Leaders from across Tuvalu convened on April 9–10 for the mid-term review summit of Te Kete, the country’s National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2021–2030, assessing progress and setting priorities for the remainder of the decade. The summit brought together representatives from outer islands, women and youth groups, civil society organisations...

Tonga has launched its first Women in Aviation network, marking a milestone for gender inclusion in the country’s aviation sector and across the wider Blue Pacific region. The initiative was officially unveiled by Infrastructure Minister Semisi Sika, who said the network underscores the government’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership and aligni...

Fiji has stepped up its digital transformation drive with the launch of a new tax administration platform, developed with support from Australia to improve compliance and ease of doing business. The upgraded system, rolled out by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service in Suva in late March, introduces enhanced self-service features, a more intuitive inte...

Economic growth in the Pacific is projected to moderate to 3.4% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2026, the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) flagship economic publication. “There is an unprecedented need for the Pacific to build resilience against the economic impacts of the Middle East conflict,” said ADB D...

The Commonwealth Digital Roadshow made its inaugural stop in Vanuatu from March 23 to 27, bringing together policymakers, businesses and communities in a coordinated push to accelerate digital transformation and expand access to emerging technologies. Led by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation in partnership with the Vanuatu government’s D...

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has officiated the external review of the preliminary design for the China-aided Vanua Levu Road Upgrading Project, marking a significant step forward in a flagship infrastructure programme aimed at improving connectivity, resilience and economic development in Fiji’s Northern Division. Speaking at the Grand Pacific Hotel...

Jeremiah Manele has convened senior executives of key state-owned enterprises to accelerate progress on the Auki Road Project, warning that delays could leave the Solomon Islands government bearing full completion costs. At a meeting held on Thursday, Manele brought together chairpersons, chief executives and senior management from major SOEs, includin...

Claude Gambey, New Caledonia’s government member in charge of health, joined global leaders and scientists at the One Health Summit held from 5 to 7 April in Lyon, reinforcing the territory’s commitment to integrated approaches linking human, animal and environmental health. The summit convened policymakers, researchers, international organisations and...

Jeremiah Manele has outlined a pipeline of road and bridge projects for Malaita Province, as the government moves to scale up infrastructure delivery under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project. Speaking at the handover of the Su’u and Bira bridges, Manele said additional financing of about $41 million from the World Bank is being secur...

Master planning has emerged as a central tool in addressing climate vulnerability and rapid urbanisation challenges across Pacific cities, according to discussions at the Seventh Pacific Urban Forum in Papua New Guinea. Delegates at the forum highlighted how Pacific urban centres are increasingly exposed to overlapping risks, including cyclones, floodi...

Pacific Island countries are stepping up efforts to strengthen private sector development, recognising its central role as the backbone of their economies and a key driver of long-term growth, employment and innovation. The private sector remains the region’s largest employer and a major contributor to productivity, competition and wealth creation. It ...

The government of Nauru has welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural North Pacific Aviation Summit in Canberra, agreeing on practical steps to strengthen vital air links across the North Pacific. The summit underscored Nauru’s role in operating the North Pacific Connector (NPC) service, a regional air corridor linking Australia with several North Pacific...

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele held a bilateral meeting with Anvar Anarbaev, special envoy of the president of the Kyrgyz Republic, at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Honiara. The meeting marked an important step in strengthening diplomatic relations between Solomon Islands and the Kyrgyz Republic, building on more than a decade of form...

Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele has commended the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) for its continued efforts in empowering young entrepreneurs and creating opportunities for youth across the country. The Prime Minister made the remarks when the YECSI Board and transitioning members paid a courtesy visit to him on 13 March 2026 to...

 The Government of Fiji says progress is being made in clearing abandoned fishing vessels from Suva Harbour, as authorities move to improve marine protection and ensure safe operations at the country’s busiest port. Fiji Ports Corporation Limited, with support from the Joint Maritime Environment Committee, has reduced the number of derelict vessels wit...

The Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) of the National Parliament will begin a provincial inquiry into the Mineral Resources Bill 2025 and the Value Added Tax Bill 2025 in Isabel Province. Committee members will depart Honiara 16 March 2026, with public hearings scheduled to begin in Buala on 17 March. The inquiry is intended to give leaders, sta...