PACNEWS ONE, 16 MARCH 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Iran war on Pacific agenda as Christopher Luxon jets to Samoa, Tonga for meetings2. PACIFIC — CROP Heads meet amidst evolving Regional and Global Environment3. PACIFIC —
Diplomacy
Pacific hosts first UN treaty law workshop to strengthen regional legal capacity
SUVA, Fiji: Senior Officials from Pacific Islands Forum member countries and legal experts from across the Pacific gathered this week at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat for a Workshop on Treaty Law and
New Zealand PM to receive matai title in Samoa
NEW ZEALAND Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be honoured with a matai (chiefly) title during his state visit to Samoa next
Legal experts meet for treaty law talks
SENIOR officials from Pacific Islands Forum member countries and legal experts from across the region will attend a workshop on treaty law and
Vanuatu takes fight to Trump
THE Trump Administration’s attempt to sink a UN resolution demanding countries act on the climate crisis has caused cuts to the
New Zealand reaffirms strong partnership with Fiji
NEW Zealand has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Fiji across key sectors, including defence, community development, and disaster
Taiwan shores up Tuvalu relationship
TAIWAN’S Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, arrived in Tuvalu on Wednesday as a special envoy for President Lai
Climate mobility is not an abstract
THE Pacific region has taken a leading role in shaping global climate mobility and human security
Manele supports Zimbabwe’s security council bid
SOLOMON Islands will support Zimbabwe’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council.Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele met
NZ prepares to help its people as US and Israel attacks Iran
NEW Zealand diplomatic missions in the Middle East are closely monitoring the conflict between the United States, Israel, and
US Deputy Secretary of State welcomed in Fiji
THE United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, received a warm welcome this morning through a traditional
Pacific to host key COP31 climate events
THE Pacific Islands Forum will host key climate events leading up to COP31, Forum Chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele
Emperor Naruhito’s birthday marks a milestone in Fiji–Japan relations
A FORMAL toast marked the 66th birthday of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and highlighted the strong and respectful diplomatic ties between
Total recall: US summons envoys to the Pacific
IN a further blow to United States (US) influence in the region, the Trump Administration will withdraw key diplomats accredited to eight Forum member countries before the end of their normal
Puna takes helm at Pacific Islands Development Program
FORMER Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna, has now been appointed Interim
Looking south: Marshall Islands president visits Australia
MARSHALL Islands President Dr. Hilda C. Heine has made a state visit to Australia, the first by a Marshallese leader in more than three
Australia commits $AUD550 million to regional climate resilience
AUSTRALIA hosted Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders for a PIF Troika meeting in Brisbane this week to discuss progress on arrangements for a special pre-COP hosted in the
US envoy to PNG, Solomons, Vanuatu returns home
THE U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, Erin Elizabeth McKee Yastishock, has returned home after two years in the
Ambassador Stone steps down in Majuro
THE United States Embassy in Majuro has announced the retirement of Ambassador Laura M. Stone, ending a distinguished 35-year diplomatic
Fiji bids farewell to US Ambassador
FIJIAN President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, bid farewell to outgoing United States Ambassador Marie Damour, during a courtesy call at the State
Fiji’s sports economy to contribute $FJD250 million per year
FIJI'S economy relies heavily on tourism, the largest foreign-exchange earner, which boosts the country's Gross Domestic Product
Taiwan boosts Palau economy ahead of Pacific leaders’ meeting
TAIWAN has started to strengthen Pacific alliances ahead of the regional leaders’ meeting scheduled for
