In this bulletin:
1. UN — IRENA pushes faster fossil fuel exit as electrification becomes key to energy transition
2. COOKS — Cook Islands declares end to dengue outbreak after more than a year
3. FIJI — Fiji passes sweeping Education bill after nearly 60 years
4. VAN — Vanuatu PM says Articles 17A and 17B restoring political stability
5. VAN — Vanuatu Health Ministry turns to Solomon, PNG to address health worker crisis
6. FIJI — Fiji warns against travel to Ebola-affected African countries
7. CNMI — CNMI says post-typhoon recovery requires fine-tuning federal policies
8. NZ — 20 out of 10 bad’: Niuean man’s $2050 dental bill highlights cost crisis for Pasifika
9. SAMOA — JAWS honours founding & long serving members in 50 years celebrations
10. PACNEWS BIZ — ANZ opens Pacific graduate programme to build next generation of regional talent
11. PACNEWS BIZ — United Nations warns caution in race to mine Pacific sea floor
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Energy Fiji Limited urges energy conservation as interim surcharge takes effect
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Vanuatu Government cautious on more funding as Air Vanuatu rebuild continues
14. PACNEWS BIZ — CNMI’s utility body eyes borrowing, warns of systems collapse due to depleting cash and fuel reserve
15. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Finance Minister warns retailers over illegal price increases
16. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Asked and Answered: Features and Dynamics of Transnational Organised Crime
17. PACNEWS DIGEST — COSPPac3 Annual Session ends in Palau, setting direction for next steps
18. PACNEWS DIGEST — FAO Director-General calls for AI’s transformative power to be at the service of rural communities and a bridge towards shared prosperity
UN – ENERGY TRANSITION: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
IRENA pushes faster fossil fuel exit as electrification becomes key to energy transition
ABU DHABI, 26 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says the next phase of the global energy transition must focus on electrification, renewable energy expansion and a faster move away from fossil fuels as rising geopolitical tensions and volatile fuel markets reshape the global energy sector.
In a new report released with the Brazilian COP30 Presidency ahead of the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, IRENA warned that current global energy systems are “structurally unprepared” to meet the 1.5°C climate target.
The report, Transitioning away from fossil fuels: A roadmap based on renewables, electrification and grid enhancement, says global targets to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency improvements by 2030 remain critical, but are no longer enough on their own.
As energy demand rises across transport, industry, buildings and digitalisation, IRENA says countries must accelerate electrification while reducing fossil fuel dependence.
IRENA’s revised 1.5°C roadmap projects electricity use in global energy consumption will rise from 23 percent today to 35 percent by 2035 and more than 50 percent by 2050, with most new demand supplied by renewables.
At the same time, fossil fuels are projected to fall from 80 percent of global energy use today to 50 percent by 2035 and 20 percent or less by 2050.
“The world must adapt to a new energy reality,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera.
“Beyond the goals of tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency lies the wider challenge of transforming entire energy systems and reducing fossil fuel use across supply and demand. Electrification and fossil fuel phase-out are inseparable and must advance together.”
La Camera said renewable-powered electrification would strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and improve economic competitiveness.
“IRENA’s revised roadmap clearly shows that electrification with renewables serves multiple policy goals. It contributes to climate mitigation, enhances energy security by boosting independence from imported fossil fuels and bolsters economic competitiveness through the creation of new industrial value chains and innovation,” he said.
“Furthermore, cost-competitive renewables support affordable electricity prices for households and industry.”
The report said electrification was becoming the main driver behind the decline of fossil fuel use across major sectors but warned that global infrastructure was not keeping pace.
IRENA said about 2,500 gigawatts of wind and solar projects were currently waiting for grid connections worldwide.
The agency estimates grid investment needs will rise to US$1.2 trillion annually, more than double the US$500 billion invested in 2025.
The report also highlighted the need for major investment in hydrogen supply chains, electric vehicle charging, building retrofits, industrial electrification and energy storage systems.
“The speed of the fossil fuel phase out will ultimately be determined by how quickly economies electrify,” La Camera said.
“To keep the 1.5°C goal within reach, the world needs a clear global direction of travel. IRENA data supports the establishment of a global electrification target for 2035, complemented by targets for grids and system flexibility.”
IRENA said the roadmap would support discussions leading to COP31 in Antalya, Turkiye and help countries align climate, energy security and development goals…. PACNEWS
COOKS – HEALTH: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
Cook Islands declares end to dengue outbreak after more than a year
RAROTONGA, 26 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Cook Islands has officially regained its dengue-free status after going 26 days without a recorded dengue case, the Ministry of Health announced Monday.
Secretary of Health Bob Williams confirmed that the Cook Islands was declared dengue free on 25 May 2026, following the last positive dengue case recorded on 28 April 2026.
The Ministry said the 26-day period represented “just over two incubation periods with no reported case which meets the international standard to declare the outbreak being eliminated and the Cook Islands once again regaining its dengue free status”.
The announcement comes more than a year after the outbreak was first declared on 22 May 2025 and the launch of Operation Namu25.
Te Marae Ora said monitoring continued after Operation Namu26 was stood down on 24 April 2026 when the outbreak was brought under control.
“From the 29 April to 24 May 2026, there has been no recorded cases,” the statement said.
Health Minister Vainetutai Rose Toki Brown, the Cook Islands Government and Te Marae Ora thanked communities, government agencies and partners for their role in controlling the outbreak.
The statement extended “congratulatory appreciation to the people of the Cook Islands, Members of Parliaments, all government ministries and agencies, the Pa Enua Island Governments, NGO’s, private sector organisations, the tourism industry, and in particular all the Puna on Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia”.
Te Marae Ora also acknowledged the support of the Cook Islands Red Cross Society, Tourism Cook Islands, Ministry of Agriculture, Infrastructure Cook Islands, Environment Services, Emergency Management Cook Islands, the Office of the Public Service Commissioner and the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry said the country’s success reflected “the Cook Islands spirit of cooperation that as one people, and together as a nation that we have successfully regained our dengue free Cook Islands status”.
Health officials also recognised the work of the Incident Management Team, which was activated on 23 April 2025.
“After a year of dedication and commitment with a clear objective to bring the outbreak under control and to eliminate, is the collective outcome we celebrate today,” the statement said.
The Cook Islands recorded a total of 1,251 dengue cases during the outbreak, including 1,250 recoveries and one dengue-related death.
Te Marae Ora said surveillance would continue and urged the public to keep homes, businesses and vacant land free of mosquito breeding areas.
“The normal Tutaka Programme for the remainder of the year will supplement the monitoring process of our dengue free status,” the statement said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – EDUCATION BILL: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
Fiji passes sweeping Education bill after nearly 60 years
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji’s Parliament has passed the Education Bill 2025, which replaces the Education Act of 1966. Government says the new Education Bill of 2025 is the biggest overhaul of the country’s education system in almost six decades.
In a statement, the Fiji Government said the new law strengthens every Fijian’s right to education and introduces a modern legal framework covering all levels of learning, from Early Childhood Education to higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The Government said the reforms are aimed at creating “a more modern, inclusive, accountable and future-focused education system that better prepares students for further education, employment and life in a rapidly changing world”.
Under the new law, a new Education Advisory Council will be set up to provide policy advice and give stakeholders a stronger voice in shaping education in Fiji.
The legislation also establishes a National Curriculum and Assessment Authority to oversee curriculum development, assessment standards and educational research.
The Government said the authority would help ensure students are learning skills relevant to “today’s world and future job markets”.
Teachers are also expected to see major changes, with the Fiji Teachers Registration Authority receiving expanded powers to strengthen professional standards, ethics and ongoing professional development.
The Government said students with disabilities and diverse learning needs would benefit from stronger provisions for special and inclusive education.
The Bill also places greater focus on student welfare, including stronger counselling services, child protection measures and safer school environments.
Schools and educational institutions will also face stricter governance, accountability, financial management and transparency requirements.
According to the Government, the reforms are intended to align Fiji’s education system with national development priorities and international commitments, including Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education.
The Ministry of Education will now move into the implementation phase, including public awareness programmes, development of regulations, institutional strengthening and consultations with education stakeholders to support the transition to the new system…. PACNEWS
VAN – POLITICS: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
Vanuatu PM says Articles 17A and 17B restoring political stability
PORT VILA, 26 MAY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat says the constitutional reforms under Articles 17A and 17B are helping restore political stability in Vanuatu after years of instability that affected the economy and public confidence.
Responding to President Nikenike Vurobaravu during the official opening of the First Ordinary Session of Parliament, the PM said the reforms were not merely symbolic changes, but a necessary correction demanded by the people through the 2023 referendum.
“Primarily, we have seen some order return to this House,” PM Napat told Parliament.
He agreed with the President’s remarks that stability alone is not enough, saying discipline and respect for parliamentary processes are equally important to ensure the reforms achieve their purpose.
“The era of opportunistic realignments must remain behind us. Vanuatu deserves principled leadership, not politics of convenience,” he said.
The PM said Vanuatu is operating in an increasingly uncertain global environment where international events quickly affect small island economies.
He said issues such as conflict, climate pressures, inflation and insecurity are having direct impacts on ordinary citizens through rising fuel prices, food costs and employment pressures.
According to Napat, political stability is now essential to maintain confidence among citizens, residents and investors during difficult economic times.
“The least we can ask for in these uncertain times is a measure of political stability that provides confidence to our citizens, residents and investors,” he said.
Napat said his government has now been in office for 15 months and credited Articles 17A and 17B for allowing the administration to focus more on governance and national development instead of constant political uncertainty.
“Thanks to Articles 17A and 17B of our Constitution, we can now focus on governance and development, especially as our population grows rapidly,” he said.
The PM acknowledged there is still significant work ahead but described the current period as an important step toward more stable and disciplined governance.
The constitutional amendments under Articles 17A and 17B were introduced following years of frequent motions of no confidence and changes in government that often-disrupted policy implementation and development planning in Vanuatu…. PACNEWS
VAN – HEALTH: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
Vanuatu Health Ministry turns to Solomon, PNG to address health worker crisis
PORT VILA, 26 MAY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — Vanuatu’s growing shortage of nurses and medical professionals has pushed the Ministry of Health (MOH) to seek regional solutions, with a recent mission to Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea aimed at strengthening the country’s health workforce.
Acting Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Health, Dr Santus Wari, said the mission, led by Health Minister John Still Tari Qetu, was driven by one of the ministry’s most pressing challenges—human resources.
“There is a policy, in fact the main policy in the Ministry of Health, which caused us to take the trip to Solomon Islands and PNG,” Dr Wari told Daily Post.
Dr Wari said the ministry’s Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) policy extends beyond public health awareness and also includes strengthening hospital services and specialised care.
However, he said good policy alone is not enough.
“Policy is good, I see that we can make it to the end, but the human resource support we don’t have,” he said.
Dr Wari said the delegation travelled to Solomon Islands and PNG to address two major issues—health workforce numbers and the technical capacity and skills needed to implement national health priorities.
The ministry estimates the country’s nursing shortage now exceeds 600 positions.
“We have a lot of health facilities in the country but there are not enough nurses to run them,” he said.
“The picture that is here is that we build more health facilities, but training of nurses is not at the same speed.”
The delegation first visited Solomon Islands before travelling to PNG for discussions with health authorities and medical institutions.
Dr Wari said the mission formed part of a broader effort to secure sustainable training pathways and reduce long-term pressure on the health system.
In additional comments provided following the interview, Dr Wari said coherent and rational translation of ministry policies into action has been lacking for many years.
He said leadership and the lack of technically skilled human resources remain among the health sector’s biggest problems.
“With respect to capacity and appropriate skills to handle common challenges, many issues continue to wait for overseas visiting teams to come at their own time to manage,” Dr Wari said.
Following the PNG visit, the Health Ministry delegation also joined the Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister’s visit to Tanna, where they observed continuing rural health challenges.
The Acting Health DG said the most critical issue identified in rural areas remains the shortage of nursing staff to operate health facilities…. PACNEWS
FIJI – HEALTH ADVISORY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
Fiji warns against travel to Ebola-affected African countries
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services has urged Fijians to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and several neighbouring African countries following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International concern over the Ebola outbreak.
In a statement, the Ministry advised travellers to also avoid non-essential travel to South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Angola, the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic due to their shared borders with affected areas.
The Ministry said travellers heading to affected countries should take strict precautions to reduce exposure to Ebola Disease.
These include “avoiding contact with sick individuals”, “avoiding contact with animals in forested areas”, “avoiding the consumption of bushmeat or wild animal meat” and “practising good personal hygiene and regular handwashing”.
The Ministry also warned travellers to monitor themselves for symptoms while overseas and for 21 days after leaving affected countries.
Symptoms listed by the Ministry include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness or fatigue, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhoea, rash and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
“Anyone who develops symptoms during this monitoring period should immediately self-isolate and contact their nearest health facility or local health authority by telephone for advice,” the Ministry said.
“Early notification will help healthcare workers safely assess and manage suspected cases while protecting others from possible exposure.”
The Ministry said it was working closely with partner agencies at international entry points, including Nadi International Airport, to carry out targeted health screening and follow-up measures for travellers arriving from affected countries.
It said Fiji was strengthening surveillance systems, reviewing border health protocols, laboratory testing preparedness and infection prevention measures as part of its national response planning.
“Although the risk to Fiji from this Ebola outbreak remains low, preparedness is a necessary proactive measure,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry confirmed it was also liaising with relevant agencies to determine whether any Fijian nationals were currently in the affected areas.
According to the statement, Uganda has reported two confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease linked to areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where transmission has been recorded.
The Ministry said the WHO currently assesses the risk as “Very High” for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and “High” for Uganda.
WHO figures cited by the Ministry show the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 516 suspected Ebola cases, including 33 laboratory-confirmed infections and 131 suspected deaths, among them four confirmed deaths…. PACNEWS
CNMI – TYPHOON DAMAGE RESPONSE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
CNMI says post-typhoon recovery requires fine-tuning federal policies
SAIPAN, 26 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The U.S Congress must help the Northern Marianas rebuild toward long-term resilience by recalibrating obstructive federal policies, according to CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds.
“Recovery cannot mean simply rebuilding what was already vulnerable. It must mean building stronger, securing real relief, and ensuring our people are not forgotten after the national spotlight moves on,” she said speaking before her colleagues at the U.S House of Representatives.
The CNMI was devastated by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, a Category 5 storm that reached a peak strength of 185 mph and directly struck both Saipan and Tinian, causing widespread destruction on 14 April.
King-Hinds wants particular focus on the need for Congress to tackle the underlying issues that hamstring the CNMI’s efforts to recover and grow.
She pointed out that many of the challenges facing the CNMI and complicate its ability to recover stem from longstanding federal policies that should be changed.
“The purpose of the remarks was to broaden those conversations and make clear that the CNMI is working to recover from a major disaster while already operating under extremely difficult economic conditions,” she said.
“Those underlying conditions will affect both the pace and the extent of recovery.”
Even before Super Typhoon Sinlaku hit, the CNMI was already under enormous strain. “Tourism had not recovered. Businesses were closing. Families were leaving. Air service was shrinking. Government revenues were collapsing,” King-Hinds said.
These did not happen in a vacuum, she said. “Disasters do not create weaknesses out of nowhere. They expose the weakness that already exists,” King-Hinds said. “And when a community has spent years operating at the edge, even a single storm can push entire systems toward failure.”
Many of these weaknesses were created by well-intentioned federal policies that backfire, becoming barriers rather than bridges to long-term economic sufficiency, King-Hinds said.
Too often, she said, federal policies that may work in the U.S mainland do not work for small, remote island economies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
“Places like the Northern Mariana Islands are left trying to survive under rules that were never truly designed for us,” she said.
This problematic one-size-fits-all approach to federal systems—built on the assumption that every community has the same market access and the same economic flexibility—has resulted in expensive airfares, massive outmigration, and the collapse of entire industries in the CNMI, King-Hinds said.
She did not specify these federal policies in her speech.
In the coming weeks, King-Hinds said she will work with her colleagues, federal agencies, and the Trump administration on proposals to address the underlying vulnerabilities Sinlaku exposed.
One of those weaknesses is the severe lack of construction workers in the CNMI. The lack of adequate manpower is hampering rebuilding efforts.
King-Hinds earlier announced plans she is planning to introduce a bill called the Labor Stabilization Act that intends to address the manpower shortage in the CNMI.
“We cannot simply rebuild to what existed before. We must build systems that are stronger, more flexible, and actually designed to give communities like ours a chance to survive and grow,” she said.
Recovery becomes far more difficult and far more costly when a community is already economically fragile before disaster strikes, King-Hinds said. This makes it necessary for federal response and recovery efforts to recognise the realities the CNMI was already facing before the typhoon.
King-Hinds said recovery is more than about rebuilding structures. “People need to believe there is long-term stability and opportunity here. That means ensuring the CNMI has a viable path toward economic recovery and long-term resilience,” she said.
King-Hinds also frames the CNMI’s recovery and its future as a robust U.S. territory in terms of serving national security.
She said there is significant interest in the region right now because of the CNMI’s strategic location and its role in maintaining a strong American posture in the Indo-Pacific.
“But there is still work to do in helping policymakers understand that national security in the region begins with having a strong and economically viable American community here at home,” she said.
That means continuously engaging with and educating lawmakers and the White House on what a sustained American presence in the Pacific actually requires, she added.
The United States’ strength also depends largely on how it projects itself to the rest of the world.
“The United States presents itself to the world as a nation of opportunity, stability, and resilience. An American community in a strategically sensitive region experiencing the deterioration of infrastructure, public services, and economic conditions sends the wrong message internationally,” King-Hinds said.
A strong national security posture in the Pacific ultimately depends on strong American communities in the Pacific, she added…. PACNEWS
NZ – DENTAL HEALTH: PMN PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
20 out of 10 bad’: Niuean man’s $2050 dental bill highlights cost crisis for Pasifika
AUCKLAND, 26 MAY 2026 (PMN) — A Niuean man says dental costs left him questioning whether he could afford to return after putting off treatment until the pain became “20 out of 10 bad”.
Matt Manukuo spent months trying to manage the pain before eventually facing more than $2000 (US$1,171) in bills for a root canal and wisdom tooth removal.
“I remember taking Panadol and Brufen and Nurofen, everything to try and ease the pain,” he tells PMN News.
“Next thing, I’m paying $700 (US$410) up front for a root canal. That put a real dent in my bank account and, to be honest, made me rethink going to the dentist in general.”
Manukuo says cost and fear often stop people from getting help earlier.
“For a lot of our people, we often neglect dental check-ups because of how expensive it is, also how scary it can be for some of our people.”
His experience reflects a wider issue across Pacific communities in New Zealand. Figures from the Health Survey show 56 percent of Pasifika adults report unmet oral healthcare need because of cost, compared with 43 percent overall.
It comes as a newly released Dental for All proposal estimates publicly funded adult dental care could cost $936 million (US$548 million) a year, alongside a one-off $1.06 billion (US$620 million) investment to set up the system.
The plan also calls for stronger support for Māori, Pacific, and rural oral health workforces.
Dr Tule Misa, Clinical Director for Community Dental Services in Canterbury and South Canterbury, says many Pacific families are delaying treatment until problems become more serious, leading to more complex and expensive care.
“Many families are forced to prioritise rent, food and power bills before dental care. By the time they come to see us, teeth are often beyond saving,” she tells PMN News.
“Many Pacific families are still losing teeth from diseases that are almost entirely preventable. Children should not be hospitalised for tooth decay in a developed country like New Zealand.”
Misa says delayed treatment is linked to overcrowded housing, cost-of-living pressures, and difficulties navigating the health system.
“If they are given a piece of paper or a text message that says, ‘call for an appointment’, quite a lot of them don’t understand what treatment is needed to prevent it from reaching a stage where the child is in pain.”
She says Aotearoa already funds health conditions linked to poor oral health, such as infections, diabetes, and heart disease. But it does not invest in prevention.
Misa is calling for stronger investment in prevention, education, and culturally responsive care.
She says Pacific representation in the oral health workforce remains low at around two percent, compared with 8.9 percent of the population.
The Green Party has previously campaigned for free dental care. Hūhana Lyndon, the Greens’ health spokesperson, says keeping dental care unaffordable forces people to delay treatment until emergencies arise.
“When we hear stories of people going into debt, or worse, undertaking dental care on themselves because they can’t afford care, there is no justification for continuing to keep dental care out of the public healthcare system,” she says in a statement.
Health leaders say earlier access to care, stronger prevention, and a better Pacific workforce could help reduce long-standing oral health inequities in Aotearoa…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – MEDIA: TALAMUA MEDIA PACNEWS 3: Tue 26 May 2026
JAWS honours founding & long serving members in 50 years celebrations
APIA, 26 MAY 2026 (TALAMUA MEDIA) — The National Samoa Media Association of Samoa (JAWS) culminated the weeklong celebrations of media freedom and the 50 years of the association’s founding, with honouring her founding members and those who have served the industry for more than 30 years.
“Fifty years is a long journey, and JAWS could not have made it this far if it was not for the perseverance and strong stance by those who paved the way and those who carried the legacy forward,” stated President Lagi Keresoma.
Only a few were bold enough to establish an organisation that stood and defended media freedom and the rights of the media and free expression in the last fifty years.
Keresoma said the organisation started small and has since grown with the industry now dominated by women in leadership and operational roles of the Samoan media.
The British High Commissioner, Gareth Hoar, a major sponsor of the JAWS 50th anniversary celebrations and media development through the BBC Media Initiative presenting Lagi Keresoma a long service media award.
“It was not always smooth sailing as they faced challenges, but today there are 21 media organisations but not all of them are registered members,” she said.
The organisation has come a long way since it started from humble beginnings to becoming a vital part of Samoa’s democratic process and media landscape.
Delivering the keynote address was Patū Apulu Lance Polu, a former JAWS and PINA President and founder of Talamua Media.
He also played a key role in defending media freedom in Samoa and across the Pacific. He emphasised that if media outlets do not take responsibility for correcting wrong information in their reports, they risk damaging their credibility and the very truth they subscribe to protect.
“In the end, it is the truth that suffers, and it is the truth that matters,” he said.
Referring to Samoa’s 59th rank in the 2026 Media Freedom Index compiled by the Reporters Without Borders, he asked the basic questions.
“Are our basic freedoms affected by the 59th ranking? Has it stopped any of us accessing facebook and the internet, has it affected us expressing ourselves freely, our people’s freedom to move around the country, our children going to school everyday and us coming to work and coming here to Taumeasina this morning?”
Then he touched on the question of the Samoa Observer ban if it has affected media freedom in Samoa.
“I think the basic question here is the “truth” because that’s the journalist’s ultimate defence, whether the story or article is true.
“If the story is true then the news outlet can stand by its story. But if its story is wrong, then it is ethically bound to make a correction. The JAWS Media Code of Ethics and Code of Practice requires a media outlet or journalist to make a correction as soon as it’s realised a story is incorrect,” he said.
In today’s media landscape, technology has transcended what used to be the geographical boundaries for the media.
“It simply means Samoan radio, newspapers and TV news now have the whole world as our audience, and our paid subscribers live well beyond the shores of Samoa,” he said.
“If the media makes a mistake and the outlet fails or refuses to make a correction, readers and researchers worldwide will find the wrong information still up there, and more often than not, it is that information that shape rankings like the one that Samoa now has,” said Apulu.
“Now for us to stand up to promote and protect media freedom, how do we fare, if we are infact defending and sustaining an untruth or untruths?
“Are we in promoting and protecting media freedom and propagating misinformation and disinformation at the same time and make it a norm?” he asked.
He said in todays’ media landscape, readership, ratings, viewership, algorithms, online interaction, are all part of the medias commercial drive to stay on top of competition.
And if a media outlet keeps apologising and making regular corrections on published articles, that affects their integrity and results in paid subscribers pulling out.
“The question is, is this a reason why media outlets are not willing to correct stories despite the stories negative impact on one’s reputation?
“Because it is the truth that suffers in the very end.”
“Don’t give up. The people need us.”
The JAWS founding President, Seuseu Faalogo Pito who sent a congratulatory message from Auckland, New Zealand and at 88 years old, could no attend due to health reasons.
He acknowledged JAWS journey and highlighted the increasing number of women working in the media today and advised journalists to use clear, precise words when writing stories especially in a language to better connect with the people.
“Don’t give up. The people need us,” he said.
Keresoma said JAWS journey was not always smooth sailing, but the perseverance of those who paved the way has built the legacy we are celebrating.
“This is the start of a new journey for JAWS, and we hope that the new generation of media practitioners will continue to carry this legacy forward.”
Founding Members
*Seuseu Faalogo Pito – Founding President of JAWS.
*Le Tagaloa Pita – First Pacific Islands News Association President
*Savea Sano Malifa – Founder & Editor in Chief, Samoa Observer
*Apulu Lance Polu – Former JAWS and PINA President, Founder Talamua Media
*Tuiasau Leota Uelese Petaia – Former Deputy President of PINA
*Leapai Valovalo Tusani – Media & Communications Specialist
*Dr Unasa Leulu Felise Vaa – Editor of Samoa Times, turned Academic
*Tunumafono Afemata Apelu Aiavao – Author, Editor of the Savali & Sulu Samoa
*Faleseu Leute Purcell Ene – Samoan Editor of the Savali Newspaper
*Liki Crichton – Founder/Editor of The Samoa Weekly.
Long Serving Members
Marketing/Sales
*Muliagatele Jean Malifa – Samoa Observer
*Angela Kronfeld Polu – Talamua Media
Technical & Production
*Tuuu Taulima Tofaeono- Upumana TV
* Fesaesaa’i Filisi Tuimaseve – NUS TV
*Masoe Iasepi Vaele – Radio 2AP/TV9
Journalists
*Galumalemana Faiesea Matafeo – TV1
*Galumalemana Tipi Autagavaia – Radio Samoa
*Leilua Ame Sene – Radio Polynesia
*Lagi Keresoma – Talamua Media…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – PACIFIC TALENTS: ANZ PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
ANZ opens 2026 Pacific Graduate Programne to build next generation of regional talent
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (ANZ) — ANZ is supporting the next generation of Pacific talent, with applications now open for its Pacific Graduate Programme, a pathway to provide graduates the skills, experience and confidence to build their careers.
With a presence in the Pacific spanning more than 140 years, ANZ has a long-standing commitment to supporting local communities and economies. The ANZ Pacific Graduate Program plays a critical role by helping young people transition from study into meaningful careers, while building a strong pipeline of local talent for the future.
The programme offers graduates the opportunity to complete rotations across different parts of the business, including placements in Fiji and their home countries. Through hands-on experience, mentoring and structured learning, participants gain practical skills, broaden their perspectives and develop the confidence to contribute in a fast-changing environment.
Sarah Stubbings, ANZ Regional Executive, Pacific said: “Programmes like this are about more than building capability for our business, they’re about creating real opportunities for young people across the Pacific. By investing in graduates, we’re helping to build skills, support employment and strengthen communities across the region.”
The programme is open to graduates from all academic backgrounds, reflecting ANZ’s focus on inclusion and creating opportunities for people with diverse skills and experiences.
ANZ Fiji Marketing Associate Nadia Sayed-Khaiyum, who joined ANZ’s graduate programme after completing a degree in HR and Psychology, said the programme offered a unique opportunity to grow, regardless of background.
“I never pictured myself working in banking, but ANZ’s graduate program stood out because it encouraged learning on the job and welcomed graduates from all fields,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“It gave me the opportunity to build on my existing skills while developing new ones, and the confidence to explore a completely new career path.”
Sayed-Khaiyum said one of the most meaningful experiences was working with ANZ’s financial inclusion team, supporting financial literacy sessions in schools and communities.
“Being part of financial literacy programs and connecting with students and organisations was incredibly rewarding. It showed me how the work we do can have a real impact in the community.”
She added that the programme helped build her confidence and encouraged her to speak up.
“When I first started, I lacked confidence to share my views. Through the program, I was encouraged to speak openly and contribute, even if I wasn’t sure. That support has made a huge difference in how I approach my work today.”
ANZ Fiji graduate Kusitino Ratucoko, now a Control Testing Analyst, said the programme provided valuable exposure to the breadth of banking and business operations.
“Before joining ANZ, I thought banking was mainly what happens in a branch. Through the graduate program, I’ve seen how much happens behind the scenes, from payments and trade operations to risk management and technology,” Ratucoko said.
“Each rotation challenged me to learn new skills and step outside my comfort zone. That experience has helped build my confidence and prepared me to take on new opportunities.”
Graduates benefit from access to mentors and leaders across the organisation, helping them navigate their careers and build professional networks across the Pacific region.
The ANZ Pacific Graduate Program is open to final semester students and recent graduates (within three years of completing their degree) from all disciplines.
Applications close on 12 June 2026.
More information and applications are available at Learn more about the ANZ Pacific Graduate Programme…. PACNEWS
PAC – DEEP SEA MINING: ABC PACIFIC PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
United Nations warns caution in race to mine Pacific sea floor
SUVA/KINGSTON, 26 MAY 2026 (ABC PACIFIC) — The United Nations body that regulates deep sea mining in the high seas is cautioning Pacific countries not to get swept up in the renewed race to exploit the ocean floor.
There’s increased interest from would-be miners after the United States announced it would issue mining permits for international waters.
Already a joint venture between the Nauruan government and one of the industry’s leading players, The Metals Company, has applied for the U.S permits that bypasses the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which is developing a mining code to regulate deep sea mining before it issues its own permits.
The ISA’s Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho says the U.S process is unlawful and undermines international maritime law. Carvalho was in Fiji last week, her first visit to the Pacific, for a workshop jointly hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on deep sea mining.
“We are pretty close to getting there in terms of the main provisions that compose the mining code,” she said.
“I hope in this second part of the session, the remaining outstanding issues can be addressed and the standards, particularly standards that are regarding environmental impacts can be also addressed, meaning that we probably will reach the end of this year,” said Carvalho…. PACNEWS
FIJI – ENERGY CRISIS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
Energy Fiji Limited urges energy conservation as interim surcharge takes effect
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) says energy conservation has become a national responsibility as an interim electricity fuel surcharge comes into effect to help manage rising global fuel costs and maintain the country’s energy security.
Under the interim electricity fuel surcharge authorisation approved by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, a temporary fuel surcharge of 5.91 cents (US2.95cents) per kilowatt-hour has been approved across all electricity customer categories.
EFL stressed that Government electricity subsidies would remain in place for qualifying low-income households consuming up to 100 kilowatt-hours per month, as well as for domestic customers within the lifeline category and qualifying micro, small and medium enterprises.
The company said the surcharge was an interim measure directly linked to ongoing global fuel price pressures and geopolitical instability affecting fuel markets worldwide.
EFL Chief Executive Officer Fatiaki Gibson said reducing electricity consumption would play a key role in easing the impact of higher fuel costs on households and businesses.
“Every kilowatt-hour saved helps reduce fuel usage, lowers electricity costs, and strengthens Fiji’s energy security. The actions we take collectively today will help protect households, businesses, and the nation from the impacts of global fuel volatility,” Gibson said.
He said energy conservation was now critical to maintaining stability in the electricity sector while supporting Fiji’s transition towards renewable energy.
“Energy conservation is no longer optional; it is a national responsibility. Together, we can reduce costs, maintain stability, and support Fiji’s transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future,” he said.
EFL thanked customers for their continued cooperation and understanding during what it described as a challenging global environment.
Meanwhile, Energy Fiji Limited has announced that proposed power rationing measures scheduled to begin from 01 June have been deferred until further notice following recent Government support measures and ongoing coordination with stakeholders.
EFL said the controlled power rationing measures under its Operational Response Framework would not proceed at this stage as authorities continue monitoring fuel supply conditions and electricity demand.
The company said the decision follows developments relating to interim fuel recovery support measures and ongoing discussions with Government and key stakeholders.
EFL said it would continue monitoring fuel supply, hydrology levels, electricity demand and overall system stability before deciding whether controlled load shedding or rationing would be necessary in the future.
“Should the implementation of controlled load shedding or power rationing become necessary in the future, the public will be formally advised through official announcements and media communications,” the statement said.
The utility company also acknowledged the announcement by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission approving the Interim Electricity Fuel Surcharge Authorisation effective from Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
EFL said the temporary surcharge would help maintain the stability and sustainability of Fiji’s electricity sector amid rising global fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty.
“EFL appreciates the timely intervention by FCCC and the Government in supporting the stability and sustainability of Fiji’s electricity sector during a period of unprecedented global fuel price volatility and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty,” the company said.
According to EFL, the approved surcharge reflects only a partial recovery of the extraordinary increase in global fuel costs and is aimed at maintaining reliable electricity supply while Fiji continues transitioning towards renewable energy.
The utility noted that Fiji’s electricity system remains significantly reliant on imported fuel, with around 45 to 50 percent of electricity generation still dependent on thermal generation.
EFL also urged consumers to conserve electricity, saying reduced energy consumption would lower fuel use and generation costs while easing pressure on imported fuel expenditure…. PACNEWS
VAN – AIRLINE: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
Vanuatu Government cautious on more funding as Air Vanuatu rebuild continues
PORT VILA, 26 MAY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Vanuatu Government says it remains committed to rebuilding national carrier Air Vanuatu but warns that future financial support must come with major structural reforms to avoid repeating past losses.
The issue was raised last week during Oral Questions in the First Ordinary Session of the 2026 Parliament by Malekula Member of Parliament Hymak Anatole, who questioned the staffing status of Air Vanuatu and called on the Government to complete the airline’s restructuring process following liquidation.
Responding in Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Finance Johnny Koanapo said the airline is slowly rebuilding under a new board after “starting from almost nothing.”
“Some progress is happening at our level as a company, especially with the new board that came in, and we are trying to restore the company from almost nothing,” he said.
DPM Koanapo acknowledged that the airline requires significant capital injection from the Government but stressed that authorities are being cautious after years of heavy public spending on the national carrier.
“We spent a lot of taxpayers’ money on the company and then found out that the structure of the company was too heavy from top to bottom,” he said.
He thanked former finance ministers and former prime ministers who had previously attempted to address the issue.
According to the DPM, Air Vanuatu’s permanent staff count stood at 170 employees as of December 2025. However, he said questions remain over whether the current staffing level is appropriate, particularly as the airline is currently operating mainly domestic services and has no international aircraft flying at this stage.
He said the Government is now exploring expansion ideas to rebuild the airline’s assets and fleet.
“Today we have Twin Otters, and one more is coming next month as announced by the Prime Minister. We also have the ATR, which is still on lease,” he said.
The Minister added that improvements have already been seen within the airline, particularly in staff morale and operational performance.
“We find that there is a big improvement in every section, with motivation and morale of staff increasing. Even the delays in flight schedules have been minimised a lot,” he said.
However, he admitted that the airline continues to operate at a major financial loss.
“If you look at the financial statement of the company from 2024 to 2025, it does not make any profit; it makes a big loss,” he said.
Minister Koanapo revealed that one of the main improvements reflected in the airline’s books was the VT1.1 billion (US$9 million) provided by the Government to pay for aircraft obligations.
“Apart from that, today Air Vanuatu needs a capital injection, and for us to resurrect the airline, we need a capital injection,” he said.
He stressed that the Government does not want to continue injecting money into the company “with the same attitude” while losses continue.
“The Government believes that we are building it from nothing and we are going to build it up,” he said.
The DPM also confirmed that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is in the process of restoring Air Vanuatu’s “NF” airline code, which he said would assist with future codeshare arrangements and international partnerships.
‘We have to be optimistic about the future of Air Vanuatu. We will not let go of Air Vanuatu,” he said.
On the issue of the VT2 billion (US$16 million) Airbus matter, Minister Koanapo said he recently led a delegation to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse to discuss ongoing legal and contractual complications involving the aircraft deal.
He said Airbus management had requested that negotiations be handled carefully and privately through the company’s Singapore office.
“The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Airbus gave us assurance that negotiations should go through the Airbus office in Singapore, and they also preferred that we should not go too much on social media over issues that could undermine the reputation of Airbus,” he said.
DPM Koanapo said the Government has therefore been restrained in its public comments regarding the matter.
He confirmed that another round of negotiations is expected to take place in Singapore before the end of the year to revisit commitments between Airbus and Air Vanuatu as the Government continues efforts to restore the airline’s international operations…. PACNEWS
CNMI – UTILITY: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
CNMI’s utility body eyes borrowing, warns of systems collapse due to depleting cash and fuel reserve
SAIPAN, 26 MAY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is proposing to resort to borrowing amid its depleting cash and fuel reserves as the CNMI struggles to recover from Typhoon Sinlaku while reeling from the impact of war in Iran.
Seeking immediate legislative rescue, Betty Terlaje, the CCU’s chief financial officer, warned that the CNMI faces cascading failures across power, water, wastewater, communications and public safety systems.
During the CUC board of directors’ special meeting on 21 May, Terlaje presented the utility’s post‑typhoon financial condition and recovery status.
She reported that the CUC has incurred US$18.3 million in disaster‑related expenses in just 37 days, and total recovery costs are expected to reach or exceed US$75 million within the 90‑day emergency period.
Only US$14.5 million of CUC’s cash is unrestricted and that amount is already obligated for incurred expenses.
The remaining US$35 million is restricted to grants, ARPA projects, customer deposits, stipulated projects and settlement funds.
The presentation stated that “available cash is insufficient to sustain operations, fuel procurement and recovery obligations over the coming months.”
Supertyphoon Sinlaku, a Category 5 storm, caused massive blackouts when it swept over Saipan and Tinian on 14 April, against the backdrop of a global fuel crisis.
According to the Joint Information Centre’s latest update, 98 percent of the primary power lines on Saipan have been energized as of 18 May.
“Although current generation capacity has been restored to 34 megawatts, surpassing pre-Super Typhoon Sinlaku operational levels, full power restoration has not yet been achieved,” the information centre said.
While generation at the power plants is now substantially stabilized, officials said ongoing restoration work remains necessary on damaged power poles, transmission infrastructure and lateral lines throughout the villages.
“Full restoration can only be realised once both generation capacity and distribution infrastructure repairs are completed, as these systems work hand in hand to reliably deliver power to all affected communities,” the information centre said.
On Tinian, 111 poles and 55 transformers are confirmed down, and all feeders remain offline, affecting 1,059 customers.
Water service reached 24‑hour availability only the day before the meeting.
Line, water, and wastewater crews continue working from 6 am to 9am., but materials remain in short supply and shipments are arriving slowly.
The Guam Power Authority has deployed crews to Saipan to assist the CNMI with power restoration efforts.
The first shipment of power transmission and distribution materials from GPA arrived at CUC’s warehouse on May 20, with additional materials expected in the coming weeks.
At the 21 May board meeting, Terlaje said CUC needs immediate authority to borrow money to stabilize its operations.
“What are the recommended actions? For CUC, we need to finalize our emergency financing strategy. We need legislative authorization to borrow funds,” she said.
The proposed borrowing would allow CUC to purchase fuel, sustain operations, continue typhoon recovery, maintain vendor payments and bridge the gap until FEMA reimbursements and future revenues arrive.
Terlaje said the global fuel market has pushed CUC into a dangerous position.
“Our fuel costs are high due to the global crisis. It is beyond CUC’s control. Without fuel, there will be no generation,” she said, adding that the reliability of power production “depends on continuous fuel purchasing capability.”
She warned that the consequences of running out of fuel would be immediate and severe.
“Without generation, water and sewer services will become a crisis. Critical public safety systems will be compromised. Critical facilities won’t be able to operate. Communication systems will be disrupted. Health care and hospital services will be severely compromised,” she said.
“Government facilities, the airport and seaport and schools will be forced to self‑generate until their fuel supply runs out. Economic activity will cease. Public health and safety will be threatened,” she added.
Terlaje said utility sales and collections have dropped sharply because large portions of Saipan remain unenergised and Tinian is still offline.
Many customers are financially strained, further reducing revenue inflows. The fuel adjustment charge remains significantly underbilled, widening the gap between fuel costs and collections.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has not committed to upfront procurement costs, and reimbursements for CUC‑incurred expenses typically take months.
Terlaje said the CUC has already reduced restoration crews and hours, paused hiring, delayed discretionary spending and prioritised only critical expenditures. She emphasised that internal cuts alone cannot solve the liquidity crisis…. PACNEWS
FIJI – PRICE HIKE: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 26 May 2026
Fiji Finance Minister warns retailers over illegal price increases
SUVA, 26 MAY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development Esrom Immanuel has warned businesses against exploiting consumers through unjustified price increases.
He said companies found breaching pricing regulations would face legal action as Government agencies intensified market monitoring efforts.
Immanuel’s comments follow concerns that some supermarkets and retailers had illegally increased prices of certain food items as Fiji braces for uncertainty surrounding global fuel price shocks caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“If they are caught, then they will subsequently be addressed accordingly,” he warned.
“Those price-controlled items are targeted specifically for our vulnerable people.”
Immanuel said a monitoring team involving multiple ministries and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) would monitor non-price-controlled items to ensure prices remained fair.
Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament, economist and public policy specialist Dr Mahendra Reddy supported the Government’s decision to resist calls to remove duty on unleaded and diesel fuels.
“Economic management during periods of global uncertainty requires discipline, prioritisation and long-term thinking, not politically convenient but economically unsustainable measures,” Reddy said.
“The real challenge before Fiji is not simply how to temporarily lower pump prices, but how to protect vulnerable households while preserving fiscal stability, maintaining essential public services and safeguarding our fragile environment for future generations.”
Reddy said good public policy required targeted interventions directed towards vulnerable households, public transport operators and essential sectors, rather than universal subsidies that disproportionately benefited higher-income groups…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Asked and Answered: Features and Dynamics of Transnational Organised Crime
PALERMO, 26 MAY 2026 (UNODC) — Gangs trafficking drugs and firearms. Online financial sextortion by cybercriminals. Criminal governance by mafias. Fraudsters stealing people’s life savings in industrial scam farms.
You have doubtless heard about one of these or other notorious organised crime operations, or perhaps directly felt how their activities affect you, your community or your country.
Organised crime groups (OCGs) operate in all environments, from local communities to entire sub-national regions, the high seas and warzones. And across all these geographical areas, they cause wide-ranging harm.
But just how far-reaching is the impact of organised crime? Which markets do they work in? How do these groups get so powerful, and what sort of tools do they use?
More than 25 years after the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC), a new research brief from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) answers these questions on the features and dynamics of transnational organised crime. Find out more below.
What is the impact of organised crime?
95,000 people have died from organised crime-related homicide every year between 2000-2023 – roughly as many as the annual number of deaths caused by armed conflicts worldwide.
Globally, one fifth of intentional homicides are caused by organised criminal groups. In the Americas, organised crime-related homicides represent around half of all intentional homicides.
But the harms produced by organised crime go well beyond violence. Drugs supplied by drug traffickers are estimated to lead to millions of premature deaths and healthy years of life lost due to disability every year. The killing of journalists, community leaders or human rights defenders shrink civic spaces and public trust. The legitimacy, effectiveness and independence of governments institutions or democratic processes are undermined.
Meanwhile, the billions of dollars generated by OCGs give them enormous financial leverage over State institutions, enabling them to infiltrate the government and corrupt officials. Moreover, these illicit economies can distort the legal economy, hamper investments and sustainable growth and divert public funds that could have been infused into health, education, infrastructure and more.
How do organised crime groups establish control?
Criminal governance – or the capacity of organised criminal groups to establish and enforce alternative rules to those of the State – is one of the main threats posed by organised crime groups.
To establish such control, OCGs use methods like coercion, intimidation, corruption, selective service provision, and market manipulation. By threatening or using violence, for example, OCGs coerce fearful communities or authorities to cooperate.
Meanwhile, in exchange for jobs and basic services, such as the regulation of petty crime, communities may end up in tacitly consent to OCG governance, underpinning the groups’ local authority.
What kind of profits do organised crime groups make?
Although some profits for OCGs arise from activities relating to their control of territories (such as extortion), most OCG income globally is derived through the illicit production and trafficking of goods or people – drugs, firearms, migrants, wildlife and natural resources, cultural property, falsified medicines, fuel and more.
The global illicit drug trade is likely to generate hundreds of billions of dollars for organised criminal groups each year. For example, in the period 2019–2022, UNODC estimates that between US$3.4 and US$6.9 billion in illicit financial flows related to opiate and methamphetamine trafficking have crossed borders every year along the Balkan route, amounting to a sizeable share of the gross domestic product of some countries along the route.
While drug trafficking remains the financial backbone of most transnational organised criminal groups, these groups have diversified into a wide range of other illicit trades, spanning trafficking in persons, firearms, wildlife, waste, fuel and counterfeit goods. Cybercrime has also become an important source of income; financial losses from online scams targeting victims in East and Southeast Asia alone were estimated to range from US$18 billion to US$37 billion in 2023.
How do organised crime groups exploit technology?
New information and communication technologies (ICTs) allow criminal groups to more easily target victims globally and exploit the dependence of institutions, businesses and individuals on these technologies.
As a result, organised criminal groups are now carrying out online extortions, frauds and scams on an industrial scale. Victims no longer need to be in the same physical space as perpetrators, who can now operate across borders and in multiple locations at the same time.
Not only has technology amplified the scale, speed and scope of “traditional” crimes, but it has also given rise to entirely new forms of “cyber-dependent” crimes that can only be committed through the use of ICTs, like cyberfraud, hacking or malware attacks.
What are some strategic priorities for action against organised crime groups?
The research brief identifies several actions for responding to these threats, from conducting joint threat analyses and improving cross-sector information exchange to disrupting illegal financial flows and confiscating or recovering the proceeds of organised crime…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
COSPPac3 Annual Session ends in Palau, setting direction for next steps
KORO, 26 MAY 2026 (SPC) — The Republic of Palau hosted the Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific Phase 3 (COSPPac3) Annual Session from 18–22 May 2026, bringing together Pacific Island countries, regional organisations and technical partners to strengthen climate and ocean services across the region.
The session gathered representatives from National Meteorological Services and Land Survey Departments from 15 Pacific Island countries, funding partners including Australia and New Zealand, and technical partners such as the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Geoscience Australia and Earth Sciences New Zealand.
Opening the session, Maria Ngemaes, Meteorologist-In-Charge at the Palau Weather Service Office, highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in addressing climate and ocean risks.
Australia’s Ambassador to Palau, Toby Sharpe, reaffirmed Australia’s long-standing support for Pacific Island countries through COSPPac, noting the programme’s role in providing trusted and actionable information for decision-making.
The annual session reviewed the progress of COSPPac3 activities, including the delivery of climate outlooks, the Early Action Rainfall Watch Bulletin, climate and ocean data services, and tide calendars that support maritime safety and planning.
These services are helping countries better anticipate risks, inform infrastructure planning, and support key sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and disaster management.
The COSPPac3 Steering Committee convened over the final two days to cover the technical partners’ work plans, tools, and products, and to endorse the recommendations of the Program’s mid-term evaluation. Committee members also examined cross-cutting areas, including Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL), Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), and communications, agreeing to strengthen investment in building capacity to ensure accessibility, two-way communication with stakeholders, and evidence-based decision-making.
As an implementing partner, SPC supports coordination, technical delivery and regional collaboration under COSPPac3, working closely with countries and partners to ensure services are relevant, inclusive and reach those most in need.
Outcomes from the session will inform further planning for COSPPac3, reinforcing regional cooperation and assisting Pacific Island countries in accessing and using climate and ocean information to remain resilient to the impacts of climate change and disasters…. PACNEWS
Media Contacts: Koroi Tadulala, Digital Communications and Capacity Development Officer, Pacific Community (SPC), Geoscience, Energy, and Maritime Division | koroit@spc.int
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
FAO Director-General calls for AI’s transformative power to be at the service of rural communities and a bridge towards shared prosperity
ROME, 26 MAY 2026 (FAO) — The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, today called for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to be guided by human dignity, inclusion and solidarity, warning that “technological change is moving fast and we need to ensure social adaptation”.
Speaking at the high-level symposium “AI and the Future of Human Dignity: A Bridge Across the Demographic and Employment Transitions”, the FAO Director-General stressed that “we recognise the potential of AI’s transformative power” and that “the digital divide will be even wider if it is not at the service of rural people”.
The symposium, held at the Palazzo Lateranense in Rome under the patronage of the Pontifical Lateran University, hosted by the Pontifical Academy for Life.
The symposium took place on the same day as the publication of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, focused on the ethical and social implications of Artificial Intelligence. In his remarks, the FAO Director-General noted the significance of the moment, recalling that the encyclical was issued “exactly 135 years after Pope Leo XIII addressed the excesses of the Industrial Revolution in Rerum Novarum,” drawing a parallel between past industrial transformation and today’s AI revolution, noting that “it is reshaping our economies, our social governance, our agrifood systems, and the very essence of our work”.
The Director-General also recalled FAO’s early commitment to ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence through its participation in the Rome Call for AI Ethics. “In 2020, FAO was honoured to respond to the invitation by the late Holy Father Pope Francis, who called us to be one of the first signatories to the Rome Call for AI Ethics,” Qu said, emphasizing the shared commitment “that technological progress must respect humankind, protect the vulnerable, and safeguard the planet.”
Qu emphasised that FAO is asking critical questions such as: “How do we make the most use of this new dynamic to act as a bridge in this transformation?” and: “How can we make it an effective bridge between rural and urban areas?
Ensuring that AI be the bridge towards shared prosperity
The Director-General underscored the importance of ensuring AI availability and access for farmers, fishers, pastoralists and forest-dependent communities, especially for rural areas in less developed countries with limited AI infrastructure.
QU also stressed the importance of making agrifood systems more attractive to younger generations and “that its transformative power be a benefit of all,” he said.
The FAO Director-General outlined FAO’s ongoing efforts to support countries through its Digital Agriculture and AI Innovation Roadmap, which promotes AI applications across coffee value chains, farmer advisory services, horticulture and soil management. This he noted is in line with FAO’s Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – leaving no one behind.
He stated that the potential of AI “could be to assist and amplify human capability,” but stressed that it cannot replace human beings.
Qu referred to what he calls “Allied Intelligences,” describing it as” the conscious alignment of Human Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Ecological Intelligence, and Social Intelligence”, bringing together ethics, technological optimisation, nature’s wisdom and collective action.
Warning against growing digital inequality, he stressed that “the expansion of AI should harmonise social and economic development, be inclusive and facilitate knowledge sharing among farmers and consumers”.
Recalling remarks by Pope Leo XIV earlier this year, Qu said that “technology must serve the human person, not diminish him” and said that “it is up to us to elevate that message above our AI ambitions. We should not only measure how high we can go, but also how widely the benefits can be shared.”
He concluded by emphasising that we need AI to be a facilitator “but we cannot eat AI”, reiterating that tools cannot replace humans.
“Let us walk this bridge together – from fear to fortune, from superiority to solidarity – so that all of humanity can benefit from AI for a better future for all,” he added…. PACNEWS
Contact: FAO News and Media
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