In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific must balance ocean protection with economic needs: Palau President Whipps
2. UN — ICC board regrets Naoero withdrawal
3. FIJI — Fiji steps up El Niño preparedness as conditions continue
4. FIJI — Fiji Constitution Bill guarantees press freedom but allows limits on media reporting
5. FIJI — ‘iTaukeinivanua o Viti’ proposed as reference for Indigenous Fijians
6. PACIFIC — Watchdog report flags major gaps in care for Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands veterans
7. PNG — PNG loses 13 MPs and governors since 2022 election
8. FIJI — Fiji Constitution Amendment Bill repeals FICAC Act
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji reaffirms sustainable fisheries commitments at Regional Compliance Meeting
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Bainivalu pushes stronger oversight in Fiji Fisheries Ministry
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Women’s Fund Fiji joins WE-Fi Code to advance women’s economic empowerment
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Bamboo workshop promotes sustainable livelihoods
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Fiji’s Online Safety Act and the risks to journalism
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Who gets to shape AI? UN debate centres on power, trust and inclusion
PAC – OCEAN CONSERVATION/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Pacific must balance ocean protection with economic needs: Palau President Whipps
KOROR, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)—Palau President and Forum Chair Surangel Whipps Jr says Pacific countries must balance ocean conservation with economic development as they confront rising seas, extreme weather and growing pressure on marine resources.
Whipps, who has led Palau since 2021 and was re-elected in 2024, told Earth.Org that Pacific nations needed to invest both in protecting their marine environment and developing industries that allow communities to benefit from ocean resources.
“How do we, as Pacific Island countries, continue to be good stewards?.
“That requires investment in protection, but also requires investment in production,” Whipps said.
Palau has established itself as a strong advocate for marine conservation. It became the first country to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty in 2023, while its National Marine Sanctuary, which took effect in 2020, initially closed 80 percent of the country’s exclusive economic zone to fishing and other extractive activities.
Whipps said Palau’s conservation approach is rooted in the traditional Palauan practice of ‘bul’, in which traditional leaders would restrict access to areas to allow marine resources to recover.
“We often refer to the ocean as our father, and the land is our mother.
“That teaches a very important principle, because if the ocean is your father, it provides, but also you have a responsibility to take care of it. You don’t just take,” Whipps said.
However, Palau is also reviewing how its marine resources are managed, including proposals to reduce the no-fishing area to allow greater access to fisheries.
Whipps said the government’s marine spatial planning process is intended to improve management and assess the impacts of conservation measures on local communities.
He has also argued that Pacific countries should capture more economic value from their fisheries.
“We need to become the OPEC of tuna,” Whipps said, highlighting the need for Pacific countries to move beyond harvesting resources and develop processing and other industries within the region.
“Production is building ports, processing facilities in the Pacific, so that the people in the Pacific benefit from the resources in the Pacific,” he said.
The approach has drawn criticism from some environmental groups and former Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr, who have raised concerns about reducing the marine sanctuary.
The debate comes as Palau continues to face climate impacts.
Whipps said rising sea levels and increasingly damaging storms were affecting agriculture and communities, including traditional food production.
“Sea level rise is real, storms are real,” he said.
“I always say that for those of us who are the most vulnerable, who have contributed the least, we must not give up. We need to continue to fight.”
Whipps also remains opposed to deep-sea mining, despite differing views among Pacific countries over the industry.
Cook Islands, Nauru, Tonga and Kiribati have supported the sector as a potential source of economic diversification, while Whipps has called for a moratorium.
“We should proceed with caution, because if we do that, we may destroy the ocean, which now is the largest carbon sink,” he said.
Whipps said Pacific countries remained united on the need for stronger climate action, including the transition towards renewable energy.
He said Pacific priorities at COP31 would include greater access to climate finance, development of green industries and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.
Accessing climate finance remains a challenge for small island developing states, with Whipps pointing to lengthy accreditation and application processes.
“Red tape has always been a challenge,” he said.
Whipps also highlighted the role of China in the global transition to renewable energy, despite Palau’s diplomatic relationship with Taiwan and strained relations with Beijing.
He said China’s investments in solar energy and electric vehicles demonstrated the economic potential of the transition.
“It makes economic sense,” Whipps said.
Palau has also promoted conservation through tourism. In 2017, it introduced the Palau Pledge, requiring visitors to commit to protecting the country’s environment.
Whipps said environmental protection ultimately depended on individuals and communities, particularly young people.
“Climate action involves everyone.
“If everybody and every young person makes that commitment themselves, we don’t need governments to change. We make the change. You have the power. Just start acting and doing it,” Whipps said……PACNEWS
UN – DIPLOMACY: AFP PACNEWS 2: Thu 01 Oct 2026
ICC board regrets Naoero withdrawal
THE HAGUE, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (AFP)— The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) governing body voiced regret Wednesday over the announced withdrawal of Naoero, which came as the United States steps up pressure on countries to leave the institution.
Naoero’s President David Adeang told the United Nations General Assembly last week that his Pacific Island intended to quit the ICC, which he said was “of increasing irrelevance.”
At the same gathering of world leaders, U.S President Donald Trump had urged all ICC members “to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately.”
U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio has vowed to dismantle the ICC “brick by brick,” describing the court, which tries individuals for the world’s worst crimes, as an “intolerable threat to U.S sovereignty.”
The ICC’s Assembly of State Parties, a body representing its 125 current members, said in a statement it had “taken note of the situation with concern.”
“Decisions by States Parties to disengage from the Rome Statute (that governs the ICC) risk undermining the collective pursuit of justice and weakening global efforts to end impunity,” the statement added.
It takes one year after a withdrawal is officially requested for it to become effective.
Burundi and the Philippines have already left the ICC. Hungary announced it would quit the court under former nationalist premier Viktor Orban but later reversed its decision.
More recently, Chad, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have all announced their intention to leave the court — these withdrawals will become effective next year.
The ICC, based in The Hague, seeks to prosecute individuals charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide, when their own countries lack resources or willing to do so themselves.
It has sparked Trump’s wrath by issuing an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close ally of the U.S president.
Washington has imposed a series of sanctions on top ICC officials and has threatened to sanction the entire institution, which would severely restrict its ability to function…..PACNEWS
FIJI – WEATHER WATCH/EL NINO: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 2: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Fiji steps up El Niño preparedness as conditions continue
SUVA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI GOVT) —Fiji is stepping up national preparedness and coordination as El Niño conditions continue, with the National Disaster Risk Management Council meeting in Suva to assess risks and response measures.
The meeting was chaired by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu, who called for early action rather than waiting for impacts to worsen.
Bulitavu said the Government needed a coordinated approach to risks affecting water security, agriculture, health, food supplies, livelihoods, critical services and vulnerable communities.
A key focus was the latest climate outlook from the Fiji Meteorological Service, which will guide the Council’s assessment of national preparedness and response arrangements.
The Council also reviewed the National El Niño Preparedness and Response Plan, which sets out risks, priorities and actions for government agencies and other stakeholders as conditions develop.
Bulitavu said disaster risk management must focus on anticipating hazards and strengthening preparedness before emergencies occur.
“Disaster risk management must extend beyond response when disasters occur,” he said, stressing the need for coordinated action before, during and after emergencies.
The Council also considered broader measures to strengthen Fiji’s disaster management system.
These included proposed amendments to the National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund Guidelines, the National Emergency Telecommunications Plan for Fiji, and the Disaster Risk Management Competency Framework and Capacity Building Roadmap 2026–2030.
Members also discussed a revised Climate Smart Community-Based Disaster Risk Management Training Manual aimed at strengthening preparedness and disaster risk management knowledge at community level.
Preparations for National Disaster Risk Management Awareness Week 2026 were also discussed.
Bulitavu called on Council members to provide practical and strategic guidance and ensure decisions were translated into clear, coordinated and measurable actions.
The meeting comes as Fiji continues to monitor El Niño conditions and their potential effects on communities, essential services and key sectors of the economy…..PACNEWS
FIJI – MEDIA: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Fiji Constitution Bill guarantees press freedom but allows limits on media reporting
SUVA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Freedom of the press would be expressly protected under the Fiji Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, but Parliament would retain powers to impose limitations on speech and media publication in specified circumstances.
The Bill, tabled in Parliament Wednesday, provides under section 20 that every person has the right to freedom of speech, expression, thought, opinion and publication.
The protection specifically includes “freedom of the press, including print, electronic and other media”, as well as the freedom to seek, receive and impart information, knowledge and ideas.
However, the proposed constitutional right is not absolute.
The Bill allows laws to limit these freedoms where necessary for national security, public safety, public order, public morality, public health and the orderly conduct of elections.
Of particular relevance to the media, laws may protect the reputation, privacy and dignity of individuals and provide people injured by “inaccurate or offensive media reports” with the right to have a correction published under reasonable conditions established by law.
Limitations may also be imposed to prevent disclosure of information received in confidence and to maintain the authority and independence of the courts.
The provision further excludes from constitutional protection propaganda for war, incitement to violence or insurrection against the Constitution, and certain advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to cause harm.
The Bill defines “hate speech” as expression in any form that encourages, or has the effect of encouraging, discrimination on grounds covered under section 29.
It also allows restrictions aimed at preventing attacks on the dignity of individuals, groups or “respected offices or institutions” where such attacks are likely to promote ill will between ethnic or religious groups, oppression or discrimination….PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Thu 01 Oct 2026
‘iTaukeinivanua o Viti’ proposed as reference for Indigenous Fijians
SUVA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Indigenous Fijians could be formally referred to as “iTaukeinivanua o Viti” under the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, while all Fiji citizens would continue to share the common national identity of Fijian.
The proposed national identity provision states: “All citizens of Fiji are to continue to be known as Fijians.”
It then provides a specific reference for the country’s Indigenous population, stating: “Indigenous Fijians may be referred to as iTaukeinivanua o Viti.”
The proposed terminology is also used throughout the Bill’s Preamble, which recalls the settlement of the islands by the ancestors of the iTaukeinivanua o Viti and Rotuman people.
The Bill separately gives constitutional recognition to Fiji’s Indigenous languages.
Under section 52, iTaukei and Rotuman would be recognised as indigenous languages, with all State bodies required to “respect, protect and promote” their use.
At the same time, the proposed Constitution states that all other languages used in Fiji must be recognised and respected.
The provisions establish a distinction between the common national identity of all citizens as Fijians and the proposed constitutional terminology iTaukeinivanua o Viti for Indigenous Fijians.
Meanwhile, Fijians would have the constitutional right to practise their religion publicly or privately and could not be compelled to act contrary to their religious beliefs under the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026.
Section 25 of the Bill guarantees every person the right to freedom of religion, conscience and belief, including the right to practise a religion individually or with others.
The protection extends to worship, observance, practice and teaching, whether conducted in private or in public.
The Bill also states that no person can be compelled to act in a manner contrary to their religion or belief.
People could also not be forced to take an oath, or take an oath in a particular manner, if it conflicts with their beliefs or requires them to profess a belief they do not hold.
Religious denominations, as well as cultural and social communities, would retain the right to establish, maintain and manage educational institutions, including those receiving financial assistance from the State.
Religious communities operating schools would also have the right to provide religious instruction as part of the education they provide.
However, students cannot be required to receive religious instruction or participate in religious ceremonies or observances of another religion without their consent.
For children, the consent of a parent or lawful guardian would be required. The same protection applies to people who hold no religious belief.
The rights under section 25 would not be absolute, with the Bill allowing limitations prescribed by law where necessary to protect the rights of others, public safety, public order, public morality or public health, or to prevent a public nuisance….PACNEWS
PAC – VETERANS: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Watchdog report flags major gaps in care for Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands veterans
HAGATNA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —Veterans from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau continue to face steep barriers to accessing Department of Veterans Affairs health care, despite long‑standing promises made under the Compacts of Free Association, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
GAO conducted the review because the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 required independent oversight of the VA’s evaluation and ultimately decision to decline new authority to expand hospital care, medical services, telehealth, and travel reimbursement for eligible veterans in the freely associated states.
Lawmakers asked GAO to examine VA’s 2025 decision and determine whether the agency had adequately assessed options for delivering care in the region.
The report, released 25 September, found that veterans living in the FAS must navigate a system that effectively requires them to leave their home islands for care, often traveling thousands of miles to VA facilities in Honolulu or Guam.
Because VA does not reimburse travel between the FAS and the United States, veterans shoulder the full cost of airfare—typically more than US$1,000 round‑trip—just to access basic services.
GAO said the lack of accessible care is rooted in limited specialty services, inconsistent infrastructure, and the absence of VA telehealth in the FAS. Mental health care is especially scarce.
“Psychiatric and mental health services and facilities are limited,” the report states, noting “insufficient mental health providers in the FAS to treat specific needs of veterans.” Officials in all three countries told GAO that untreated PTSD and suicide risk remain serious concerns.
Congress granted VA discretionary authority in 2024 to expand care in the FAS, directing the agency to conduct outreach, assess implementation options, and engage with FAS governments.
VA spent a year conducting an environmental scan and policy analysis, outlining two paths: maintain the status quo at an estimated annual cost of US$2 million, or fully implement expanded care at a projected US$26 million for currently enrolled veterans — and up to US$200 million if all 1,100 potentially eligible veterans participated.
Full implementation would require new reimbursement models, expanded travel benefits, telehealth infrastructure, and regulatory changes expected to take more than two years. VA warned that full implementation would give FAS veterans benefits not available to other veterans living overseas, raising equity concerns.
In April 2025, VA informed Congress it would not exercise its new authorities. Engagement with FAS governments stopped soon after. GAO noted that VA’s decision left veterans with the same limited options they have had for decades: the Foreign Medical Programme, which reimburses only service‑connected care, and travel to distant VA facilities in U.S jurisdictions.
But VA reversed course in mid‑2026. Officials told GAO they had resumed discussions with FAS governments and were pursuing partial implementation of the law, including telehealth services, pharmaceutical delivery, reimbursements for care in the FAS, and travel benefits for service‑connected veterans. In August, VA submitted a draft action memo to the State Department to begin the Circular 175 process required for international agreements.
No timeline has been provided.
FAS governments, which had prepared for expanded VA services in 2024 and 2025, welcomed the renewed engagement.
FSM established a national Office of Veterans Affairs, and Palau updated its data systems to track veterans’ needs. But officials told GAO that veterans remain frustrated — many leave their home islands for extended periods to access care in Guam or Hawaii, weakening local workforces and straining families.
GAO said the lack of accessible care undermines both U.S commitments to veterans and broader strategic goals in the Pacific, where the FAS remain key partners in regional security and U.S efforts to counter China’s influence….PACNEWS
PNG – MPS DEATH: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Thu 01 Oct 2026
PNG loses 13 MPs and governors since 2022 election
PORT MORESBY, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS)—The death of Daulo MP Ekime Mek Gorosahu has brought to 13 the number of sitting Members of Parliament and provincial governors who have died since Papua New Guinea’s 2022 general election.
Gorosahu died at Paradise Private Hospital in Port Moresby on 30 September.
His death adds to a succession of losses that has forced Parliament, government departments and electorates to manage vacancies, leadership changes and disruptions to constituency services.
Gorosahu was a first-term MP and served on the Parliamentary Permanent Committee on Culture and Tourism.
Prime Minister James Marape expressed condolences to Gorosahu’s family, the people of Daulo and Eastern Highlands Province, and his United Resources Party.
“On behalf of the Pangu-led Government and the people of Papua New Guinea, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, relatives, the people of Daulo, the United Resources Party, and all those who knew and worked with him,” Marape said.
He said Gorosahu continued to serve his people despite illness.
“No position or public responsibility can take away from the fact that, first and foremost, a family has lost a loved one,” Marape said, urging the public to respect the family’s privacy during the mourning period.
United Resources Party leader William Duma described Gorosahu’s death as devastating and heartbreaking.
The latest death follows that of Works Minister and Telefomin MP Solan Mirisim, who died on 2 December 2025.
Marape had previously urged MPs to pay greater attention to their health as they faced sustained pressure from their electorates and public scrutiny.
“I urge all MPs to look after their health, given the immense pressure and scrutiny they are under 24/7 from their people,” Marape said in 2024.
“We have lost several MPs recently, and I call on every one of them to be more conscious of their health.”
The deaths have occurred across several provinces and constituencies since the 2022 election.
Deputy Prime Minister and Bulolo MP Sam Basil died in a road accident in Morobe shortly before the 2022 election. Chris Nangoi of Sumkar and William Nakin of North Bougainville died within weeks, followed later that year by Kevin Isifu of Wewak.
In 2023, Gabriel Kapris of Maprik, Steven Pim of Dei and Maso Karipe of Porgera-Paiela died.
Former Education Minister and Usino-Bundi MP Jimmy Uguro died in 2024.
The losses continued in 2025 with the deaths of Central Bougainville MP Simon Dumarinu, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan and Mirisim.
Gorosahu’s death brings the total to 13 sitting MPs and provincial governors during the current parliamentary term.
Each death creates a vacancy and can require a by-election, while also affecting parliamentary committees, ministerial responsibilities and provincial leadership.
In remote electorates, filling a vacant seat can present major logistical and financial challenges for the Electoral Commission. Rugged terrain, security concerns and limited transport infrastructure can require charter flights, additional police deployments, fuel, temporary polling teams and the movement of election materials into isolated communities.
The impact can also extend to constituency services when an electorate remains without an elected representative while arrangements for a by-election are made.
Within government, the deaths of ministers such as Basil, Uguro and Mirisim also required changes in key portfolios at different stages of the parliamentary term.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have varied, and the losses should not be attributed to a single cause. MPs face demanding workloads, extensive travel and sustained pressure while serving electorates spread across difficult terrain.
Gorosahu’s death has again highlighted the human and institutional cost of losing elected leaders during a parliamentary term.
As Parliament prepares to honour the late Daulo MP, the government is expected to announce arrangements for his funeral and the next steps concerning the vacant seat…..PACNEWS
FIJI – ANTI CORRUPTION: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 2: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Fiji Constitution Amendment Bill repeals FICAC Act
SUVA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) —The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Act 2007 would be repealed under the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026.
The repeal is expressly provided for in section 229 of the Bill.
Bill No. 32 of 2026 seeks to revise the 2013 Constitution and provide for the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji 2026.
Section 229 states that, subject to the relevant transitional provisions and other provisions, two written laws would be repealed.
They are the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji (Promulgation) Decree 2013 and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2007.
The Bill also makes provision for investigations that are already under way when the changes commence.
Section 228 states: “An investigation commenced, but not completed, before the commencement may continue and be completed by the person or institution responsible for the investigation immediately before the commencement or the corresponding person or institution under this Constitution.”
Court or tribunal proceedings that have commenced but have not been determined immediately before commencement would also continue.
Existing warrants, summonses, writs, injunctions, orders or other court processes would remain valid according to their terms unless varied, discharged or set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The explanatory notes to the Constitution Amendment Bill confirm that section 229 “provides for the repeal of the 2013 Constitution and Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2007…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: FIJI FISHERIES MINISTRY PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Fiji reaffirms sustainable fisheries commitments at Regional Compliance Meeting
POHNPEI, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI FISHERIES MINISTRY)— Fiji has reaffirmed its dedication to regional marine governance following the conclusion of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (WCPFC) Technical Compliance Committee (TCC) meeting at the commission’s headquarters in Pohnpei.
The regional gathering was officially opened by FSM President Wesley Simina and chaired by Ilkan Na of South Korea, who was elected to the position last year.
The TCC session provided Fiji with a key platform to report on its national progress in implementing WCPFC Conservation and Management Measures, while identifying updates and opportunities for local capacity building.’
The meeting also enabled intersessional working group chairs to consult directly with member states, delivering progress updates to align regional support ahead of the WCPFC’s main annual decision-making meeting in December….PACNEWS
FIJI – FISHERIES: FIJI FISHERIES MINISTRY/PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Bainivalu pushes stronger oversight in Fiji Fisheries Ministry
SUVA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI FISHERIES MINISTRY/PACNEWS)—Fiji’s Fisheries Minister Alitia Bainivalu has called for stronger internal oversight and more efficient operations as the ministry reviews its governance, legislation and administrative processes.
Bainivalu convened a strategic meeting with the Ministry of Fisheries’ senior executive management at the ministry headquarters in Suva to review institutional priorities and operational challenges across its divisions.
The meeting considered several governance and legislative matters, including the proposed Ministry of Fisheries logo and progress on the Inshore Fish Management Bill.
Senior management also discussed the introduction of standardised weekly reporting templates aimed at improving internal monitoring and accountability.
Bainivalu also raised the ministry’s social media engagement by officials, along with other administrative matters requiring management attention.
The meeting provided heads of divisions and departments with an opportunity to outline operational challenges and seek intervention from senior management.
The ministry said the session was also used to review departmental functions, assess operational performance and strengthen accountability across divisions.
It said the focus was on improving coordination and service delivery while supporting sustainable fisheries management.
The meeting was held at the Takayawa Building in Toorak, Suva….PACNEWS
FIJI – ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: WOMENS FUND FIJI PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Women’s Fund Fiji joins WE-Fi Code to advance women’s economic empowerment
SUVA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (WOMENS FUND FIJI)— Women’s Fund Fiji has formally joined the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative Code (WE-Fi Code), strengthening its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment and improving opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Fiji.
The WE-Fi Code is a global, multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together financial service providers, regulators, development banks and other financial ecosystem actors to increase financing and support for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (WMSMEs).
Fiji was one of three pilot countries in the Asia-Pacific region to implement the Code, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The pilot phase, led by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF), concluded in December 2025 with 11 signatories.
Women’s Fund Fiji formally joined the initiative at a signing event hosted by the Reserve Bank of Fiji, alongside the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council and other partners.
Speaking at the event, Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Ariff Ali said increasing women’s participation in the economy was an important part of strengthening Fiji’s long-term economic growth.
“One way we can increase our growth is if we have more women participating in the economy. The signing today is more than a symbolic act – it is a sign of commitment.”
Governor Ali highlighted the importance of gender-disaggregated data, financial products tailored to women’s needs and systemic support for women entrepreneurs.
He said data collected by financial institutions was helping Fiji better understand gender gaps in financial inclusion and where further action was required.
Governor Ali also highlighted the significant participation of women in Fiji’s micro and small business sector and encouraged institutions to consider how greater participation by women in business, leadership and decision-making could contribute to Fiji’s economic growth.
Women’s Fund Fiji Executive Director Victoria (Vicky) Yee welcomed the organisation becoming a signatory, saying the partnership recognises the important role Women’s Fund Fiji plays in advancing women’s economic empowerment at both national and community levels.
“We pride ourselves on being an important stakeholder in advancing women’s economic empowerment. We are present across Fiji, including in remote communities where women’s groups are looking for opportunities and support. We provide funding and walk alongside these groups, providing the capacity building they need.”
Women’s Fund Fiji began as a programme in 2017 and transitioned to become a locally led, independent women’s fund. Since becoming independent in 2021, the Fund has provided approximately $8.6 million in grants, including more than $1.3 million(US$650,000) towards women’s economic empowerment.
Yee said the Fund was seeing growing demand for support in this area, with women’s economic empowerment receiving the highest number of applications across its thematic areas this year.
She said joining the WE-Fi Code would create further opportunities for Women’s Fund Fiji to connect its grassroots experience with national efforts to improve women’s financial inclusion.
“We hope this will help us connect with other key stakeholders so that we can partner and align ourselves more strategically at the national level. We have good data and evidence of the impact of our work, and we look forward to bringing that experience to this partnership.”
Through its grantmaking, Women’s Fund Fiji works with women’s groups across the country, including women in remote and underserved communities. Alongside funding, the Fund provides capacity-building support and works with its partners throughout their grant journey.
Under the WE-Fi Code, signatories commit to championing gender equality and financial inclusion, developing tailored solutions that respond to the needs of women-owned businesses, and tracking progress on their commitments.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji, with assistance from ADB, will provide guidance, support and capacity-building to participating organisations as part of the initiative.
For Women’s Fund Fiji, becoming a signatory provides an opportunity to bring the experiences and evidence of women and women-led organisations into wider conversations about financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment, while building stronger partnerships across Fiji’s financial and economic ecosystem….PACNEWS
FIJI – BAMBOO: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 01 Oct 2026
Bamboo workshop promotes sustainable livelihoods
SUVA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—Fiji’s bamboo sector is being positioned for greater commercial development through a three-day furniture workshop at the Fiji Museum in Suva.
Hosted by the Embassy of Indonesia in Suva in partnership with the Fiji Museum and Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association, the workshop brings participants together to learn traditional and modern bamboo craft techniques, including furniture-making.
Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji Dupito Darma Simamora said the workshop builds on the two countries’ cooperation, including the Namosi Bamboo Project.
“This is another opportunity for us to learn more and to develop this as a long-term kind of partnership,” he said.
He said two participants from Namosi would travel to Indonesia next month for two weeks of training alongside about 40 participants from Fiji and other Pacific Island countries.
Fiji Museum Co-Lead Ratu Jone Balenaivalu said the workshop reflected growing efforts to develop bamboo as a sustainable industry in Fiji.
“This push to develop Fiji’s bamboo sector is gaining real momentum.”
He said the initiative was about more than craftsmanship, with participants gaining knowledge that could support future economic opportunities.
“Ultimately, this workshop is not only about craftsmanship; it is about knowledge transfer, technical innovation and community empowerment,” Balenaivalu said.
Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association President and former Fiji ambassador to Indonesia, Ratu Tui Cavulati, said bamboo craft had strong potential in Fiji given the availability of the resource and opportunities for rural communities.
“Bamboo craft is one of those many initiatives which I believe is very relevant for us in Fiji,” he said.
He said the initiative could help communities develop their skills and establish viable small ventures in rural areas.
The Indonesian Embassy also announced that an Indonesian Navy hospital ship will visit Suva from 09 – 13 October, with an open-ship programme on 09 – 10 October, followed by health services for about 500 Fijians over 11 – 12 October….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’s Online Safety Act and the risks to journalism
By Associate Professor Shailendra Singh
SUVA, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC SECURITY COLLEGE) —Fiji’s Online Safety Act raises important questions for journalism, but also freedom of expression more broadly. The current review of the Act presents an opportunity to better safeguard the media’s democratic role.
In his address at last month’s Pacific Media Summit, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted his government’s repeal of Fiji’s Media Industry Development Act 2010, saying that it was in the interest of democracy.
While the Rabuka Government has been rightly recognised for scrapping that Act in 2023, another piece of legislation with potential significant implications for journalism remains in force: the Online Safety Act 2018.
Like the Media Act, the Online Safety Act was enacted under the FijiFirst Government and gives the state a role in regulating expression.
The Online Safety Act was tabled in Parliament in 2018 in response to escalating social media abuse, but was controversial from the outset, especially the breadth of its provisions.
The backlash was such that the entire opposition voted against it, arguing that it undermined democracy. Rights groups were similarly alarmed, describing the Act as a “Trojan horse” for censorship.
However, because much of the attention focused on the draconian Media Act, and relatively few people were being charged under the Online Safety Act, the latter escaped sustained scrutiny.
That changed in 2025, as the unabated abuse of digital platforms and a spate of charges laid under Section 24 of the Act, which criminalises the posting of electronic communication that causes harm, brought it back into the spotlight.
Currently, the Act is under review and Information Minister Lynda Tabuya, under whose ministry the Act falls, has told Parliament to expect stronger legislation by the end of this year.
To some extent, Tabuya’s call for tougher laws is understandable. The misuse of social media platforms is a global problem, but the threat is considered greater in fragile democracies with multiethnic societies, such as Fiji.
The Online Safety Commission received 1,609 complaints in 2025 alone, with more than 50% involving cyberbullying, harassment and defamation.
More broadly, policymakers have warned that online misconduct poses a serious national security threat.
In March 2026, Tabuya flagged the increased prevalence of misinformation and disinformation, stating, “A single lie can divide a nation”. Likewise, Fiji’s National Security Strategy 2025-2029 warned the malicious use of emerging technologies for misinformation and disinformation posed a threat and could “undermine the credibility of national leaders and erode public trust in governance structures”.
Even before the proliferation of social networking platforms, there were concerns in Fiji about the mainstream media’s alleged role in fomenting societal conflict, with some analysis even suggesting that the media acted as a catalyst in the 2000 and 2006 coups.
The increase in digital penetration has added a new dimension to these security challenges.
Young people particularly, the most avid consumers of online networks, risk exposure to disparaging and damaging online discourses, including racism and hate speech.
While these trends are serious and require a firm response, they do not negate legitimate concerns about the flaws in the Online Safety Act.
Implications for media and press freedom
While the aim of the Act is not specifically to regulate media — Section 4 stipulates the law applies to the “whole of Fiji” — media are, nonetheless, caught in its crossfire.
The Act contains no protections for the practice of journalism. Professional journalists using social media platforms in the public interest are lumped with ordinary citizens who may be using them with malicious intent.
This renders journalists and media organisations particularly vulnerable to the Act due to the broad provisions of “electronic communication” that causes “harm” (defined in the Act as “serious emotional distress”), as most of their work is published online and can require critiquing the actions of private individuals and public officials.
The Act also does not differentiate between public and private individuals. In general, public figures such as politicians enjoy a lower level of privacy compared to private citizens. The scrutiny can extend to their private lives should they overlap with, or endanger the fulfillment of, their public duties. Under the Online Safety Act, media could be held culpable if their reporting causes individuals “serious emotional distress”, which could be a consequence of, for example, news coverage of actual or alleged wrongdoing.
Then there’s Section 2’s treatment of electronic communication as “any information, whether truthful or untruthful…”. This suggests journalists publishing legitimate and verified information in the course of their professional duties could face the same criminal liability as bad actors posting untruthful content with malicious intent.
Section 6 raises concerns about the independence of the Online Safety Commission, including the Ministerial-appointed Commissioner, which introduces the risk of a political appointment.
Indeed, the appointment of Anne Dunn as the first Commissioner by the then Communications Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was controversial for this very reason. Dunn contested Fiji’s 2018 election under Sayed-Khaiyum’s FijiFirst Party.
The potential conflict of interest could render the Commission vulnerable to political pressure, and have consequences for the Commissioner’s role as an independent and unbiased authority.
The Act does outline seven factors the courts may use to determine whether an offence has occurred, including: the extremity of the content; the age and characteristics of the victim; whether the posting was anonymous; the repetitiveness and extent of circulation; and its truth or falsity, along with the context in which it appeared.
However, it does not provide specific defences based on public interest, truth, reasonable error, or the absence of malice.
An opportunity for reform
The fact that no journalist or media organisation has been charged under the Act in the eight years since its inception is of little consolation. No journalist or media organisation was charged under the now-repealed Media Act, but we are all aware of that legislation’s deleterious effect on the media sector as a deterrent to robust journalism and a catalyst for self-censorship.
Some criticisms of the Online Safety Act — including its open-ended provisions, the Minister’s role in appointing the Commissioner, and the potentially chilling effect on freedom of expression — are uncannily similar to those expressed about the Media Act.
Against this backdrop, Rabuka’s remarks at the Pacific Media Summit are pertinent. The Prime Minister emphasised that the media are “not a threat to democracy” but a “part of” it.
The reviewers of the Online Safety Act would do well to heed his words, as well as those of Rabuka’s Deputy, Manoa Kamikamica, at the same event. Kamikamica stated that while this government was committed to media freedom, there was no guarantee future governments would share the same mindset.
In other words, the weaponisation of the Online Safety Act might not be a present danger, but it cannot be ruled out as a future one….PACNEWS
Associate Professor Shailendra Singh is the Head of Journalism at the University of the South Pacific. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of his employer.
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Who gets to shape AI? UN debate centres on power, trust and inclusion
NEW YORK, 01 OCTOBER 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — Artificial Intelligence or AI – and the technology behind it – is moving fast. The question being asked across the world is who gets a seat at the table deciding how it’s used and who gets to benefit.
When global leaders gathered at the UN during High-Level Week at the organisation’s headquarters in New York, AI emerged as an issue which both unified and divided nations.
Although they largely agree there are significant upsides to AI, they are split on the risks, who writes the rules, and how to stop entire countries from being left behind.
UN News reviewed some of the key speeches made during the UN General Debate to get a sense of the challenges and benefits that nations are focused on.
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres put it: “AI is indeed a game changer — with enormous promise to advance medicine, accelerate scientific discovery, expand opportunity, and improve lives.”
Innovation vs safeguards
Countries seemed focused on finding the right balance: How can we push the positive aspects of AI technology forward without opening the door to disaster at the hands of rogue agents?
President of the General Assembly Khalilur Rahman put it plainly: “AI can be a powerful accelerator of human progress; therefore, we must not close the door to innovation.”
But he also flagged the potential harms; job losses and deepening digital divides while calling for guardrails grounded in science, not fear.
Switzerland struck a similar note, warning that regulation needs to build trust without choking off AI’s benefits. Japan zeroed in on cooperation over frontier AI safety.
Saudi Arabia leaned into ethics and responsible use. Singapore backed testing, trust-building and cross-border incident reporting, while flagging the dangers of increasingly autonomous systems.
Guterres framed the challenge starkly: “The danger is not technology. The danger is technology without accountability: Capability without oversight. Decision-making without transparency.”
People not processors
Once the policy talk is stripped away, most countries are asking: what does this mean for daily life?
The UK talked up faster cancer diagnoses, economic renewal and better public services. India went further, describing AI as a ground-breaking development tool: “We view AI as a transformational driver, for human empowerment, economic prosperity and population-scale problem solving.”
The UK also focused on the potential disruptions. “But we know that AI will also be a source of disruption to the way we live and work, and a multiplier of risk.”
The solution? Keep humans, specifically, elected ones, in charge: “Fundamental decisions on this technology are too important to be left to chance. They must be taken by elected governments who serve working people.”
These concerns reflect a broader debate over whether AI will shrink or deepen inequality.
Who writes the rules?
Another recurring question was whether countries will merely use AI or help shape its future.
South Africa was direct: Africa needs a hand in writing those rules, tying it to research, youth and economic transformation. Switzerland agreed that real participation means shaping governance, not just getting access.
India pushed for sovereignty: “We believe in the right of each nation, to shape its eco-system, with the development of its own models, and deployment strategies, consistent with its national goals and priorities.”
Meanwhile, China focused on ensuring that technological advances are shared broadly rather than concentrated among a few countries or societies.
“We should take a people centred approach and develop AI for the positive and for good, narrow the digital divide and promote development that is universally beneficial.”
Singapore went further still, floating the idea of a future UN framework convention and a dedicated international AI institution, with everyone, not just the frontrunners, at the table.
The UN has already started bringing countries together to discuss the issues raised by AI including establishing an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and holding a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
The real currency: Power and access
The concentration of data, computing power and influence remains a significant worry for many nations.
Brazil flagged the outsized sway of big tech companies. France raised the risk of dependence on either dominant States or a handful of private firms.
Developing countries want to play a bigger role in digital development, urging more access to increased computing power, technical know-how, infrastructure, and a significant say in setting standards.
China tied this to the digital divide, South Africa to participation in research and governance, Saudi Arabia to capacity-building institutions and Switzerland to skills and infrastructure support.
Keeping humans in the loop
Security concerns emerged through plenty of speeches.
*France flagged risks around defence, cybersecurity and space.
*Japan pointed to information integrity and increasingly powerful frontier systems.
*Türkiye called for an international legal framework.
* Ukraine warned that the more capable this technology gets, the more urgent the search for peace becomes.
*Singapore added its voice to worries about autonomous weapons and the loss of human control.
So, how much global oversight?
While many nations favour the idea of cooperation, finding common ground on how far it should go, remains problematic.
Russia backed UN-centred rulemaking with universal buy-in. Türkiye pushed for work on a UN convention on AI. The UK called for global principles and standards, and said AI will be a headline issue when it takes the G20 presidency.
The UN chief went furthest, laying out concrete proposals including stronger safeguards, independent oversight, a new risk-management architecture: “But because this affects us all, global coordination is indispensable,” he told the General Assembly.
Not all sovereign governments are convinced tighter controls are the answer. The United States offered the sharpest counterpoint, treating AI dominance as a strategic and economic imperative.
President Donald Trump argued for an alternative vision: “I’m not going to stifle growth of something that will be bigger than the Industrial Revolution. Many say bigger than the Industrial Revolution or the Internet itself.”…PACNEWS
