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French Tech New Caledonia has secured French Tech Capital status for 2026–2028, becoming only the second French overseas territory to receive the designation as the Pacific territory accelerates efforts to position itself as a regional technology and innovation hub. The announcement was formally made on May 12 at Station N in Noumea during a joint press conference involving Christopher Gygès, High Commissioner Jacques Billant, Southern Province Assembly President Sonia Backès and French Tech New Caledonia president Hatem Bellagi. Officials described the recognition as a major institutional milestone that strengthens New Caledonia’s standing within France’s national innovation ecosystem and enhances its international credibility among investors, entrepreneurs and strategic partners. “This is a real recognition for New Caledonia, and this status brings greater visibility at the national and international levels,” Gygès said, noting that the local tech sector only began emerging in 2019. Authorities said the new designation would provide greater institutional legitimacy and increased access to national programmes, funding opportunities and policy discussions alongside other French Tech capitals. The achievement follows six years of coordinated ecosystem-building since New Caledonia obtained the French Tech Community label in 2020. The initiative has been driven through partnerships involving the government of New Caledonia, OPT-NC, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New Caledonia, the Technopole and local startup companies. Since then, authorities have launched several initiatives aimed at supporting digital entrepreneurship and economic diversification, including the Tech for Good programme focusing on GreenTech, BlueTech, SocialTech and DeepTech sectors. New Caledonia has also increased participation in international technology events, including VivaTech, French Tech Days Overseas and regional innovation forums in the Pacific and New Zealand. In October 2024, New Caledonia hosted the second edition of the Overseas French Tech Days under the theme “So Tech, So Good,” bringing together about 400 participants, 40 experts and representatives from six French Tech communities across overseas territories and the Pacific region. The closing ceremony was attended by French Minister for Overseas Territories François-Noël Buffet. Regional expansion is also being driven through plans for the Pacific Tech Hub project, which aims to connect South Pacific technology ecosystems, strengthen regional collaboration and establish Noumea as a strategic Indo-Pacific digital hub. The territory has additionally introduced regulatory and financing tools to support startup development, including Young Innovative Company status adopted in 2020 and crowdfunding initiatives such as Invest In Pacific. Officials said New Caledonia’s presence at the 2025 VivaTech conference generated more than 1,700 visitors, nearly 1,000 business leads and over 80 million CFP francs in economic benefits. Local startups also secured international recognition, including the “HR Innovation Award” for Optimal RH in 2024 and the “Tech for Change Award” for FireTracking in 2025. For the 2026 VivaTech event, New Caledonia plans to expand its footprint with a 70-square metre pavilion featuring eight startups and 16 partners, including a dedicated investment promotion area showcasing the territory’s business environment and innovation ecosystem. French Tech New Caledonia said the next phase of development would focus on scaling national programmes, deepening regional integration and supporting long-term economic diversification through technology, digital transformation and innovation.

Lion One Metals has appointed underground mining executive Eric Setchell as director of operations as the company advances operational improvements at the Tuvatu gold mine in Fiji, including higher development rates and expanded mining areas underground. The company said Setchell previously served as Lion One’s director of operations from January to December 2025, during which time Tuvatu recorded steady improvements in gold production and mine development, culminating in record quarterly gold output in the December 2025 quarter. Lion One Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Walter Berukoff said Setchell’s return comes as the company continues ramp-up activities at Tuvatu and focuses on increasing operational efficiency and mining performance. According to the company, current mine development at Tuvatu remains ahead of budget, with underground operations now accessing additional mineralised zones as part of efforts to support higher production rates. The company said recent operational improvements include enhanced mine planning, upgraded underground equipment availability and improved ore handling systems. Lion One added that stope production and development advance rates have continued to improve since the beginning of 2026. Setchell is widely recognised for his experience in underground mining operations, operational optimisation, safety performance and team development. Lion One said his leadership previously contributed to operational improvements and stronger mine performance at Tuvatu. Tuvatu is located on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu and is positioned within the highly prospective Navilawa Caldera, which hosts multiple alkaline gold targets.

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.

Pacific Islands Forum leaders have invoked the Biketawa Declaration to coordinate a regional response to worsening fuel supply risks linked to ongoing instability in the Middle East, amid growing concerns over the vulnerability of Pacific economies to global energy disruptions. The move was announced following discussions among the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika, comprising Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., and Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua. The leaders agreed to activate the region’s crisis response mechanism as Pacific nations face rising fuel costs and the threat of supply shortages. According to the Forum, the declaration was invoked to enable a coordinated regional approach to the emerging energy crisis and to strengthen preparedness measures across member states. Leaders said early intervention was necessary as global fuel supply chains continue to face disruption. The Biketawa Declaration, adopted by Pacific Islands Forum members in 2000, provides a framework for collective regional action in response to crises affecting peace, security and regional stability. It was previously invoked during the COVID-19 pandemic and ahead of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Regional governments are already grappling with elevated fuel prices, while some countries have begun implementing emergency measures to manage fuel consumption and maintain essential services. Reports indicated that Tuvalu had declared a state of emergency over fuel supply concerns, while other Pacific nations were reviewing contingency plans. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat said the coordinated response would focus on strengthening regional energy security, supporting emergency planning, and ensuring continued access to fuel supplies for essential services and economic activity. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia supported the Forum’s decision and would work closely with Pacific governments and regional institutions to help maintain supply stability across the region. Analysts and regional observers have warned that prolonged disruptions to global oil markets could have severe economic and humanitarian consequences for Pacific island nations, many of which remain heavily dependent on imported fuel for electricity generation, transport and food supply chains.

Australia’s imports of Pacific kava remained elevated in the first quarter of 2026 despite a decline from late-2025 levels, as exporters continued to benefit from expanded market access under Australia’s Kava Pilot Program. According to a quarterly update released by Pacific Trade Invest Australia, Australia imported 42,906 kilograms of kava during the January-to-March quarter, down 14.5 percent from 50,161 kilograms in the previous quarter. However, import volumes were still 24 percent higher than the 34,548 kilograms recorded in the first quarter of 2025, indicating continued year-on-year growth in demand for Pacific kava products. Fiji remained the largest supplier to the Australian market, exporting 22,577 kilograms during the quarter through 217 registered businesses. Vanuatu recorded the strongest quarterly growth performance, shipping 15,921 kilograms, up 19.5 percent from the previous quarter and marking the country’s highest quarterly export volume to date. The report noted that Vanuatu’s exports had increased consistently quarter-on-quarter throughout 2025 and into 2026, except for a slight dip in the fourth quarter of 2025, reinforcing its position as Australia’s second-largest Pacific kava supplier by volume. Tonga exported 3,388 kilograms during the quarter, while Papua New Guinea shipped 1,020 kilograms. Smaller cumulative volumes were also recorded from Samoa and Solomon Islands. Australia’s Kava Pilot Program was launched in 2019 and gradually expanded to allow commercial imports from Dec. 1, 2021. The initiative was designed to improve market access for Pacific exporters while maintaining import controls and food safety standards. Under the current arrangements, exporters must comply with Australian food safety, packaging and labelling requirements, while importers may also require permits from Australia’s Office of Drug Control depending on shipment volumes and intended use. The report said evolving consumer preferences were increasingly shaping the market, particularly demand for high-quality and consistently processed kava products linked to the wellness and functional beverage sectors. Sergine Morin Tahun, owner and director of Tahun Kava Export, said consumers were becoming more informed about kava quality and sourcing standards. “The biggest opportunities right now include the growing demand for high-quality, clean, and consistent kava products in markets like Australia,” Tahun said. She added that exporters continued to face challenges related to freight costs, compliance procedures and maintaining reliable supply chains from Pacific island producers. Pacific Trade Invest Australia said the market was becoming increasingly sophisticated, with compliance, quality assurance and consumer education emerging as critical factors alongside export volumes.

The government of New Caledonia and the French Development Agency have signed an agreement to finance a strategic study aimed at strengthening and structuring the territory’s social and solidarity economy sector following economic disruption linked to the May 2024 unrest. The initiative was presented by Naïa Wateou alongside representatives of the French Development Agency, commonly known as AFD. Officials said the study would help establish a clearer framework for the development of the social and solidarity economy, or SSE, which includes organisations such as cooperatives, associations, mutual societies, foundations and socially oriented enterprises prioritising social and environmental outcomes alongside economic activity. Authorities described the sector as an important tool for improving resilience, strengthening social cohesion and supporting inclusive economic recovery in New Caledonia after the social and economic impacts of the events of May 2024. The initiative follows the adoption of country law No. 2025-13 on August 18, 2025, which formally established a regulatory framework for the social and solidarity economy in the territory. The legislation defines the sector around principles including social utility, democratic governance and regulated profit management. Wateou said the new study would provide government with the operational tools and updated data needed to better identify and support SSE actors across the territory. “Without a regulatory framework, we have no way of recognising the actors in the social and solidarity economy,” Wateou said. The study mission, financed by AFD for nearly 7.5 million CFP francs, will include mapping and inventory work on the SSE sector, assessment of funding access conditions and analysis of sector support needs, including governance, project engineering and economic model sustainability. The project will also examine opportunities for accessing public, national and international financing and develop recommendations for a long-term territorial strategy for the sector’s development. Julie Doiteau said the agency considered it important to support local authorities in strengthening the sector. “For the AFD, it was natural to support the government and its partners in carrying out this study,” Doiteau said, describing the initiative as a step toward addressing challenges faced by SSE organisations in the territory. Officials said the agreement would help lay the foundation for a more structured and sustainable development pathway for social and solidarity economy activities in New Caledonia.

The Pacific Tourism Organisation is advancing plans for a regional gender inclusion framework after the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative presented a draft Gender and Inclusive Tourism Action Plan 2026–2030 during the organisation’s board meeting in Fiji. The draft plan was presented by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative during a dedicated session at the SPTO board meeting in Nadi on 6 May. During the session, National Tourism Organisations across the Pacific committed to identifying country-specific priority actions, pathways for private sector participation and practical implementation tools needed to operationalise the strategy. The proposed Gender and Inclusive Tourism Action Plan, or GITAP, was developed following gender audits conducted by PSDI across nine tourism organisations in seven Pacific countries during the 2025 financial year. According to the audits, many tourism organisations operate within broader national gender equality frameworks, but gender mainstreaming remains weakly integrated into tourism policies and programmes. The findings also highlighted limited formal gender action mechanisms and insufficient dedicated funding and resources. The draft plan seeks to address these gaps through four priority areas: data and advocacy; inclusive tourism policy and planning; women’s economic empowerment; and institutional commitments. Representatives attending the workshop included tourism officials and chief executives from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The meeting followed an earlier webinar held on 28 April where National Tourism Organisations were briefed on the draft plan and findings from the regional gender audits. PSDI also held a separate planning session with SPTO staff to establish implementation responsibilities, timelines and the scope of a forthcoming Gender and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit intended to support member countries. Christina Gale, SPTO’s sustainable tourism manager, said the discussions focused on identifying practical and realistic measures for implementation. “The discussions helped identify practical steps SPTO can take to support members and strengthen implementation,” Gale said. The action plan aims to shift Pacific tourism organisations away from isolated gender initiatives toward a coordinated regional framework that recognises the role of women, people with disabilities and under-represented groups in driving sustainable tourism growth. PSDI said it would submit the final GITAP to SPTO in June 2026, after which responsibility for implementation will transition to SPTO under its Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework.

  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.

Matthew Cooper Wale has been elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands after securing majority support in a parliamentary vote held on Friday following the removal of the previous government through a motion of no confidence. Wale, Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga Constituency and former opposition leader, defeated Peter Shanel Agovaka by 26 votes to 22 in a secret ballot conducted at Parliament House. Of the 50 members of parliament, 49 ballots were cast, with one member absent and one ballot declared spoilt. The result was formally declared by Sir David Tiva Kapu, Governor-General of Solomon Islands, following recent political developments that culminated in the successful motion of no confidence that vacated the office of prime minister. Wale’s election marks a significant political shift in Solomon Islands, where he has emerged over recent years as one of the country’s most prominent advocates for governance reform, accountability and anti-corruption measures. Born on 13 June 1968, Wale has represented Aoke/Langalanga Constituency since first entering parliament in a 2008 by-election following the death of former prime minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu. He later served as education minister under former prime minister Derek Sikua, where he championed free basic education, expansion of tertiary education opportunities and the establishment of a national university. Following the 2019 national election, Wale became opposition leader and was widely recognised for pushing governance reforms and transparency measures. During the civil unrest in Solomon Islands in 2021, Wale publicly called for the resignation of then prime minister Manasseh Sogavare and filed a motion of no confidence against the government, although the motion was defeated at the time. He again contested the prime ministership after the 2024 national election but lost to Jeremiah Manele, who secured 31 votes against Wale’s 18. In 2025, Wale was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his political and public service. Before entering politics, Wale was involved in civil society advocacy, peacebuilding initiatives during the ethnic tensions period and governance policy work in Solomon Islands. Consultations on the formation of a new government and cabinet appointments are expected to continue in the coming days.