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Solomon Islands and Serbia are seeking to translate growing bilateral ties into practical development outcomes, with potential cooperation identified in renewable energy, education, digitalisation, sports, tourism and community development. The areas of cooperation were discussed by Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination Peter Kenilorea Jr and Serbia’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Rade Stefanovic, during a bilateral meeting in Koror, Palau. Stefanovic said Serbia had received approval to explore a bilateral development cooperation programme with Solomon Islands, with a focus on small-scale, community-based projects that can deliver direct benefits to local communities. “Serbia is a small country but we have a sincere approach to helping our partners as much as we can,” Stefanovic said. Serbia has supported similar community-focused initiatives in other Pacific countries, including projects involving solar energy, water and sanitation, and education. Kenilorea welcomed the approach, saying Solomon Islands was seeking partnerships that could produce tangible benefits at the community level. “The community-focused approach is particularly welcome. We are interested in small projects that have a direct impact on people and communities,” Kenilorea said. He said the Solomon Islands government would work with Serbia to identify projects aligned with national priorities, particularly in energy and education. Cooperation across key sectors Serbia also indicated its intention to contribute to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), strengthening its support for Pacific climate resilience and sustainable development priorities. The two sides also reviewed progress on existing bilateral agreements, including a visa waiver agreement and a memorandum of understanding on political consultations. Serbia has completed its domestic procedures for the visa waiver agreement and is awaiting confirmation from Solomon Islands before it can enter into force. Kenilorea undertook to follow up on the matter. Both sides also expressed interest in activating the political consultations mechanism, which would provide a framework for more regular senior-level engagement and follow-up on agreed areas of cooperation. Scholarships and digitalisation Education emerged as another area with potential for expanded cooperation. Serbia is offering scholarships to Solomon Islands students in fields including medicine, engineering, information technology, forestry and agriculture. Serbia also offered to share expertise in digitalisation and e-government, drawing on its experience in developing online public services. Sports cooperation is likewise being advanced, with the two countries working toward finalising an existing sports cooperation agreement. Solomon Islands invited to EXPO 2027 Stefanovic also invited Solomon Islands to participate in EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, including through the Pacific Century Pavilion. The event would provide an international platform for Solomon Islands to showcase its culture, tourism, traditional arts, music and sports. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral relations and move beyond diplomatic engagement toward practical cooperation supporting Solomon Islands’ development priorities. The proposed community-level projects, scholarship opportunities, digitalisation cooperation and participation in EXPO 2027 form part of efforts to convert the growing relationship between Solomon Islands and Serbia into initiatives with direct and measurable benefits for Solomon Islanders.

New high-grade gold results from Lion One Metals’ Tuvatu project in Fiji have highlighted geological similarities with Papua New Guinea’s Porgera mine, as the Canadian company continues underground drilling at one of Fiji’s emerging gold operations. Lion One reported an intercept of 4.2 metres grading 715.15 grams per tonne gold, including 0.45 metres at 6,571.20 g/t, from underground drilling at its 100-per-cent-owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project. The company said the result was the highest-grade assay returned from the project to date. The drilling programme covered 3,337.3 metres of underground infill and grade-control drilling, targeting the southern and down-dip extensions of the Ura and Murau lodes in Zone 2. Fourteen of 18 drill holes intersected high-grade mineralisation, while three holes were abandoned. Lion One said most of the high-grade intersections were located between 15 metres and 75 metres from existing underground development and within 50 metres vertically. The company expects the results to be incorporated into its mine plan over the next 12 months. Porgera comparison  The latest results have particular relevance for PNG because of the similarities Lion One has identified between Tuvatu’s mineralisation and the alkaline gold systems at Porgera and Vatukoula in Fiji. The 715.15 g/t intersection was located about 55 metres from the Western Decline and cut a shallow-dipping, roscoelite-bearing vein forming part of the Murau lode system. Lion One said roscoelite mineralisation is a defining feature of alkaline gold systems and is directly associated with high-grade gold. Similar mineralisation occurs at Vatukoula and Porgera, which has produced more than 25 million ounces of gold. The company also pointed to Porgera’s Stage II quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins, which contain native gold and occur within Zone VII of the Roamane fault zone. Zone VII produced 5.1 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 27 g/t, with individual veins locally containing hundreds to thousands of grams per tonne gold, according to Lion One. Lion One said five assays from the latest 14 holes that intersected high-grade mineralisation returned more than 100 g/t gold, including the record 6,571.20 g/t result. The company also noted that the Ura shrinkage stope at Tuvatu, located about 100 metres above the latest drilling, previously produced 5,704 tonnes at 10.6 g/t gold. Underground expansion  Lion One president and chief executive Ian Berzins said the latest results demonstrated the potential to expand the Tuvatu resource through further underground drilling. “We’re extremely pleased with the new results from our Zone 2 drilling,” Berzins said. He said the 715.15 g/t result over 4.2 metres was the highest-grade intersection over width in Tuvatu’s history and came from an area with limited previous drilling. “The Ura and Murau systems are a developing target and this type of intersect is testament to the potential of the system as we continue to drill and expand the resource at Tuvatu,” he said. The Ura and Murau systems remain open at depth and along strike, presenting opportunities for further resource expansion, the company said. The Murau structures, known locally as “flatmakes”, are shallow- to flat-dipping mineralised veins. They generally strike east-west and dip at about 20 degrees to the north or northwest, with mineral assemblages including quartz, roscoelite, arsenian pyrite and visible gold. Lion One said the latest drilling is focused on areas outside its current resource and mine plan, with the results expected to support additional mining levels in Zone 2. Drilling remains ongoing, with the company continuing to test the Ura and Murau lodes below existing underground workings. The company said the Tuvatu project includes a high-grade gold deposit, underground mine, pilot plant and assay laboratory, with exploration continuing across the wider Navilawa Caldera.

Fiji is exploring long-term cooperation with Malaysia to strengthen fuel security and shield the country from future global supply disruptions, including through strategic reserves and offshore fuel storage. Discussions between Fiji and Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 10 focused on strategic fuel reserves, emergency supply assurances, resilient supply chains and long-term energy infrastructure. The talks also considered the possibility of pre-positioned offshore fuel storage and strengthened maritime supply arrangements. Fiji’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Sakiasi Ditoka held discussions with Malaysia’s Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani, highlighting Fiji’s vulnerability as a small island developing state that relies heavily on imported fuel. Johari outlined Malaysia’s work on strategic fuel security and stockpiling arrangements with international partners, giving Fiji an opportunity to assess how Malaysia’s experience and energy infrastructure could support its longer-term fuel security. “Energy security is a critical component of national security for small island developing states,” Ditoka said. “Malaysia’s advanced refining capabilities and world-class energy infrastructure make it a natural strategic partner. Exploring a formal and structured arrangement on fuel security and offshore stockpiling reflects our Coalition Government’s proactive commitment to protecting Fijian families and local businesses from international price shocks,” he said. The discussions also covered opportunities to expand trade, investment, technology transfer and industrial cooperation, including increased Malaysian investment in Fiji and improved market access for Fijian products. The reopening of Fiji’s High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is expected to provide a platform for further bilateral cooperation, with a focus on economic partnership, energy security and practical outcomes for both countries. For Fiji, the discussions come as the government seeks to strengthen the resilience of its fuel supply system against disruptions in international markets and maritime supply chains.

The Tina River Hydropower Development Project has formalised a customary reconciliation process with the Roha and Gaegae tribes through a Chupu Ceremony at the Powerhouse site, alongside the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The ceremony, held on July 28 in Central Guadalcanal, brought together representatives of the Roha and Gaegae tribes, Habusi/Komureo and surrounding communities, the Tina River Hydropower Project Office, Tina Hydropower Limited, Hyundai Engineering Company and government agencies. The Chupu is an important Guadalcanal customary protocol and was conducted to acknowledge the traditional land rights of the affected tribes and address the impact of project construction activities on Roha and Gaegae customary land. It also provided an opportunity for the Project Office and Tina Hydropower Limited to reaffirm their respect for customary authority and engage with the tribes over the ongoing process of acquiring additional land around the Powerhouse area. Customary protocol and land acquisition The first Chupu was presented by Project Office representatives Baltazare Rongo and John Korinihona to the Roha Tribe and received by Chief Daniel Una. A second Chupu was presented to representatives of Chango Land and received by Berry Kepulu on behalf of his father and Gaegae tribal representatives. Project Manager Pradip Verma, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, thanked the tribes for accepting the Chupu and acknowledged complications in the land acquisition process. Verma said the government was grateful for the patience and understanding shown by affected tribes while the Commissioner of Lands progresses the formal process. Chief Una formally accepted the Chupu on behalf of the Roha Tribe and commended the Project Office and Tina Hydropower Limited for engaging with the tribes through customary protocol. He described the approach as a demonstration of respect for Guadalcanal cultural traditions and called on members of the Roha Tribe to uphold the significance and intent of the customary presentation. Berry Kepulu similarly accepted the Chupu on behalf of the Gaegae Tribe and Chango Land representatives, affirming their willingness to work with the relevant authorities to resolve outstanding land matters. Surveyor General Leslie Volalia, representing the Commissioner of Lands, stressed that the Chupu Ceremony complements but does not replace the formal statutory land acquisition process. He said the customary land identification and acquisition process would begin once the newly appointed Commissioner of Lands formally assumes office. MOU reinforces cooperation Chief Whitlam Kikolo, chairman of the Bahomea House of Chiefs, described the ceremony as an important step toward rebuilding relationships and strengthening cooperation among the parties. He called on tribal members and other stakeholders to respect the significance of the ceremony and the government's gesture, noting the continuing importance of Chupu as a customary practice of the Guadalcanal people. The ceremony concluded with the review, endorsement and signing of a memorandum of understanding involving representatives of the landowning tribes, the Project Office, Tina Hydropower Limited and Hyundai Engineering Company, witnessed by representatives of the participating parties. The agreement and customary ceremony are intended to support continued communication and engagement while the statutory land identification and acquisition process proceeds. The project office said the ceremony marked a milestone in strengthening goodwill and mutual respect between the Tina River Hydropower Development Project and customary landowners in the Powerhouse area. It also highlighted the project's approach of incorporating customary cultural protocols into stakeholder engagement while maintaining compliance with the formal legal requirements governing land acquisition. First large-scale renewable energy project The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is the Solomon Islands' first large-scale renewable energy project and is intended to provide more affordable electricity and improve access to cleaner and more reliable energy for communities. The project is being implemented by the Solomon Islands Government with financing and support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Asian Development Bank, Australian government, Green Climate Fund, Korea EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund and World Bank.

A landowning cooperative in Tailevu is turning customary land into commercial opportunities through agriculture, forestry and private-sector partnerships, with the Fiji Government backing the initiative as a model for rural enterprise. Twenty-two members of the Mataqali Solevu Cooperative in Naivuruvuru Village, Verata, Tailevu, are developing a five-year plan to turn 809 acres of customary land into a platform for commercial activity and new income opportunities. The cooperative, registered on May 5 this year, comprises 15 men and seven women. As the largest landowning group in the Tikina of Verata, it has adopted a Strategic Development Plan covering 2026 to 2030 and has already begun commercial development of its land. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industries, Commerce and Business Development Manoa Kamikamica said the initiative demonstrated how customary landowners could take a more active role in developing their economic future. “This is not ad hoc development. This is a mataqali planning its future with the same rigour we would expect of any serious commercial enterprise,” Kamikamica said during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Mataqali Solevu and Food Processors Fiji Limited, alongside the handover of financial assistance at Naivuruvuru Village. Dalo farming provides first commercial opportunity Agriculture is among the first commercial activities being developed under the cooperative's plan. The group planted 19,000 dalo on part of a 200-acre area allocated for commercial farming between January and July this year. Following a visit to the site, Food Processors Fiji Limited committed additional funding to support the planting of another 15,000 dalo. The expansion is expected to generate returns of up to FJ$75,000 for the cooperative. Kamikamica said the project demonstrated the direct economic potential of customary land when combined with structured planning and commercial partnerships. “The income in question is actual income, flowing directly from your land back into your own community,” he said. The minister said the development reflected the government's broader objective of supporting landowning communities to move from custodianship toward enterprise. “This is exactly the model my Ministry wants to see replicated across Fiji: landowners moving from custodianship to enterprise,” he said. Forestry and community businesses Mataqali Solevu is also working with the Ministry of Forestry to assess 150 acres of Silver Quangdong planted around two decades ago. Suitability testing is scheduled for October, with commercial logging planned from 2027, subject to the outcome of the assessment. The cooperative is also planning a canteen and bakery intended to provide services to the wider Tikina of Verata, adding another potential source of local economic activity to its development programme. Kamikamica said partnerships between landowning units and the private sector could provide a foundation for broader rural economic development. “Partnerships of this kind, between the private sector and landowning units, are precisely how we will grow Fiji’s rural economy from the ground up,” he said. The Ministry will continue supporting Mataqali Solevu as it finalises its Strategic Development Plan, business plan and cash-flow projections. Business Assistance Fiji has also agreed to subsidise training for the cooperative by 70%. The development model combines customary land ownership with commercial planning, agricultural production, forestry and community-based businesses, giving Mataqali Solevu several potential revenue streams while keeping economic activity within the local community. The initiative illustrates the potential for structured landowner development to create rural enterprises, diversify income and strengthen local economic participation through partnerships between communities, government agencies and private-sector businesses.

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.

 For more than two decades, CE Group has delivered complex electrical and engineering projects across Australia and the Pacific, building a reputation for providing practical, end-to-end engineering solutions in some of the region's most challenging operating environments. From major mining operations and hospitals to water infrastructure and renewable energy developments, the company has supported clients with integrated engineering services across a diverse range of sectors. Founded in 2000 in South East Queensland, CE Group has steadily expanded its footprint beyond Australia into Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Zealand. Today, the privately owned business provides a full suite of services, from engineering design and electrical construction to switchboard manufacturing, commissioning and ongoing maintenance. Rather than engaging multiple contractors, clients increasingly turn to CE Group as a single integrated delivery partner capable of managing projects from concept through to completion. As infrastructure projects continue to grow in scale and complexity, integrated project delivery has become increasingly important. In response to this shift, CE Group has strengthened its in-house engineering capability, enabling it to become involved much earlier in the project lifecycle. Early engineering engagement helps reduce project risks while providing greater certainty around cost, quality and schedule. It also improves coordination and collaboration between project teams, identifies potential challenges before construction begins, and supports more efficient project delivery.  By bringing engineers, designers, manufacturers and construction teams together under one roof, the company aims to deliver practical, buildable solutions that improve project outcomes. The move also reflects broader changes across the infrastructure sector. Throughout Australia and the Pacific, governments and private investors continue to increase investment in renewable energy, water security, mining, industrial facilities and other critical infrastructure.  Many project owners are seeking delivery partners with the technical capability to support projects from early planning and design through construction, commissioning and long-term maintenance, rather than contractors focused solely on construction. For CE Group, expanding its engineering capability positions the business to meet that demand. The company says earlier involvement in project planning enables it to improve constructability, identify potential issues before construction begins, streamline project delivery and develop more efficient engineering solutions. These capabilities have already been demonstrated across a diverse portfolio of projects. In Papua New Guinea, CE Group has contributed to major developments including the Angau Memorial Hospital Redevelopment and APEC Haus, while across Australia it has delivered electrical and engineering solutions for mining, water and industrial infrastructure projects. Alongside strengthening its technical capability, CE Group continues to invest in its people and regional presence. The company now employs more than 450 people across multiple countries and maintains a strong focus on safety, workforce development and local capability building. Investing in local talent remains a key part of its regional strategy, particularly across Pacific markets where demand for skilled engineering and technical expertise continues to grow. Looking ahead, the company expects continued investment in the energy transition, industrial expansion and essential infrastructure to create new opportunities across the region. With its expanded engineering capability and integrated delivery model, CE Group believes it is well positioned to support clients through every stage of increasingly complex projects. As infrastructure demands continue to evolve, the company's strategy remains focused on combining engineering expertise, practical execution and long-term partnerships to deliver projects more efficiently, safely and reliably. In an environment where project certainty is increasingly valued alongside technical capability, CE Group's integrated approach is designed to help clients achieve better outcomes throughout the project lifecycle.

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.