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Contractors, consultants, financiers and development partners gathered in Fiji last month for the Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar, highlighting a growing pipeline of infrastructure projects across the region and opportunities for businesses to participate in their delivery. The Pacific's expanding infrastructure programme was the focus of the Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar, or PIBOS, 2026, hosted by the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the Fiji government. Held at the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa from May 25 to 27, the seminar brought together international, regional and local contractors, consultants, development financiers and government agencies interested in infrastructure projects across Pacific island countries. The event forms part of ADB's engagement with the private sector and provides businesses with an opportunity to learn about upcoming infrastructure projects and procurement opportunities throughout the region. According to ADB, the programme covered infrastructure development activities across the Pacific, with opportunities spanning transport, energy, water, telecommunications, climate resilience and other essential services. A pre-seminar masterclass also addressed procurement requirements, environmental and social safeguards, and project delivery expectations. Discussions focused on forthcoming project opportunities, procurement pathways and practical considerations for businesses seeking to participate in development-funded infrastructure programmes. The seminar underscored the scale of infrastructure investment being directed towards the Pacific by multilateral development banks, bilateral development partners and Pacific governments. Infrastructure development remains a priority for many island nations seeking to improve economic growth, resilience and regional connectivity. Representatives from government agencies, development finance institutions and private sector organisations involved in infrastructure delivery attended the event. A strong Australian and New Zealand business presence was evident, with members of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, Australia Fiji Business Council and Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council participating alongside representatives from engineering, construction, telecommunications, advisory and professional services firms. Pacific-based businesses were also represented, using the seminar to gain a better understanding of upcoming project opportunities and connect with project owners, financiers and delivery partners. ADB and its partners highlighted the importance of increasing local and regional private sector participation in infrastructure delivery. Discussions included initiatives aimed at improving access for Pacific small and medium-sized enterprises and strengthening local capacity to participate in development-funded projects. With Pacific governments continuing to pursue major investments in transport, energy, telecommunications, water and climate-resilient infrastructure, the seminar provided businesses with insights into the region's evolving project pipeline and opportunities to establish relationships that may support future project delivery.

Pacific countries should proceed cautiously as interest in deep-sea minerals grows, according to the head of the United Nations-backed body responsible for regulating mining in international waters. The caution comes as governments and mining companies increase their focus on seabed deposits containing cobalt, nickel, manganese and copper, minerals widely viewed as important for batteries, electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies. The International Seabed Authority, or ISA, has warned against rushing into commercial extraction before adequate scientific understanding, environmental safeguards and regulatory frameworks are in place. The issue has become increasingly significant for Pacific island countries, where proponents argue deep-sea mining could create new sources of government revenue, employment and economic development. However, environmental groups and marine scientists continue to raise concerns about the potential impact of mining activities on deep-sea ecosystems, which remain among the least understood environments on Earth. Areas of concern include habitat disturbance, sediment plumes, underwater noise and possible long-term ecological effects. The debate has intensified as demand for critical minerals grows alongside the global energy transition. Supporters of the industry argue that seabed resources could help diversify supplies of minerals required for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicle production. Several Pacific nations have expressed interest in the sector, while others have called for a moratorium or stronger scientific evidence before commercial-scale mining is permitted. The ISA has emphasised the importance of establishing robust governance arrangements before any extraction activities proceed, including environmental monitoring, compliance mechanisms and benefit-sharing arrangements. For Pacific governments, the debate highlights the challenge of balancing potential economic opportunities with environmental protection and long-term resource management considerations.

Fiji’s fuel supply remains stable despite mounting global price pressures, with the government moving to cushion households and key sectors from rising costs, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said. In a national address, Rabuka said Fiji currently holds about 45 million litres of fuel in onshore storage, with a further 22 million litres expected before the end of April, bringing total supply for the month to roughly 67 million litres. Daily consumption stands at about 2.5 million litres. He said stock levels are projected to fall to around 40 million litres, or 29 percent of storage capacity, by month-end — a normal cycle to accommodate incoming shipments. Looking ahead, suppliers have committed to deliver about 118 million litres in May, which is expected to lift national reserves to more than half of total capacity, keeping the country in what authorities classify as a “Phase 1” or normal supply condition. Rabuka stressed that Fiji is not facing a supply shortage but rather a price-driven challenge linked to global market disruptions, including tensions in the Middle East and shipping constraints around the Strait of Hormuz. Domestic price adjustments, he noted, are determined by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission to reflect international purchasing costs, with another increase expected in May. To mitigate the impact, Cabinet has approved the redeployment of FJ$56 million within the existing 2025–2026 budget, shifting funds from delayed projects to immediate relief measures. The government has earmarked FJ$4 million to support bus operators, including absorbing a 10 percent fare increase for four months and providing a fuel rebate of 20 cents per litre to maintain affordable public transport. Fuel subsidies will also be extended to power utility Energy Fiji Limited to ensure stable electricity generation, while social welfare recipients will receive a temporary 50 percent top-up for three months starting May. In the agricultural sector, FJ$28 million has been allocated to support sugar cane farmers through a price top-up for the 2025 crop season. Rabuka said all measures will be funded through internal budget savings, alongside cost-cutting directives across government agencies. “Fuel is available. Government is acting. And Fiji is prepared,” he said, urging citizens to conserve fuel and energy amid ongoing global uncertainty.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has called for greater financial support for Pacific renewable energy transitions, describing the shift away from imported fuel as an economic security strategy rather than a climate concession. Speaking at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank, or ADB, in Samarkand, Brown said Pacific Island countries remain highly exposed to global fuel price shocks and supply disruptions due to dependence on imported energy. “The Pacific energy transition is not a climate concession. It is an economic security strategy. The same investments that lower our emissions also lower our exposure to the next global shock,” Brown said in his Governor’s Statement. Brown said the Cook Islands was working closely with the ADB on financing solutions aimed at strengthening energy security and accelerating renewable energy development across Pacific Island countries. “The Cook Islands is working closely with the ADB on financial solutions that support security of supply for Pacific Island countries, and that fast-track our energy transition to renewables,” he said. The prime minister said the financing initiatives would support renewable energy projects across the Pa Enua, including solar farms, battery storage systems and electricity grid upgrades aimed at reducing long-term reliance on imported fuel. Brown also highlighted domestic conservation measures currently underway in the Cook Islands, including coordination work led by the Energy Response Technical Working Group involving government agencies, the tourism sector and communities. “Conservation is a real lever. Every litre saved is fuel for our hospital, our schools, our airports,” he said. During the meeting, Brown urged the ADB to expand innovative financing tools for Pacific small island developing states, including blended finance, climate-linked financing mechanisms and local currency debt conversion measures to reduce exposure to foreign exchange risks. He said concessional financing access for Pacific states should continue to reflect vulnerability to economic and climate shocks rather than income levels alone. “Graduation thresholds were not designed for economies that can lose a year of gross domestic product in a single cyclone, or absorb a global energy shock with no domestic substitute,” Brown said. Brown also welcomed the ADB’s developing work on critical minerals and called for Pacific small island states to be actively included in related initiatives. The prime minister said the Cook Islands currently generates just over 30 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources and aims to increase that figure to 60 percent by 2030. “We will use this period to push our renewable energy goals harder, not slower,” Brown said.

A high-level European Union delegation has held talks with Solomon Islands' supervising minister for fisheries and marine resources, Franklyn Derek Wasi, on potential support for the proposed Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project in Malaita Province. The discussions focused on the strategic importance of the project and opportunities for cooperation in advancing a key Solomon Islands government initiative aimed at expanding domestic tuna processing capacity and increasing the economic benefits derived from the country's fisheries resources. The delegation included Maurizio Cian, European Union for the Pacific minister counsellor and head of cooperation; European Union Ambassador Barbara Plinkert; and Peteris Ustubs, director for Asia and the Pacific at the Directorate-General for International Partnerships. According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the European Union's interest in the project has grown since initial engagements last year. EU representatives previously visited the proposed Bina Harbour project site and Fiu to assess the project's scope and development potential. The latest visit, led by Ustubs, signals continued European interest in exploring partnership opportunities and potential support for the project. The ministry said it has also been engaging with the European Investment Bank, which has expressed interest in supporting major infrastructure developments in Solomon Islands. The Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant is among the projects being considered for potential financing support. Wasi welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the European Union's continued engagement with the project. The proposed Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant is intended to become Solomon Islands' second tuna processing facility and forms part of broader efforts to increase domestic value addition in the country's fisheries sector. Government figures show that approximately 100,000 metric tonnes of tuna are harvested annually within Solomon Islands waters. However, only around 30,000 metric tonnes are processed domestically, while the remaining 70,000 metric tonnes are exported as whole fish. The government believes increasing local processing capacity would create employment opportunities, stimulate economic activity and enable Solomon Islands to capture a greater share of the value generated from its tuna resources. To support this objective, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has been tasked with advancing onshore tuna processing infrastructure. Through the Bina Harbour Project Office, the ministry has undertaken preparatory work since 2015, including land arrangements, infrastructure planning, environmental management, community engagement and investment promotion. The Bina Regional Arrangements for Governance continues to oversee work related to land access, community relations and environmental matters, while the project's Planning and Design Unit is responsible for land and marine infrastructure planning and investment development. The European Union delegation is also expected to meet Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade, Finance and Treasury Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Minister Derrick Manuari, and Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Minister Lazarus Rina during its visit. The Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant is regarded by the Solomon Islands government as a strategic investment designed to support sustainable economic development and long-term growth in the fisheries sector.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mathew Wale and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have announced plans to negotiate a comprehensive treaty aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and setting a long-term framework for cooperation between the two countries. The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Canberra, where the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepen relations based on mutual trust, respect and open dialogue. Under the agreement, the two governments will begin negotiations on a treaty designed to capture their shared ambitions and long-term vision for the Solomon Islands–Australia relationship. Foreign ministers, working in consultation with relevant government portfolios, have been tasked with leading the negotiations and progressing the treaty as quickly as possible. The treaty initiative was accompanied by a package of measures supporting Solomon Islands' development priorities in areas including budget support, education, migration and policing. Australia will provide SBD$200 million (AUD$35 million) in budget support to assist Solomon Islands in responding to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila and addressing challenges arising from global energy price shocks. In education, Australia will double the number of training and vocational scholarships available to Solomon Islanders to 1,500 by 2027. Australia also pledged to work with partners in support of the Solomon Islands government's objective of achieving free education. The two countries also agreed to expand migration opportunities, with the number of Pacific Engagement Visas allocated to Solomon Islands increasing to 300 in the next programme year. Security cooperation remains a central pillar of the relationship, with both governments welcoming continued collaboration to strengthen the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. This includes plans to complete a new police academy in Honiara by 2028 and continue cooperation through the next phase of the RSIPF–Australia Policing Partnership Programme. The announcements mark one of the first major foreign policy initiatives under Prime Minister Wale's administration and signal a renewed focus on strengthening ties with Australia, Solomon Islands' largest development partner. Prime Ministers Albanese and Wale said they were optimistic that the expanded cooperation would deliver long-term benefits for both countries and further strengthen the enduring partnership between Solomon Islands and Australia.

Fiji has enacted its first comprehensive tourism legislation, replacing the Hotel and Guest Houses Act 1973 with a broader regulatory framework aimed at supporting the long-term growth, governance and sustainability of one of the country’s most important economic sectors. The Tourism Bill No. 10 of 2026 was passed into law on May 28, establishing the new Tourism Act 2026, which introduces updated provisions covering tourism enterprise registration, national tourism standards, sustainability and compliance measures, and protections for indigenous and cultural knowledge. The legislation also seeks to strengthen participation by communities and micro, small and medium enterprises in the tourism sector, which remains a major contributor to employment, foreign exchange earnings and rural development in Fiji. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka said the new law reflects the transformation of Fiji’s tourism industry over recent decades and aligns with the government’s broader tourism development strategy. “Over the last 20 years, Fiji has doubled its visitor numbers. Our communities are more deeply involved in tourism than ever before, and the expectations of travellers and investors alike have changed significantly. It is time our laws reflected that reality,” Gavoka said. Fiji now receives close to one million visitors annually, supported by a wide network of hotels, resorts, tour operators and community-based tourism experiences, including hiking, camping and short-term accommodation platforms such as Airbnb. The previous legislation governing the sector dated back to the 1970s, when Fiji’s tourism industry was significantly smaller and less diversified. The enactment of the Tourism Act also follows broader government efforts to strengthen tourism and aviation as central pillars of Fiji’s economic development strategy. Earlier this year, Gavoka told Parliament that the ministry’s tourism development approach is guided by the “Five A’s” of tourism growth — access, accommodation, attractions, amenities and actors — aimed at ensuring infrastructure, investment and community participation work together to expand the sector. Among the key initiatives under the strategy is the World Bank-supported Na Vualiku Tourism Development Programme, which seeks to unlock tourism potential in Vanua Levu through airport upgrades, improved infrastructure and expanded opportunities for local businesses. Runway upgrades at Labasa Airport are expected to improve connectivity and boost investor confidence in Fiji’s northern region, while tourism development is also being expanded in maritime and rural areas, including the Lau group. The Tourism Act 2026 also builds on earlier policy work by the government, including the Fiji Tourism Policy 2025–2035 and the Fiji Tourism Standards Framework Guidance Note, which were introduced as part of preparations for Fiji’s first dedicated tourism law. Officials previously said the policy and standards framework would help establish clearer expectations around quality, sustainability, safety and service across the tourism industry while supporting responsible and inclusive growth. The proposed framework is also expected to streamline tourism-related licensing, create greater consistency across regulations and clarify the roles of the Tourism Department and Tourism Fiji. According to the government, the Tourism Act 2026 was developed through consultations with industry representatives, community groups, government agencies and tourism operators across the country. “This legislation did not happen overnight,” Gavoka said. “It was shaped by the voices of communities, operators, and stakeholders from across the country.” The Hotel and Guest Houses Act 1973 will be formally repealed once the new Tourism Act comes into force on a date to be determined by the minister. The government said the new framework is intended to support sustainable tourism development while strengthening industry oversight and aligning the sector with current market expectations and investment trends.

  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.

Westpac is making a significant investment in strengthening leadership capability across its Pacific businesses with the rollout of its best-in-class LEAD program in Papua New Guinea and Fiji this year, delivering training to 120 employees across the two markets. LEAD is Westpac Group’s flagship leadership development program focused on building future-ready leaders through experiential learning, coaching, and strategic capability uplift. The LEAD program is designed to build practical leadership capability, equipping participants with the skills, confidence, and mindset required to lead teams, support customers, and contribute to Westpac’s long-term success in the Pacific. The program will be delivered through in-person training sessions supported by online modules, ensuring the learning is relevant, grounded in local context, and immediately applicable in day-to-day roles. By delivering the program locally, Westpac is enabling participants to learn alongside peers, strengthen networks across the business, and apply leadership learning directly within their teams and communities. The world-class format also supports deeper engagement, discussion, and reflection, reinforcing Westpac’s commitment to investing in meaningful, high-quality development experiences for its people. The program covers: • Leading Self – building self-awareness, confidence, and personal leadership effectiveness • Leading Others – developing strong people leadership, communication, and coaching skills • Strategic Thinking – strengthening decision-making and broader business understanding • Leading Change – equipping leaders to navigate change and lead with agility • Customer & Outcome Focus – linking leadership behaviors to customer and business outcomes • Pacific Context Application – applying leadership skills in real-world PNG and Fiji settings Maria Stefanac, Head of People, Pacific, said the LEAD program represents a significant investment in Westpac’s Pacific workforce. “LEAD is a major investment in our people in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. We know that strong leadership is critical to creating a positive culture, delivering for our customers, and building a sustainable business for the future,” Stefanac said. “This program has been designed to support our people to grow as leaders, build confidence in leading others, and develop skills they can apply immediately in their roles. By having Westpac Group trainers deliver the program here in the Pacific, we’re ensuring our leaders benefit from global expertise while learning in a way that is relevant, practical, and grounded in local context," she added. Stefanac said the program also reflects Westpac’s broader commitment to developing talent from within and creating clear pathways for growth and progression. “Investing in leadership capability is an investment in our future. Through LEAD, we are supporting our people to step into leadership roles, strengthen their impact, and continue to serve our customers and communities with confidence," Stefanac said. Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141. The liability of its members is limited. Westpac is represented in Papua New Guinea by Westpac Bank - PNG - Limited. The LEAD program forms part of Westpac’s ongoing focus on capability building and people development across the Pacific, recognizing that empowered, well-supported leaders play a critical role in driving strong performance, engagement, and customer outcomes. By continuing to invest in programs such as LEAD, Westpac is reinforcing its long-term commitment to its people in Papua New Guinea and Fiji and to building leadership capability that supports sustainable growth across the region.

Customs leaders from 24 Pacific administrations will gather in Fiji this week for the 28th Annual Conference of the Oceania Customs Organisation, focusing on strengthening border security, facilitating trade and supporting economic growth across the region. The conference, to be held from June 2 to 4 under Fiji's chairmanship of the Oceania Customs Organisation, will bring together heads of customs agencies, senior government officials, development partners and international organizations under the theme, "Scaling Up the Commitment of Customs to Protect and Grow our Pasifika Communities." The meeting comes as Pacific nations face increasing pressure from transnational organized crime, shifting trade patterns and growing demands on border management agencies. According to organizers, discussions will focus on enhancing regional cooperation and building customs capabilities to address emerging security and trade challenges. Recent large-scale narcotics seizures across the Pacific have highlighted attempts by organized criminal networks to exploit maritime and aviation routes across the region. Customs administrations also continue to confront risks linked to human trafficking, illicit financial flows, customs fraud, environmental crimes and the smuggling of prohibited goods. OCO Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Udit Singh, said customs agencies play a critical role in protecting communities while supporting economic development. "Customs today is far more than a border agency. We are guardians of our communities, facilitators of trade, protectors of government revenue, and partners in economic growth," Singh said. "The work of Customs directly impacts the prosperity, safety, and resilience of our Pacific nations." Singh said Pacific countries, despite being geographically dispersed, face common challenges that require collective action and stronger regional partnerships. "The scale and complexity of modern border threats mean that no country can address these issues alone. Regional cooperation is essential. When one Pacific border is strengthened, the entire region becomes safer and more secure," he said. He noted that the Pacific occupies an increasingly strategic position within global trade and transport networks linking Asia, Australasia and the Americas, making effective customs administration critical to regional and international security. The conference will feature contributions from international partners including the World Customs Organization, the United Nations and the World Bank. Key agenda items include border security, maritime enforcement, trade facilitation, passenger processing, digital transformation, leadership development and intelligence-sharing across Pacific jurisdictions. During Fiji's tenure as OCO chair, the organization has prioritized regional capacity building, leadership development, customs modernization and stronger partnerships with international agencies. Organizers said these initiatives have helped strengthen customs administrations across the Pacific and improve their ability to respond to emerging threats and opportunities. This year's gathering marks the first time in more than a decade that Fiji has hosted the OCO Annual Conference, reflecting the country's continued role in regional customs cooperation. Members of the Oceania Customs Organisation include Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau, Timor-Leste and other Pacific jurisdictions.