From win to change
ONE year ago, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled, unanimously, that states have binding legal obligations to protect global climate
Climate
Pacific at a crossroads
PACIFIC Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa says “a long list of items” is being prepared ahead of the Leaders Meeting in Palau, with climate change central to discussions alongside social and development
PACNEWS ONE, 20 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific COP process begins in Fiji with call to put communities at centre of climate action2. PACIFIC — ‘We are leaders, not victims’: Pacific youth demand climate voice3.
PACNEWS THREE, 19 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. UN — Tonga nominates Ecuadorian diplomat in race to be next UN chief2. USA — U.S sued as it pushes to auction massive tracks of water around American Samoa3. PACIFIC — Pacific
PACNEWS TWO, 19 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — China dismisses Palau President’s missile test claims as Pacific leaders prepare to discuss issue2. PACIFIC — Winston Peters urges Pacific leaders to put economic growth at
PACNEWS ONE, 19 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — ‘Regional ownership matters most,’ Pacific foreign ministers say amid fragile bloc unity2. COOKS — Cook Islands election gives Brown powerful majority as Mangaia MPs join
Experts warn of strong El Nino
METEOROLOGISTS expect the El Niño now building in the Pacific Ocean to be the strongest on record, peaking between September and December.
Pacific young people must shape leadership, UNI Fiji vice-chancellor says
PACIFIC leaders must listen to young people and pursue the common good as the region confronts climate distress, rising inequality, weakened civil society and a loss of trust in government, governance and
PACNEWS THREE, 17 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Human rights groups urge Tuvalu and Ireland to put rights at centre of fossil fuel transition talks2. SOL — Solomon Islands shapes first national response to climate Loss
PACNEWS TWO, 17 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PNG — Papua New Guineans to start serving in Australian defence force2. PALAU — PIF 2026: Palau prepares for a Pacific meeting shaped by regional divisions3. VAN — Former Vanuatu
PACNEWS ONE, 17 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. TONGA — Tonga appoints three new Ministers2. COOKS — Mangaia trio boosts Cook Islands Party bid for supermajority3. HAWAII — Hurricane poised to hit Hawaii as El Nino stirs
Solomon Islands shapes first national response to climate Loss and Damage
Solomon Islands ministries, provincial leaders, researchers and civil society are shaping the country’s first dedicated policy
PACNEWS THREE, 14 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. COOKS — Brown thanks Cook Islands voters after election2. PACIFIC — Pacific Ministers back AI rules and safer digital spaces as connectivity expands3. TUVALU — Tuvalu invites Japan
PACNEWS THREE 13 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific Ministers push stronger fisheries protection and maritime boundaries2. PACIFIC — Forum Foreign Ministers call for urgent capitalisation of PRF, as region targets
PACNEWS TWO 13 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific Foreign Ministers push stronger nuclear language after China missile test2. COOKS — Polling booths open in Cook Islands3. PNG — PNG Government floats idea for
PACNEWS ONE, 13 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Forum Foreign Ministers call for transparency over Pacific missile tests2. PACIFIC — Marshall Islands backed to host 2029 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting3. PACIFIC
PACNEWS THREE, 12 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific Foreign Ministers back regional security plan as threats grow more complex2. PACIFIC — Forum Foreign Ministers support stronger Climate push ahead of COP313. PACIFIC
PACNEWS TWO, 12 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific faces “fight for our lives” from triple planetary crisis: SPREP DG2. UN — World marks second warmest July on record3. COOKS — Cost of living, water tariffs,
Kiribati turns to climate-resilient food systems as imports, obesity and child malnutrition rise
KIRIBATI is strengthening food and nutrition security through climate-resilient agriculture, fisheries management, social protection and an offshore horticultural estate in Fiji, as scarce land, limited freshwater and
PACNEWS ONE, 11 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. COOKS — Two-way battle: No clear majority as Cook Islands prepares to head to the polls2. PACIFIC — Pacific stands together to strengthen global voice3. PACIFIC — Philippines
Palau draws on Vanuatu’s experience to advance climate finance priorities
Palau is drawing on Vanuatu’s experience to improve how climate projects are selected, financed and managed as the country begins
Niue solar project cuts diesel use, saves millions in fuel costs
NIUE has cut the operating time of its diesel generators from around the clock to just two to three hours a day after opening a new solar and battery system, which is expected to save about $NZ4 million a year in fuel
Nuclear justice, climate resilience top Marshall Islands president’s parliamentary agenda
MARSHALL Islands President Hilda C. Heine called for stronger national security, climate adaptation and public-sector reform as parliament resumed, warning that geopolitical tensions, extreme weather and rising living
