Latest News

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has concluded his official visit to Australia, reaffirming the close partnership between the two countries following high-level talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The discussions focused on shared priorities including climate change, regional security and economic cooperation, with both leaders underscoring the importance of strengthening bilateral relations amid evolving regional challenges. Wale expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded to his delegation, describing it as a reflection of the longstanding friendship between Solomon Islands and Australia. "Our partnership is grounded in history, mutual respect and strong people-to-people connections that continue to bind our nations together," Wale said. Albanese highlighted the depth of the relationship, describing Solomon Islands and Australia as "not only neighbours, but family", and reaffirmed Australia's commitment to further developing the partnership. Climate change featured prominently in the talks, with Wale reiterating that it remains a critical concern for Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region. The Solomon Islands leader also acknowledged the contribution of Solomon Islanders participating in Australia's Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, noting that the programme supports Australian industries while providing employment opportunities and income for families back home. On regional security, Wale reaffirmed Solomon Islands' commitment as a responsible regional partner and welcomed discussions on Australia's Pacific Policing Initiative, which aims to strengthen law enforcement cooperation across Pacific island nations. The leaders also discussed broader regional issues and cooperation through Pacific institutions. Albanese recognised Solomon Islands' leadership role as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and expressed his intention to visit Honiara in the near future. Wale welcomed the proposed visit, saying it would provide another opportunity to deepen cooperation and further strengthen ties between the two countries. The visit underscores the growing strategic, economic and people-to-people links between Solomon Islands and Australia, which remain among each other's closest partners in the Pacific region.

The Solomon Islands government's plans regarding Gold Dealer Licences form part of a wider effort to reform the country's gold sector and strengthen oversight, according to Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Minister Derick Manuari. Manuari said the government's policy direction had already received Cabinet caucus endorsement and was now progressing through the necessary legal and administrative processes. Responding to recent criticism from Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, the minister rejected claims that the government's position on Gold Dealer Licences was misleading, saying licence cancellations represent only one component of a broader reform programme. "This is not simply about cancelling licences. Government is implementing a comprehensive transition from the current Gold Dealer Licensing regime to a new framework that will deliver greater transparency, accountability, oversight and national benefit from our gold resources," Manuari said. According to the minister, the government intends to move away from the existing Gold Dealer Licensing framework as part of efforts to improve governance of the sector. The reforms are also intended to support the establishment of a state-owned holding company that would facilitate government participation, investment, oversight and strategic management of the gold industry. "The cancellation of existing licences is the final step in a process that includes due diligence reviews, legal requirements, transitional arrangements, and a stronger regulatory and commercial framework for the sector," he said. Manuari said no new Gold Dealer Licences have been issued since the current government took office. Of the nearly 40 licences issued previously, only 10 remain active, while the remainder are undergoing compliance reviews and due diligence assessments. "The Mines Division is undertaking comprehensive compliance assessments of all active licence holders. These reviews are necessary to ensure accountability and to address longstanding mismanagement that has undermined effective regulation of the sector," he said. The minister said the reviews had identified a number of challenges, including difficulties in verifying the origin of gold, monitoring export volumes and values, obtaining records required for compliance purposes and ensuring licence holders meet statutory reporting obligations. He warned that weaknesses in the existing licensing framework had exposed the government to potential revenue leakage, under-reporting and illicit trading risks. "The current licensing framework has exposed the Government to potential revenue leakage, under-reporting, illicit trading risks and broader governance concerns. These are issues this Government is determined to address through meaningful reform," Manuari said. He added that a lack of political commitment by successive governments to reform the sector had contributed to the challenges now facing regulators. "The absence of political will by successive governments to reform and strengthen governance in the sector has created serious problems that we are now working to fix," Manuari said.

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

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

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

Fiji is moving forward with plans to establish its first peer-to-peer lending platform as part of broader efforts to expand access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises and support the growth of alternative funding markets. The initiative forms part of the implementation of the Access to Business Funding Act 2025, which introduced new financing mechanisms including peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, equity crowdfunding and small offers regimes aimed at improving access to capital for businesses. To support the development of the platform, the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development, the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative selected ThirdRoc through a competitive Request for Proposals process conducted through the Fiji Innovation Hub. The proposed platform is expected to connect MSMEs directly with lenders through a regulated digital marketplace, helping address some of the barriers businesses face in accessing traditional sources of finance. Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development and co-chair of the Access to Business Funding Implementation Taskforce Esrom Immanuel said the strong response to the proposal process highlighted growing interest in financial innovation in Fiji. “We were impressed by the strong field of proposals, particularly the depth of technical capability we have here in Fiji. This shows that Fiji is open for innovation and that the Government’s reform agenda is gaining real traction,” Immanuel said. “We look forward to working with the selected partner, ThirdRoc, to expand financing opportunities for MSMEs.” ThirdRoc is the Fijian subsidiary of an Australian-headquartered fintech company focused on alternative credit and enterprise lending technology across the Pacific. Backed by Antler Australia, the company holds a Credit Representative Licence with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and is a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. The company said it uses consented data, artificial intelligence-driven insights and regional partnerships to support lending decisions and improve access to finance for small businesses. According to ThirdRoc, it is developing a Fijian structure for a proposed P2P lending platform that aligns with governance and licensing requirements established by the Reserve Bank of Fiji and is engaging potential consortium partners and investors to support the platform’s launch. Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor and taskforce co-chair Ariff Ali said the initiative represents an important step in opening new financing pathways for businesses while maintaining appropriate safeguards. “Fiji is leading the Pacific in opening up new, innovative pathways to finance for businesses and the Reserve Bank of Fiji is committed to ensuring these pathways are developed with strong investor protections and sound risk management,” Ali said. “ThirdRoc’s proven technology, deep experience, and clear commitment to working within Fiji’s regulatory framework gives us confidence in their ability to deliver a platform that meets these standards.” Jeremy Cleaver, financing growth specialist with the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, said P2P lending could help address financing gaps for businesses that have historically been underserved by conventional lending channels. “P2P lending has the potential to genuinely expand access to finance for MSMEs in Fiji, including those that have been underserved by the traditional channels,” Cleaver said. As part of the next phase of development, ThirdRoc is participating in a tailored accelerator programme through the Fiji Innovation Hub that includes knowledge transfer and engagement with experienced international P2P lending practitioners. The programme is expected to support the development of a launch-ready platform design, with pilot and rollout plans to be considered as the project progresses. ThirdRoc director Shiv Maharaj said the company had been working with local partners to improve access to finance for entrepreneurs and small businesses while increasing transparency for lenders and investors. “Since establishing our presence in Fiji, we have worked closely with partners to improve access to finance for MSMEs and entrepreneurs, while giving lenders and investors greater visibility and confidence in how credit is assessed and monitored,” Maharaj said. “We are working through the RBF process with local institutions to ensure the model is structured safely and built for Fiji’s long-term needs.”

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

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

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

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