Steamships Ltd., on behalf of John Swire & Sons (JS&S), officially handed over a new classroom building to Yanga Elementary School in Lae on 22 August 2025. The second classroom was presented to the School Board during a ceremony attended by students, parents, teachers and community members. The milestone marks continued investment in rural edu...

In a landmark moment of cultural reconnection and national pride, Returning Home, an art exhibition and programme, takes centre stage at Harbourside South in line with the celebration of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary. Steamships, in collaboration with Pacific Palms Property, is proud to bring home five Papua New Guinean artists, show...

The Ministry of Forestry has broadened its agenda beyond timber to highlight the vast potential of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as sandalwood, agarwood, bamboo, candlenut and dilo, which officials say can create new industries, boost exports and strengthen rural livelihoods. Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu on 30 Septembe...

Customs and government officials from 13 Pacific nations responsible for implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention were recently trained in Brisbane on detecting and preventing the illegal movement of toxic chemicals, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional security. The week-long programme, run by the Organisation for the Prohibition of C...

Fiji has secured a landmark investment with Kerzner International Holdings Ltd announcing plans to develop the country’s first One&Only resort and private residences on Nacula Island in the Yasawa Islands. The project, undertaken in partnership with BSP Life, was welcomed by the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,...

As part of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ broader engagement at UNGA80, the PRF Partners Roundtable Talanoa was convened at the UN Headquarters on 23 September. The event marked the launch of the PRF Capitalisation Memorandum for Investors and officially opened the global pledging window for the next 15 months from September 2025 to December 2026. ...

Solomon Islands has formalised diplomatic relations with the Republic of North Macedonia following the signing of a joint communique on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 23 September 2025. The agreement was signed by Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka...

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele underscored Solomon Islands’ leadership in advancing ocean conservation and sustainable development during a high-level roundtable at the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum in New York. The forum, held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, convenes world leaders, philanthropists and private sector represe...

Fiji has pledged to increase its energy sector emissions reduction target from 30 to 36 percent. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced the commitment at the UN Secretary-General’s Special High-Level Event on Climate Change held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. In his address, Rabuka said Fiji’s National...

Solomon Islands has secured a seat on the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Council for the first time, marking a milestone in the country’s growing role in global climate and energy discussions. The nation was elected as a member of the Asia-Pacific Group at IRENA’s 29th Council Meeting, held in Abu Dhabi from 10–12 September. Its two-year...

Prime Minister James Marape has urged the United States and its business community to deepen trade and investment ties with the Pacific, stressing that the region should be seen as a hub of opportunity rather than a recipient of aid. Speaking at the US–Pacific Islands Business Forum on 22 September Prime Minister Marape said Pacific Island countries we...

Solomon Islands has joined more than 100 countries in supporting a new international declaration to protect humanitarian workers facing increasing risks in conflict and crisis zones. Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka signed the declaration on behalf of Solomon Islands on 21 September at the United Nations precinct in New York. The in...

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs and Communications visited the Chiba Toukatu Agricultural Cooperative (JA Chiba Toukatu) in Tokyo, Japan. The visit, part of the Deputy Prime Minister's official programme for the Fiji-Japan Business Mission and Fiji’s National Day at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, reflected Fiji’s partne...

Pacific leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at the United Nations, underscoring that progress in this area is inseparable from broader human rights, sustainable development and climate justice. Speaking at the High-Level Meeting commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Confere...

Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary, celebrated from 14 to 19 September, brought the nation to the world stage as global leaders, regional partners and international dignitaries joined in commemorating the Golden Jubilee. From Independence Hill to the streets of Port Moresby, the celebrations on 15 and 16 September showcased the unity of “...

When Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of independence this September, one business stands out for having journeyed with the nation long before 1975: Remington Group. Established in 1948, Remington began as the country’s typewriter supplier, introducing modern office equipment to government, schools and businesses. Those machines helped lay the foun...

Over the past year, PNG Ports Corporation Ltd (PNG Ports) has taken a significant step forward in shaping its leadership for the future. It appointed four exceptional professionals to senior roles, in line with its most ambitious infrastructure programme since the relocation of Port Moresby’s terminals to Motukea and the expansion of Lae Port. The appo...

Weir, a mining technology company, has redesigned its market-leading heavy-duty submersible slurry pump to deliver reliable performance in the harshest slurry environments. Weir has made several design improvements to address the operational challenges miners face in submersible pumping applications. The WARMAN® SHW-XTR heavy-duty submersible slurry...

Fiji’s Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Risk Management Sakiasi Ditoka has hailed the Saemaul Undong (SMU) initiative as a catalyst for rural transformation, citing its positive impact in three pilot communities. Speaking at the Saemaul Undong Ministerial Conference, Ditoka expressed Fiji’s gratitude to the Government and people...

A New Caledonian delegation led by government member for construction and technological innovation Petelo Sao travelled to Brisbane from August 18 to 20 to participate in the Pacific Infrastructure Conference 2025, a key regional event focused on sustainable infrastructure. A follow-up meeting was held on September 9 for participants to share feedback ...

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad on Wednesday received the transfer of $146 million in profits from the Reserve Bank of Fiji, together with the presentation of the Bank’s audited financial statements for the year ending 31 July 2025. Speaking at the handover, Prasad congratulated the Bank on achieving another record result. ...

The World Bank has appointed Han Fraeters as its Division Director for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, effective 16 September. Fraeters’ appointment marks the first time a director-level position has been based in Port Moresby, underscoring the World Bank’s commitment to bringing leadership closer to its clients. The move is part of a gl...

A local project services company is partnering with a leading Australian manufacturer to introduce innovative dome shelter solutions across Papua New Guinea. PNG CR Services Company announced its strategic collaboration with Container Domes Australia, a move that promises to deliver durable, cost-effective infrastructure tailored to the country’s varie...

Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele met with the French Ambassador to the Pacific, Her Excellency Veronique Roger-Lacan, for bilateral talks on the sidelines of regional engagements in Port Moresby. The ambassador congratulated Prime Minister Manele on Solomon Islands’ successful hosting of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara. Th...