Twenty-nine vendors from Laqere Market in Nasinu have completed a two-day cooperative management training program designed to strengthen the governance, financial management and long-term sustainability of their cooperative as Fiji continues to promote cooperatives as drivers of inclusive economic development. The participants are members of the Laqere...

Vanuatu is advancing a series of economic initiatives aimed at strengthening investment, improving public sector project delivery and expanding its fisheries industry, even as diplomatic tensions with New Caledonia have cast uncertainty over regional trade. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$10 million grant to help Vanuatu improve the ...

Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic cooperation, with trade, investment, transport and resource development taking centre stage during talks between Prime Minister James Marape and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. The discussions, held in Port Moresby in June, reviewed progress ...

The United States and Pacific Island Parties (PIPs) to the 1987 Treaty on Fisheries have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on sustainable fisheries, economic development and maritime security following annual consultations in Wellington, New Zealand. The meeting, held on 23 June, reviewed the implementation of the treaty — also k...

Fisheries ministers from across the Pacific have gathered in New Zealand for the 25th Annual Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Ministerial Meeting, where leaders will discuss key policies aimed at strengthening fisheries management, boosting economic returns and enhancing regional cooperation. Hosted by the New Zealand government, the meeting opened with...

The Solomon Islands government has moved forward with plans to reopen Henguaiporo Airport in Ontong Java Atoll after signing contracts and agreements to begin a major rehabilitation project aimed at restoring essential air services to one of the country's most remote communities. The Ministry of Communication and Aviation has awarded the rehabilitation...

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 A...

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 P...

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, su...

Fiji is stepping up efforts to strengthen its micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector through policy reforms, digital services, and expanded financing initiatives aimed at increasing the sector's contribution to the national economy. Marking MSME Day 2026 on June 27, the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development reaffirmed the government's...

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 Fo...

From digital infrastructure pipelines to climate-resilient planning, the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility is redefining how governments and development partners plan, finance, and deliver infrastructure across one of the world's most geographically dispersed regions. The Pacific faces one of the world's most complex infrastructure challenges. Sma...

Prime Minister Matthew Wale says Solomon Islands is pursuing a more balanced and constructive foreign policy while reaffirming its strong and enduring relationship with Japan. Wale made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwao Horii, in Honiara on Thursday. "We are committed to engaging with all co...

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 dril...

A community co-operative in Fiji's Navosa highlands is creating new market opportunities for local yaqona farmers by purchasing, processing and marketing the crop within the district, reducing transport costs and increasing returns for growers. The Matababani Co-operative Ltd recently purchased FJD49,000 worth of fresh yaqona from farmers in the villag...

A newly declared El Niño is expected to bring drier conditions to much of the western Pacific and wetter weather to the central and eastern Pacific, creating both economic opportunities and climate-related risks for Pacific Island countries, according to regional climate experts. The assessment was presented by specialists from the Secretariat of the P...

A women-led farming cooperative in Fiji's Northern Division is expanding rice production after receiving a government-funded harvester, highlighting the growing role of women in the country's agricultural sector and the benefits of cooperative farming. The Malawai Central Farmers Cooperative, based in Dreketi in Macuata Province, comprises nine women a...

Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have agreed to strengthen cooperation on mining sector governance, with officials from Papua New Guinea expected to visit Solomon Islands as the two countries pursue reforms aimed at maximising the benefits of their mineral resources. The agreement followed a roundtable in Port Moresby between Solomon Islands Prime ...

Fiji is seeking to deepen economic and infrastructure cooperation with China's Jiangsu Province, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighting investment opportunities in Vanua Levu and reaffirming the country's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with China. Prime Minister Rabuka met with Jiangsu Vice Governor Zhao Yan and his delegatio...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has reaffirmed his government's commitment to strengthening ties with China's Jiangsu Province, seeking to expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, education and workforce development to support the country's long-term economic growth. During talks with Jiangsu Vice Governor Zhao Yan at the Office of the...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $10 million grant facility aimed at strengthening project delivery, boosting resilience to environmental and disaster risks, supporting private sector development and accelerating sustainable economic growth in Vanuatu. The financing will establish the Vanuatu Sustainable Economic Transformation Facility,...

Prime Minister Matthew Wale called for closer alignment between monetary and fiscal policy to strengthen the resilience and stability of the Solomon Islands economy. Speaking during the recent Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Wale said effective coordination between government fiscal policies and central bank monetary...

New Caledonia showcased its growing innovation and technology sector during its fourth participation in Viva Technology 2026, Europe's largest startup and innovation event, held in Paris from June 17 to 20. The New Caledonian delegation brought together eight startups and 16 institutional and private-sector partners under the New Caledonia Pavilion, wh...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry has taken another significant step towards improving service delivery in rural Fiji with the official launch of Starlink Internet Services at the Wainikoro Station in Macuata. Officially launching the service, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna said the instal...