In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC— ‘Everyone will be loser’: Taiwan deputy minister says war with China would be bad for the Pacific
2. FIJI — Election timeline is very clear, Fiji PM Rabuka reiterates
3. PALAU — Palau President Whipps outlines progress, Challenges in State of the Republic address
4. FIJI — Fiji PM Rabuka stands by MSG appointment
5. PALAU — Palau Senate passes cybersecurity bill as new presidential tech office raises overlap questions
6. PACIFIC — Satellite internet is growing across the Pacific but power remains missing link
7. GUAM — Guam’s third-ever cannabis establishment licence conditionally approved
8. PACNEWS BIZ — NZ, Fiji push for $2b trade goal
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Vanuatu Tourism Operators prepare for National Agriculture Expo
10. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG Govt remains focused on managing economy
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — Australia’s diplomatic blitz across the Pacific
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Roots of resilience
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — A cleaner future for three generations on Kiritimati Island
PAC – DIPLOMACY: GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS PACNEWS 2: Mon 27 Jul 2026
‘Everyone will be loser’: Taiwan deputy minister says war with China would be bad for the Pacific
TAIPEI, 27 JULY 2026 (GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS) — Taiwan’s deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu said that should China try to take Taiwan, war would be bad for the entire Pacific region.
Wu spoke to media from the Pacific on 30 June and talked about what he believes China’s president wants to do in the region.
The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs brought journalists from around the Pacific for a visit to the country that lasted from late June into early July.
“President of China, Xi Jinping, he has a very big ambition to dominate the Pacific Ocean and to break the status quo in the region and try to conquer Taiwan,” Wu said during the visit.
Wu said he doesn’t think that would be acceptable for a lot of countries.
He said Taiwan shares the same common national interests of many Pacific islands, which are peace, stability and freedom.
Wu pointed to China increasing its military power and concerns shared not just by Taiwan, but other nations in the area like Japan and the Philippines as well as the U.S.
Analysts have called China’s ongoing military modernisation the biggest in human history, the Pacific Daily News has reported. The People’s Liberation Army has more than tripled its stockpile of nuclear warheads since 2019 and is building up ballistic missiles like the DF-26 “Guam Killer.”
Wu said if China takes control of Taiwan, it would not be good for many countries around the world.
Wu pointed to more than 60,000 containers that cross through the Taiwan Strait every year, which could be stopped from moving if China attempts to blockade the strait, and could change modern life.
He also shared that if China takes over Taiwan, it will build a naval base on the east coast of Taiwan and then challenge the American Navy in the Pacific Ocean.
“Just imagine a Pacific area led by China. I don’t think none of you here will have the interest to see this future,” Wu said.
He said that’s why it’s important for Taiwan to work closely with the international community to try to maintain the status quo.
“If war occur, everyone will be loser,” he said.
Wu said the best course of action is to avoid war in the region.
“I still believe that by a diplomatic way, peace can be maintained here. We still can avoid the war,” he said.
“We need the voice of everyone to tell the world that we need to maintain the status quo, the peace, and freedom,” Wu added…. PACNEWS
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Mon 27 Jul 2026
Election timeline is very clear, Fiji PM Rabuka reiterates
SUVA, 27 JULY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) —Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has assured Fijians the 2027 General Election will be held within the constitutional timeframe, dismissing concerns that it could be delayed.
Responding to concerns raised by Opposition Independent MP Alvick Maharaj, Rabuka said the election timetable was clear and there was no uncertainty over when the poll would be held.
“The election timeframe is very clear; it has to be held between 24 December to 04 February,” he clarified.
Rabuka said the Government remained committed to ensuring the election was conducted within that timeframe, upholding the democratic process.
Maharaj had argued that Rabuka had not been clear on whether the election would proceed as scheduled or be delayed.
The Opposition MP, who is among the founding members of the newly registered People First Party (PFP), said the party’s announcement of its final 55 candidates would depend on confirmation of the election timetable.
He said the party’s constitution had been designed to ensure representation of young people and marginalised groups on its executive committee.
Asked when the party would announce its 55 election candidates, Maharaj said it would depend on the Prime Minister confirming the election timeframe.
“Before we announce our candidates and party manifesto, we are still waiting whether we will have the election or not, PM needs to come out clear whether we are having election or not,” he said.
“It does not make sense if we announce our candidates and they go out campaigning later to be told they will be no election”.
The former FijiFirst politician said the PFP had not confirmed any candidates but remained hopeful that would change in the coming months.
“PFP has advertised inviting for potential election candidates, people have applied and we have independent selection committee which will vet, interview and select capable candidates,” he said.
Maharaj said party officials had been visiting communities to promote the party’s values, introduce its Members of Parliament and outline its leadership structure.
Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu is the party leader of the PFP.
The G11 group of Independent MPs supporting Rabuka are among those seeking People’s Alliance Party (PAP) endorsement to contest the next election under the party’s banner.
Asked when PAP would finalise its candidate list, Rabuka said that decision rested with the party’s management board.
“I am just the party leader, I work with the management committee and our selection process is in place and we have a list of applicants,” he said.
PAP is the largest party in the Coalition Government after securing 21 seats in the 2022 General Election…. PACNEWS
PALAU – POLITICS: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Mon 27 Jul 2026
Palau President Whipps outlines progress, Challenges in State of the Republic address
KOROR, 27 JULY 2026 (ISLAND TIMES) — Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr delivered his 2026 State of the Republic address last week, outlining what he described as Palau’s progress from a period of crisis to one of recovery and reform, while emphasising that significant challenges remain.
In his remarks, Whipps said that when he first took office, Palau faced deteriorating schools and infrastructure, unfinished public safety facilities, a health system under strain and an economy heavily damaged by the collapse of tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said his administration responded with what he called “discipline over denial, reform over delay, and people over politics.”
Whipps highlighted investments in school and sports facilities, efforts to improve student performance and teacher qualifications, and steps to bring the education system into compliance with special education requirements.
He also pointed to increased enforcement against illegal drugs, new legislation targeting substance abuse and border controls, and the development of a more coordinated national security framework.
On livelihoods and the environment, Whipps criticised the current design of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, saying it led to a sharp decline in tuna catch and fishing revenues and contributed to increased pressure on reef fisheries.
He called for “rightsizing” the sanctuary based on scientific data, expanding support for agriculture and aquaculture, and improving food security.
The president said Palau’s economy has rebounded from its pandemic low, with higher gross domestic product, growing tax revenues and budget surpluses that have allowed the government to expand social assistance, increase public sector wages and rebuild financial reserves.
At the same time, he acknowledged rising debt service costs and described Social Security and Pension systems as unsustainable without reforms to retirement age, contributions and benefits.
Whipps framed his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget as prioritizing health, education, public safety, agriculture, and debt reduction, and urged lawmakers to act on pending legislation, including changes to the marine sanctuary and social protection systems…. PACNEWS
FIJI – MSG DG: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Mon 27 Jul 2026
Fiji PM Rabuka stands by MSG appointment
SUVA, 27 JULY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — The appointment of Dr Anna Naupa as the new Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) director-general was made through an independent selection process.
These were the words of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka who said she was the best applicant.
Rabuka made the comments in response to criticism from Vanuatu chiefs who said the regional position should have been held by a man rather than a woman.
He told the Fiji Times the recruitment process was merit-based.
“She came out as the preferred candidate. In fact, she came out top of the list,” he said.
Asked whether the comments from Vanuatu could create instability within the MSG, Rabuka declined to comment on the country’s position.
“I will not speak on what Vanuatu has said and their views on that particular issue. But in general, we pick the best candidate, and we’re still going with our gender-positive policies.
“We have to be considerate. I know culturally the Melanesians are new to the culture of gender equality, but it’s something that we have to grasp and go with.”
Dr Naupa became the first woman appointed director-general of the MSG Secretariat following a regional recruitment process involving all MSG member countries…. PACNEWS
PALAU – CYBER SECURITY: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Mon 27 Jul 2026
Palau Senate passes cybersecurity bill as new presidential tech office raises overlap questions
KOROR, 27 JULY 2026 (ISLAND TIMES) — The Senate gave final approval 20 July to legislation establishing Palau’s first comprehensive cybersecurity system, voting 13-0 to pass Senate Bill No. 12-9, SD1, HD2 on third reading — even as a separate executive order signed months earlier already created a new technology office within the Office of the President with some similar responsibilities.
The bill, introduced by Sen. TJ Imrur Remengesau and co-sponsored by four other senators, now heads to President Surangel Whipps Jr. for his signature.
SB 12-9 amends Title 15 of the Palau National Code by adding a new chapter establishing a “Bureau of Cybersecurity” under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries, to be led by a newly created Chief Information Security Officer appointed by the president with Senate confirmation.
Lawmakers found that while Palau’s growing internet connectivity has expanded access to education, commerce and public services, it has also created new risks that “bad actors” could exploit to harm users and vulnerable groups, including minors.
Among its key provisions, the bill directs the Bureau of Cybersecurity to:
*Set minimum security standards for government agency information technology systems
*Monitor agency networks to detect and respond to security incidents
*Develop a centralised breach reporting process requiring agencies to notify individuals, companies or groups whose data has been compromised
*Create a model incident-response plan coordinated with state and national cybersecurity agencies
*Establish an advisory committee, with members appointed by the Ministry of Finance, the Senate, the House of Delegates and the president, to help shape a national cybersecurity plan
The bill also sets penalties for breaches of data confidentiality and security. Officers, employees or agents who intentionally or recklessly access, disclose or misuse protected data could face administrative discipline, including termination, and civil penalties of up to US$10,000 per instance.
The legislation authorises US$150,000 in initial funding for the bureau and requires it to submit annual budget requests to the Olbiil Era Kelulau to sustain the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure and retain technical staff.
A floor amendment adopted 20 July also added an unrelated provision amending Section 604 of Title 7, allowing the president to extend a contract for operation of the Republic of Palau Open Ship Registry by up to six additional months under certain conditions.
The bureau SB 12-9 would create arrives after Whipps signed Executive Order No. 500 in April, establishing the Office of Applied Technology and Strategy (OATS) directly within the Office of the President. That office is headed by a Chief Technology Officer who serves at the president’s pleasure and has direct access to the president, including attendance at Cabinet meetings.
Under the executive order, the CTO’s duties already include assessing and advising on technology-related risks such as cybersecurity, data governance and system resilience; reviewing technology procurements government-wide; and supporting implementation of the Palau National Cybersecurity Strategy — functions that closely track several duties SB 12-9 would assign to the Bureau of Cybersecurity and its Security Officer.
Both roles are also tasked with advising the president on technology matters and coordinating with other ministries and agencies on security-related issues, though the two offices would sit in different parts of the executive branch: OATS within the Office of the President itself, and the Bureau of Cybersecurity administratively attached to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries.
The executive order does not reference SB 12-9 or the Bureau of Cybersecurity, and the bill’s text does not mention OATS or the CTO position, leaving open how the two offices’ mandates — one created by executive order, the other by statute — would be reconciled if the bill is signed into law…. PACNEWS
PAC – SATELLITE: PMN PACNEWS 2: Mon 27 Jul 2026
Satellite internet is growing across the Pacific but power remains missing link
PORT MORESBY, 27 JULY 2026 (PMN) — Reliable electricity, not internet access, is becoming the biggest obstacle to connecting remote Pacific communities.
While satellite services such as Starlink can now reach isolated communities, many schools, health facilities and homes still lack the power needed to keep the technology running.
Speaking on PMN’s Pacific Mornings, Richard Broadbridge, Lightspeed’s chief executive, said the conversation around digital connectivity has changed.
“The biggest challenge is power,” he said. “It’s not about connectivity anymore. It’s about providing power to connect the antenna.”
Broadbridge said Lightspeed was addressing the challenge by pairing Starlink with portable solar generators.
“We’re providing filtered or clean Wi-Fi into a school, and we’re powering it with a very simple solar generator that keeps the Starlink and basic devices alive for up to two days.”
Some communities are already seeing the benefits.
Earlier this year, about 4000 people in villages near Dorobisoro in Papua New Guinea’s Central Province gained reliable internet and phone access through the PNG Tribal Foundation’s Ghost Mountain Expedition Project.
Kauke Sibide, a community health worker, who has worked in the area for more than 40 years, told the National Indigenous Times the connection had transformed emergency healthcare.
“I can now call from here whenever an emergency arises and needs assistance on a charter flight to move a sick patient,” he said.
Governments and development partners are continuing to invest in satellite connectivity across the region.
In Papua New Guinea, the United States has committed US$30 million to improve internet access for remote schools, health facilities, disaster centres, and government offices.
The U.S Embassy said planning for the programme was continuing, with an initial rollout expected to deliver Starlink kits and related services before expanding to more locations as infrastructure needs are assessed.
Acting Information and Communications Technology Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr welcomed the investment, describing it as “a timely and practical commitment”.
“For Papua New Guinea, satellite internet can help bridge the connectivity gap for rural and remote communities where geography, cost and infrastructure challenges remain significant,” he said in a statement.
Tsiamalili said satellite services would complement, rather than replace, existing mobile and fibre networks.
PNG is not alone. Across the Pacific, governments are increasingly turning to satellite internet to connect communities that traditional broadband has struggled to reach.
Last month, Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture launched Starlink services at Wainikoro Station in Macuata to improve communication with remote farming communities.
Agriculture Minister Tomasi Tunabuna told the National Indigenous Times the installation was “more than just the installation of an internet connection”.
“It is a significant step forward in strengthening service delivery, improving communication, and creating better opportunities for our officers and the farming communities we serve.”
Broadbridge said Lightspeed had been working with the Fijian government since 2024 to roll out Starlink services to rural schools and health centres, where many communities had relied on limited 2G and 3G coverage.
He said the company had also secured a contract with Save the Children to install Starlink and solar power in nine schools in Solomon Islands, as well as a community school contract in Papua New Guinea.
For many Pacific nations made up of scattered islands and rugged terrain, satellite internet is increasingly seen as one of the fastest ways to improve access to education, healthcare and government services.
But as satellite internet spreads across the region, the challenge is no longer reaching remote communities. It’s making sure they have the reliable electricity needed to stay connected…. PACNEWS
GUAM – CANNABIS LICENCE: GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 27 Jul 2026
Guam’s third-ever cannabis establishment licence conditionally approved
HAGATNA, 27 JULY 2026 (GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS) — The third cannabis establishment licence in Guam history was conditionally approved by the Cannabis Control Board last week.
Prospective cannabis cultivator ECPZ Corp, doing business as ECPZ Farms, is a step closer to legally growing the plant.
CCB Compliance Inspector Meiko Cepeda on Wednesday said the applicant did not get land clearance from Department of Land Management, but that was the only thing pending to complete the application.
She said her team made a site visit to ECPZ’s verified location but did not enter establishment. Cepeda added that her team could not survey the area, but it did its best to verify if there are any schools, bus stops or anything else in the area “within the law for drug-free school zones.”
Cepeda recommend the board conditionally approve the application pending the applicant’s certification from DLM.
The first two cannabis establishment licences on Guam, for Guam’s Real Deal and Pacific Roots LLC, were approved in February, according to Pacific Daily News files.
ECPZ will still need to get more government clearances for their facilities, pay a US$2,000 to US$5,000 a year fee, submit more paperwork and get inspected before they can get a permit to open up shop and start growing, once they finalise their licence.
After getting a cannabis establishment licence, prospective businesses still need to secure a permit to operate.
Guam’s Real Deal, doing business as Deep Green Guam, was the first to get a permit to operate approved this past June. The permit was issued to operator Stephen Roberto at a ceremony at Adelup last week.
Meanwhile, one of the furthest applicants processed by the Cannabis Control Board, Greenland Farms, Inc.’s years-old application to cultivate cannabis in Guam could be denied.
Greenland Farms has likewise applied for a cannabis establishment licence, the second-to-last hurdle before opening up shop.
According to Cepeda Wednesday, Greenland Farms has not responded to her attempts to contact for the past few years via email or phone.
Board member Edward Santos motioned to notify the applicant of the time lapsed and request a letter of intent as well.
The board ruled during its Wednesday meeting that Greenland Farms will have 10 days to appeal the letter from the date it is addressed, or else the application will be denied.
“10 days is sufficient. We talked about years [already]. We can go as far as 30 days, but I don’t think it will make an impact … We’ve already done our due diligence,” Santos said.
The issue has been discussed at previous board meetings and was always tabled on account of waiting for Greenland Farms to respond, according to Department of Revenue and Taxation Deputy Director Denise Mendiola.
Pacific Daily News archives also show the applicant’s government-issued credentials expired earlier this year.
“Up to this day, we have not received a response,” Cepeda said.
Cepeda told the board it would have to take action by addressing a letter to Greenland Farms and inform them of the denied application.
Tabled, pendingBlue Wave, Inc., doing business as Pacific Analytical Services, was another applicant whose government-issued credentials expired earlier this year.
Pacific Analytical is also applying for a cannabis establishment licence.
However, Cepeda said they have been in contact with her compliance team and are trying to get their final clearances to complete the application.
“It comes down to the applicant being the laboratory. There are different requirements compared to cultivator, so they are making sure they are following the right steps,” Cepeda said.
Pacific Analytical is otherwise up to date with its application, Cepeda added.
She recommended for the board to table the application until all items were in order…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – TRADE DEAL: FBC NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 27 Jul 2026
NZ, Fiji push for $2b trade goal
SUVA, 27 JULY 2026 (FBC NEWS) — New Zealand and Fiji are stepping up efforts to reach a trade target of $2 billion (US$1 billion), with both countries looking to build on growing economic ties and business opportunities.
The target comes as the two nations formalise a renewed partnership that will guide cooperation over the next five years.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Greg Andrews said trade remains a key priority under the newly signed Duavata Partnership Agreement.
The agreement, signed last week by Minister Sakiasi Ditoka and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, outlines cooperation in five key areas, including economic development.
“We’ve got our trade goal. Our Prime Minister set us a goal to reach $2 billion (US$1 billion) in trade. At the moment, we’re at $1.4 billion (US$700 million). So, we’ve got a little bit of work to do, but really working very closely with New Zealand and Fiji businesses on that.”
Andrews said the refreshed partnership provides a framework for both countries to strengthen economic links while also advancing cooperation in governance, social wellbeing, peace and security, and climate and disaster resilience.
He said the strong people-to-people connections and long-standing relationship between Fiji and New Zealand continue to provide a solid foundation for expanding trade and investment opportunities.
The High Commissioner said closer collaboration between businesses in both countries will be critical in achieving the two-billion-dollar trade target…. PACNEWS
VAN – TOURISM INDUSTRY: VBTC PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 27 Jul 2026
Vanuatu Tourism Operators prepare for National Agriculture Expo
PORT VILA, 27 JULY 2026 (VBTC) — The Vanuatu Department of Tourism is supporting tourism operators, homestay hosts and community tourism businesses on Maewo Island as they prepare to welcome visitors for the National Agriculture Expo 2026, which will be held from 03 -07 August.
It states that with visitor numbers expected to increase during the Expo, the Department has deployed tourism officers to help strengthen accommodation services and improve visitor readiness across the island.
Support includes the distribution of tourism materials, refresher training for accommodation providers and homestay hosts, and on-site guidance to improve hospitality standards.
The activities are being carried out in partnership with the National Agriculture Expo Committee, recognising tourism’s important role in supporting national events and creating new economic opportunities for local communities.
The Department acknowledged the work of PENAMA Provincial Tourism Manager William Smith Mala and Tourism Product Development Officer Lesly Mera, who are currently on Maewo working directly with tourism operators and host communities ahead of the Expo.
Throughout the event, the Department of Tourism will also operate an information and service booth where tourism operators, businesses and members of the public can access tourism permit renewals, administrative assistance, information on tourism programmes and advice on tourism standards and business development.
The Department is encouraging visitors attending the National Agriculture Expo to explore Maewo’s tourism attractions, support local businesses and experience the island’s culture, hospitality and natural beauty.
Officials say the National Agriculture Expo is not only an opportunity to showcase agriculture but also to demonstrate how agriculture and tourism can work together to strengthen local economies, generate income for communities and promote sustainable provincial development…. PACNEWS
PNG – ECONOMY: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 27 Jul 2026
PNG Govt remains focused on managing economy
PORT MORESBY, 27 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says the Government will remain focused on responsible economic management as the country prepares for General Election 2027 (GE27).
Marape said economic policy decisions would continue to be guided by long-term national interests.
“As we move towards 2027, we will not abandon discipline or engage in reckless spending merely for political convenience,” he said.
Marape welcomed what was highlighted in the latest Westpac PNG Economic Update and Outlook as confirmation that the country’s economy remained resilient and “is continuing to grow and is moving in a positive direction”.
“We will continue rebuilding the economy, supporting businesses, attracting investment, creating employment and directing more resources into education, health, infrastructure, law and order and rural development,” he said.
Marape urged political leaders, commentators, businesses and citizens to assess the Government’s performance using credible statistics, historical data and fair international comparisons.
“PNG has survived extraordinary global pressures and is still forecast to grow well above the global average,” he said.
“This Government remains committed to building a stronger, more diversified and inclusive economy so that the benefits of growth reach our villages, districts, provinces, businesses, workers and young people.”
Westpac’s projected growth rate of 4.6 percent for PNG in 2026 compares favourably with the global economic outlook
The Westpac report said PNG’s economic growth was being supported by resource and non-resource activities.
Non-resource sectors, particularly agriculture, industry, communications and services, have continued to provide momentum, with increased activity also being observed in provincial centres.
It reported that PNG’s liquefied natural gas exports remained steady, with approximately 3.73 million tonnes exported by May.
Higher global prices have supported export receipts.
Gold exports have also strengthened significantly because of higher prices and strong production performance from major mining operations…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Australia’s diplomatic blitz across the Pacific
As China tries to gain a military foothold in the Pacific, Australia is fighting back with creative diplomacy – and NZ is joining in
By Anna Fifield
CANBERRA, 27 JULY 2026 (NEWSROOOM) — Australia has been on an extraordinary diplomatic frenzy across the Pacific over the past year – and especially over the past month – as the result of mounting concerns over China’s growing interest in the region.
Both Australia and New Zealand are more and more concerned that Beijing has military ambitions for the South Pacific and holds few qualms about moving into the region, as evidenced by its launch of a ballistic missile into the waters off Tuvalu earlier this month.
That missile launch came on the same day – almost certainly a coincidence – that Australia and Fiji forged the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a new defence pact, and the Vuvale Union security and development pact, backed by Australian government spending of more than $1 billion (US$690 million) over a decade.
Prime ministers Anthony Albanese of Australia and Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji hailed the agreements.
“The significance of this agreement cannot be underestimated for what it means for our two great nations, and we are both stronger because of it,” Albanese said at a press conference in Suva. “The Ocean of Peace Alliance introduces a mutual defence obligation and there’s no higher obligation than to come to each other’s aid at a time of need.”
The following day, he travelled to the Solomon Islands, which is expected to sign a bilateral treaty with Australia soon after electing Matthew Wale as its new prime minister. Wale is promising to “review” the Pacific nation’s contentious security agreement with China.
That’s in addition to agreements with Tuvalu, Nauru, Samoa and Papua New Guinea – the latter involving a rugby league deal.
“It’s extraordinary; just the breadth of it,” says Stephen Dziedzic, foreign affairs reporter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, who accompanied Albanese on his recent trip.
“You see Australia doing things that, quite frankly, would have been completely inconceivable a couple of years ago,” he says. “If you’d told me, say back in 2020, that Australia would sponsor an NRL team from PNG to the tune of $600 million (US$419 million) in … an attempt to stop China from getting a military presence in the country, I would have told you that you were hallucinating, and yet that’s exactly what Australia has done.”
While Australia has humanitarian concerns in the region, China is a major factor for the flurry, Dziedzic says. In addition to building up its diplomatic and development initiatives in the region, Beijing has also shown interest in having a permanent military presence in the South Pacific.
“There’s no way Australia would have poured the amount of time, energy, and money that it has into the Pacific were it not animated by a deep anxiety about China’s presence in the region and the prospect of China getting a military foothold in the region,” Dziedzic says.
This would be alarming for both Australia and New Zealand, which have long considered their isolation to be their best protection.
While New Zealand’s efforts haven’t been as spectacular or ingenious as Australia’s, there has been a noticeable increase in our activity, says Anna Powles, an expert on the Pacific and associate professor in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University.
“New Zealand foreign ministers, including current Foreign Minister Winston Peters, have all said explicitly that New Zealand is seriously concerned about China’s engagement in the Pacific, that it sees China as potentially destabilising, and certainly the recent testing of the submarine-launched ballistic missile is an example of that,” Powles says.
Peters has described his previous year as the most intensive year of Pacific diplomacy undertaken by a New Zealand political leader, and 69 percent of New Zealand’s development spending is directed to the region.
“But what has been really interesting for those of us who spend time thinking about security issues in the Pacific, is the way in which there’s been this shift or sort of a distinct sharpening or hardening of New Zealand’s approach in the region,” Powles says. “We’re not really used to New Zealand playing hardball.”
She cited the disagreement with the Cook Islands over a secret deal it signed with China last year.
New Zealand had not been informed of the details or consulted ahead of time, despite the Cook Islands as a realm country being expected to do so on constitutional matters, defence and security. Peters suspended almost $30 million (US$21 million) in annual funding as a result, reinstating it earlier this year when New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a defence and security declaration.
China has overlapping interests in the Pacific: It wants votes at the United Nations, part of the reason it has been peeling off Taiwan’s few remaining diplomatic partners in the region. It also wants access to fisheries, logging and deep-sea minerals, Powles says.
“Then, of course, there’s that broader strategic competition that’s taking place.”
Powell says that Pacific states are “not passive actors” and are “using this competition to diversify their partnerships to negotiate better agreements and increase their diplomatic leverage as well”.
“There are growing concerns about the implications for Pacific countries to be able to continue to balance China and the West effectively,” says Powell…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
How mangrove conservation is advancing peace and security
SUVA, 27 JULY 2026 (UNDP) — Mangroves are often celebrated for their remarkable ability to store carbon, support biodiversity and protect coastlines from erosion and extreme weather. Across fragile and conflict-affected regions also vulnerable to climate change, they provide something equally vital: a foundation for human security.
As rising temperatures and extreme weather multiply existing threats, the health of a coastline often dictates the stability of a community. When coastal ecosystems collapse, the fallout has cascading impacts. Fish stocks decline and freshwater sources become scarce. People lose their generational farmlands and homes to erosion. The resulting desperation fuels competition and conflicts over shrinking resources, resulting in violence or forcing families to flee.
Protecting mangrove ecosystems offers a powerful pathway to build resilience. When restored and managed sustainably, mangroves sustain local economies, encourage collective environmental stewardship, and reduce the risk of displacement from storms and rising seas, becoming a critical investment in peace and stability.
Restoring livelihoods, rebuilding trust
For coastal communities, healthy mangroves are the bedrock of the local economy. Their dense root systems act as vital nurseries for marine life, supporting both commercial and artisanal fisheries. When these coastal forests are degraded by climate shocks, pollution or overexploitation, marine populations quickly collapse.
In fragile and conflict-affected settings, this sudden loss of income and food security acts as a dangerous threat multiplier. As desperation sets in, competition for shrinking fishing grounds intensifies, often igniting localized disputes and driving displacement.
Nearly 30 percent of Somalia’s land is degraded. In the coastal Jazeera district, mangroves are among the ecosystems under threat, placing fishing livelihoods at increasing risk in a country facing severe climate vulnerability and decades of instability.
To address this, a partnership between the Government of Somalia and the Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS), supported by the UN-coordinated NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, is restoring mangroves through community-based management. An important aspect of the initiative is rehabilitating war-damaged natural areas by involving both residents and internally displaced persons. Working side-by-side to protect mangroves promotes a shared sense of environmental stewardship, building social cohesion in communities fractured by instability.
By securing local food supply chains and rebuilding trust, such collaborative recovery lays the groundwork for climate resilience and peace.
Women leading resilience and local governance
In post-conflict zones, environmental degradation often leaves marginalized communities with few legal ways to earn a living. When traditional livelihoods collapse, vulnerable populations face immense pressure to participate in illicit activities, such as illegal logging or cultivation, just to survive. These unregulated economies not only accelerate environmental destruction but also provide the financial fuel that sustains violent extremist groups and perpetuates violence.
In Tumaco municipality on Colombia’s Pacific coast, communities have long faced armed conflict alongside degradation of their natural ecosystems. For Afro-Colombian concheras, women who traditionally harvest shellfish, the loss of mangroves is a direct threat to their physical safety. As nearby estuaries deplete, they are forced to venture deeper into isolated, contested territories to find shellfish, drastically increasing their exposure to armed groups.
Women leading resilience and local governance
To offer a safe and sustainable alternative, UNDP has supported the Asociación Raíces del Manglar, a grassroots association of Afro-Colombian women restoring local estuaries. By establishing nurseries and planting seedlings, they have successfully restored 15 hectares of degraded mangroves, bringing shellfish harvesting safely back to their doorsteps. Working alongside government institutions like Corponariño and Colombia’s Navy, a people-led Mangrove Guardians Network has been established for long-term protection.
Placing women at the centre of resource governance is reviving local nature-based economies while reducing the risk of gender-based violence.
Investing in the future
In the Pacific Islands, climate change is an everyday existential threat. Rising seas, stronger storms and coastal erosion are reshaping shorelines—threatening homes, livelihoods and cultural heritage. As these pressures intensify, healthy mangrove forests remain one of the most effective natural buffers.
For residents of South Malaita village in the Solomon Islands, mangroves underpin their livelihoods—providing timber, firewood and food in the form of fisheries and the edible mangrove fruits themselves. As these mangroves face threats from pollution, land clearance and disasters, the local Angouru community is taking the lead to protect them.
Supported by UNDP – GEF Small Grants Program, the Angouru Community Development Association (ACDA) has established a community research centre where students and researchers study mangrove ecosystems, document traditional ecological knowledge and develop locally led conservation strategies.
By engaging youth, preserving indigenous knowledge and ensuring communities lead decisions on how their natural resources are managed, ACDA is nurturing a new generation of community leaders well-equipped to address climate risks.
Nature’s peace dividend
Healthy mangroves are a natural infrastructure that helps societies withstand multiple, interconnected risks. By securing livelihoods, strengthening food systems, empowering local leadership and improving the stewardship of shared natural resources, they address many of the underlying pressures that can fuel instability and conflict. Their restoration demonstrates how investing in nature is also an investment in people—fostering cooperation instead of competition, prevention instead of crisis response and long-term resilience instead of repeated recovery—paving the way for more peaceful, secure and sustainable futures…. PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
A cleaner future for three generations on Kiritimati Island
TARAWA, 27 JULY 2026 (UNICEF) — “This is our home,” says Kianteroro. “We worked hard for many years and raised our family here.”
By the time Kianteroro returns from a day of fishing, his family compound is often full of activity. Children move between the two households, relatives gather together and three generations share the home he and his wife Rita have built on Kiritimati Island over more than 30 years. But behind this picture of family life was a challenge that affected everyone who lived there: access to safe sanitation.
For Rita, who uses a wheelchair, that challenge was especially difficult.
When Kianteroro and Rita left Makin in the Gilbert Islands in 1989, they were searching for a better future. The young couple embarked on a long journey to Tabuaeran Island before making another long journey to Kiritimati Island in 1994. Like many families who settled on the island, they arrived with little more than determination and a willingness to work hard.
Over the following decades, they built a life from the ocean and the land. Kianteroro fished while the family also raised pigs to earn an income. Little by little, they saved enough money to build a modest family home in London (Ronton).
Today, the 62-year-old fisherman and his wife Rita, 61, are surrounded by three generations of family. Two of their sons now live in Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati, but the rest of the family remains on Kiritimati.
The family compound is home to two households. In one house lives Kianteroro, Rita, his younger sister and her young son. Nearby, his daughter, son-in-law and their five children live in a second household. Together, the two households are home to five adults and six children.
Several times each week, Kianteroro heads out to sea with his son-in-law, often returning with catches of 50 to 70 fish. Fishing remains the family’s primary source of livelihood and their connection to the ocean that surrounds Kiritimati. Yet despite the progress they had made over the years, one challenge remained unresolved: sanitation.
For many years, the family relied on a small pit toilet that struggled to cope with the island’s conditions.
“It was very old,” Kianteroro recalled. “When the groundwater came up, we could not use it. Sometimes the pit filled up quickly. The smell was bad.”
When the toilet became unusable, family members often had little choice but to use the beach across the road or the bush behind their home.
The challenge was not unique to Kianteroro’s family. Open defecation was common in parts of the community, including along the beachfront.
“Many people used the beach,” he said. “People walked across our place at all times. It was not clean and it was not safe. And the smell from the beach was very very bad.”
For a community whose lives depend on the sea, the situation affected more than comfort. Waste ended up all along the beach, impacting the environment and the cleanliness of shared community spaces. For anyone struggling with mobility issues, like Rita who uses a wheelchair, the situation was especially difficult.
That has since changed with two new toilets constructed for the family through the Building Resilience through Improved Sanitation and Hygiene (BRIS-H) initiative, funded by the European Union.
One toilet serves Kianteroro’s household, while the second serves his daughter’s family next door. The benefits were immediate.
For Rita, the indoor flush toilet has brought greater independence and dignity.
“It helps me very much,” she said. “It is safe. It is private. It is clean.”
The new facilities have also created a healthier and more accessible environment for everyone living on the family compound, particularly young children and older family members.
For Kianteroro, the improvements extend beyond his own household.
“We are very thankful,” he said. “Now everybody has a toilet.”
The changes can be seen across the community. The beach in front of their home is now clean again.
“Nobody uses the beach for their business now,” he said. “It is very clean.”
Cleaner surroundings have helped make the area more pleasant for families and visitors alike. Kianteroro says he regularly sees visitors walking along the shoreline, enjoying the beauty of the island.
By improving access to safe sanitation, the BRIS-H initiative is helping families live healthier lives while protecting the fragile coastal environment on which communities depend. For households such as Kianteroro’s, the benefits extend beyond the toilet itself. It is about supporting dignity, inclusion, environmental stewardship and a better quality of life for future generations.
Looking around his home, Kianteroro reflects on how far his family has come since arriving on Kiritimati more than 30 years ago.
“We worked hard to build our life here,” he said. “Now we have a good toilet and a clean place for our family. It is good for us and good for the community,” he said before again thanking for the toilets…. PACNEWS
