peacefully, truthfully, and in accordance with the law…. PACNEWS
PAC – ORGANISED CRIME MEET: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Pacific Police chiefs back Joint fight against Transnational Crime
NADI, 25 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — Pacific Police Chiefs have pledged stronger regional cooperation to combat organised crime, illicit drugs and corruption following the first Pacific Transnational Crime Summit held in Fiji last week.
The summit, co-hosted by the Fiji Police Force and the Australian Federal Police from 18-22 May, brought together law enforcement agencies from across the Pacific and international partners under the theme “Connected by Ocean, United in the Fight”.
A joint communique released by Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu and AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett outlined a series of commitments aimed at strengthening Pacific-led policing cooperation against transnational organised crime.
Police Chiefs acknowledged “the unique challenges the Pacific region faces in targeting the enablers of transnational organised crime, including corruption, technology and violence.”
They also recommitted to the Pacific Transnational Crime Network framework and commissioned a review of its terms of reference, including maritime domain awareness.
The summit welcomed a recommendation from Pacific Police Ministers for the development of “an intelligence-led mechanism for coordinated maritime interdictions of illicit drugs” to improve information sharing between the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre and the Maritime Essential Services Centre.
The proposal will be considered by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in Palau during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting starting 30 August.
Police Chiefs also backed the establishment of the International Joint Investigations Team involving Australian and New Zealand law enforcement agencies and the Colombian National Police to help disrupt illicit drug shipments into the Pacific.
The communique also welcomed the launch of the Pacific Fintel Alliance Public-Private Partnership to strengthen the financial sector against criminal exploitation and support investigations into organised crime and national security threats.
An online reporting platform called Pacific Watch was also endorsed to allow members of the public to report transnational crime safely and anonymously.
Commissioner Tudravu said the summit highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across the region.
“The commonalities faced in the fight against transnational crime, while varying in scale, require collaboration across regional and international law enforcement, and this was evident throughout the summit,” Commissioner Tudravu said.
“With the backing of our Police Ministers, the onus is on us as Police Chiefs to ensure tangible outcomes that can be felt throughout our Pacific communities. We cannot afford to allow the summit to be just another meeting. Our people demand action, and we vow to reflect this through enhanced collaboration, sending a strong collective warning that the Pacific is fighting back.”
Commissioner Barrett said Pacific leaders recognised the growing threat illicit drugs posed to the region.
“Pacific Island Police Chiefs have watched from afar the impacts of illicit drugs on Australia and now they fear the diabolical reality facing their communities,” Commissioner Barrett said.
“Together, as heads of Pacific Police, we need to target the cartels and organised criminals who are trafficking the poison affecting our communities and our kids.
“Our communities are relying on our collective action to keep them safe. It takes our connected network of Pacific Chiefs and Commissioners to break the organised crime networks targeting our communities,” she said…. PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE INSURANCE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Climate insurance eyed for fisheries, tourism in Pacific islands
SUVA, 25 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Pacific Island nations are exploring new climate insurance options to help fishers, tourism operators and small businesses recover faster after cyclones, flooding and other weather disasters, according to a regional assessment released through the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme.
The study examined whether parametric insurance could work for the fisheries and tourism sectors in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Kiribati.
Unlike traditional insurance, parametric insurance automatically triggers payouts when weather thresholds such as cyclone winds, heavy rainfall or rough seas are reached, rather than requiring damage assessments.
Researchers said the approach could provide rapid financial support to communities and businesses after climate-related disasters, particularly in Pacific economies where fisheries and tourism are major sources of jobs and income.
“We see that there is a strong demand for climate risk protection across both sectors, tourism and fisheries, particularly when it comes to MSME business operators,” said Tuya Altangerel, UNDP and UNCDF resident representative for the Pacific office in Fiji.
Altangerel said earlier pilot insurance programs across Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati have already demonstrated the need for faster financial support following disasters.
“There is a very thin line as to whether your assets and business could be protected and recovered within a relatively quick timeframe because of the injection of cash through the automatic payout system,” Altangerel said.
According to the study, Pacific fisheries and tourism industries face increasing threats from tropical cyclones, storm surges, excessive rainfall, heat waves and changing sea conditions. Researchers estimated the insurance market potential across the five countries could range from roughly US$20 million to US$50 million annually in premiums.
Agrotosh Mookerjee, managing director and chief actuary of Risk Shield Consultants, said traditional insurance models often struggle in island nations because of the cost and logistical difficulty of verifying losses across scattered islands and remote communities.
“So, when insured bad weather events occur, payouts would automatically be based on the index being used for the insurance,” Mookerjee said.
“Essentially, in that process, there is no need for beneficiaries to report losses or for insurance companies to come and verify losses.”
The study identified different priorities for each country.
In Fiji, researchers recommended piloting tourism-related business interruption insurance for hotels, dive operators and tour businesses.
Papua New Guinea’s proposals focused more on fishers, including products tied to unsafe sea conditions, to compensate workers for lost fishing days during rough weather.
In Solomon Islands and Kiribati, the study highlighted community-level fisheries protection and insurance linked to climate risks such as salinity, coastal inundation and reef damage.
Samoa’s recommendations included combined tourism and fisheries insurance models for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Researchers also said insurance products would likely require support from governments, banks, development agencies and community organisations to remain affordable.
The study found willingness to pay insurance premiums was generally low unless policies were tied to business continuity, credit access or financing programs. Researchers recommended bundling insurance with loans, fisheries financing or tourism business services rather than selling it as a standalone product.
The report also called for stronger regulatory frameworks and improved climate and marine data systems across the Pacific to support future insurance products.
Altangerel said the broader goal is to help Pacific economies remain resilient as climate disasters and global economic disruptions become more frequent.
“So, in this world of volatility, we need to be innovative and look at other ways of protecting our supply chains and ensuring that Pacific tourism and fisheries industries are able to continue running smoothly,” she said…. PACNEWS
PAC – POPULATION: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Population loss strains Micronesia, Marshall Islands economies
PONPHEI/MAJURO, 25 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The populations of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands have dropped sharply over the past decade as thousands of residents leave for better jobs, education and health care abroad, creating labor shortages and raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of essential services across the Pacific nations, according to a new U.S Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.
The report found that the Federated States of Micronesia’s population fell 26 percent between the 2010 and 2023 censuses, dropping from 102,843 to 75,817.
The Marshall Islands lost 20 percent of its population between 2011 and 2021, declining from 53,158 to 42,418 residents. Officials in both countries estimate the current populations may now be even lower.
Researchers said the migration trend has accelerated as citizens of the freely associated states relocate to the United States and its territories under the Compacts of Free Association, which allow eligible Micronesian citizens to live and work in the U.S without visas.
The report said many Micronesians are leaving in search of higher-paying jobs, improved health care and expanded educational opportunities.
“Micronesians move internally and abroad for better-paying jobs, educational opportunities and access to health services,” FSM officials told GAO investigators.
In the Marshall Islands, officials said economic constraints on outer islands have become a major factor driving residents to leave for overseas destinations or to urban centres such as Majuro and Ebeye.
“Few jobs are available in the outer islands, and full-time opportunities are usually limited to teacher or health-assistant positions,” the report stated.
The report found that migration is now reshaping the economies and public services of both countries.
In FSM and the Marshall Islands, shrinking populations have contributed to shortages of teachers, health workers and skilled construction labor, according to government officials interviewed by GAO.
Some infrastructure projects funded through the compact agreements have struggled to find enough qualified local workers, forcing governments and contractors to recruit labor from countries such as the Philippines and Fiji.
Officials also warned that continued migration is increasing the cost of maintaining basic government services.
According to the report, some schools in the Marshall Islands’ outer islands now have fewer than 10 students due to population decline. Government officials said the country has started using multigrade classrooms as teacher shortages worsen.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) told investigators that population loss creates a cycle that becomes difficult to reverse. As populations decline, the cost of delivering education and health services rises, which can reduce service quality and encourage even more migration.
Despite population losses in FSM and the Marshall Islands, Palau’s population remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2020 at around 17,500 residents. Palau officials told GAO that stronger economic activity and tourism helped encourage residents to stay.
The GAO analysis of U.S Customs and Border Protection data found that from 2017 through 2024, nearly 48,000 more citizens from the freely associated states entered the U.S and its territories than departed. Most of those migrants came from FSM.
The report said migration continued even during periods when travel restrictions were in place during the pandemic.
The findings come as the United States continues implementing renewed Compact of Free Association agreements signed in 2023 with FSM, the Marshall Islands and Palau. The agreements extend U.S economic assistance for another 20 years and provide more than $6 billion collectively through 2043 for education, health care, infrastructure and trust funds.
The report found that all three countries plan to prioritise health and education spending with compact funding, but implementation has faced obstacles, including labor shortages, construction delays, inflation, and logistical challenges tied to the region’s geographic isolation.
In FSM, compact-funded projects include new schools, medical dispensaries and upgrades to transportation infrastructure. In the Marshall Islands, planned projects include outer island schools, hospital repairs and sea wall construction.
Palau plans to use compact funding for school construction and hospital repairs.
But officials warned that population decline could complicate long-term planning for those projects.
According to the report, shrinking populations are already affecting how governments allocate compact funding, especially in outer islands, where schools and health facilities serve fewer residents.
The report also noted that migration has financial consequences for governments. Fewer residents can mean lower tax revenue and reduced economic activity, even as governments continue facing high costs to maintain services across remote island chains.
At the same time, U.S. and Pacific officials said the compact agreements remain strategically important because they provide the United States with military access across much of the Pacific region…. PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: UNDP PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Pacific Youth invited to shape Climate Action vision ahead of COP31
SUVA, 25 MAY 2026 (UNDP) — Pacific youth are being invited to help shape the region’s climate agenda ahead of COP31 in Türkiye, through a series of talanoa dialogues commencing in Suva on 02 June.
With nearly 60 percent of the Pacific population under 35, young people are disproportionately affected by climate change yet remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces. This initiative aims to bridge that gap by strengthening youth voices, building advocacy skills, and creating clear pathways for engagement in national, regional and global climate processes.
The three-part dialogue series is designed to unite Pacific youth priorities ahead of COP31 and beyond, bringing together young people from across the region in an interactive and collaborative setting.
The event is open to Pacific Island youth, including diaspora, aged between 18 and 35 years who have a passion for climate action, community leadership and advocacy. Participants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to register, ensuring a wide range of perspectives and experiences are represented.
Participants will have the opportunity to co-create a shared vision for a just and resilient Pacific, contributing to a collective youth advocacy agenda to be taken to COP31.
The series also serves as a pathway to the Pre-COP Australian Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue, where selected participants will directly engage with decision-makers on the global stage, here in Fiji and in Tuvalu.
Interested youth can register by completing the online application form.
The Pacific Youth Talanoa series is co-designed and co-delivered by the Pacific Youth Council and the United Nations, in partnership with Pasifika Communities University and Pacific regional organisations.
Participants residing outside of Fiji can join the dialogues online, with those in Fiji encouraged to join in-person at the Pasifika Communities University on 02 June…. PACNEWS
SOL – POLITICS: SOLOMON STAR PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Five Solomon Islands Opposition MPs Join GREAT Coalition
HONIARA, 25 MAY 2026 (SOLOMON STAR) — Five Members of Parliament from the Solomon Islands Opposition have crossed the floor to join the GREAT Coalition, sources confirmed.
They are David Ginam, the Deputy Speaker, John Dean Kuku, chairman of Caucus, Rexson Ramofafia, Ezekiel Vave Junior and Claudious Te’efi
The government will allocate chairmanships for the other three MPs… PACNEWS
FIJI – POLICE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Fiji Police admit failures after Racagi case withdrawn
SUVA, 25 MAY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has accepted full responsibility for delays by the Fiji Police Force in submitting key documents to prosecutors, which led to the withdrawal of charges against two men accused in relation to the death of Police Constable Peniasi Racagi.
The development follows a briefing by Director of Public Prosecutions Nancy Tikoisuva to Commissioner Tudravu outlining the reasons behind the decision to discontinue the case on Friday, 22 May 2026.
Commissioner Tudravu met Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua this morning for a brief on the matter.
In a statement, Tudravu acknowledged that delays in submitting supporting documents to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions contributed to the case being withdrawn.
He said immediate internal measures had already been initiated to identify procedural shortcomings in the handling of the matter.
Commissioner Tudravu also confirmed that disciplinary action had been directed against those responsible for the delayed submissions.
Police said pending investigation reports and relevant expert findings would be resubmitted, along with the investigation file into the alleged involvement of police officers, to allow the ODPP to review all evidence before independent legal advice is issued.
“The Fiji Police Force respects the judicial process and decisions made in a court of law, and will ensure full compliance of legal processes, to avoid causing unnecessary trauma to the families involved,” the statement said.
Commissioner Tudravu reiterated that investigations were continuing and assured the family of the late PC Peniasi Racagi and members of the public that justice would be pursued.
“The Commissioner of Police reiterates that justice will prevail, assuring the late PC Peniasi Racagi’s family and members of the public, that the perpetrator(s) will be brought to justice,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – MARITIME SURVEILLENCE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Pacific patrol: USCG’s new fast response cutter to join fleet homeported in Guam
NEW YORK, 25 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday commissioned its newest fast response cutter, USCGC Vincent Danz (WPC 1162), which will be homeported in Guam to patrol the Pacific island region.
Named in honor of a 9/11 hero, the 62nd Sentinel-class fast response cutter officially entered service with U.S Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. It is the fourth of five fast response cutters to be deployed to Guam.
“The Coast Guard Cutter Vincent Danz will perform the Coast Guard’s vital work across Oceania—projecting U.S presence, countering illicit maritime activity and strengthening our international partnerships,” said Vice Adm. Thomas Allan, the vice commandant of the Coast Guard.
“Vincent Danz’s legacy will live on not only through his family and his brothers and sisters in the NYPD, but through the Coast Guard crew who will breathe life into this cutter,” Allan said, presiding over the commissioning ceremony in New York City, with members of the Danz family in attendance.
Officials said the Vincent Danz is a multi-mission platform that will primarily conduct maritime security operations, combat illegal activity, and support search-and-rescue missions in Micronesia and Melanesia, as part of the goal to strengthen partnerships with Pacific Island nations and allies.
Fast response cutters feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, as well as over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment capability, enhancing the drvice’s ability to control, secure, and defend U.S borders and maritime approaches.
The cutter’s namesake, Vincent Danz, was serving in the New York City Police Department, Emergency Services Unit, ESU Truck 3, when he responded to the World Trade Centre as part of a massive emergency response and was killed when the World Trade Centre collapsed.
He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department’s Medal of Honor for his heroic deeds. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and joined the New York City Police Department in 1987, while continuing to serve in the U.S Coast Guard Reserve as a Port Security Specialist 2nd Class.
As a U.S Coast Guard reservist, Danz understood the meaning of service to country and community. His courage in the face of unimaginable danger and his dedication to saving others made him a hero not only to New York City but to the nation. This cutter honors his memory and the legacy of all first responders who gave their lives on 11 September 2001.
The Vincent Danz will join the Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139), Oliver Henry (WPC 1140), and Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143), all of which were commissioned in Guam.
Since their 2021 commissioning, Guam’s FRC crews have distinguished themselves across the region, most recently responding to the impacts of Super Typhoon Sinlaku on communities in the Marianas. USCGC Myrtle Hazard’s crew became the first to operationalize the bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement with Papua New Guinea, conducting joint patrols and boardings in 2023.
USCGC Oliver Henry’s crew saved around a dozen mariners in the Federated States of Micronesia, delivered humanitarian assistance during the Yap drought, and towed the 500-ton yacht Black Pearl to Palau, rescuing 11 people in 2024. USCGC Frederick Hatch became the first FRC to visit several Pacific ports, including Tacloban, Philippines, for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the crew operationalized the enhanced bilateral agreement with Palau in 2024.
The U.S Coast Guard ordered a series of new fast response cutters to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110-foot patrol boats. Using the US$25 billion provided by the historic Fiscal Year 2025 budget reconciliation, which includes US$1 billion for additional FRCs, the Coast Guard has already ordered over US$13 billion in new fleet assets and capabilities…. PACNEWS
FIJI – PARLIAMENT: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
Fijian Speaker praises Fiji-descended women elected to UK and Scottish parliaments
SUVA, 25 MAY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fijian Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko has praised two Fiji-born women who recently made history by being elected to the British and Scottish parliaments, describing their achievements as a source of pride for Fiji.
Speaking in Parliament Monday, Jitoko reflected on the success of Fijians and their descendants overseas, saying many had built successful lives abroad after leaving Fiji in search of better opportunities.
“Some of our great descendants have moved elsewhere in the world, taking greener pastures with better opportunities and futures for themselves and their children,” he said.
“By and large, our immigrants have made a success of themselves and so have their children.”
Jitoko highlighted the recent election victories of Sureena Brackenridge and Simita Kumar, saying both women had created history through their political achievements overseas.
He said Brackenridge, who represents a North East constituency in the British Parliament, shared with him during a meeting last year that her grandparents had migrated from Fiji to New Zealand before eventually settling in the United Kingdom during the 1960s.
“She is full of energy, vibrant and an active member of the multi-party Friends of Fiji and the Pacific Association,” Jitoko said.
The Speaker also referred to Kumar’s recent election to the Scottish Parliament as a member of the Scottish National Party representing Edinburgh South Western.
He noted that Kumar grew up in Samabula, attended Dudley High School and migrated to Scotland with her parents in 1987 at the age of 17.
“That she has made it to Holyrood in a very short time as an ethnic minority speaks volumes of Honourable Kumar’s silent fortitude and tenacity,” he said.
Jitoko said Fiji’s Parliament was proud of both women and congratulated them on their achievements.
“All I can say to the two ladies is that the Fiji Parliament is very proud of you and your achievements,” he said.
“In the spirit of the cheers of my eldest granddaughter — you go, girls,” Jitoko said…. PACNEWS
UN – HEALTH: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Mon 25 May 2026
WHO chief calls for urgent Ebola action and pandemic preparedness
GENEVA, 25 MAY 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — The recent Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks demonstrate that the world is still vulnerable to rapidly spreading infectious diseases, Tedros Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), warned on Saturday at the close of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
His call came as Ugandan authorities confirmed on Saturday that there were three new cases of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which to date has neither a cure nor a vaccine.
“The three new cases include a Ugandan health worker, a driver and a Congolese national who travelled from Ituri Province in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, (DRC), for medical care,” Tedros said in a social media post.
“This brings the total number of people in Uganda who have tested positive for Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus to five.”
WHO is working with the Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention, (Africa CDC) and partners in the DRC and Uganda, to contain the outbreak, support affected people and help to coordinate the response. On Friday, WHO raised the national risk assessment for the DRC to “very high” – although the global risk remains low.
In Kampala, Uganda, WHO held a two-day high-level ministerial meeting on cross-border coordination in response to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
Addressing ministers from South Sudan, the DRC and Uganda, Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire, WHO Africa’s Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, stressed the need to strengthen and sustain cross-border collaboration to contain the outbreak.
She warned that delays in response can have serious consequences and emphasised that stronger surveillance and preparedness systems are critical because “time saves lives” during outbreaks.
The Director-General appealed to Member States to continue increasing assessed financial contributions to ensure WHO remains strong, independent and capable of responding to future global emergencies.
He also stressed that global agreements must translate into practical action that protects communities, contains outbreaks quickly and ensures healthcare reaches vulnerable populations.
“Every nation is healthier and safer when all nations are healthier and safer,” he said.
The week-long Assembly concluded with Member States adopting resolutions on several major health priorities, including:
*Tuberculosis control
*Emergency and critical care
*Precision medicine
*Stroke prevention and treatment
*Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
*Diagnostic imaging
*Pharmacovigilance and medicine safety
*Transplantation and liver disease
Countries also agreed to reform the global health architecture through a WHO-hosted, Member State-led process aimed at improving international coordination during health crises.
Leaders emphasised that the success of these agreements will depend on implementation at country level, including stronger health systems, financing and community engagement body.
The way forward for WHO member states
*Finalise and implement the Pandemic Agreement and PABS annex
*Strengthen surveillance and rapid response systems for outbreaks
*Invest in resilient national health systems
*Improve vaccine access and healthcare delivery
*Increase sustainable financing for WHO operations
*Expand international cooperation and data sharing…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 25 May 2026
WCPFC launches independent review on support for developing states
PONPHEI, 25 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has launched a call for independent experts to review how the Commission is implementing Article 30 of the WCPF Convention, which focuses on the special needs of developing States, particularly Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).
The review follows a decision made during the Commission’s 22nd Regular Session to carry out an independent assessment of how Article 30 has been implemented through WCPFC instruments, activities and processes.
Article 30 of the Convention requires the Commission to recognise “the special requirements of developing States in Commission processes,” especially Small Island Developing States and Territories involved in the conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks.
According to the WCPFC circular issued last week, the Review Panel “will assess how the Commission implements Article 30, including through current and past WCPFC instruments, activities and processes, with a particular focus on the special requirements of developing States, in particular Small Island Developing States and Territories.”
The Commission said the panel would consist of three independent experts, including a chairperson, with experience in fisheries conservation, WCPFC processes, conservation and management measures, and international cooperation and development aid.
“At least one panel member should have significant knowledge and experience working on developing States, in particular Small Island Developing States and Territories requirements, and an understanding of the unique operational dynamics and governance structures within the Territories,” the circular stated.
The review is expected to begin in mid-2026 and conclude in July 2027, with findings to be presented at the Commission’s 23rd Regular Annual Session in 2027.
The WCPFC said the process would involve active consultations with members throughout the development of the report.
Independent experts interested in joining the Review Panel have been invited to submit expressions of interest and resumes to the WCPFC Secretariat by 19 June 2026.
The Commission said candidates must self-nominate and “submit an expression of interest and a current resume to the WCPFC Secretariat.”
The final report is scheduled to be submitted before the 2027 Technical and Compliance Committee meeting and the Commission’s annual session for consideration and recommendations…. PACNEWS
NEW|CALE – TRAVEL ADVISORY LIFTED: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 25 May 2026
U.S removes negative travel advisory for New Caledonia
NOUMEA/WASHINGTON, 25 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — The United States’ State Department has officially lowered its travel advisory for New Caledonia.
As of 21 May the advisory was reduced from Level Three (“Reconsider Travel”) to Level Two (“Exercise Increased Caution”).
The decision comes more than a year after deadly civil unrest swept the archipelago in 2024.
Order was restored last December when then-newly appointed French Prime Minister Michel Barnier withdrew the electoral reform bill that had triggered the violence.
The unrest resulted in 15 fatalities, over 500 prison sentences, and an estimated USD$2.6 billion in property damage, according to France’s National Consultative Commission on Human Rights.
The territory’s economy also suffered, losing between 10 percent and 13.5 percent of its GDP.
While the State Department now considers New Caledonia generally safe for tourism, it warns Americans to be vigilant due to the risk of petty crime, particularly in areas outside the capital, Nouméa, at night. Political demonstrations could also turn violent with little notice.
Crucially, the advisory notes the US government has “extremely limited” ability to provide emergency services in the territory due to language barriers and limited medical facilities outside Nouméa. Travelers are urged to have an independent evacuation plan and purchase comprehensive travel insurance.
U.S citizens do not require a visa for tourist stays of less than 90 days. The archipelago is renowned among other things for its UNESCO-listed barrier reef, the world’s longest continuous reef, and the pristine Isle of Pines…. PACNEWS
FIJI – FUEL SUBSIDY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 25 May 2026
Fiji government shields Fijians from rising fuel costs
SUVA, 25 MAY 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — The Fiji Government has announced a sweeping multi-million-dollar relief package to completely absorb the newly approved 22.5 percent bus fare hike and electricity surcharges for low-income households.
In Parliament Monday, the Minister for Finance, Commerce & Business Development, Esrom Immanuel detailed aggressive measures to protect ordinary citizens from a punishing global energy crisis sparked by conflicts in the Middle East.
Following an independent review by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), a 22.5 percent increase in bus fares was deemed necessary to prevent a transportation collapse due to soaring fuel import bills. However, Minister Immanuel confirmed the public will be completely shielded. Government will inject $2 million (US$1 million) per month to ensure that none of the approximately 350,000 commuting Fijians—including students and adults—will pay an extra cent out of pocket.
The financial shield also extends directly to home energy bills to counter a massive 150 percent spike in international refined oil prices.
The state will fully absorb a newly cleared FCCC interim fuel surcharge of 5.91 cents (US 2.95 cents) per kilowatt-hour for all subsidised domestic households and small businesses (MSMEs) earning under $30,000(US$15,000) a year. This targeted intervention ensures that more than 57,000 domestic customers will see zero price increases on their electricity bills.
Addressing sustainability, Minister Immanuel emphasised that this massive relief package is being funded without adding a single dollar to national debt, heavily utilising a timely AUD$30 million (US$21 million) budget support grant from the Australian Government and internal budget reallocations.
To further safeguard public finances during this global volatility, Government has instituted strict cost-containment measures, including a 20 percent salary reduction for Ministers and Members of Parliament alongside a civil service hiring freeze…. PACNEWS
FIJI – AIRLINE: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 25 May 2026
Vila to Vancouver service on the way
PORT VILA, 25 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Vanuatu looks set for a major economic boost after Fiji Airways announced a direct connection from Vancouver to Port Vila via Nadi.
Starting in June, the airline will increase its direct Vancouver-to-Nadi service to three flights per week. More importantly, passengers can now book a single, protected itinerary from Canada to Vanuatu’s Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) via Fiji Airways’ Nadi hub, using coordinated connections with regional partner Air Vanuatu.
For Vanuatu, this development directly addresses a major barrier to recovery: difficult access. Previously, North American tourists faced complex, multi-carrier journeys with layovers in Australia or New Zealand, making them vulnerable to cancellations, baggage delays, and transit visa issues.
Tourism officials in Vanuatu say the new seamless connection is essential for attracting high-yield visitors from Western Canada and the U.S Pacific Northwest.
The archipelago, known for its world-class diving, volcanic landscapes, and vibrant cultural festivals, relies heavily on international tourism revenue. Easier access is expected to accelerate its post-pandemic economic rebound.
By avoiding multi-carrier connections through Australia, passengers can eliminate strict transit visa requirements and reduce total travel time. Fiji Airways is positioning Nadi as the premier transit hub for the South Pacific, capturing market share from larger Australian carriers.
North American travelers can now book a single ticket all the way to Port Vila, with luggage checked through and complimentary onboard meals included. The move is hailed as a “gamechanger” for exploring Vanuatu’s pristine islands…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Fiji Police Force and AFP commissioners release communique from first Pacific Transnational Crime Summit
NADI, 25 MAY 2026 (AFP/FIJI POLICE) — Fiji Police Force Commissioner (FPF) Rusiate Tudravu and AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett have together released the official communique from the first Pacific Transnational Crime Summit, held in Fiji from 18-22 May.
Focused on the opportunity to advance Pacific-led policing cooperation to combat the malicious threat of transnational organised crime in the region, the summit carried the theme of ‘Connected by Ocean, United in the Fight’.
The summit, co-hosted by the FPF and AFP, brought together law enforcement from across the Pacific and internationally, as well as members of the banking and finance sector, Pacific Islands Law Officers’ Network and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime.
Reflections in the communique included that Pacific Police Chiefs:
*Acknowledged the unique challenges the Pacific region faces in targeting the enablers of transnational organised crime, including corruption, technology and violence.
*Recommitted to the Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN) framework and commissioned a review of the PTCN terms of reference, incorporating maritime domain awareness.
*Welcomed the Pacific Police Ministers’ recommendation that an intelligence-led mechanism for coordinated maritime interdictions of illicit drugs be developed to bridge the law enforcement-maritime security gap through better information sharing and coordination between the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre (PTCCC) and the Maritime Essential Services Centre, for consideration by Pacific Island Forum Leaders in Palau (which will host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting starting 30 August).
*Acknowledged the Police Ministers’ request to develop harm reduction protocols, and occupational health and safety capacity building, in consultation with government and community partners, and taking into particular account the unique vulnerabilities and challenges of Smaller Island States.
*Fully support the announcement of the International Joint Investigations Team (IJIT) comprising partners with Australian and New Zealand law enforcement agencies with the Colombian National Police to help stop illicit drug shipments coming to the region.
*Welcomed the announcement of the Pacific Fintel Alliance Public-Private Partnership to increase the financial sector’s resilience to prevent exploitation by criminals and support law enforcement investigations into transnational crime and national security matters.
*Endorsed the introduction of Pacific Watch, an online reporting mechanism that empowers the public to report safely, anonymously and confidently, recognising the importance of community members to identify signs of transnational crime.
Commissioner Tudravu said the summit reinforced the importance of collaboration and consolidating efforts in support of regional security and law enforcement architecture.
“The commonalities faced in the fight against transnational crime, while varying in scale, require collaboration across regional and international law enforcement, and this was evident throughout the summit,” Commissioner Tudravu said.
“With the backing of our Police Ministers, the onus is on us as Police Chiefs to ensure tangible outcomes that can be felt throughout our Pacific communities. We cannot afford to allow the summit to be just another meeting. Our people demand action, and we vow to reflect this through enhanced collaboration, sending a strong collective warning that the Pacific is fighting back.”
Commissioner Barrett said with a key focus on combatting the region’s growing threat of illicit drugs – chiefly fuelled by Australia’s lucrative market for them – the summit recognised that the best solutions for the Pacific came from Pacific leaders.
“Pacific Island Police Chiefs have watched from afar the impacts of illicit drugs on Australia and now they fear the diabolical reality facing their communities,” Commissioner Barrett said.
“Together, as heads of Pacific Police, we need to target the cartels and organised criminals who are trafficking the poison affecting our communities and our kids.
“Our communities are relying on our collective action to keep them safe. It takes our connected network of Pacific Chiefs and Commissioners to break the organised crime networks targeting our communities,” she said…. PACNEWS
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Marshallese Awarded 2025 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year
KOROR, 25 MAY 2026 (SPREP) — Byrelson Jacklick, Quarantine & Invasive Species Coordinator for the Division of Biosecurity and Quarantine within the Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce has been honoured as the 2025 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year.
This recognition was presented during a special awards night held as part of the seventh Pacific Invasive Learning Network (PILN) meeting at the Palau Royal Resort. The Battler of the Year Award commenced in 2017 and recognises Pacific invasive species field-based practitioners who work at the grassroots level and have achieved outstanding outcomes for biodiversity in their respective Pacific islands, countries and territories.
In his introduction message, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Invasive Species Adviser, David Moverley, reflected that the presentation of the annual Battler of the Year Award was one of his most cherished moments of the year.
“Byrelson’s work demonstrates how local action can have regional impact. His dedication to invasive species management over the past ten years has helped secure biodiversity and resilience not only for the Marshall Islands but has also contributed to the wider Pacific.”
Moverley went on to emphasise that this recognition is far more than a personal honour, “it represents the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ growing leadership in biodiversity conservation and showcases how determined local action, when combined with regional collaboration and strong community engagement, can deliver lasting results.”
He highlighted that Byrelson’s achievements exemplify the very spirit of the Battler of the Year Award, the ability of practitioners to transform challenges into opportunities, ensuring that island ecosystems are protected from invasive threats while building resilience against climate change.
“His recognition as the 2025 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year is a testament to the power of partnerships and the collective strength of Pacific communities and it reminds us that every effort—whether on a single islet or across an entire nation contributes to safeguarding the biodiversity that sustains us all.”
The Republic of the Marshall Islands faces unique environmental pressures, with sea-level rise near Majuro occurring at more than twice the global average, alongside increasing droughts and rising ocean temperatures. These climate impacts make ecosystem resilience critical, and invasive species management is a cornerstone of that resilience.
Through the Reimaanlok Framework, communities collaborate to manage coastal resources, preserve biodiversity, and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. The Reimaanlok National Conservation Area Planning Framework is a community-driven, 10-step process for establishing protected areas in the Marshall Islands, aimed at fostering sustainable resource management.
These achievements demonstrate how targeted invasive species management strengthens ecological integrity, supports food security, and enhances resilience to climate change. His recognition reflects years of dedicated work to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Marshall Islands from invasive threats while strengthening biodiversity and resilience in the face of climate change.
Jacklick has played a central role in invasive species management, being one of the participants from the first regional rat eradication workshop held in Tonga in 2015. This allowed successful eradications to be undertaken independently during COVID-19 with his prior experience. Building on this further he coordinated the successful eradication of rats from Jemo Islet in 2024.
This achievement has already led to the recovery of native vegetation and the return of seabird populations, demonstrating how targeted interventions can restore ecological balance. He continues to lead efforts against invasive myna birds, which disrupt agriculture and compete with native species, ensuring that biodiversity is not further compromised.
These actions are part of broader national and regional initiatives, including the PRISMSS Predator Free Pacific Programme, the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge and the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP), which integrate biosecurity into conservation priorities.
Jacklick’s coordination with regional initiatives, including PILN, PRISMSS and its partners, has brought technical expertise and resources to the Marshall Islands, building local capacity to address invasive species challenges more effectively.
While accepting the award from Mr. Josef Pisi, SPREP Invasive Species Officer, Mr. Jacklick expressed his gratitude and emotions, stating, “I am humbled and it is with great honour that I accept the Battler of the Year Award for RMI, but this recognition is not just about me, it’s about the collective effort of our communities, partners and my colleagues who are working tirelessly to protect the Marshall Islands.”
He also acknowledged SPREP, PRISMSS, the PILN community, donors and the Palau Government for hosting the event and the recognition.
“While I am thankful that our efforts towards better managing invasive species are being recognised, we need to step up our collective efforts and be more inclusive in the way we implement our activities so that our actions are more effective and sustainable.”
The award recipient added that “Every invasive species we remove is a step toward restoring balance and resilience in our ecosystems and this award is for all the dedicated Pacific battlers as we fight together against these invasive species threats.”
The 7th PILN meeting brought together over 50 invasive species professionals and practitioners from across the Pacific region to share and celebrate their successes, identify possible sustainable solutions to challenges, address critical issues related to invasive species management and discuss ways to invigorate future networking and collaboration between PICTs in sharing technical expertise, information, and successful management approaches.
The PILN meeting hosted in Koror, by the government of Palau from 18 to 22 May 2026 was made possible with funding support from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the United Kingdom International Development, SPREP and PRISMSS…. PACNEWS
For additional information please contact David Moverley, Invasive Species Adviser on davidm@sprep.org or Nitish Narayan, PRISMSS Communications & Liaison Officer on nitishn@sprep.org
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Inside the training that’s shaping Pacific logistics readiness
SUVA, 25 MAY 2026 (SPC) — In the Pacific, storage for relief items has always existed in many forms, from small national warehouses to improvised community spaces that support response when disasters strike. What is shifting now is the focus on strengthening these foundations so that systems can withstand greater pressure and support faster, more coordinated action.
That understanding shaped a Regional Warehouse Operations Training delivered by the World Food Programme (WFP) through the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP), bringing together National Disaster Management Office personnel from 11 Pacific Island Countries and Timor Leste to deepen skills, practise core warehouse processes, and move existing national capability to a higher level of readiness.
The training also included Tokelau, which is not among the 15 formal participants in the programme, reflecting a growing commitment to ensure regional capacity building reaches smaller and highly remote administrations alongside larger national systems.
WFP brings global supply chain and logistics expertise into a regional system that is grounded in Pacific realities, aligning technical depth with country-owned systems and the programme’s focus on preparedness and national capability. This is exactly why development partners invest in the programme: to build national systems before emergencies occur and keep response accountable, fast, and locally led.
The training was practical from the start. Participants examined how to select and prepare storage suited to Pacific realities, including fit-for-purpose warehouses, refurbished buildings, mobile storage units, containers, community halls, and temporary sites on open land. Each option was tested against access and transport routes, weather exposure, staffing, security, pest control, ownership and permissions, and the need to expand when emergencies intensify.
Cross-learning anchored the discussions. Country presentations from Fiji and Tokelau provided grounded examples of what works and what breaks under pressure, showing how small-scale, remote, and climate-exposed contexts adapt warehouse practices to stay safe, accountable, and fast.
The emphasis throughout was on systems that hold under stress. Participants mapped the flow of decisions that maintain a warehouse’s trustworthiness. Where goods arrive and how they are checked. Where they are placed and how they are recorded.
When they move, and on whose authority. They worked with the core documents that underpin accountability in humanitarian logistics. Procurement and stock requests that trigger movement. Goods received notes and waybills confirm what arrived and its condition. Stack cards and stock cards that make quantities visible on the floor and in the records. Inventory sheets that link everything, so managers know what is on hand and where it sits. The discipline was clear. Verify before signing. Record discrepancies immediately. Update records before goods are put away. Rotate stock intentionally using first-in, first-out and first-expired, first-out. Clean and free space is continuously maintained, so capacity is preserved.
The training also placed participants inside a complex disaster scenario, testing their ability to apply technical knowledge under pressure. Teams planned short and long-term storage solutions after a major earthquake that had damaged infrastructure, cut power and communications, contaminated water sources, and triggered both requested relief shipments and unsolicited donations. They were required to prioritise lifesaving supplies, manage access and security, organise tracking and dispatch processes, use temporary sites such as motels, car parks, football fields, or green zone land, and plan for a transition back to a permanent humanitarian warehouse as conditions stabilised.
Dispatch exercises pulled the elements together. Participants assembled loads that protect items from damage, matched stacking patterns to transport type, balanced weight and volume, and completed waybills correctly so responsibility is clear at every handover. Release remained a governance decision, with directors or their delegates authorising goods leaving national warehouses to uphold fairness and trust. After dispatch, managers updated the inventory, checked that floor records matched, cleaned the space, and notified receiving contacts of transport details and the expected time of arrival.
Recurring stress points were addressed directly. Unsolicited donated goods were treated as a predictable risk to limited warehouse capacity and port operations. Mitigation measures focused on clear public messaging that cash is best, firm permission rules on what external actors can send, coordination with shipping operators, and pre-agreed overflow arrangements. A basic security approach for any donated items was encouraged to protect distribution and accountability.
Kitting and re-kitting were presented as living processes. Teams set assembly spaces, used sturdy packaging and clear labels, and updated records as contents changed. They discussed how to replace expiring components without losing traceability, and how to handle items removed during re-kitting if safe and usable. While not within the PHWP warehouse scope, the training also covered specialised goods for risk awareness, including cold chain needs for medicines, separation and rotation for food, compliant storage and certified transport for dangerous goods, and secure storage with battery removal and regulatory checks for telecommunications equipment.
Safety was addressed as a core theme in the workshop, covering marked pedestrian routes, appropriate protective gear, visitor controls, and matching loads to the handling equipment and racking used in real warehouses.
Post-training evaluation comments reinforced the value of getting systems right. “Very good and informative training for beginners in the warehouse and logistics space.” Another noted, “Things like documentation, stocking, and positioning were very helpful.”
Women made up 32 percent of the 25 participants, and almost 70 percentof respondents reported that this was their first formal warehouse‑related training.
Learning now moves from the training room into practice. Upcoming activities will build on this foundation through peer learning visits, targeted mentoring for warehouse managers, and a Pacific Logistics Community of Practice. The aim is a stronger practitioner network that can support responses as disasters become more frequent and severe.
This training sits within SPC and WFP’s wider effort to strengthen logistics capability across the Pacific. For many participants, the week confirmed that effective response is built long before disasters strike, through systems that are understood, practised, and trusted.
As climate risks intensify, the value of these investments is clear. Preparedness is not created at the moment of warning. It is built quietly through training, shared learning, and warehouses that are ready before they are needed…. PACNEWS
