The Solomon Islands delegation has celebrated its National Day at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka–Kansai, Japan, with heartfelt tributes to Japan, moving cultural performances, and a strong message on ocean conservation. Leading the celebrations, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka praised Japan for successfully hosting the...

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has welcomed the entry into force of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 15 September 2025. The agreement entered into force following ratifications from Tonga, Brazil, Kenya and Vietnam — meeting the two-thirds requirement needed to bring it into effect. The Fisheries Subsidies A...

Adaptation to the devastating impacts of climate change for Pacific communities is not a choice but a matter of survival, a Solomon Islands climate negotiator has stressed. As Pacific climate negotiators convened in Samoa, Melissa Horokou of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Climate Change said adaptation remains a top priority for her country and for al...

Lion One Metals Ltd. has reported solid progress at its 100 percent-owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji, achieving stronger production results and faster underground development as the mine moves deeper into commercial operations. The Canadian gold miner said it produced 5,704 tonnes of material grading 10.60 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from its ...

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele officially witnessed the signing of a shareholding agreement between Kolombangara Forestry Plantation Ltd. (KFPL), the Kolombangara Landowners Trust Foundation (KLTF) and new investor New Forest. Prime Minister Manele praised the collaboration, saying it follows his government’s efforts through a Cabinet subcommittee to t...

The Marape-Rosso Government has begun the mid-term review of Papua New Guinea’s National Trade Policy (NTP) 2017–2032, aimed at strengthening the country’s trade strategy in response to evolving global and domestic conditions. The review, spearheaded by the National Trade Office (NTO) with support from the European Union Delegation to PNG, was announce...

Economic growth in the Pacific is expected to pick up next year, buoyed by strong resource output in Papua New Guinea (PNG), according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2025, released Monday by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The report projects Pacific economies to expand by 4.1 percent in 2025, before moderating to 3.4 percent in 202...

In a move that strengthens regional cooperation and environmental protection in the Pacific, Tuvalu has formally submitted its Instrument of Ratification for the Noumea Convention end of September. This enters into force on the thirtieth day from the date of deposit. The Noumea Convention, formally known as the Convention for the Protection of Natural ...

Solomon Islands has formally assumed the Presidency of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) for a six-month term, from 1 August 2025 to 30 January 2026, following the handover from the Kingdom of Eswatini. During this period, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka will serve as President of the...

Weir, a global leader in mining technology, has launched a new range of ENDURON® jaw and cone crushers, developed in close collaboration with customers to address their most pressing operational challenges. This customer-first approach has resulted in equipment that enhances safety, boosts productivity, simplifies maintenance, and supports sustainability ...

Solomon Islands has formally established diplomatic relations with the Principality of Andorra. The signing ceremony took place at the Permanent Mission of Andorra to the United Nations in New York. The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Andorra. Peter Shanel Agovaka...

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...