In this bulletin:
1. B/VILLE — Time to decide on Bougainville, Debate on 2019 referendum result to start
2. PACIFIC— State of Pacific Ocean Convening opens in Suva: “Let an old story die so a truer story can live”
3. SOL — ‘If there is a shadow of doubt, you are out’: PM Wale issues hardline corruption warning
4. TONGA — Rising Fiji drug busts and ‘proximity’ put Tonga on high alert, PM Fakafanua says
5. FIJI — Mangrove restoration at heart of Fiji’s Climate adaptation effort
6. PALAU — Palau protests unauthorised Chinese research vessel activity in its EEZ
7. FIJI — Fiji High Court dismisses PM Rabuka’s stay application in Malimali case
8. PNG — PNGDF begins operation to remove wartime remnants
9. PACNEWS BIZ — ‘Bina Harbour Tuna processing plant a Game-changer for Malaita’
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Only 30k metric tonnes of tuna are processed locally in Solomon Islands
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Palau eyes savings bond program to boost local investment and economic growth
12. PACNEWS BIZ — World Bank-backed carbon programme set to end after Fiji fails to meet key requirements
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Poor sanitation threatens Solomon Islands tourism growth
14. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Deep-sea mining (DSM1) and deep-seated mischief (DSM2)
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Why sustainable alternatives to plastic are struggling to compete
B/VILLE – INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 2: Tue 09 Jun 2026
Time to decide on Bougainville, Debate on 2019 referendum result to start
PORT MORESBY, 09 JUNE 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba is expected to table a draft sessional order on the ratification of the 2019 referendum results when Papua New Guinea Parliament resumes today.
Bougainville Regional MP Peter Tsiamalili Jr, also the Leader of Government Business, told Parliament last Friday that the “discussion on Bougainville on Tuesday (June 9) will be a very important day for all of us”.
“I encourage all leaders, please indulge yourself with the Bougainville agenda so that we can ensure that our discussion has deep substance, is based on facts, and is quarantined through the parliamentary process,” he said.
On Tuesday, Makiba confirmed that he had received the draft sessional order, a temporary procedure different from the standing orders of the House, from Speaker Job Pomat.
He said it would be tabled in Parliament after its approval by the National Executive Council.
“The process to be established to bring the referendum result into Parliament for that decision to be taken is now ready,” Makiba said.
“I am in receipt of the sessional order, which is the process that the Parliament will adopt to make that decision.”
Makiba said this was done in accordance with conditions outlined in the Melanesian Agreement on how the referendum results would be tabled in Parliament.
A non-binding independence referendum was held in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville between 23 November and 07 December 2019.
The referendum question presented a choice between greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea and full independence.
Bougainvilleans voted 97.7 percent for independence.
Makiba said: “In Section 342 of the Constitution, the referendum result must come back to the National Parliament for the leaders representing the rest of the country to make a final decision.
“For all leaders in the 11th Parliament, we are now placed in a very important period in the history of our country to make a very critical decision to settle the future of Bougainville.
“You must also know that while you make that decision, you are also reshaping the course of the country as we know, and that is not easy.”
He urged all MPs to read and understand the report tabled by the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on Bougainville Matters chairman and Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat to understand well the subject.
Marat said the consultations were to gather public views on the 2019 referendum results, including possible pathways forward with the implementation of the referendum and the management of alternative scenarios, so that MPs could be better informed before making a decision.
Meanwhile, Prime Minster James Marape said Parliament would be expected to ratify the referendum results by 30 August to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001…. PACNEWS
PAC – OCEANS CONVENING: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Tue 09 Jun 2026
State of Pacific Ocean Convening opens in Suva: “Let an old story die so a truer story can live”
By Sanjeshni Kumar
SUVA, 09 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — The State of the Pacific Ocean Convening began Monday in Suva with a call for Pacific people to fundamentally renew their relationship with the ocean, as regional leaders gathered to confront escalating threats to marine ecosystems and shape the future of ocean governance.
The gathering at Pasifika Communities University brought together faith leaders, Indigenous representatives, academics, policymakers, and civil society organisations from across the Pacific to mark World Oceans Day and respond to growing pressures on ocean health, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Opening the four-day convening, Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary Reverend James Bhagwan called for a fundamental shift in how the ocean is understood, saying Pacific people must “let an old story die so a truer story can live.”
Reflecting on the World Oceans Day theme, “Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean,” Reverend Bhagwan said reimagining was not simply a creative exercise but a call for transformation.
“The old story tells us that the ocean is out there, separate from us, something to cross, measure, use, and extract. The old story treats the ocean as inventory and calls it progress.
But we come from a different truth.”
Drawing on the writings of renowned Pacific thinkers, Reverend Bhagwan recalled the words of the late Tongan scholar Epeli Hauʻofa, who described the Pacific as a “sea of islands” connected by relationships and belonging rather than separated by vast distances.
“We are not small islands scattered in vast nothingness. We are a sea of islands held together by movement, relationship and belonging,” he said.
He also referenced the work of the late Pacific scholar Teresia Teaiwa, reminding participants that “we sweat and cry salt water. The ocean is not only around us, but also within us.”
Using a symbolic ceremony involving water collected at dawn from three locations, beyond the reef, inside the lagoon and along the shoreline, Reverend Bhagwan illustrated the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems and communities.
The first bowl contained deep ocean water, which he described as representing wisdom and humility.
“Let the deep correct our arrogance and let God’s depth reshape our decisions,” he said.
Lagoon water symbolised the meeting place between protection and provision, where traditional knowledge and modern science must work together.
“Let this water bless our work across difference; elders and activists, academics, policymakers, civil society, government and faith leaders, so that Indigenous knowledge and customary governance are honoured as foundations.”
The shoreline water represented the point where human actions meet the ocean’s reality.
“What we consume, what we discard, what we permit, what we ignore; none of it stays on land; the ocean remembers,” he said.
He warned that the ocean carries the consequences of human actions.
“The sea receives what we release into it; beauty and damage, prayer and plastic, and it holds without ranking,” he said.
Reverend Bhagwan called on participants to embrace a renewed covenant with the ocean grounded in reverence, justice, and responsibility.
“These three waters are one. One ocean, one living body, one shared responsibility,” he said.
“For what we do today, God will remember. For what we do today, the web of life will remember. And what we do today, the ocean will remember.”
Anchored in the spirit of World Oceans Day, the convening seeks to move beyond awareness toward collective action, strengthening Pacific-led approaches to ocean governance while ensuring Indigenous knowledge systems, local priorities and community leadership remain central to how decisions about the ocean are made…. PACNEWS
SOL – ANTI CORRUPTION: PMN PACNEWS 2: Tue 09 Jun 2026
‘If there is a shadow of doubt, you are out’: PM Wale issues hardline corruption warning
AUCKLAND, 09 JUNE 2026 (PMN) — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has warned that any public official suspected of corruption or misuse of funds will be removed from office.
The warning comes as the former opposition leader moves to clean up government in Honiara.
Wale made the comments during an address to a packed Solomon Islands community meeting in South Auckland on Sunday night. It is also his first official visit to New Zealand as Prime Minister.
He said he had already begun removing officials from government and more would follow.
“I have terminated some people,” Wale said. “I will terminate some more, too. Money and power don’t do nothing. Out. Don’t deserve to serve people so nice. Money, perhaps there’s a shadow of doubt on you. Out.”
He said his government would take a hard line on corruption and misuse of public money, particularly in the country’s resource sectors.
“We want to use it for the good, not to steal, not for bribe bribe [corruption/bribery], not for wrongdoing which spoil you as a country and the people.
“The corruption in our country, you must fight it. So, you know, those logging companies, they do raping and pillaging of our resources for so long. Not anymore. We’re going to come down hard on them.”
Alongside his anti-corruption push, Wale pointed to major challenges in education, saying many families are struggling with the high cost of sending children to technical schools and universities.
He said in some cases parents were paying “four to five times their annual salary” to access education.
Wale also made a direct appeal to skilled Solomon Islanders living in New Zealand to consider returning home to help rebuild the country.
“When we’ve done some of these things, it will attract some of you back,” he said. “Because we will need all our brains to come back. Our talent must come back.
“All that experience must be brought back home to continue this project of building Solomon Islands to become truly King Solomon’s place.”
The Prime Minister’s domestic message comes alongside a wider reset in foreign policy with Wale signalling closer engagement with Australia and Aotearoa after years of tension over regional security arrangements.
Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Sione Tekiteki senior academic and former Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat official said Wale’s early diplomatic visits were a clear signal of intent.
“Australia and New Zealand are first countries on his visitation agenda so that obviously is quite a strong indication,” Tekiteki said.
“I think his current stance is probably something that Australia and New Zealand would welcome… I think it’s just about managing current anxieties as they currently are and looking to provide more reassurance to Australia and New Zealand.”
Tekiteki said regional powers would be watching closely as the new government in Honiara reshapes its approach to security partnership including its long-term stance on China.
Wale is in Christchurch for meetings with community leaders there before holding formal talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters…. PACNEWS
TONGA – DRUGS FIGHT: KANIVA TONGA NEWS PACNEWS 2: Tue 09 Jun 2026
Rising Fiji drug busts and ‘proximity’ put Tonga on high alert, PM Fakafanua says
NUKU’ALOFA 09 JUNE 2026 (KANIVA TONGA NEWS) — Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua has raised concerns about Tonga’s vulnerability to regional drug trafficking, warning that a surge in large-scale drug busts in nearby Fiji highlights the need for heightened vigilance in Tonga.
Speaking to local media last week, the Prime Minister said Pacific leaders had agreed to collaborate as a “network” to combat high levels of drug trafficking across regional waters.
He said the partnership would involve sharing information and intelligence among countries to strengthen enforcement efforts.
Lord Fakafanua added that regional attention is increasingly focused on the surge in drug trafficking in Fiji, noting that “Tonga’s proximity underscores the need for heightened preparedness.”
The kingdom is continuing its ongoing battle against an illicit drugs crisis, which has led Parliament to pass legislation imposing the harshest penalties, including life imprisonment without parole for drug offenders.
The King also took a leading role by convening a national symposium and warning Parliament of its responsibility to address the drug crisis seriously.
Tonga is also introducing wastewater-based epidemiology, or sewage testing, to measure illicit drug use and track trafficking patterns within the country.
A recent ABC documentary on drug trafficking in the Pacific, which included Tonga, revealed that Tongan police conduct around 150 tactical operations each year targeting illicit drug activity.
It comes in the wake of a warning from the Prison Commissioner that Hu ‘atolitoli Prison is facing mounting pressure, as a sharp rise in drug-related offences pushes inmate numbers beyond manageable levels…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CLIMATE ADAPTATION: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Tue 09 Jun 2026
Mangrove restoration at heart of Fiji’s Climate adaptation fffort
SUVA, 09 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — Fiji’s coastal communities are set to benefit from a new climate adaptation approach that combines seawalls with mangrove restoration, as rising sea levels continue to threaten villages across the country.
A report by Development Asia, an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), highlights how green-gray infrastructure is being used to strengthen coastal resilience and protect vulnerable communities from flooding, erosion and climate change impacts.
The report warns that sea level rise is already having a significant impact on Fiji’s coastlines and is expected to worsen in the coming decades.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts Pacific Island countries will experience higher rates of sea level rise, with projections from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) showing sea levels could increase by between 0.32 metres and 0.47 metres by 2070.
From 1992 to 2024, sea level rise around Fiji was measured at between 4 millimetres and 5 millimetres per year, significantly above the global average of 3.2 millimetres per year. Monitoring data recorded a localised measurement of 4.1 millimetres per year in 2024.
The report notes that low-lying villages are already experiencing regular flooding and coastal erosion, underlining the urgent need for adaptation measures.
To help address these challenges, the Fiji Government has received support through ADB’s Building Coastal Resilience through Nature-based and Integrated Solutions Technical Assistance programme.
The proposed solution combines traditional coastal engineering with nature-based approaches, including rock seawalls built with locally sourced materials and large-scale mangrove restoration.
According to the report, mangroves play a critical role in protecting coastlines by trapping sediment, reducing wave energy and providing habitat for marine life.
“Mangroves not only contribute to food security by providing a habitat for fish and birds to nest and live, but they also have a unique ability to capture and retain sediments by reducing the force of water flowing through their dense vegetation.”
The report says mangroves strengthen shoreline protection by acting as a natural buffer against wave action.
However, it cautions that mangroves alone cannot prevent flooding and that a combination of natural and engineered solutions is required.
To identify suitable locations for the project, ADB used satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to analyse mangrove coverage and shoreline changes.
The Earth Observation for Sustainable Development Forestry Management project, financed by the European Space Agency, supported mapping of mangrove extent and health using Sentinel satellite data.
Another assessment funded through ADB’s technical support programme analysed 13 years of coastline changes using advanced deep-learning techniques.
One of the villages selected for implementation is Namarai in Ra Province.
The report notes that Tropical Cyclone Winston caused extensive damage to the village in 2016, destroying 30 of its 36 houses and severely impacting nearby mangrove forests.
“Along the shoreline fronting the village, there was notable mangrove degradation between 2015 and 2017, attributed to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016.”
Despite the destruction, satellite analysis shows a steady recovery in mangrove density and coverage between 2017 and 2022.
The report says the village is already actively restoring mangroves through a seedling nursery that also supplies nearby communities.
Community consultations played a central role in the design process.
Residents identified coastal erosion, flooding of access roads and inundation around the village meeting house as their main concerns.
Engineers designed seawalls to reduce erosion and wave overtopping during extreme weather events, while mangrove planting in front of the structures will help absorb wave energy.
Additional measures include stabilising seawall crests with vetiver grass, installing one-way valves and swales to improve stormwater drainage, and constructing a raised road to improve access during floods.
The community also influenced the final design by relocating proposed mangrove planting areas to avoid affecting the village rugby training field.
The report says the success of the project depends on selecting sites where environmental conditions can sustain long-term mangrove growth.
“The success of adding a nature-based solution component to a standard seawall development relies heavily on the suitability of the selected sites where natural environmental conditions will likely sustain mangrove growth, a crucial element of the project.”
ADB says the combination of seawalls and restored mangrove habitats will improve living conditions and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities facing climate change.
Construction is expected to begin soon at pilot sites including Namarai, while additional villages are being assessed for future implementation.
The report concludes that integrating nature-based solutions with traditional infrastructure offers a practical pathway for protecting Fiji’s coastal communities from rising seas while preserving vital ecosystems…. PACNEWS
PALAU – DIPLOMACY: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Tue 09 Jun 2026
Palau protests unauthorised Chinese research vessel activity in its EEZ
KOROR, 09 JUNE 2026 (ISLAND TIMES) —- The government of Palau has lodged a diplomatic complaint with the People’s Republic of China following what it described as unauthorised and potentially concerning activities by a Chinese research vessel within Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In a diplomatic note delivered 03 June 2026, to the People’s Republic of China Embassy in the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau expressed its “displeasure with recent activities by a PRC vessel within Palau’s EEZ.”
According to the note, the Chinese research vessel JI DI entered Palau’s EEZ on 30 May without prior notification or authorization from the Palau government. The vessel reportedly remained within Palau’s EEZ for approximately 14 hours while traveling at slow speed.
Palau stated that the vessel’s movements suggested it may have been collecting data or conducting research activities within the country’s maritime zone.
“The vessel appeared to conduct questionable research-related activities without authorization, activities which threaten Palau’s national security and disregard for its sovereignty and rules-based order,” the diplomatic note stated.
The government said it is seeking clarification from Beijing regarding the purpose of the vessel’s entry and the nature of any research conducted while operating inside Palau’s waters.
The incident is not the first involving Chinese vessels entering Palau’s EEZ without permission or notification. Similar incidents were reported in 2024, 2025 and 2018, prompting repeated concerns from Palau over unauthorised activities in its maritime jurisdiction.
Palau has demanded information from the Chinese government regarding the vessel’s mission and any research conducted during its time within the country’s EEZ.
The latest diplomatic protest underscores Palau’s continuing concerns over maritime sovereignty, national security and adherence to international rules governing activities within the exclusive economic zones of coastal states…. PACNEWS
FIJI – COURTS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 2: Tue 09 Jun 2026
Fiji High Court dismisses PM Rabuka’s stay application in Malimali case
SUVA, 09 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s bid to pause a High Court ruling that declared the dismissal of former Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner Barbara Malimali unlawful was dismissed by Justice Dane Tuiqereqere in Suva Monday.
Justice Tuiqereqere ruled that he had no legal power to grant the stay, finding that declaratory orders — court statements confirming what the law is — cannot be paused or suspended.
The Prime Minister had sought to halt the effect of the 02 February ruling while his appeal was being heard.
That earlier decision found that only the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), and not the Prime Minister, holds the constitutional authority to advise the President on the appointment or removal of the FICAC commissioner.
The JSC is an independent body responsible for overseeing judicial and certain statutory appointments in Fiji.
Justice Tuiqereqere also found that granting the stay would interfere with the JSC’s constitutional functions — something the court was unwilling to do.
The ruling means the JSC remains free to consider Malimali’s reinstatement while the substantive appeal proceeds.
Malimali was removed from office in June last year following a Commission of Inquiry into her appointment.
The matter now moves to the Court of Appeal, where no hearing date has yet been set…. PACNEWS
PNG – DEFENCE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 2: Tue 09 Jun 2026
PNGDF begins operation to remove wartime remnants
PORT MORESBY, 09 JUNE 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Operation Render Safe, hosted by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) in East New Britain (ENB), began on 01 June to remove and dispose of wartime remnants and conduct public awareness activities.
Joining the PNGDF personnel are counterparts from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Japan, while India is expected to join the operation soon.
The operation is expected to run for four weeks.
ENB administrator Levi Mano welcomed the combined military team and acknowledged the rollout of the programme.
He said that despite the dangers posed by wartime remnants (ordnance) left behind after World War Two, the people of the province remained grateful for the continued assistance and partnership.
Director for the disaster and emergency services division, Donald Tokunai, said reports of unexploded wartime ordnance continued to be received 80 years later.
He explained that the team’s deployment followed a visit last year to identify locations where the ordnance was found.
Operation Render Safe 2026 liaison officer with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Captain Jeffery Sios, said the operation was an ADF-led multinational effort focused on locating and disposing of World War II explosive remnants across the Southwest Pacific to improve community safety.
Meanwhile, ADF contingent commander Major Joseph Gurung said this was the second Operation Render Safe conducted in ENB.
“This year marks the 22nd year of the Operation Render Safe programme. It is great for us to be here, and the team is excited to be part of making history while helping create a safer environment for local communities,” Gurung said.
Major Gurung said that in 2021, the Royal Australian Navy and its partners removed 2,087 wartime remnants.
During a deployment in 2025, 65 personnel, supported by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Provincial Disaster Centre, identified 1,663 items.
The team comprises 150 personnel under the Defence Cooperation Programme…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
SOL – FISHERIES: ISLAND SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 09 Jun 2026
‘Bina Harbour Tuna processing plant a Game-changer for Malaita’
HONIARA, 09 JUNE 2026 (ISLAND SUN) — The European Union (EU) believes the proposed Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant has the potential to transform Malaita’s economy, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Solomon Islands’ position in regional fisheries development.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with Island Sun, Minister Counsellor and Head of Cooperation Maurizio Cian said the project could replicate the economic and social benefits already seen in Noro, Western Province.
“A month ago, together with a colleague from the European Investment Bank, we visited Noro and we could clearly see the positive impact that a processing plant has on the community in terms of health, education and economic development.
“If you have a similar project in Malaita, in Bina, it could lead to a transformation of the whole island,” Cian said.
He said the development can help create jobs and economic opportunities for local people while reducing outward migration from the province.
“A lot of people have already migrated, and this project could help retain people and provide opportunities there,” he said.
However, Cian said that the success of the project will depend heavily on implementation, quality management and securing suitable commercial partners.
“Like any project, it depends very much on how it will be implemented. Timing and quality are essential in guaranteeing success.
“A lot of details still need to be worked out to guarantee economic sustainability and to find the right private sector partnership for processing and exporting tuna,” he said.
He said the project has significant employment potential but warns that careful planning and strong partnerships will be crucial.
EU Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, said the Bina Harbour project also aligns closely with the growing trade relationship between Solomon Islands and the European Union.
She said around 30 percent of tuna processed in Noro is exported to European markets under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Solomon Islands and the EU.
“This is only possible because Solomon Islands has been a party to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union since 2020, which provides quota-free and duty-free access to the EU market,” Ambassador Plinkert said.
She said the agreement allows Solomon Islands to export as much eligible tuna product as it can produce to the European market, helping strengthen local value-added processing.
“The Noro facility already demonstrates how processing on the ground in Solomon Islands strengthens the tuna fisheries value chain.
“Solomon Islands stands out as a very effective and successful example of how this can transform an economy and bring us closer together through trade,” she said.
Ambassador Plinkert said expanding processing capacity in Malaita could generate similar economic benefits for the province while increasing export opportunities to the European Union.
Director for Asia, Central Asia and the Pacific at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), Peteris Ustubs, said the project should also be viewed from a regional development perspective.
He said the combined development of Bina Harbour and a tuna processing facility can open new opportunities for regional fisheries cooperation.
“The harbour development and processing facility could potentially enlarge opportunities for regional cooperation.
“There may be a specific role for Solomon Islands in bringing together greater cooperation related to fisheries across the wider region,” Ustubs said.
He said the project will not only benefit the Solomon Islands economy but could also contribute to broader economic growth across the Pacific.
“Bina Harbour should be seen from many different angles as an important development project,” he said.
The comments were made during a three-day official EU visit to Solomon Islands, where senior European officials met with government leaders and stakeholders to discuss development cooperation, fisheries, infrastructure, renewable energy and economic growth opportunities…. PACNEWS
SOL – TUNA INDUSTRY: SOLOMON STAR PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 09 Jun 2026
Only 30k metric tonnes of tuna are processed locally in Solomon Islands
HONIARA, 03 JUNE 2026 (SOLOMON STAR) — Approximately 100,000 metric tonnes of tuna are harvested annually within Solomon Islands waters, but only around 30,000 metric tonnes are processed locally.
The remaining 70,000 metric tonnes are exported as whole fish, resulting in significant lost opportunities for local employment, value addition, and economic growth.
Because of this reason government wants to see the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project in Malaita fully operational so that a second tuna processing facility can enable Solomon Islands to capture greater value from its tuna industry.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has been tasked to invest in onshore tuna processing infrastructure.
Since 2015, MFMR has been progressing preparatory work for the project through the Bina Harbour Project Office (BHPO), including land arrangements, infrastructure planning, environmental management, community engagement, and investment promotion.
The Bina Regional Arrangements for Governance (BRAG) continues to lead work on land access, community relations, and environmental matters, while the Planning and Design Unit oversees land and marine infrastructure planning and investment development.
The Solomon Islands Government remains committed to advancing the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project as a strategic investment that will contribute to sustainable economic development and long-term growth in the fisheries sector…. PACNEWS
PALAU – BOND: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 09 Jun 2026
Palau eyes savings bond program to boost local investment and economic growth
KOROR, 09 JUNE 2026 (ISLAND TIMES) — A proposed Savings Bond Programme could help keep more money circulating within Palau, provide affordable financing for local businesses and infrastructure projects, and encourage residents to save for retirement and education, according to Japanese economist and Professor Emeritus of KEIO University, Dr Yoshino Naoyuki.
Speaking in an interview with this publication, Yoshino, also a member of Palau’s Economic Advisory Group, said one of the country’s major economic challenges is that most local bank deposits are invested overseas rather than being used to support development at home.
“About 90 percent of Palau’s bank deposits are invested in the United States,” Yoshinao said.
“As a result, there is a scarcity of money in Palau, and the National Development Bank has to borrow money from outside to make loans locally, leading to higher interest rates for local people.”
The challenge, he said, is finding enough capital to finance infrastructure projects and support local businesses at lower and more competitive interest rates than those currently available through the National Development Bank of Palau.
To address that problem, Dr Yoshino is proposing the creation of a local Savings Bond Programme modelled after a similar system in Japan.
Under the proposal, Palauans would be able to purchase government-backed savings bonds as a way to save for their children’s education or for retirement. The bonds would be backed by the full faith and credit of the Palau government, providing a secure savings option for residents.
Funds collected through the programme would be managed by the Ministry of Finance and then loaned to the National Development Bank of Palau at lower interest rates. The development bank would use the money to provide loans to small and medium-sized businesses and to help finance infrastructure projects.
Interest earned from those loans would be credited back to the individual savings bond accounts. Bondholders would be able to withdraw their funds, along with accumulated interest, after 10 years to help pay for education expenses or supplement retirement income.
Yoshino said the programme has already entered a trial phase with a Japanese company that is developing a mobile application for the initiative.
The app would allow users, including children, to purchase savings bonds directly from their smartphones and monitor their account balances.
According to Yoshinao, the programme could help foster a stronger culture of saving among Palauans, which he described as an important characteristic of a strong and resilient economy.
The Government of Japan is supporting the initiative through technical assistance and is working with Palau’s Ministry of Finance to develop the processes needed to launch the programme.
If implemented, the Savings Bond Program could provide a new source of locally generated capital, reduce dependence on foreign borrowing and help direct more of Palau’s savings toward investments that benefit the country’s economy and future generations…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CARBON FINANCING: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 09 Jun 2026
World Bank-backed carbon programme set to end after Fiji fails to meet key requirements
SUVA, 09 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji’s access to a US$12.5 million World Bank-backed forest carbon financing programme is set to come to an end after the Government decided to terminate the project amid mounting delays, governance concerns and unmet obligations.
According to publicly released World Bank implementation support mission in February 2026, Fiji made limited progress in meeting critical legal, financial and safeguard requirements under the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Carbon Fund Emission Reductions Program (ERP).
The report reveals that Fiji had not received any disbursements under the programme despite the funding arrangement being approved in 2020 and becoming effective in 2021.
The World Bank granted Fiji a six-month extension until 30 June 2026 to allow the Government time to establish systems needed to distribute carbon payments to beneficiaries, including landowning units, communities and smallholder farmers. However, the Bank found progress had been insufficient.
Among the outstanding requirements were a revised Benefit-Sharing Plan, safeguards monitoring reports, final monitoring documentation and legal arrangements governing the transfer of emissions reduction rights.
The Bank noted that Fiji remained in default of several obligations under the Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) and assessed that it would be unrealistic for the country to meet conditions required for a further extension.
“The ERP risk rating was elevated to High in November 2025 due to the tight timeframe to complete pending actions, fiduciary and governance concerns given key financial management actions remain outstanding and continued delays in meeting agreed environmental and social requirements,” the report stated.
The Ministry of Finance subsequently informed the World Bank that it intended to request cancellation of the programme and suspend further activities, including stakeholder consultations on the Benefit-Sharing Plan.
Following the mission, the ministry formally notified the Bank on 27 February that it wished to conclude the project immediately.
The World Bank has since moved to bring forward the termination of the agreement through amendments to the existing legal arrangements.
“Upon termination of the ERPAs, Fiji’s access to FCPF financing and ERP support end,” the report stated.
Despite the termination, the Bank noted that work undertaken under the programme remains relevant to Fiji’s future participation in international carbon markets.
The report said the Government continues to develop regulations, benefit-sharing arrangements and systems needed for future REDD+ and carbon trading initiatives.
The World Bank also acknowledged progress made by the Office of the Solicitor-General in establishing a legal pathway for Fiji to transfer emissions reduction rights generated from public and non-public lands, describing the work as an important foundation for future carbon finance opportunities…. PACNEWS
SOL – TOURISM INDUSTRY: ISLAND SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Tue 09 Jun 2026
Poor sanitation threatens Solomon Islands tourism growth
HONIARA, 09 JUNE 2026 (ISLAND SUN) — The continued practice of open defecation and poor waste management is threatening the growth of Solomon Islands’ tourism industry, a sector that contributes significantly to the national economy and employment.
Erick Hale UNICEF WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Programme officer highlighted this during the UNICEF Solomon Islands & MASI WASH Media workshop last week.
Hale pointed out that before the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism accounted for 10.5 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generated an estimated $132.8 million in revenue.
He said that the industry also provided employment opportunities and foreign exchange earnings while supporting cultural preservation and environmental management across the country.
“However, inadequate sanitation and waste disposal practices are posing serious challenges to the sector. Open defecation in public areas, along coastlines, and near communities can create unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions, discouraging visitors from travelling to some destinations,” Hale said.
He said poor waste management has also been identified as a major concern affecting visitor experience.
“Improper disposal of rubbish can damage natural attractions such as lagoons, coral reefs, and villages that are central to the country’s tourism appeal.
According to the 2019 International Visitor Survey, “environment and rubbish” was rated as the least appealing aspect of the visitor experience in Solomon Islands, highlighting growing concerns about cleanliness and environmental management,” he said.
He warns that the country’s reputation as a tourist destination could be further damaged by the prevalence of water-borne diseases and the lack of adequate sanitation facilities.
“Health concerns may discourage potential visitors, while poor hygiene conditions could result in negative reviews and financial losses for tourism operators.
Investing in proper sanitation infrastructure and effective waste management systems is essential to protect the environment, improve public health, and support the long-term growth of Solomon Islands’ tourism industry,” Hale said…. 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
Deep-sea mining (DSM1) and deep-seated mischief (DSM2)
By Dr Robert Underwood
HAGATNA, 09 JUNE 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — In the past few years, Pacific Island leaders and thinkers have organised future planning around the concept of the Blue Pacific Continent.
In 2022, the Pacific Islands Forum launched the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which starts with the statement: “The Blue Pacific Continent is our home, ocean, lands and common heritage. The Blue Continent includes territories, freely associated states and independent countries.”
The Blue Continent covers 20 percent of the world’s surface. This has led to a political ambiance and cultural advocacy that views this vast ocean we inhabit as a uniter rather than a divider. In this decade, we have heard hundreds of politicians’ statements about how the ocean is the pathway to our future.
No doubt, thousands of essays by eager young students all over the Pacific insert the phrase “the ocean unites us and doesn’t divide us” in their papers, making the phrase sound trite.
This appeal to our shared cultural heritage of navigation and sustainability, rooted in the ocean, undergirds unity on issues like climate change. It is sometimes used as a philosophical hedge to address the geostrategic challenges of our time. Pacific historian Marco DeJung uses the inventive concept of a “barrier reef” strategy to fend off non-Pacific actors.
But what happens when we get down to the details of actual policy? What happens when geostrategic actors exert their influence in pursuit of the resources of the ocean?
In the past, we associated resource exhaustion by outside powers primarily with fishing. Deep-sea mining was then a theoretical discussion. But now, that conversation has taken centre stage, revealing some deep-seated mischief, another kind of “DSM.” There are differences in approaches and attitudes that may rival the Challenger Deep for the chasm emerging both inside and outside the reef.
Several Pacific island nations, such as Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands, oppose seabed mining. Nauru, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Kiribati are open to the idea of scooping seabed minerals from their waters.
Kiribati might be reconsidering its stance, similar to Papua New Guinea, which experienced financial losses on its first venture.
The division is interesting. Inside Micronesia, the count seems to be three-to-two against deep-sea mining.
The U.S has stepped into the process via a proposal to open up millions of ocean acres near American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas. The effort is led by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management under the Department of the Interior.
The governors of those three U.S territories have expressed strong opposition to the U.S government’s plan to open the surrounding ocean to the harvesting of minerals. The Guam legislature passed a resolution against it.
The bureau’s initial proposal covered 35 million acres of ocean in the Marianas. The request to extend the comment period was granted. There was a brief moment of relief. Then reality set in. Despite near-universal opposition, the area doubled in size as the final approved proposal added an additional 33 million acres.
The California-based company Impossible Metals is apparently leading the effort in the BOEM-designated areas north and south of the equator. A spokesperson for Impossible Metals said the company wanted to assist coastal communities, subject to federal regulations. As far as the economic powers outside the reef are concerned, we live in “coastal communities,” not some ocean-based continent.
There are also inducements to start investing in DSM1 available online, even before any actual work. These curious efforts are popping up all over with “can’t miss” investment opportunities.
The mining variety of DSM1 has led to the mischief characteristic of DSM2. How this growing internal and external chasm is resolved and dealt with by Blue Pacific Continent advocates will reveal the limits of internal strength as well as the limitless exercise of external power.
Will China and the United States continue to invest, entice and pressure island governments to allow DSM1? Will scientific evidence on the dangers of deep-sea mining, combined with a Blue Continent philosophy, mitigate against DSM2?
The Pacific Islands Forum and the subregional organisation, the Micronesian Island Forum, should address this threat to Blue Continent unity. Perhaps in the interest of avoiding controversy, they would simply allow the issue to limp along.
For struggling island economies, the lure of DSM1 is incredibly strong.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute reports that critical and rare earth minerals could reach $20 trillion in value. That amount will make being just a coastal community, rather than part of a Blue Continent, seem like the right strategy.
But the Pacific islands have been down this road before. There was some gold in Papua New Guinea and nickel in New Caledonia. There were also phosphate, whales, sandalwood and Beche-de-Mer in various parts of the Pacific. None of these extractive activities did much to benefit the Blue Continent, although some coastal communities saw limited gains. The question facing 21st-century Pacific islands is whether they see themselves primarily as isolated coastal communities or as part of the larger Blue Continent…. PACNEWS
Dr Robert Underwood is the former president of the University of Guam and a former member of the U.S House of Representative
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Why sustainable alternatives to plastic are struggling to compete
NEW YORK, 09 JUNE 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — Plastic pollution is choking the ocean, but sustainable alternatives – including seaweed – remain held back by tariffs, fragmented regulations and the overwhelming market advantage enjoyed by fossil fuel-based plastics.
Only 10 percent of all plastics produced are recycled, so most plastics will end up littering streets, entering waterways and reaching the ocean. Each year, some 52 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean, where it stays and affects more than 4,000 marine species.
A blue whale, the world’s largest mammal, can consume up to 10 million microplastic pieces daily, equivalent to about 43 kilogrammes.
To tackle plastic pollution, material innovation, increasing alternatives to single-use plastic and reducing production are essential, according to the latest World Ocean Assessment, which was released on Monday.
For the past six years, the international community has been working toward a global plastics treaty that could cap plastic production and help “turn the tap off” on an industry valued at more than US$1.1 trillion in 2023.
Negotiations are ongoing, with the next round of talks scheduled for 13 to 24 March 2027.
In the meantime, sustainable alternatives to plastics could help to reduce our global dependence, curbing the pernicious effects of plastic pollution on our oceans. However, alternatives must still overcome several major obstacles.
Tariffs hamper alternatives
One key challenge preventing sustainable alternatives from competing with conventional plastics is whether they can compete on cost in current markets.
Although the global trade in plastic substitutes reached $485 billion in 2023, growing the sector requires action to address tariff and non-tariff measures, limited market access and weak regulatory incentives.
“The key barrier is an uneven national and trade policy field,” the UN Trade and Development agency (UNCTAD) said.
Differences in tariffs are stark. Tariffs on plastic and rubber products have fallen over the past 30 years, from 34 percent to 7.2 percent.
Meanwhile, alternatives such as paper, bamboo, natural fibres and seaweed face average tariffs double the rate at 14.4 percent, “making viable environmentally preferable alternatives less competitive,” UNCTAD said.
“Plastics have benefited from decades of market maturation, scale, infrastructure and favourable trade conditions,” UNCTAD said.
Amid this favourable climate for plastics, production continues to increase.
“The challenge is transforming a global packaging system that has been built around cheap, fossil-fuel-based plastics for decades,” said Ben Taylor, a representative of Notpla, a UK-based company that works with UNCTAD and makes biodegradable packaging out of seaweed and plants.
The biodegradable problem
Another challenge is that substitutes need very specific conditions to biodegrade – conditions that are often not found in the ocean.
“Many of the new biodegradable plastics only break down really in industrial composting conditions, with controlled temperature, moisture and microbial communities. And so, when you put them in the ocean, they don’t necessarily behave the same,” warned Ian Butler, a chief editor of the World Ocean Assessment.
Adding to this are concerns that some plant-based plastics substitutes can compete for land use for food production, which may result in larger downstream impacts.
“The belief that these biodegradable and plant-based plastics are the solution, it’s unfortunately giving the idea that we’ve solved the problem, everything is good, but that’s not the reality,” Butler added.
How alternatives can compete
Several key steps are needed for sustainable alternatives to challenge plastics on scale and “regain market share”, according to UNCTAD.
*Rebalancing tariff and non-tariff measures
*Reducing risks in sourcing non-plastic materials.
*Investing in newer materials, rewarding those that benefit the environment
*Building infrastructure to scale sustainably
While these changes will incur additional costs, UNCTAD believes that the long-term environmental benefit and socioeconomic value in terms of jobs, foreign-exchange, and regional development will counterbalance that.
Rise in energy costs accelerating transition?
Currently, up to 98 percent of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, with energy and petrochemical price volatility significantly affecting their cost and availability.
The price of polyethylene resin – the world’s most widely used plastic resin, commonly used in packaging – rose by an estimated 70-80 percent in European markets between February and April 2026 following the closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
This has created momentum for substitutes based on renewables.
The ocean leads the way
The ocean itself might provide the solution, helping alleviate the pollution crisis which it is so deeply affected by.
Seaweed-based materials, which are fully compostable, are emerging as a promising substitute for plastic – particularly in packaging. Seaweed is especially promising because it is a rapidly renewable resource that grows without freshwater, fertilisers or agricultural land.
Global seaweed production has tripled over the past two decades, while exports have quadrupled to reach US$3.9 billion in 2022.
“As adoption grows, economies of scale improve and sustainable solutions become increasingly competitive,” Taylor said.
Regulatory gaps slow seaweed trade
However, the route is not straightforward for many producers, entering the global seaweed trade remains difficult as regulations around seaweed remain incomplete and fragmented – especially for new uses which are not clearly defined in international trading systems.
This creates confusion and makes it harder for exporters to comply with requirements – only 0.75 million of the 36.3 million tonnes of seaweed produced in 2022 were traded internationally.
Ultimately, this increases compliance costs for producers, especially for small businesses which seek to take advantage of the abundance of seaweed in many developing coastal countries, limiting their ability to export.
Some optimism as momentum swings
Without stronger incentives, clearer regulations and improved market access, sustainable alternatives will struggle to compete with conventional plastics.
A change in momentum and public pressure can help accelerate the transition.
“What gives us optimism is the momentum we are seeing around the world. Consumers are demanding better solutions, businesses are setting ambitious sustainability goals, and policymakers are introducing regulations designed to reduce unnecessary plastic waste,” Taylor said…. PACNEWS
