Latest News

Chemonics Australia says its acquisition of advisory firm 35 South and regional delivery specialist JID will strengthen its ability to support infrastructure, public-sector reform and development programmes across Pacific countries. The acquisitions, announced Sept. 2, expand the organisation’s capacity to work with governments, development partners and regional institutions from programme design through to on-the-ground delivery. For Pacific countries, the most immediate impact is expected to come from JID’s established presence in the region. The company has teams and programme experience in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu, where it has supported social and economic infrastructure, service delivery, disaster response and resilience initiatives. JID has worked with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other regional partners on major Pacific infrastructure investments. Its model combines advisory services, programme management and operational delivery, which Chemonics Australia says is particularly suited to remote, disaster-affected and resource-constrained settings. JID CEO Brad Bowman said the partnership would give regional teams stronger systems and resources to support larger programmes while maintaining local knowledge at the centre of delivery. “Our strength comes from teams embedded across the region and their ability to manage infrastructure and services in demanding environments,” Bowman said. The acquisition of 35 South adds public-sector advisory expertise in policy, programme and service delivery, economics, and data analysis. While its work has focused on Australian government agencies, its capabilities could support Pacific governments and development partners seeking to improve planning, implementation and service outcomes. Chemonics Australia was established in 2025 to support governments and institutions across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. The company said the acquisitions would deepen its ability to help partners manage complex reforms, deliver large investments and respond to local development priorities. Chemonics Chair and CEO Jamey Butcher said the combined organisation would strengthen what it could offer partners across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. The expanded organisation expects to work with partners including Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Asian Development Bank, regional institutions and Pacific governments. The move comes as Pacific countries continue to seek investment and delivery support for infrastructure, climate resilience, essential services and economic development. Chemonics said its enlarged regional capability would help partners implement programmes that build local capacity and deliver long-term benefits for communities.

Kalo Gold Corp has identified a new high-grade gold-silver vein target at its Vatu Aurum Project in Fiji, with reconnaissance rock sampling returning up to 7.83 grams per tonne gold and 108g/t silver. The company said seven rock samples collected from a previously unsampled outcrop in the northeast of the Wainikoro target returned gold grades of up to 7.83g/t and silver grades of up to 108g/t. Five of the seven samples assayed above 2g/t gold, while three returned more than 4g/t gold. The outcrop, named the New Vein Cluster, contains two intersecting sets of epithermal quartz veins exposed over approximately 15 metres of strike. The veins trend NNW-SSE and east-west, with neither set closed off at the exposed outcrop because both continue beneath overburden. Kalo said the target is approximately 270 metres northeast of the principal Wainikoro graben structure, along the margin of a discrete magnetic low. It is also about 900 metres northeast of 2026 drill hole VA26-DH19 and occurs within predominantly andesitic volcanic rocks. The company interprets the contrasting vein orientations and cross-cutting relationships as evidence of at least two episodes of veining and hydrothermal activity. The mineralisation displays textures and geochemical characteristics associated with a low-sulphidation epithermal system, including elevated gold, silver, arsenic, antimony, lead and zinc. Highest-grade samples The strongest result came from sample WKE-LR26-017A, which returned 7.83g/t gold and 99.7g/t silver. Another sample, WKE-LR26-025D, returned 4.02g/t gold and 105g/t silver. Other samples included grades of 5.36g/t gold and 54.6g/t silver, 2.32g/t gold and 77.1g/t silver, and 2.10g/t gold and 33.7g/t silver. Kalo president and chief executive Terry L. Tucker said the results were significant not only because of the grades but also because the mineralisation occurs across two intersecting vein orientations. “What makes it more than a good rock sample is the structure,” Tucker said, adding that both vein sets remain open beneath cover and will be targeted through trenching and geophysical surveys. Follow-up exploration planned Kalo plans additional geological mapping, structural measurements, channel sampling and trenching across the New Vein Cluster to test the continuity of the veins beneath overburden. A ground geophysical programme is also underway across Wainikoro, comprising gradient-array induced polarisation (IP), gravity and controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT). The gradient-array IP survey began on 31 July, with five of eight survey blocks completed. The remaining blocks are scheduled for completion by late September. Gravity surveying began on 14 August and is also scheduled to finish in late September, while CSAMT is expected to begin in late September and continue into October. Kalo expects integrated interpretation and final geophysical reporting to be completed in November 2026. The company said the geophysical results will be combined with geological mapping, soil geochemistry, airborne magnetic and radiometric data and laboratory results to refine the Wainikoro geological model and identify priority drill targets. Kalo cautioned that the rock samples are selective in nature and may not be representative of mineralisation across the wider property. No mineral resource or mineral reserve has been estimated for the Vatu Aurum Project, and the exploration targets remain conceptual. Kalo's 100%-owned Vatu Aurum Project covers 367 square kilometres on Vanua Levu, Fiji, where the company is exploring a northeast-trending corridor of low-sulphidation epithermal gold targets, including Wainikoro and the Aurum Prime area.

Here’s a PNG-focused news rewrite, leading with Santos’ increased stake and the implications for Papua LNG. Santos to lift Papua LNG stake to 21% as ExxonMobil takes operatorship PORT MORESBY, Sept. 7, 2026 — Santos Ltd. will increase its participating interest in the Papua LNG project to 21% after agreeing to acquire an additional 3.3% stake from TotalEnergies as part of a broader restructuring of the project's ownership and operatorship. TotalEnergies has agreed with ExxonMobil to transfer operatorship of Papua LNG to ExxonMobil PNG Antelope Limited, while partially selling down its participating interest to the other Papua LNG joint venture partners in proportion to their existing interests. Santos said it has executed a binding agreement to acquire the additional 3.3% participating interest, calculated after the Papua New Guinea state's back-in, in PRL 15 and the Papua LNG project for approximately US$189 million. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and the project reaching a Final Investment Decision (FID), currently planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. If completed, the acquisition will be effective from Jan. 1, 2026. Santos expects the additional interest to increase its equity LNG production from Papua LNG by about 19% to approximately 1.2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). The company said the acquisition is consistent with its strategy of disciplined, value-accretive growth around existing infrastructure and increasing exposure to Asian LNG demand. ExxonMobil to operate Papua LNG The proposed operatorship transfer would give ExxonMobil responsibility for Papua LNG while it continues to operate the existing PNG LNG project, a move Santos expects to generate operational synergies and strengthen project execution. Santos Managing Director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said the transaction would better align the company's interests across PNG LNG and Papua LNG ahead of the planned FID. “The Papua LNG project is a world-class development, strategically positioned to supply premium Asian markets and offering multiple value streams for Santos,” Gallagher said. “ExxonMobil brings a proven track record of project delivery and reliable operations in Papua New Guinea, including PNG LNG, and is expected to realise significant synergies by operating both the upstream and midstream project scopes.” Gallagher said Santos was prepared to increase its investment in Papua LNG because of the project's expected long-term production profile. “Papua LNG is a world-class project and this is the right time to increase our position,” he said. Santos said the proposed changes to equity interests and operatorship would improve alignment among the Papua LNG and PNG LNG joint venture participants. FID remains key milestone Completion of Santos' acquisition remains conditional on regulatory approvals and Papua LNG achieving FID. Santos said it will provide the market with an update at FID on the project's cost, schedule and economics. The transaction comes as Papua LNG moves toward its targeted FID in the fourth quarter of 2026, a key milestone for the proposed development and its future LNG production capacity in Papua New Guinea. Santos also acknowledged TotalEnergies for its work advancing Papua LNG over the past decade and said the project remains on track for FID later this year.

Families in the remote community of Petervat in north Malekula, Vanuatu, now have clean, reliable running water through a new solar-powered water system delivered under Australia’s REnew Pacific programme. The system uses renewable energy to pump water from a natural spring directly to households, reducing reliance on fuel-based systems and improving water security for the rural community. It was officially handed over last week by Malekula MP Paul Paolo and REnew Pacific Portfolio Manager Lindah Keremoi-Elton, representing the Australian High Commission, alongside local leaders and community members. Vanuatu Minister for Climate Change, Adaptation, Geohazards, Meteorology and Energy Ralph Regenvanu said the project showed how renewable energy could improve essential services in rural communities. “Projects like this show renewable energy can deliver a tangible impact,” Regenvanu said. “The Petervat community now has locally owned infrastructure providing reliable access to clean water while reducing reliance on costly fuel-based systems.” He said he looked forward to further renewable energy projects under the Nakamal Agreement. Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu Max Willis said the project demonstrated the practical benefits of Australia’s partnership with Vanuatu. “We launched REnew Pacific in Petervat a year ago, so it is a proud moment that clean water is now flowing, powered by the sun,” Willis said. “This is what partnership looks like in action: climate-resilient infrastructure that improves daily life for rural ni-Vanuatu families.” Petervat is one of nine rural communities across Santo, Paama, Tanna and Malekula receiving solar-powered water systems under the two-year project. The initiative is expected to improve water security for more than 5,100 people. It will also provide 24 health centres and schools with solar photovoltaic systems and battery storage, while creating local employment and training opportunities. For Petervat residents, the system reduces the time and effort previously required to collect water. “In the past, we relied on water from the river, but now we have access to water from a natural spring,” said Jamie Vaxal, secretary of the Petervat Community Water Committee. “The water is piped directly to our houses, and daily life is much easier.” The system was delivered by the Global Green Growth Institute in partnership with Vanuatu’s National Green Energy Fund. Community members have been trained to operate and maintain the infrastructure. “This system now belongs to Petervat,” said Andres Toro, GGGI Vanuatu’s REnew Pacific project lead. “The community has been trained to run and maintain it, ensuring reliable access to clean water for years to come.” The project is one of two REnew Pacific initiatives in Vanuatu. It builds on the recently completed Respond Global HELPR-1 project, which provided 24-hour solar power to 41 health facilities across the country’s six provinces, benefiting more than 70,000 people. REnew Pacific is an Australian government commitment of A$75 million to expand clean, reliable off-grid renewable energy in rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. It forms part of the A$350 million Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership, delivered through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has launched its Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy 2026–2030, setting a five-year framework for making the country's fisheries sector more inclusive. Endorsed in April, the strategy will integrate gender equality, disability inclusion and social inclusion across MFMR policies, programs, services and decision-making. Director of Fisheries Edward Honiwala said women, youth and marginalized groups have long contributed to fisheries value chains but their roles and voices have not always been recognized. “Together we can build a fisheries sector that uplifts every voice, values every contribution and leaves no one behind,” Honiwala said. The strategy replaces a gender mainstreaming strategy developed more than a decade ago that focused primarily on inshore fisheries. The new framework takes a broader approach covering MFMR's work and the wider fisheries sector, including greater participation by persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups in fisheries management, development and decision-making. Honiwala said Solomon Islands is among the few Pacific countries with a fisheries-specific GEDSI strategy. The strategy includes objectives, targets, indicators and an implementation plan, with its development informed by consultations with communities and stakeholders. Technical assistance was provided by the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme, with support continuing under PEUMP II, funded by the European Union. WorldFish also provided guidance through the Pathways project, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The launch followed a three-day GEDSI training program for MFMR staff held from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 in Honiara. The training provided staff with practical tools for assessing how fisheries policies, programs and decisions affect different groups. MFMR will now implement the strategy across its divisions, with responsibilities, timelines and monitoring mechanisms established to track progress over the next five years. PEUMP II, which runs from 2026 to 2030, supports Pacific countries in addressing declining coastal fisheries resources, marine biodiversity threats, climate change and sustainable economic development. It also promotes GEDSI and a human rights-based approach to ensuring more equitable participation in the region's blue economy.

The Asian Development Bank has approved a new rapid-response financing project for Vanuatu, giving the Pacific island nation faster access to funds following disasters and other major emergencies. The Vanuatu Rapid Response Contingent Project is the first project approved under ADB’s Rapid Resource Reprogramming and Deployment Option (3RDO), a region-wide mechanism that allows countries to redirect existing undisbursed ADB financing towards emergency response and early recovery. ADB said the financing can be used to support affected families, provide essential supplies and equipment, and restore damaged public services and infrastructure. “The economic shocks hitting the region from the conflict in the Middle East are the latest crisis, but they won’t be the last,” ADB President Masato Kanda said. “Vanuatu will face any crises in the future with a financing route open and ready to move money where it is needed most. This project is designed to get help to families and restore essential services before a shock becomes a prolonged emergency.” Disaster exposure  Vanuatu has suffered average annual disaster-related losses of $35.7 million since 2006, with weather-related events including tropical cyclones, droughts and floods accounting for 86 per cent of those losses, according to ADB. The bank said Vanuatu’s dispersed islands, limited infrastructure and underlying social and economic vulnerabilities make disasters particularly disruptive to agriculture, fisheries, tourism, health, education and housing. The new financing mechanism can be activated following earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones, severe droughts and El Niño-related impacts. It can also respond to food, health and biological emergencies, pollution or contamination incidents, as well as economic crises, including external price shocks, disruption to connectivity and prolonged utility outages. Under the 3RDO mechanism, small island developing states such as Vanuatu can reallocate up to 25 per cent of their undisbursed and uncommitted public-sector ADB portfolio through a pre-arranged rapid-response contingent project. ADB said the mechanism would be integrated into Vanuatu’s national disaster risk-management system and complement existing disaster-risk financing instruments. It is also intended to strengthen the country’s institutional preparedness so that financing can be deployed more quickly when a crisis occurs. Regional mechanism  The Vanuatu project represents the first use of 3RDO since ADB introduced the mechanism to accelerate emergency financing across Asia and the Pacific. The bank said the approach is intended to ensure that countries do not have to establish a new financing arrangement from scratch after a disaster, allowing resources to be redirected through a pre-arranged structure. ADB said the mechanism would help Vanuatu respond to future shocks while supporting early recovery and the restoration of essential services. The initiative comes as Pacific island countries face continuing exposure to climate-related disasters and economic disruptions, while their geographic dispersion and infrastructure constraints can increase the cost and complexity of emergency response.

A New Zealand-funded grant has helped the Vilu War Museum in West Guadalcanal improve visitor interpretation, with 30 new signs providing historical context for the World War II relics preserved at the site. The Vilu War Museum, which holds one of the Solomon Islands’ most significant collections of large World War II relics, has completed the production and installation of new interpretive signage with support from a grant facilitated by Business Link Pacific (BLP). The Solomon Islands WWII Heritage Association (SIWHA) applied for the grant on behalf of the museum in April 2025. The project was developed in response to the museum’s growing number of cruise ship visitors and the need to provide clearer information about the exhibits in the outdoor museum park. The collection includes the remains of Japanese and American aircraft and artillery pieces associated with the Guadalcanal Campaign of 1942–43, during which major battles were fought on and around Guadalcanal. Bringing greater context to WWII relics The grant supported the production and installation of 30 interpretive signs throughout the museum grounds. Two large overview signs were installed at the entrance, providing visitors with background on the Guadalcanal Campaign and its key battles. The remaining signs were positioned alongside individual exhibits, linking the historical information directly to the aircraft, artillery and other wartime relics on display. The museum said the project represented an important improvement to the visitor experience. “Thanks to a New Zealand–funded grant from Business Link Pacific, we’ve been able to produce 30 new interpretive signs for the outdoor exhibits — a big step toward improving the visitor experience and preserving these stories for future generations,” the museum said. The signage project also made extensive use of local participation. Graphic design was completed in-house, while installation was carried out by volunteers from the Vilu War Museum and SIWHA. As a result, almost all of the grant funding was spent directly on producing the signs through a local sign maker, keeping the project focused on the intended visitor improvements. Longer visits and stronger visitor engagement The museum has reported changes in how visitors interact with the site since the signs were installed. Visitors are now tending to stay longer, while the additional information has also reduced the need for museum staff to personally guide every visitor through the outdoor exhibits. The museum said visitors have responded positively to having more detailed historical interpretation available at each display. Tour operators have also provided positive feedback, with some sharing photographs of the museum and its exhibits on social media, helping increase the site's visibility as a heritage tourism attraction. For a museum built around physical remnants of one of the Pacific's most significant World War II campaigns, the project demonstrates how relatively modest visitor infrastructure can improve the way historical sites are experienced and understood. Supporting Pacific tourism businesses The Vilu War Museum project was supported through Business Link Pacific, which facilitates small and medium-sized enterprise access to business advisory services and financial support. BLP provides online tools that allow businesses to assess their needs, including its Business Health Check, Business Continuity Planner and Climate Action Sensor. Businesses can also connect with local BLP partners for face-to-face diagnostic support. For Vilu War Museum, the grant has provided a practical investment in interpretation while supporting the museum's ability to accommodate growing visitor numbers and preserve the historical stories associated with the Guadalcanal campaign.

  Since being signed in October 2025, the ‘U.S.-Australia Framework for Securing Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths’ (“Framework”) has gained momentum against the backdrop of intensifying global competition for strategic resources. The initiative reflects a broader structural shift: critical minerals are no longer simply commodities, but are increasingly becoming instruments of economic security, industrial policy and geopolitical leverage. At its core, the Framework seeks to integrate two resource-rich, politically aligned jurisdictions into a more resilient supply chain for minerals essential to defence systems, semiconductors, electric vehicles and clean energy infrastructure. It aims to do so by incentivising cross-border investment, accelerating permitting and facilitating preferential offtake arrangements. From a policy standpoint, the Framework aligns with parallel efforts such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy, each designed to reduce dependence on concentrated supply sources and to “friend-shore” production capacity. In practical terms, the Framework may unlock access to U.S. government-backed financing, including through the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. and the U.S. Department of Defense’s industrial base programmes, materially improving project bankability. For developers and investors, this signals opportunity. However, history — and recent arbitration trends in the mining sector — suggest a more complex reality: geopolitical stability at the macro level often masks heightened instability at the project level. Indeed, the acceleration of capital deployment, compressed development timelines and increasing politicisation of resource allocation are all well-established catalysts for disputes. Where disputes are likely to emerge 1. Native title and land access pressures A significant proportion of Australia’s critical mineral deposits are located on or near land subject to Indigenous rights and cultural heritage protections. The consultation and consent requirements under the Native Title Act 1993 are rigorous, and for good reason. However, where projects are fast-tracked under strategic imperatives, tensions inevitably arise. Recent experience across the mining sector shows that insufficient consultation or procedural shortcuts can trigger injunctions, heritage disputes and long-tail reputational harm. From a disputes perspective, these conflicts are increasingly hybrid, combining domestic administrative litigation with contractual and investor-State dimensions. 2. Joint venture and offtake fragility in volatile markets Critical minerals projects are capital-intensive and often structured through complex joint ventures and long-term offtake agreements. These arrangements are particularly vulnerable in environments of price volatility and shifting policy incentives. As seen in lithium and rare earth markets over the past five years, divergence between contracted prices and spot markets can become extreme. This creates fertile ground for disputes over: • price review and hardship clauses**;** • force majeure and “change in law” provisions**; and** • operator control and capital allocation decisions. Where projects are strategically significant, these disputes may escalate quickly, with broader political or regulatory implications. 3. Regulatory complexity and judicialisation of approvals Australia’s regulatory landscape, spanning federal regimes such as the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act and a patchwork of state-based mining and environmental laws, remains inherently complex. The addition of a “strategic project” designation does not eliminate this complexity; it may, in fact, intensify scrutiny. Third parties, including environmental NGOs and local communities, are increasingly sophisticated and willing to challenge approvals through judicial review mechanisms. This trend mirrors developments in other jurisdictions, where expedited approvals tied to energy transition goals have been successfully contested, delaying projects and increasing costs. 4. Export controls and sovereign reallocation risk The Framework itself is non-binding and operates within a fluid geopolitical environment. Export controls, domestic reservation policies or shifts in alliance priorities can materially alter the commercial assumptions underpinning a project. Investors structuring projects around anticipated U.S. demand or preferential access may face realignment risk if political priorities shift. This raises complex questions around: • stabilisation clauses**;** • sovereign interference**; and** • potential recourse under investment treaties. Recent ISDS jurisprudence demonstrates that resource nationalism, particularly in strategic sectors, continues to generate high-value claims, often centred on indirect expropriation and fair and equitable treatment standards. A structural observation: ESG as shield and sword An emerging dynamic worth highlighting is the dual role of ESG considerations. On the one hand, ESG compliance is increasingly positioned as a prerequisite for access to financing and market entry under frameworks like this one. On the other, ESG obligations are being invoked by States as a regulatory justification in disputes. This creates a paradox: ESG can operate both as a shield for States and as a sword for claimants, particularly where regulatory measures are inconsistent, disproportionate or applied retrospectively. Conclusion: Strategic alignment, legal complexity The U.S.-Australia Framework represents a sophisticated attempt to align industrial policy with geopolitical realities. It will likely accelerate investment and unlock significant value across the critical minerals supply chain. But for project developers, investors and financiers, the key takeaway is clear: the risk profile is evolving, not diminishing. Careful attention must be paid to: • contractual risk allocation (particularly around price, force majeure and regulatory change); • dispute resolution mechanisms (including the selection of the arbitral seat, governing law and enforcement strategy); and • the interaction between domestic regulatory frameworks and international investment protections. For project developers, investors, offtake counterparties and financiers active in Australia’s and/or the US’s critical minerals sectors, careful attention should be given to contractual terms in light of the rapidly changing regulatory environment which, in some respects concerning the Framework, remains undefined. In short, the next phase of the critical minerals boom will not only be defined by “big deals”, but also by increasingly complex, high-stakes disputes.   Ryan Cable, Partner (Brisbane), and Diora Ziyaeva, Partner and U.S. Region Co-Lead in Mining and Natural Resources (New York), are members of Dentons’ global International Arbitration and Investment Treaty Arbitration groups. They advise clients across the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors on project development, joint ventures, dispute resolution and regulatory compliance.

Santos is proud to recognise a historic milestone at the Kumul Marine Terminal (KMT), with the appointment of Jackson Jim as Team Leader, working back-to-back with Willie Mapal. This marks the first time the facility has been led entirely by Papua New Guinean nationals. The achievement represents a significant moment in the history of one of Papua New Guinea's most important energy export facilities and reflects decades of investment in workforce development and capability building. Located in the Gulf of Papua, the Kumul Marine Terminal is a critical piece of national energy infrastructure, serving as the primary offshore export terminal for crude oil production. Since commencing operations, the facility has played a vital role in supporting Papua New Guinea's petroleum industry and contributing to the country's economic development through safe and reliable oil exports. Santos PNG Vice President PNG Operations, Rhys Ward, said the milestone demonstrates the strength of national talent and the company's commitment to developing Papua New Guinean leaders. "The appointment of Jackson and Willie to lead the Kumul Marine Terminal is a proud achievement for Santos and Papua New Guinea. It reflects the dedication, professionalism and capability of our national workforce and demonstrates what can be achieved through long-term investment in people and leadership development. "KMT is a critical asset within our operations. Seeing it fully led by Papua New Guinean nationals is a testament to the depth of talent within our workforce and our commitment to building sustainable careers for Papua New Guineans." Santos Country Chair PNG, Leon Buskens, said the milestone reflects the company's long-standing commitment to developing Papua New Guinean talent and leadership. "The Kumul Marine Terminal has been a cornerstone of Papua New Guinea's oil export industry for many years, and seeing it now fully led by Papua New Guinean nationals is a significant and proud achievement." Jackson Jim, Team Leader, Kumul Marine Terminal, said he was proud to be part of the first fully Papua New Guinean leadership team at KMT, demonstrating Santos' commitment to developing local talent. "I started with the company as an apprentice in 2007, so this is a proud moment for me personally. As PNG's petroleum industry continues to grow, I hope this achievement encourages more Papua New Guineans to see the opportunities available and pursue careers in the sector." As Team Leader, Jackson Jim will oversee the safe and efficient operation of the terminal while continuing to champion operational excellence and workforce development. Together with Willie Mapal, the leadership team will continue to build on KMT's strong safety culture and commitment to reliable performance. Santos congratulates Jackson, Willie and the entire KMT team on this landmark achievement and recognises their contribution to the continuing success of Papua New Guinea's oil and gas industry. Background: Jackson joined the company in 2007 as an Apprentice, while Willie joined in 2002 as a Platform Operator Trainee. KMT commenced export operations in 1992. The first export cargo, #0001, was loaded on 27 June 1992 onto the Ten-ei Maru tanker, carrying 650,000 barrels. KMT has safely completed 1,064 loadings since that date. KMT has exported approximately 664.8 million barrels of oil in total, based on 1,064 loadings of approximately 650,000 barrels each. As of 31 August 2026, the facility has been in operation for 12,749 days, or approximately 34 years and two months. Throughout this period, KMT has safely exported oil from Papua New Guinea 1,064 times. Some KMT crew members have worked at the facility for more than 20 years, contributing to a highly experienced team.  

Civil society representatives from across the Pacific have gathered in Tuvalu to develop a stronger collective voice on climate change ahead of Pre-COP31 and the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31). The Pacific Civil Society Dialogue on Climate Change, held in Funafuti, brings together communities, youth, women, faith-based organizations, traditional leaders and civil society networks to consolidate regional priorities and ensure their perspectives inform the Pacific's climate agenda. Opening the dialogue, Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo said climate policy must be shaped by people experiencing its impacts. “Climate actions must be shaped and influenced by the people who live with their consequences every day. And that is why this dialogue matters,” Teo said. He said climate action should be a shared responsibility, with civil society and other non-state actors contributing practical solutions and helping translate commitments by Pacific leaders into action. United Nations Resident Coordinator Dirk Wagener said Pacific civil society has an important role in keeping the region's lived experiences at the center of global climate negotiations. “The Pacific is not asking the world to save it. The Pacific is asking the world to honor its commitments, to listen to those already living with the consequences of climate change, and to act with the urgency that this moment demands,” Wagener said. The dialogue is focused on building a unified regional civil society position ahead of Pre-COP31 and COP31, including priorities around limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the ocean-climate nexus, accessible climate finance and people-centered climate action. Organizers said Pacific leaders have already established the region's key climate priorities, while the dialogue provides civil society with an opportunity to strengthen and broaden that agenda by bringing community-level experiences into international discussions. The gathering reinforces the call for Pacific communities to have a direct role in shaping decisions that will affect the region's future as climate impacts intensify.