The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Vanuatu have launched an $11 million partnership to boost food security and nutrition for more than 15,000 people in what the United Nations ranks as the world’s most climate-vulnerable country. The Agricultural Investment for Markets and Nutrition–Vanuatu (AIM-N) project ...

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele met with U.S. officials and Pacific leaders at the U.S.–Pacific Islands Forum Roundtable in Port Moresby. As Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, he emphasized the importance of partnerships that respect national and regional priorities. "Partnerships must respect both national and regional priorities," said Prime Minister...

 The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional collaboration, urging Pacific leaders to recognise tourism not only as an economic sector vulnerable to global shocks but as a strategic tool for resilience, sustainability, and Pacific-led prosperity. At the 32nd Meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Enviro...

The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) has taken another step in its efforts to revive Solomon Islands’ agricultural sector, leading a mission to Brisbane to explore partnership opportunities with Applied Nutrition Pty Ltd, a well-established manufacturer of livestock feed premixes and nutritional supplements. The delegation was led by CEMA ...

President of the Republic of Fiji Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has challenged the Ministry of Agriculture and Fiji Rice Farmers Limited to strengthen their support for local farmers by providing the necessary resources to grow Fiji’s rice industry. Speaking at the Rice Farmers Awards held in Muanidevo Sanatan Dharam Primary School at Dreketi, President Lala...

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the creation of the Melanesian Ocean Reserve (MOR), pledging ministerial resources to advance the world’s first Indigenous-led, multi-national ocean reserve. The announcement was made on the margins of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara, where Manele emphasised the Rese...

Fiji Airways has soared into aviation history, becoming the smallest carrier by fleet size ever to be named among the Top 10 Airlines in the World after securing the APEX World Class Airline for 2026 Award. The honour, regarded as the most prestigious in global aviation, crowns a remarkable rise for the Fijian flag carrier, which also clinched the APEX...

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has called for a fundamental shift in how Pacific nations think about progress, urging a Pasifika-centred approach to development that draws on the region’s own philosophies, traditions, and values. Speaking on at the “Netweaving the Soul of Pasifika Development” symposium — a joint initiative of the Solomon Islands Natio...

The first EU-Pacific Business Forum convened in Nadi on 4–5 September, drawing together government officials, business leaders, and development partners to explore new avenues of trade and investment between the two regions. Over two days, the Forum featured panel discussions, networking events, and direct business-to-business and business-to-governmen...

The Solomon Islands and Cook Islands are exploring closer ties in tourism and culture, with both nations looking to turn shared heritage and industry needs into opportunities for cooperation. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara, where Solomon Islands Minister for Culture and Tourism C...

 A quiet but meaningful shift is coming to New Caledonian households as the government and the Office des Postes et Télécommunications de Nouvelle-Calédonie (OPT-NC) move to cut costs and simplify internet access for families. On 29 August, government member in charge of digital affairs, Christopher Gygès, stood alongside OPT-NC chair Naïa Wateou and d...

Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, on 5 September officiated at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Fiji Government, Fiji National University (FNU) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to advance the country’s renewable energy transition. The agreement paves the way for the c...

Fiji is deepening its collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to enhance trade opportunities, empower local entrepreneurs and drive the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment during a bilat...

The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, on 5 September handed over the Pre-Season Burnt Cane Rehabilitation Grant to sugarcane farmers in Sabeto, Nadi, underscoring government’s drive to revitalise the struggling sugar industry. Addressing the farmers, Singh said the government was determined to bring the sector ba...

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, reaffirming the warmth and mutual respect that continue to define the longstanding friendship between the two nations. The talks highlighted deep historical ties, shared values, and a commitment to strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors fo...

The Governments of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands have taken a decisive step to strengthen their economic and cultural bonds with the soft launch of the Papua New Guinea–Solomon Islands Business Council. Held in Port Moresby, the event brought together leaders from government and business, with both Prime Ministers hailing the initiative as a mil...

A major milestone for Solomon Islands agriculture began as three Japanese specialists arrived in Honiara on 3 September to install the country’s first-ever Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) facility, a technology designed to open global export markets for local fruit growers. The experts were welcomed in a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture and...

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications Manoa Kamikamica has reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to strengthening its economic ties with New Zealand, calling for “dialogue to turn into delivery.” Speaking at a Mini-Business Forum in Wellington, Kamikamica led a strong Fijian business ...

As Papua New Guinea marks 50 years of independence, Zenex Drilling is celebrating the national milestone with a step that blends technical innovation with local ambition: the arrival of the LRS275 Duo Sonic Drill Rig from Dutch manufacturer Eijkelkamp. For Zenex, this is more than a fleet upgrade — it’s a statement about where PNG’s homegrown drilling cap...

The East Micronesia Cable has reached its final Pacific destination with a successful landing in Kosrae, bringing the region one step closer to faster and more reliable internet connectivity. The milestone was marked by a ceremony on Kosrae’s shores as the cable lay ship Normand Clipper floated the undersea cable to land, guided by the ceremonial buoy....

Provincial fisheries officers from across Solomon Islands gathered in Honiara, not only to sharpen their inspection skills but also to reaffirm their role as protectors of the sea and the communities who depend on it. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), with support from the Pacific Community (SPC) and New Zealand Ministry for Primar...

Fiji is looking to Singapore for inspiration as it pushes ahead with reforms to modernise its courts and justice system. Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga began the post-WIPO leg of his Singapore programme on 28 August with a series of high-level meetings at the Ministry of Law, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Supre...

The Solomon Islands recorded 13,994 visitor arrivals in the second quarter of 2025, marking a 21 percent increase compared with the previous quarter, according to official figures released on 29 August. Compared with the same quarter last year, arrivals grew 11.8 percent. Returning residents comprised the largest share of entries at 51.8 percent, while...

The Pacific Infrastructure Conference 2025 concluded in Brisbane after three days of high-level discussions, presentations and networking, drawing 652 delegates, 80 speakers and more than 40 exhibitors from 20 countries. Hosted from 18 to 20 August, the conference brought together political and business representatives from all 16 Pacific Island countr...