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The Solomon Islands Government is targeting the creation of 25,000 new jobs over the next four years, with Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Harry Kuma saying stronger economic growth is essential to absorb the country’s expanding young workforce. Speaking at the opening of the National Business Forum 2026 in Honiara on September 14, Kuma said jobs were critical to national stability and economic development as increasing numbers of young people enter the workforce each year. “Every single year, tens of thousands of our young people exit primary, secondary and tertiary education looking for opportunity. To absorb them, economic growth is not optional — it is mandatory,” Kuma said. He said the GREAT Coalition Government was focused on improving the investment climate, noting that Solomon Islands ranked 136th out of 190 economies on the World Bank’s former Ease of Doing Business Index, with a score of 55 out of 100. Kuma said the Government would seek to improve the business environment by reforming laws, streamlining processes and removing bureaucratic barriers. He also challenged the business community and government agencies to address 10 recommendations raised at the inaugural National Business Forum in 2025. These include reducing high energy costs, protecting and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, helping informal businesses transition into the formal economy and strengthening the lending capacity of state-owned financial institutions. Other priorities include improving commercial banks’ understanding of small and medium-sized enterprises, reviewing digital financial costs including platforms such as M-Selen, expanding opportunities for young people, providing targeted support for women entrepreneurs and strengthening cooperation between businesses, government and academic institutions such as Solomon Islands National University. Kuma also backed efforts to establish the National Business Forum as an annual or biennial platform for sustained dialogue between government and the private sector. “My charge to this room is simple: Do not leave this forum with a list of complaints. Leave this forum with practical, executable solutions,” Kuma said. “The Ministry is listening. The GREAT Coalition and Government are ready. The solutions you design today will directly influence the policies and regulations we deploy moving forward.” The National Business Forum was established following Cabinet approval on July 9, 2025, in partnership with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The inaugural forum was held under the theme “Partnership and Innovation for Resilience: Adapting to a Changing Economy.” While the 2026 forum has no specific theme, Kuma said it builds on last year’s discussions by focusing on partnerships and addressing issues already identified by businesses. He concluded by quoting Mahatma Gandhi: “The future depends on what we do in the present.”

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.

The PNG LNG Project has safely produced more than 100 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas since operations began in 2014, marking a major milestone for Papua New Guinea's petroleum industry. The project, operated by ExxonMobil PNG Ltd., has connected Papua New Guinea's natural gas resources with global energy markets while supporting national development through employment, training, local business opportunities and community investment. PNG LNG is an integrated gas development that produces natural gas from fields in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces. The gas is processed and transported through an approximately 700-kilometre pipeline network to a two-train liquefaction plant at Caution Bay in Central Province, where it is converted into LNG for export. The project currently produces up to about 8 million tonnes of LNG a year, above its original nameplate capacity of 6.6 million tonnes. Since production began in 2014, it has supplied LNG primarily to customers in Asian markets. The project's operations involve gas production and processing, pipeline transportation, liquefaction, storage and marine loading, forming an integrated value chain linking PNG's gas resources with international buyers. ExxonMobil PNG Chairman and Managing Director Dinesh Sivasamboo credited employees, contractors and project partners for reaching the milestone. “Reaching 100 million tons safely produced was only possible because of the unwavering commitment of generations of employees, contractors, and partners who embraced a shared purpose and maintained a relentless focus on doing the right things, the right way,” Sivasamboo said. The milestone comes as Papua New Guinea continues to advance additional gas developments, including the proposed Papua LNG and P'nyang LNG projects, which are expected to build on the country's existing LNG industry. ExxonMobil PNG said the achievement reflects the contribution of thousands of Papua New Guineans and project personnel who have supported PNG LNG's operations over more than a decade. The company said it remains committed to creating long-term value for Papua New Guinea through the project's continued operations and its contribution to the country's energy and resources sector.

The Malatoha Women’s Association is exploring opportunities to expand its participation in the Tina River Hydropower Development Project, building on an existing arrangement to supply fresh produce to the project workforce. The association’s fruit and vegetable supply partnership was among the key issues discussed during a meeting with its executive members at Chichinge Community in Malango. Representatives from the Tina River Hydropower Development Project Office, Solomon Power, SMEC, Reeves Envico and Hyundai Engineering Company attended the consultation. The existing supply arrangement has connected women producers in the Malango region with the project’s workforce, allowing association members to participate in the local supply chain and generate income from agricultural activities. The women also discussed potential opportunities linked to the project’s transmission line component, which is being implemented by Solomon Power. Project representatives provided updates on transmission line activities and discussed possible areas for participation, including services, business, food supply and training. The meeting also allowed the association’s executive members to assess its progress and identify areas where additional support, skills and training could strengthen its capacity to engage with current and future project opportunities. The consultation forms part of monthly engagements under the project’s Gender Component with women’s associations in project-affected communities. The engagements provide women with project updates, direct access to project stakeholders and an opportunity to identify practical ways to participate in project activities. The consultations are expected to continue across project-affected communities, with the next engagement planned with the Bahomea Women’s Association. The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is the Solomon Islands’ first large-scale renewable energy project and is intended to support more affordable electricity and access to cleaner and more reliable energy.

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.

The third Caledonia Festival has officially opened at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, bringing together communities from across New Caledonia for a celebration of culture and arts centred on Melanesian heritage. Developed in the spirit of the Melanesia 2000 cultural event held in 1975, the festival opened with traditional dances and songs from Belep and the Isle of Pines. The opening followed youth activities and workshops on cultural policy. Customary leaders, participating communities and government officials were presented to representatives from the Drubea-Kapumë area and staff of the cultural centre. Government president Milakulo Tukumuli attended on behalf of the 19th government, alongside government members Ernest Déméné, responsible for culture, and Billy Forest, responsible for cultural affairs. Déméné officially opened the festival, saying its objective was to make culture “a real lever so that citizenship is shared by all”. He also described the festival as a platform for developing cultural policy, drawing on the theme of an earlier workshop, “Des racines et des ailes” — “Roots and Wings”. “Roots to know where we come from. Wings to decide where we go together,” Déméné said. The programme also featured the unveiling of “Djinu owa”, an exhibition showcasing works by four pioneering contemporary Kanak artists — Paula Boi, Yvette Bouquet, Micheline Néporon and Denise Tiavouane. The festival features a programme of performances, exhibitions and cultural activities celebrating the diverse cultures of New Caledonia.

  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.