In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — France backs Pacific Ocean push at Melanesian Summit
2. PACIFIC — MSG visionary defends Udaune declaration as shield against global greenwashing
3. PACIFIC — “Our backyard, Our Science”: Professor declares PNG home to the world’s warmest ocean
4. PACIFIC — Dialogue: Micronesia’s leaders confront a region caught in someone else’s war plan
5. PACIFIC — Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea sign landmark Development Cooperation Framework
6. FIJI — Fiji Police Chief dismisses rift claims with military
7. FIJI — European Union reffirms climate partnership with Fiji
8. PACNEWS BIZ — East New Britain Initiative is a platform for Blue Economy diversification
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Climate Change is already affecting us: Vanuatu Director General of Ministry of Fisheries
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific Labour Ministers seek fair, resilient future of work for region
11. PACNEWS BIZ — 991 women graduate in recent FNU graduation
12. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Fighting ‘fake news’ in the Pacific
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Waste Reduction, Circular Economy and Coastal Protection: French Polynesia continues its commitment
PAC – OCEAN SUMMIT: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Thu 14 May 2026
France backs Pacific Ocean push at Melanesian Summit
By Pita Ligaiula
PORT MORESBY, 14 MAY 2026 (PACNEWS) — France has thrown its support behind Melanesian efforts to protect the Pacific Ocean, with French Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Pierre Fournier telling leaders at the the Melanesian Ocean Summit that the Pacific will play a decisive role in implementing global ocean commitments.
Speaking at the summit in Port Moresby, Fournier said France remains committed to the preservation of the ocean and backed stronger regional cooperation on marine protection, fisheries management and maritime security.
“Our joint action to reverse the dreadful degradation of the health of the ocean with our joint commitment to protect at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, and the adoption of the High Seas treaty, or BBNJ agreement, are a true testimony of our contribution to the protection of more than half of the planet,” he said.
Fournier linked the summit’s discussions to outcomes from the 3rd UN Ocean Conference held in Nice in June 2025, where France co-hosted the gathering alongside Costa Rica.
He said the conference produced the Nice Ocean Action Plan, which included political commitments and voluntary actions that would have significant impact in the Pacific region.
“And the Pacific, with the biggest Ocean, has the biggest impact on the implementation of this outcome,” he said.
The French envoy also highlighted the importance of ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, saying it would strengthen efforts to protect high seas biodiversity and support regional marine corridor initiatives being promoted by Pacific countries.
Fournier said France was investing heavily in the Pacific through its territories of New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna, which together manage an Exclusive Economic Zone of 6.5 million square kilometres.
“France is a major contributor to the sustainability, prosperity and security of the Region,” he said.
He outlined France’s regional support through fisheries surveillance, maritime monitoring and humanitarian operations, including support to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) through naval deployments and patrol aircraft operations.
“France’s continuous support to FFA by deploying navy vessels and patrol aircrafts in FFA operations represent an average of 130 days at sea and 50 hours of flight time each year, with a cost of 2 million euros per year,” he said.
Fournier said France’s Pacific territories were also expanding marine protected areas, pointing to French Polynesia’s declaration of its entire 5 million square kilometre EEZ as a marine protected area and New Caledonia’s 50-year moratorium on seabed mineral exploration and exploitation.
“With such proactive local public policies, the monitoring and oversight measures implemented by the government in this context, and France’s four-pronged regional strategy, the Pacific can count on us,” he said.
The Ambassador also reaffirmed France’s commitment to regional security cooperation, climate action and multilateralism.
“France, a permanent member of the Security Council, is both your friend and your neighbour,” Fournier said.
“We share the same vision; we share the same values. You can count on us,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – OCEAN SUMMIT: POST COURIER PACNEWS 2: Thu 14 May 2026
MSG visionary defends Udaune declaration as shield against global greenwashing
PORT MORESBY, 14 MAY 2026 (POST COURIER) — Leonard Louma, former Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat, Wednesday issued a defence of the Udaune Declaration, as a radical and necessary pushback against international climate apathy and greenwashing.
Speaking on the third day of the 2026 Melanesian Ocean Summit, Louma detailed the strategic motivations behind the agreement, framing it as a critical tool to keep the torchlight on climate change and environmental degradation.
Louma noted that the declaration was born out of profound frustration with the global status quo.
He said the “disappointingly low” outcomes of COP27 in Egypt and the persistent failure of wealthy nations to meet the promised US$100 billion annual climate finance goal.
“We noticed that greenwashing mechanisms were being contrived by major emitters to absolve themselves of responsibility,” Louma told the summit.
“We didn’t want people to forget our concerns.” he said.
The Udaune Declaration was an opportunity to tell the international community that we are not just bystanders, we have been proactive leaders in this space long before the UN Sustainable Development Goals were even crafted.”
The Udaune Declaration is not merely a statement of intent but a roadmap for radical and ambitious regional action.
Louma highlighted several key pillars:
*Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation: The MSG is pushing for a transition away from fossil fuels to spur investment in cleaner, alternative energies.
*Deep Seabed Mining Ban: To protect marine ecosystems, the declaration commits MSG members to a moratorium on deep seabed mining within their jurisdictions until science-based research can fully determine the environmental impacts.
*Nuclear Caution: Louma reaffirmed the region’s stance against the discharge of treated nuclear material into the Pacific, urging the Japanese government to exercise extreme caution following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
*Single-Use Plastics: A commitment to a total ban aimed at precipitating a shift toward natural, biodegradable products.
Louma linked the declaration directly to the regional legal architecture, highlighting that a successful global economy requires both political resolve and technical know-how.
He stated that the Udaune Declaration provides the necessary “political will” for MSG members to exploit the Blue Economy, the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.
“Opportunities cannot be fully exploited if the requisite finance and technical expertise are not available in our countries,” he said.
“The Udaune Declaration demands that these gaps be addressed appropriately.”
Louma also urged Melanesian nations to take pride in their history of climate advocacy.
“Udaune is part and parcel of efforts to provide a legal framework for concrete actions,” Louma said.
“It creates an ecosystem where the blue economy can be developed with the genuine participation of our people,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – OCEAN SUMMIT: POST COURIER PACNEWS 2: Thu 14 May 2026
“Our backyard, Our Science”: Professor declares PNG home to the world’s warmest ocean
PORT MORESBY, 14 MAY 2026 (POST COURIER) — In an address at the 2026 Melanesian Ocean Summit, Professor Chalapan Kaluwin, Director of the Momis Ocean and Climate Research Institute, issued a bold challenge to policymakers: stop borrowing foreign ideas and start trusting Papua New Guinean science.
Professor Kaluwin revealed that years of independent research and experiments conducted “in our own backyard” have confirmed that Papua New Guinea, alongside Palau and neighbouring island seas, sits atop the warmest ocean waters on the planet.
“We decided to find time to do this work in our own university, in our own country,” Kaluwin told the summit.
He explained that by utilising advanced technology including pressure sensors and Argo floats deployed from Manus to Fiji, local scientists have tracked a steady rise in ocean temperatures since 1991.
“When you talk about global warming, that’s for politicians. Climate change is what scientists talk about,” Kaluwin said, noting that sea surface temperatures in the region remain the highest in the world.
This heat, he warned, is the engine driving more frequent and intense El Niño and La Niña cycles, which are now impacting the region every one to two years rather than the traditional five-year cycle.
Professor Kaluwin question why a nation of 1,200 islands does not yet have a dedicated Ministry of Oceans.
He argued that the country’s GDP, wealth funds, and future sustainability are inextricably linked to the sea, yet policies are often imported from the West rather than built on local data.
” You have smart people already in this country,” he said. “You will be able to develop your own policies based on your science. Don’t go and borrow policies from elsewhere.”
The Professor highlighted several urgent risks to PNG’s maritime interests.
Kaluwin raised alarms over mining licenses granted to foreign firms without scientific credibility, specifically mentioning the risks of terrestrial pollution from the Highlands flowing down to the Great Barrier Reef.
As ocean temperatures rise, Kaluwin warned that PNG is at risk of losing its tuna stocks as species migrate to cooler waters.
Prof Kaluwin said economic strategy must start with the people living on the 1,200 islands of PNG.
” It’s your home, it’s your land, it’s your ocean. It doesn’t belong to anybody else in the world,” Kaluwin stated.
“Our research is meant for the people, to protect their interests and their future,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: THE GUAM DAILY POST PACNEWS 2: Thu 14 May 2026
Dialogue: Micronesia’s leaders confront a region caught in someone else’s war plan
HAGTNA, 14 MAY 2026 (THE GUAM DAILY POST) — Leaders and security officials from across Micronesia gathered Tuesday in Guam for the first day of a regional security dialogue that laid bare an unsettling reality: others have already mapped these islands into their own strategic designs.
“All of you are in somebody’s strategic plans, whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not,” said Pacific Centre for Island Security (PCIS) chair and former Guam Delegate Robert Underwood opened the two-day Micronesia Security Dialogue hosted by PCIS, the Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Centre, and sponsored by Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
The event brought together government officials from Guam, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, along with security analysts and academics to examine what Underwood has called one of the most consequential moments for the region since World War II.
The morning session opened with brief remarks and a demonstration of PCIS’s Micronesia Security Monitor, an online platform that tracks military bases, vessel movements, weapons ranges, and maritime activity across the second island chain.
PCIS director Leland Bettis walked attendees through the tool’s mapping layers, pointing to Chinese research vessels conducting deep oceanographic surveys near areas hosting U.S nuclear attack submarines and along critical north-south sea lanes between Australia and Japan.
“If you’re looking for critical minerals, you’re also mapping the seabed floor, which could be of assistance to your submarine operators,” Bettis said, adding that the research vessel is also a mothership for submersibles.
“There’s some really serious deep-ocean research going on here.”
Bettis also highlighted a U.S autonomous vessel, Saildrone 3002, contracted by NOAA, which had been heavily mapping areas west of the Marianas, an area where the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently expanded its proposed seabed mining lease boundaries. The vessel’s data streams directly to satellite in real time, he noted.
For attendees from smaller island states, the presentation made visible what had long felt abstract.
“I learned something very interesting, not only on defence security but (also) on understanding the concerns of our islanders and also learned about these research ships (and) vessels, very interesting,” said former FSM President Emanuel Mori, who attended as an advisory council member of PCIS.
Mori, who is no longer in government, said he hoped to bring what he learned back to his community.
He also flagged a practical need the monitor could serve beyond geopolitics.
“The next thing I want to ask Robert (Underwood) is an alert system for our people for typhoon(s), for any emergencies,’ he said.
“This is a very good time to discuss about not only for military purposes but for typhoon purposes and whatever.”
Kosrae Governor Tulensa Palik offered a candid assessment of his state’s position.
While Kosrae has engaged politically with China in ways distinct within the FSM, he said the compact relationship with the United States remains its anchor.
“We do have political ties, our diplomatic relations with China, mainland China, but we do have another relationship that is in place with the U.S, which has been sustaining us for the past 40-plus years now,” Palik said.
“That’s through the compact trust fund, and that is what will sustain us for the foreseeable future.”
He said the dialogue opened perspectives he had not fully considered.
“This dialogue opens up other avenues of concern that we have to take into consideration as a nation,” Palik said.
“It definitely gives me other insights into the political situation that we are in that we need to take into consideration very careful.”
Yap Governor Francis Itimai said his state is already deep into that reality, with military projects arriving and agreements signed.
“We have a lot of military projects that are incoming,” he said. “We’ve signed an agreement with them, with the U.S military and the contractors.”
He added that a large contingent of contractors and military personnel had been working alongside him.
“On my way out, there was a big group of contractors and also military folks that were with us working together on this.”
Christopher deBrum, national security advisor for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, said the dialogue filled a critical gap for a country that only stood up its national security infrastructure two years ago.
“This is the first time that we’re seeing a Micronesian-led institution to work with and provide us with more information for RMI,” he said, adding that the monitoring platform and other tools “are all things that we can use as we develop this office.”
He said the Micronesian community has needed exactly this kind of focused effort.
“There’s a lot of information being shared, mainly for the wider Indo-Pacific region, but this is geared toward our region that we really need, and I think this is a gap that we need to address more.”
Vera Topasna, executive director of the Community Defense Liaison Office on Guam, said the work PCIS is doing is unlike anything being done elsewhere in the region.
“It has not been done, at least in the manner that they’re doing it, very focused and centred on Micronesia, she said.
“It requires us to be open and to hear what the PCIS (is), what they’re doing, how they’re monitoring, and how their body of work could enhance my body of work as a government official.”
The session also surfaced concerns about missile defense, drug trafficking, and the increasing militarisation of islands that have little ability to shield themselves from the conflicts being prepared around them.
Bettis noted the U.S military strategy of distributing and dispersing forces across the region, including to austere airfields in Tinian, Yap, and Palau, may soon require a third component.
“I think what’s probably coming next in terms of the military strategy is ‘D3,’ which is distribute, disperse, and defend,” he said, predicting the U.S will likely deploy containerised portable air defense systems across those locations within five years.
Underwood, presenting PCIS’s annual Micronesia Security Outlook report after the break, pressed the more profound question the dialogue was built around. While the region’s leaders debate sub-regional cooperation and sovereignty, the great powers are not waiting.
“The great geostrategic competition has come to our shores,’ he said. “It’s coming at a greater intensity since the end of World War II.”
Day two of the dialogue convened Wednesday, featuring presentations by security experts Marco de Jong on emerging technologies and James Crabtree on first island chain dynamics and what they mean for Micronesia…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: COOK ISLANDS GOVT PACNEWS 2: Thu 14 May 2026
Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea sign landmark Development Cooperation Framework
PORT MORESBY, 14 MAY 2026 (COOK ISLANDS GOVT) — The Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea have signed a Framework for Development Cooperation, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two Pacific nations and setting the stage for a new era of structured and practical partnership.
The Framework was signed by Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands and Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.
The agreement provides the formal framework through which the relevant agencies and institutions of both governments can enter into specific subsidiary arrangements across a broad range of priority areas, including:
*Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation
*Education, Skills and Labour Mobility
*Health, Sports and Social Development
*Climate Resilience and Environmental Protection
* Infrastructure, Energy and Green Technology
*Connectivity, Security and Digital Transformation
*Cultural, Arts and People-to-People Exchanges
*Tourism
*Public Sector Governance and Institutional Strengthening
*Sister City Arrangements
*Any other areas of cooperation as mutually agreed in writing
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Mark Brown said the Framework represented more than a diplomatic agreement.
“This is a commitment to action. It creates the enabling environment for our agencies to collaborate, innovate, and deliver results that matter to our people. I look forward to seeing it brought to life through concrete partnerships in the months and years ahead.”
The Framework is designed to be flexible and responsive, allowing both governments to activate cooperation in areas aligned with their respective national development priorities. It complements broader regional commitments, including the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Both governments have committed to the early development of subsidiary arrangements under the Framework and to establishing regular dialogue mechanisms to monitor progress and ensure accountability…. PACNEWS
FIJI – SECURITY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 2: Thu 14 May 2026
Fiji Police Chief dismisses rift claims with military
SUVA, 14 MAY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has dismissed claims of a rift between the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, saying both agencies continue to work closely together on national security operations.
Speaking during a press conference Wednesday, Tudravu said reports of tensions between the two forces were false.
“First of all, I would like to clear the air on the rift between the RFMF and the Fiji Police Force,” he said.
“The claims are false.”
Tudravu said he had just returned from a briefing with RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, who had reaffirmed the military’s support for ongoing joint operations and investigations into the death of Jone Vakarisi.
“The commander has yet again reaffirmed the support for the joint taskforce operations and also the conduct of investigations into the death of Jone Vakarisi.”
He said the joint taskforce continued to operate across all five policing divisions, focusing on intelligence sharing, operational planning and deployment support.
“The joint taskforce scope of work includes intelligence sharing, ops planning and support of boots on the ground in all five policing divisions,” he said.
Tudravu said the operation remained focused on disrupting organised criminal activity.
“The joint taskforce work in support of national operations in disrupting, destroying and destabilising the criminal networks.”
He again reassured the public that there was no division between the two institutions…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CLIMATE CHANGE/DIPLOMACY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 2: Thu 14 May 2026
European Union reffirms climate partnership with Fiji
SUVA, 14 MAY 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — Strengthening climate cooperation and preparations for upcoming Pre-COP were among the key issues discussed during a courtesy meeting between the Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya and Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert.
The discussions highlighted the strong and longstanding partnership between Fiji and the EU, particularly in climate action, climate finance and ocean protection.
Ambassador Plinkert reaffirmed that climate change remains a major priority in its cooperation with Fiji and the Pacific, noting that a significant portion of EU funding in the region is directed towards climate-related projects.
Minister Tabuya acknowledged the EU’s continued support and said Fiji values the partnership, especially as the country prepares to host major regional and international climate engagements in the coming months.
In regard to Pre-COP, Minister Tabuya said Fiji’s focus remains on ensuring it delivers meaningful outcomes for Pacific Island countries, particularly on issues such as climate finance, climate ocean access and keeping the global 1.5 degree target alive.
Ambassador Plinkert confirmed that senior European climate officials are considering participation in the Pre-COP discussions and expressed interest in supporting side events and youth-focused climate initiatives linked to the meeting.
Talks also focused on Fiji’s ongoing climate resilience work, including renewable energy projects, rural electrification, shipping decarbonisation and plans for climate-related studies supported through EU funding.
Both parties agreed to continue close cooperation as Fiji advances its climate priorities on both the regional and global stage…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – OCEAN SUMMIT: POST COURIER PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 14 May 2026
East New Britain Initiative is a platform for Blue Economy diversification: National Fisheries Authority
PORT MORESBY, 14 MAY 2026 (POST COURIER) — The East New Britain Initiative is a platform for Blue Economy diversification, where it strengthens resilience by moving beyond raw materials and raw resources ranks to the high-value segment of the Tuna Industry, says PNG National Fisheries Authority (NFA) Justin Ilakini.
Ilakini said the East New Britain Initiative integrates Climate change allocations strategies, adaptation, politics, promoting a regional fisheries development plan, for suatainability and resilience.
“There are some current initiatives under the ENB Initiative that are ongoing,
“We have collaborated to process MCC-certified fish so they can be sold to one-to-one chains in the U.S.
This is a breakthrough in terms of market access within the US. We have our friends from Solomon Islands who have proposed a major process they have in Oklahoma. We are supporting that. That is part of the initiative, so we can all create economic sustainability,” Ilakini said.
The Blue Economy Diversification is a strategic shift in maritime economies towards sustainable, resilient, and technologically advanced ocean-dependent activities.
This diversification aims to expand the range of economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coasts, moving beyond traditional industries to create new opportunities and revenue streams.
It is essential for coastal and island nations to develop their economies by using ocean resources sustainably, ensuring that new industries make money from the ocean without harming it.
This approach is crucial for protecting jobs and improving the standard of living, as it creates a wider range of economic opportunities and reduces the vulnerability of the economy to shocks in any single sector…. PACENWS
PAC – OCEAN SUMMIT: POST COURIER PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 14 May 2026
Climate Change is already affecting us: Vanuatu Director General of Ministry of Fisheries
PORT MORESBY, 14 MAY 2026 (POST COURIER) — Climate change today is already affecting us.
“We can clearly see the impact of climate change not only in terms of what we are doing but also in terms of limiting resources that we have that are highly impacted by the negative impact of climate change,” says Vanuatu Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans and Marine Affairs, Samson Vilvil Fare.
Director General Fare said that this is a new foreign aspect that they want to factor into when they develop their blue economy strategy for Vanuatu.
“And of course, all the man-made risks as well that you know are happening already in our region.
“We have lots of marine pollution that is happening
“This is another area that we want to work in as well and make sure that we tap into your experience in developing those strategies.
“But I want to finish by saying that when we develop the blue economy strategy for Vanuatu, at least we would learn from what some of our countries here in the room today are doing already and also our partners in the room that are doing already.
“We would also be looking into including our traditional and indigenous knowledge into the blue economy strategy,” he said.
He added that traditional knowledge or indigenous knowledge will be a big part of that as well.
‘And it will be very much aligned with our Oceans Act as well, which we just launched last year. And this will be a big opportunity to be able to include that inside our new strategy,” Fare said……PACNEWS
PAC – WORKER PROTECTION: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 14 May 2026
Pacific Labour Ministers seek fair, resilient future of work for region
NADI, 14 MAY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Pacific labour leaders push for worker protections amid economic growth and migration pressures.
Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh said leaders must ensure economic progress does not come at the expense of workers’ rights and social justice.
He made the remarks at the inaugural Pacific Tripartite Labour Ministers and Senior Labour Officials Meeting at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.
The theme of the three-day meeting is “Designing Our Destiny: A Just and Resilient Future of Work for the Blue Pacific”, which Singh said reflected the region’s shared commitment to addressing the changing needs of Pacific people and economies.
He said the meeting sent a strong message that Pacific nations were united in promoting democratic values, fair labour practices and inclusive economic development.
“Equally, we must create environments where businesses can thrive, innovate and generate opportunities for our people and meaningful employment,” Singh said.
“Let us work together to build labour systems that are modern, resilient and firmly grounded in the Pacific spirit of cooperation, dialogue and mutual respect.
“Through meaningful social dialogue and regional solidarity, we can shape a stronger, fairer and more prosperous future for all Pacific workers and employers.
“These same values are at the heart of tripartism — where governments, employers and workers work together in partnership to shape labour policies and governance in the changing world of work.”
Singh said a just and resilient future of work meant ensuring no worker was left behind and that labour systems could withstand economic shocks, climate challenges, and global uncertainties.
“Labour laws are the foundation of social justice, workplace harmony, and economic stability.
“Strong labour legislation protects workers from exploitation, promotes fair wages and safe working conditions, advances equality of opportunity and provides employers with a stable and productive workforce.
“At the same time, strong and democratic labour institutions build investor confidence, strengthen public trust, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Across the Pacific, countries continue to face common labour market challenges, including youth unemployment, labour and skills development, climate-related displacement, informal employment, gender inequality, occupational health and safety concerns, and the growing impact of technology and digital transformation on jobs and industries.
“We are also witnessing increasing labour migration within and beyond our region, which requires stronger legal safeguards, ethical recruitment practices and enhanced regional cooperation to ensure the protection and welfare of migrant workers,” he said.
“As Pacific leaders, we must ensure our labour laws evolve alongside these emerging realities.
“Our legal and policy frameworks must remain relevant, balanced and people centred. They must support economic growth while upholding the dignity, rights, and welfare of workers.
“Importantly, this inaugural meeting signals the emergence of a stronger and more unified Pacific voice on labour and employment issues — not only within our region, but also in the global arena, said Minister Singh…. PACNEWS
FIJI – UNIVERSITY GRAD: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 14 May 2026
991 women graduate in recent FNU graduation
SUVA, 14 MAY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Nearly 1000 women graduated from Fiji National University (FNU) this week, marking a major milestone not only for the institution but for young women pushing into careers once dominated by men.
Out of 1906 graduates at the three-day graduation ceremony held at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva, 991 were women.
Among them was Dr Sereima Baleisomi, who graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Education.
The graduation figures showed strong female representation across all three days of ceremonies, including in technical and maritime programmes traditionally dominated by men.
On Day One, 444 women graduated out of 664 students. Day Two saw 374 female graduates out of 531, while 173 women graduated on Day Three from a total of 711 students.
The final day featured graduates from the College of Engineering, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the National Training and Productivity Centre, and the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies.
A highlight of the ceremony was the graduation of 77 apprentices under the NTPC programme.
Chief guest and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka praised the growing importance of technical and vocational education.
“Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is no longer viewed as a secondary pathway to success. It is now a strategic pillar of national development and economic resilience,” Gavoka said.
He said Fiji’s future depended on skilled professionals capable of driving innovation and national development.
“Fiji’s future will be built by skilled professionals, by engineers, technicians, seafarers, innovators, and problem-solvers, individuals capable of driving industry, strengthening infrastructure, and contributing meaningfully to national progress and sustainable development,” he said.
FNU vice-chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba said it was encouraging to see more women entering engineering, technical and maritime fields.
“You did not turn away when you saw that you were outnumbered. Instead, you stood your ground and proved that if others can do it, so can you,” Professor Nabobo-Baba said.
“In doing so, you are breaking barriers and paving the way for those who will follow.”
Among those graduates was 23-year-old Varitema Giblin Rokovesa Drauna from Nailaga, Ba, who became one of only six women to graduate from the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies with a Diploma in Nautical Science.
For Varitema, the achievement carried deep personal meaning, shaped by the support of her mother and grandparents.
“I want young women to know that the ocean is not a boundary, it is a pathway,” she said.
“If you are willing to learn, stay disciplined, and trust the process, there is space for you in every bridge, every chart room, and every voyage.”
“This journey was not easy, but every challenge taught me resilience. I hope my achievement shows other girls that maritime careers are possible, and they should never limit themselves based on tradition or expectation.”
FNU Chancellor and Council chair Dr Alisi Talatoka Vudiniabola said the university remained focused on preparing a skilled workforce for Fiji’s future through practical education, technical training and industry partnerships.
The university also confirmed that only one student graduated with a Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Avionics) Level 4 from the Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies…. 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
Fighting ‘fake news’ in the Pacific
SUVA, 14 MAY 2026 (BBC MEDIA ACTION) — BBC Media Action has been working across the Pacific Islands since 2024, training and mentoring journalists in Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji.
Our team is supporting more open and accountable media in a region where internet usage is growing fast, and where people new to the flood of information are especially susceptible to mis- and disinformation.
This special two-week programme in Fiji introduced editors from across the region and local reporters to verification tools used by BBC News’ specialist fact-checking team to help them tackle disinformation and false claims in their daily work.
Launched in May 2023, BBC Verify fact-checks information, verifies video content, analyses data, and counters disinformation – using open-source intelligence (OSINT) and forensic techniques to provide transparency behind news stories.
Flora Carmichael, an editor at BBC Verify, recently joined BBC Media Action in Fiji to deliver training to Pacific Island journalists
Here’s what the journalists had to say:
“The fight is not only against corruption, but also against disinformation,” said Shalveen Chand, editor at the Samoa Observer
“With elections coming up and everything else happening in Fiji, it is really good to have this session.” said Lusi Banuve Journalist, Mai TV.
“It’s provided us with a lot to think about, especially in the online space where everyone claims to be a journalist.” said Matthew Vari, digital director at Post-Courier Daily.
“This will come and play a big part in the coverage and training, upskilling of our media personnel, as a skill that they will take into covering the national general elections, come next year.” said Genesis Ketan Senior Journalist Trainer, Media Council PNG
“We need to know how to utilise the tools that are already there, in order to get the correct information out there to our audience,” said Ivamere Nataro Senior Journalist, Fiji Sun
“During the duration of the training, I understood how misinterpretation of information would mislead our audience,” Josefa Sigavolavola Multimedia Journalist, FBC
“It has been really useful for me, re-emphasising the importance of fact-checking and verifying the information that we distribute to the public.” said Popua Uliuli Aho Head of News, Tonga Broadcasting Commission.
“I hope the tools we’ve shared with the journalists will help them ensure quality journalism is delivered for audiences across the Pacific Islands,” said Flora Carmichael, BBC Verify editor …. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Waste Reduction, Circular Economy and Coastal Protection: French Polynesia continues its commitment
PAPE’ETE, 14 MAY 2026 (SPREP) — The Municipality of Moorea-Maiao has taken an important step forward in its transition towards more sustainable waste management with the official launch of its resource recovery project (“ressourcerie”).
Dedicated to reuse, repair and the recovery of reusable items, this initiative represents a concrete step towards a more sustainable model better suited to the island context.
“A ressourcerie is not simply a place where objects are collected. It is a place where items are given a second life, where waste is reduced, and where social connections and economic activity are created,” said Taivini Teai, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Environment, Food, Research and Animal Welfare of French Polynesia.
“The project led by Moorea-Maiao perfectly reflects the vision we aim to promote in French Polynesia: practical solutions designed locally and adapted to the realities of our islands.”
Implemented under the second phase of the ‘Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific’ (SWAP2) programme, funded by the Agence française de développement (AFD) with a total budget of EUR 4.3 million(US$5 million) and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the resource recovery project is based on a close partnership between the Municipality of Moorea-Maiao and the Te Ui Rau association, which will play a central role in the operation and management of the facility.
The second phase of the SWAP project, launched in December 2024, enabled French Polynesia to join the programme after not participating in the first phase. This integration will allow the territory to further benefit from regional exchanges, sharing of best practices and capacity-building activities implemented across the Pacific. In this context, approximately EUR 310,000(US$363,000) has been allocated to activities in French Polynesia, including projects supporting the development of ressourceries across the territory, with the objective of establishing 20 ressourcerie by 2030.
“This ressourcerie is important for our municipality because it speaks not only about the environment, but also about solidarity and collective responsibility,” highlighted Thierry Tapu, First Deputy Mayor of Moorea-Maiao.
“This ressourcerie should become a useful place for the community — a space for awareness raising, recovery and sharing, supporting a more circular and more local economy.”
This initiative is part of a broader waste prevention and reduction effort being carried out in French Polynesia under the SWAP2 programme.
A few days prior to the project launch, institutional stakeholders, associations and municipal representatives gathered in Tahiti for a training workshop on marine litter, organised in partnership with the French Polynesia Environment Directorate (DIREN), Fenua Environnement and Sustainable Coastlines. Audits conducted at Atimaono Beach in Papara and at the mouth of the Punaruu River in Punaauia highlighted the significant presence of diffuse litter, mainly plastics, within the coastal environment.
In a territory where waste management remains a major challenge, particularly due to geographical isolation and pressure on landfill sites, the ressourcerie offers a practical response. Based on circular economy principles, it will help intercept reusable items before disposal so they can be repaired, transformed or recirculated, thereby reducing the volume of waste sent to landfill.
“This project marks an important milestone for the Municipality of Moorea-Maiao and, more broadly, for French Polynesia. It reflects a concrete ambition: reducing waste, recovering resources and developing a circular economy adapted to island realities,” said Marie Edan, Deputy Director for French Polynesia at the French Development Agency, during the launch ceremony.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the project also carries strong economic and social dimensions. The ressourcerie will contribute to the creation of local jobs, the development of repair and recovery skills, and the emergence of small-scale artisanal activities. It is also intended to serve as a place for awareness raising, encouraging residents to adopt more responsible consumption practices.
The results of the marine litter audits also highlighted the direct connection between land-based waste management and marine pollution. Despite the sometimes-clean appearance of the surveyed sites, teams identified significant quantities of plastic fragments, food packaging and small diffuse litter likely to rapidly reach the lagoon and the ocean. These findings reinforce the importance of strengthening prevention, reuse and waste reduction solutions at source, such as the future Moorea-Maiao ressourcerie.
At the heart of the initiative, the association Te Ui Rau will play a key role in the future operation of the facility. In addition to day-to-day management, the association will lead repair workshops and awareness activities, helping strengthen social cohesion and promote more responsible practices within the local community.
“Through this project, the objective is also to strengthen local capacities and provide practical solutions adapted to island realities. A ressourcerie is not just a place where objects are processed — it is a genuine space for awareness raising, learning and community engagement,” said Julie Pillet, SWAP2 Project Manager at SPREP.
Participants in the workshop also stressed the importance of acting upstream to limit waste likely to reach coastlines and the ocean.
“At first glance, the beach appeared clean. Yet after the collection exercise, we realised there was actually a large amount of waste to characterise. It shows that significant pollution can exist even when it is almost invisible. This is an important message to share: taking care of our Fenua,” explained Marie-Louise Elian, Education and Awareness Officer for the association Oceania.
The project also highlights the importance of strong local partnerships. The close collaboration between the Municipality of Moorea-Maiao and the association Te Ui Rau represents a key factor in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the initiative. It helps anchor the ressourcerie within the local community and encourages ownership by residents.
The Minister also recalled that this initiative forms part of a broader ambition led by the Government of French Polynesia to progressively develop a network of ressourceries across the territory. “What we are launching today in Moorea-Maiao represents an important step towards structuring a genuine circular economy sector in French Polynesia,” he added.
“This project is not only about infrastructure. Above all, it relies on committed people,” Ms Edan reminded participants, emphasising the importance of local engagement to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
Beyond Moorea-Maiao, this project forms part of a broader transformation of waste management in French Polynesia. Other complementary initiatives are already underway, including in Bora Bora, where a waste characterisation study will help better understand waste flows generated by tourism activities, and in Ua Pou, where a feasibility study will support the development of a ressourcerie project adapted to local constraints.
For the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, which supports the implementation of the project, this initiative demonstrates the capacity of island territories to develop innovative solutions adapted to their own contexts. It also opens the way for possible replication in other municipalities and potentially in other Pacific Island countries.
With this launch, Moorea-Maiao is laying the foundations for a more sustainable model in which waste becomes a resource, and where the circular economy progressively becomes embedded in local practices and public policies across the territory…. PACNEWS
