Latest News

Fiji and Australia have significantly deepened their strategic partnership after signing two landmark treaty-level agreements that expand cooperation on defence, security, trade, investment and regional development, marking what Fiji described as a new chapter in bilateral relations. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance, also known as the Veitacini Treaty, and the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union Treaty during a ceremony at the State House on Sunday, witnessed by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. The agreements are the first treaty arrangements entered into by Fiji and formalise an expanded partnership aimed at strengthening sovereignty, regional security and economic cooperation while advancing the Blue Pacific agenda. President Lalabalavu described the signing as a milestone in Fiji's nation-building journey, saying the agreements reflected decades of friendship founded on mutual respect, shared values and regional solidarity. He said the treaties were built on the principles of partnership, integration and regionalism, while recognising the importance of national sovereignty. "The challenges before us, whether climate change, regional stability or economic resilience, require precisely the kind of partnership that Fiji and Australia have nurtured and signed into history today," the President said. Under the Ocean of Peace Alliance, both countries committed to protecting their sovereignty, strengthening mutual defence and security interests and contributing to peace and stability across the Pacific. The Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union establishes a framework for closer cooperation across a broad range of sectors, including trade and investment, education, policing, border security, law enforcement and efforts to combat transnational organised crime. The agreement also seeks to operationalise the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration while promoting democracy, stability and shared prosperity throughout the region. Leaders reaffirm strategic partnership Following the signing ceremony, Rabuka and Albanese held bilateral talks, joined by Fiji's Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Sakiasi Ditoka, Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts and senior officials from both governments. The discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding Vuvale Partnership amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment and growing regional challenges. Rabuka welcomed Australia's continued support for Fiji's development priorities and described Australia as one of Fiji's closest and most trusted partners. The leaders also acknowledged the contribution of approximately 5,200 Fijians employed across Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme and discussed preparations for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, including regional climate resilience initiatives. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to promoting regional solidarity and ensuring the Pacific remains a region characterised by peace, resilience, security and shared prosperity. Albanese receives Fiji's highest honour During the visit, President Lalabalavu conferred the Companion of the Order of Fiji (General Division) on Albanese, the country's highest national honour. The award recognises eminent achievement and outstanding service to Fiji or humanity. The President said the relationship between Fiji and Australia extends beyond diplomatic ties, highlighting the deep people-to-people connections forged through migration, education, employment and family relationships. He also recognised Albanese's contribution to strengthening cooperation across diplomacy, trade, investment, education, health, aviation, defence, environmental protection and sport. Senior members of both governments, including Cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and Australian officials, attended the investiture ceremony. Visit concludes with stronger regional agenda Albanese concluded his official visit to Fiji on Monday, departing from Nausori International Airport after a military farewell ceremony hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka. Fiji said the visit reinforced the strategic importance of its relationship with Australia and established a new framework for deeper collaboration across security, economic development and regional governance. The new agreements are expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas including trade and investment, education, border management, policing and national security while enhancing both countries' ability to address transnational crime and broader Pacific security challenges. For Fiji, the signing of its first treaty arrangements represents a significant step in institutionalising one of its most important regional partnerships as both countries seek closer integration in response to evolving geopolitical, economic and climate-related challenges across the Pacific.

Kalo Gold Corp. has confirmed the presence of a gold-bearing epithermal system extending over a 1.8-kilometre strike length at its wholly owned Vatu Aurum Project in Fiji, following results from two reconnaissance drill holes that have strengthened the company's confidence in the area's exploration potential. The Vancouver-based gold explorer said drill holes VA26-DH18 and VA26-DH19 at the Wainikoro prospect intersected anomalous gold mineralisation associated with fault-controlled quartz veins, hydrothermal breccias and elevated arsenic and antimony, reinforcing its interpretation that the area hosts a structurally controlled epithermal gold system. The two drill holes, spaced 1,027 metres apart, were designed to test regional fault structures, hydrothermal alteration and geophysical anomalies identified during earlier exploration work. The company said the programme was intended to refine its geological model and guide future drilling rather than define mineral resources. At the Kope Road North target, drill hole VA26-DH19 intersected multiple gold-bearing quartz veins within a broad hydrothermal system, including an interval grading 1.61 grams of gold per tonne over 1.5 metres. Additional gold-bearing intersections and widespread hydrothermal alteration indicate that mineralisation is associated with a major structural corridor known as the Nubu Graben fault. Mineralogical analysis also identified arsenopyrite replaced by pyrite pseudomorphs, which the company said represents evidence of an early mineralising phase linked to gold deposition. The presence of arsenic and antimony, together with multiple generations of quartz veining, supports the interpretation that Wainikoro represents the upper levels of an epithermal gold system. At the Kope Road South target, drill hole VA26-DH18 returned anomalous gold values associated with hydrothermal breccias and fault zones. Surface sampling in the surrounding area produced detectORE™ gold screening results of up to 1,920 detectORE units, equivalent to an estimated 1.92 grams of gold per tonne, indicating that gold-bearing hydrothermal activity extends beyond the principal magnetic target. Kalo Gold President and Chief Executive Officer Terry Tucker said the results confirmed the scale of the Wainikoro system and highlighted the potential for multiple mineralised centres across the broader project area. He said the combination of drilling results, airborne magnetic surveys and planned ground geophysical work would allow the company to prioritise future drilling with greater precision as it continued evaluating the scale and geological architecture of the Wainikoro epithermal system. The company has engaged Fender Geophysics Pty Ltd to undertake controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics, induced polarisation, and gravity surveys at Wainikoro, with field work scheduled to begin in mid-July, subject to logistical requirements. The geophysical programme is expected to refine drill targets before the next phase of exploration. Kalo Gold's Vatu Aurum Project covers about 367 square kilometres on Vanua Levu and hosts a corridor of low-sulphidation epithermal gold targets that the company is systematically advancing through drilling, geochemistry, structural mapping and geophysical surveys.

The upstream and downstream operators of the Papua LNG Project have been issued amended environmental permits by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), following more than seven months of consultation between the regulator and project operators. The amended permits were presented on May 29, 2026, following extensive discussions involving CEPA, upstream operator TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited and downstream operator ExxonMobil PNG Antelope Limited. According to CEPA, the amendments reflect changes to both the upstream and downstream project designs and are expected to reduce potential environmental and community impacts associated with the development. Michael Wau, executive director of CEPA's Non-Renewable Resources Environmental Protection Wing, said environmental permits are living documents that must be reviewed and updated to strengthen environmental protection, water resource management and biodiversity conservation. "That is exactly what TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited and ExxonMobil PNG Antelope Limited have done by reviewing the project and requesting amendments to the environmental permits," Wau said. The original environmental permits, EP-L3 (1008) and EP-L3 (1030), were issued in March and September 2025. They covered a range of planned activities, including the construction and operation of a Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy system and associated marine infrastructure. Since the permits were issued, revisions to the project design have eliminated the need for several originally planned components, including the CALM buoy system, marine exclusion zones and related infrastructure. Wau said the changes would significantly reduce environmental impacts, particularly in Caution Bay. "There will be minimal environmental impact as the condensate pipeline, which was initially permitted to traverse Caution Bay, will instead connect with the Santos-owned Kumul Marine Terminal floating storage and offloading facility," he said. According to CEPA, the amendments will deliver several environmental and community benefits, including: • Avoiding extended travel times for local communities caused by marine exclusion zones; • Preventing disruptions to artisanal and subsistence fishing activities; and • Protecting sensitive marine and coastal habitats, including mangroves, intertidal zones and benthic environments. "This is a great win for the environment and the people," Wau said. TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited said it looks forward to continuing its collaboration with CEPA and other government agencies to ensure the Papua LNG Project is delivered in a sustainable, responsible and efficient manner. "We are committed to delivering Papua LNG to the highest environmental standards in close partnership with CEPA," the company said. ExxonMobil PNG Antelope Limited Chairman and Managing Director Dinesh Sivasamboo thanked CEPA for its review and approval of the amendments. "We greatly value this collaboration and the constructive engagement throughout the process to ensure that the Papua LNG Downstream Project is delivered responsibly and in full compliance with the amended environmental permit," Sivasamboo said. The amended permits are expected to support the continued development of the Papua LNG Project while reducing environmental impacts and preserving access to marine resources for surrounding communities.

The World Bank's Environment and Social Framework (ESF) Practice Manager, Africa Olojoba, has visited the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (THDP) in Solomon Islands, highlighting construction progress, strong safety practices and environmental stewardship at the country's first large-scale renewable energy project. Olojoba was joined by a World Bank delegation comprising Lead Environmental Specialist Nathalie Staelens, Environmental Specialist Khine Thwe Wynn, Social Development Specialist Joyce Onguglo and Energy Specialist Yulia Zakrevskaia during the March 27 site visit. The delegation began its visit at the Hyundai Engineering Company site office, where project officials provided a safety induction briefing outlining workplace health and safety protocols. The team then toured the dam site and the powerhouse site, including the main tunnel system currently under development. Speaking during a meeting at the Garivera camp site, Olojoba outlined three key observations from the visit. He cited the project's substantial development progress, noting the advancement of major structures, ongoing construction activities and milestones achieved to date. Olojoba also commended project teams for maintaining strong occupational health and safety standards across the construction site. In addition, he highlighted the project's environmental performance, particularly areas of natural revegetation and the replantation programme being implemented as part of biodiversity management efforts. The World Bank is one of the principal financiers of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project and has played a key role in supporting the project's objective of delivering clean, affordable and sustainable energy to Solomon Islands. Once completed, the hydropower facility is expected to reduce the country's dependence on diesel-fired electricity generation, lower power costs for consumers and support national climate commitments. The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is being led by the Solomon Islands government with financing and support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Asian Development Bank, the Australian government, the Green Climate Fund, Korea EXIM Economic Development Cooperation Fund and the World Bank. The project is the first large-scale renewable energy development undertaken in Solomon Islands and is expected to improve access to cleaner and more reliable electricity for households and businesses while supporting the country's long-term energy transition.

Fiji is strengthening its livestock sector by equipping agricultural officers and industry stakeholders with modern feed formulation skills and digital tools aimed at reducing production costs, improving animal nutrition, and increasing local livestock productivity. The Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry concluded a week-long Feed Formulation Training for the Pacific and introduced the FeedAccess Online Feed Formulation App during a regional training program held at the Animal Health and Production Office in Vatuwaqa. Closing the program, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna said the initiative forms part of the government's broader strategy to strengthen Fiji's livestock industry through innovation, capacity building, and greater use of locally available feed resources. "The training focused on promoting the use of locally available feed resources such as cassava, copra meal, fish meal, and other agricultural by-products as cost-effective alternatives while ensuring that animal productivity and performance are maintained at optimal levels," Tunabuna said. The training brought together agricultural extension officers, researchers, advisory officers, and livestock professionals from across Fiji, providing practical instruction in animal nutrition, feed formulation, and digital technologies that support livestock production. Participants learned to evaluate the nutritional value of locally available feed ingredients and formulate balanced rations for different livestock species and production stages. According to the ministry, feed accounts for between 65% and 75% of total livestock production costs, making feed efficiency a critical factor in improving farm profitability. Tunabuna said developing expertise in least-cost feed formulation would enable extension officers to help farmers optimize livestock nutrition, reduce operating costs, and improve overall farm productivity. A key component of the training was the introduction of the FeedAccess Online Platform, a digital application that allows users to formulate nutritionally balanced feed rations using smartphones, tablets, or computers without requiring specialized desktop software or complex spreadsheets. Developed by France-based agricultural technology company FeedAccess, the platform enables farmers, researchers, extension officers, and feed manufacturers to calculate feed formulations using locally available raw materials while optimizing nutritional value and production costs. Founded in 2013, FeedAccess provides a free digital feed formulation platform supporting 16 livestock and aquaculture species. The platform is currently used by more than 11,800 users across 185 countries. FeedAccess Director and training facilitator Edouard Bault said the platform was designed to make feed formulation more practical and accessible for extension officers and livestock producers. "Feed formulation should not be limited to specialists with advanced software," Bault said. "FeedAccess simplifies the process, allowing users to formulate balanced, least-cost rations using locally available feed ingredients. This helps farmers make informed decisions, reduce feed costs, and improve the productivity of their livestock." Bault said the long-term success of the program would depend on participants applying their new knowledge in the field and sharing their expertise with livestock producers. "By making better use of local feed resources, Pacific countries can reduce dependence on imported feeds while building more resilient and sustainable livestock production systems," he said. The ministry said adoption of digital tools such as FeedAccess supports the objectives of the Fiji Livestock Sector Strategy, which identifies feed quality and affordability as major constraints to livestock development. Tunabuna said expanding the technical capacity of ministry officers through practical technologies would help address these challenges while supporting national food security objectives. He also acknowledged the contribution of Bault in delivering the technical training and thanked the Pacific Community (SPC) for partnering with the ministry to organize the regional program. The minister encouraged participants to continue testing locally available feed ingredients, monitor livestock performance, and share their knowledge with farmers, students, and others involved in animal production. The Ministry of Agriculture said it will continue investing in professional development and practical innovations that strengthen livestock productivity, improve food security, and support sustainable agricultural development in Fiji.

The Fijian government is stepping up efforts to revitalise the country's cooperative sector through the restoration of its historic Cooperative Training College, positioning the institution as a key driver of rural economic development and leadership training. The initiative was highlighted during National Cooperative Day celebrations this week, when Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications Dr Radika Kumar visited the Cooperative Training College in Draunibota, Lami, to review progress on its refurbishment. Established in 1960, the college has trained thousands of cooperative leaders from Fiji and other Pacific island countries, playing a central role in developing the region's cooperative movement. The government has committed FJD230,000 towards the initial renovation of the institution as part of a broader strategy to strengthen cooperatives and support inclusive economic growth in rural communities. Officials said the investment extends beyond upgrading the college's physical infrastructure, with plans also under way to secure accreditation for both the institution and its curriculum. The move is expected to enable the college to offer nationally recognised qualifications in Cooperative Management. Once accredited, the college is expected to provide new education and training opportunities for young people, cooperative leaders and participants from across the Pacific, equipping them with skills in governance, business management and community enterprise. The cooperative sector played a significant role in Fiji's rural economy during the 1970s and 1980s, supporting housing, education, employment and community development projects while strengthening local economies through collective enterprise. However, the movement has faced significant challenges over the past two decades, contributing to a decline in cooperative activity. The government said revitalising the training college forms part of a wider effort to rebuild the sector by improving leadership, governance and institutional capacity. Officials also emphasised that the cooperative model aligns with Fiji's traditional concept of Solesolevaki – working together for the common good – and can contribute to stronger livelihoods, job creation and more resilient rural communities. The restoration of the college is expected to support the long-term development of Fiji's cooperative movement while reinforcing its role in promoting sustainable economic opportunities across the country.

Fiji has launched the Nasaulevu Integrated Tourism Development Masterplan, a landmark tourism project aimed at creating a new tourism and investment hub while placing indigenous landowners at the centre of development. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka unveiled the masterplan on 19 June at Navoci Village in Nadi, describing it as the beginning of a new phase that will require strong governance, community unity and effective implementation. The masterplan covers Nasaulevu Island, a 747-acre site located opposite Denarau Port Marina, one of Fiji's premier tourism gateways. Prepared by global consultancy ARUP in partnership with the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and the Nakovacake Development Trust, the masterplan was funded through a USD 400,000 grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The initiative is being promoted as Fiji's first tourism development blueprint of its scale to integrate indigenous landowners, institutional investors and international technical expertise from the outset. A central feature of the project is its landowner-led development model, under which the Vanua of Nakovacake will play a direct role in planning, governance and economic participation. Officials say the approach is designed to ensure local communities benefit from future tourism growth while maintaining a stake in the long-term development of their customary land. Speaking at the launch, Gavoka said the completion of the masterplan marked the transition from planning to implementation. "This launch is not an ending. It is the start of a more demanding phase requiring unity, sound governance and a clear path from concept to construction," he told community members. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation said it would continue supporting the project as it moves toward delivery and investment attraction. The development is expected to strengthen Fiji's tourism sector by creating new opportunities for accommodation, recreation, marine tourism and supporting infrastructure near the country's busiest tourism corridor. Tourism remains a key pillar of Fiji's economy, contributing significantly to employment, foreign exchange earnings and economic growth. The government has identified sustainable tourism development and greater participation by indigenous landowners as priorities for the sector's future expansion. The Nasaulevu masterplan is expected to serve as a model for future tourism developments in Fiji by combining community ownership, institutional investment and international planning expertise within a single development 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.

PNG Air has officially bid farewell to its iconic Dash 8 fleet, marking the end of an important chapter in the airline's history and the completion of its transition to a modern, all-ATR fleet. For decades, the Dash 8 aircraft served Papua New Guinea with distinction, earning a reputation for reliability and versatility while connecting communities, supporting key industries, and operating into some of the country's most challenging airstrips. As the fleet enters its next chapter, all three Dash 8 aircraft will continue their operational service with new operators overseas. One aircraft recently departed for Kenya, where it will join Renegade Air to support both domestic services and United Nations operations. PNG Air Chief Executive Officer Mr Brian Fraser said the farewell marked both a proud achievement and a significant milestone for the airline. "The Dash 8 has been an extraordinary aircraft for PNG Air and for the people of Papua New Guinea. These aircraft have connected communities and supported our nation's growth for many years. While we bid farewell to an important part of our history, we are excited about the future as we continue our transition to a modern ATR fleet," Fraser said. The retirement of the Dash 8 fleet forms part of PNG Air's broader fleet modernisation programme. As the airline transitions to the ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600, it is investing in the future of regional aviation through modern technology, enhanced safety systems, greater passenger comfort, improved operational performance, and increased environmental sustainability. The ATR fleet offers industry-leading fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions, supporting PNG Air's commitment to providing safer, more reliable, and more sustainable air services. The aircraft are also well suited to Papua New Guinea's unique operating environment, with the capability to serve regional and remote destinations efficiently. About PNG Air For nearly four decades, PNG Air has connected the people of Papua New Guinea through safe, reliable, and affordable air services. The airline currently operates more than 460 flights each week across 22 destinations, providing essential passenger and cargo services throughout the country.

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.