The Cook Islands government is considering extending its deep sea mining exploration licences as the nation approaches the end of its five-year exploration phase. The Cook Islands is three-and-a-half years into the programme, which allows companies to gather data to assess the viability of extracting seabed minerals. Mining, referred to as “harvesting”...

For more than a century, the Steamships Group of businesses has underpinned Papua New Guinea’s maritime and logistics sector. Today, its Logistics Division is the country’s most complete logistics services provider – spanning sea, land, and portside solutions – geared to support the oil, gas, and resources sectors. Nick Fisher, CEO of Steamships Logist...

Timber producers in Solomon Islands are stepping up their push for international certification, aiming to unlock high-value markets while safeguarding jobs and incomes for thousands of rural households. At the Solomon Islands Sawn Timber Knowledge Forum held in Honiara on 13 August, industry leaders, partners and government representatives celebrated p...

Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia is helping some of the region’s most remote nations carve a stronger presence in the Australian travel market through the 2025 Treasures of the South Pacific (ToSP) Roadshow. The two-week tour, which started in Brisbane on 18 August and ends in Newcastle on 3 September, will also stop in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydn...

The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Pacific Tourism Research Institute (PTRI), marking a milestone in regional collaboration. The institute will serve as a hub for knowledge generation, capacity building and innovation, aimed at ensuring t...

Great Pacific Gold Corp. has uncovered signs of a large-scale epithermal system and possible porphyry deposit at its Wild Dog project in Papua New Guinea, raising hopes of a significant discovery in one of the world’s most mineral-rich regions. The Canadian miner said a diamond drilling programme is under way at the site on the island of New Britain. E...

Fiji has embarked on its most comprehensive groundwater survey to date, aiming to strengthen water security and resilience on its largest island, Viti Levu. The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, in partnership with the Australian Government through Geoscience Australia, launched a national initiative that will use advanced airborne electromagnet...

Pacific nations Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu have joined forces with the Republic of Korea and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to launch a landmark regional initiative aimed at decarbonising maritime transport. The USD 9 million, five-year programme, officially launched at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva in August, will help the three island states...

Fiji and the Cook Islands have reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation following high-level talks in Suva last week between Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua and Cook Islands Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Tingika Elikana. The meeting underscored the warm friendship between the two Pacific neighbours and th...

Fiji has become the first nation in the Pacific to help small and medium-sized businesses become resilient under the Global Climate Financing Partnership through a bold new partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). The initiative will stren...

Swire and Steamships have reaffirmed their commitment to community development and education in Papua New Guinea with the official opening of a third double-classroom building at Vula’a Rivilina Elementary School in Hula Village, Central Province. The initiative marks a significant milestone under the Swire Philanthropic Fund, implemented by Steamships...

Acting Minister for Information and Communications Technology Peter Tsiamalili Jr. has reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s resolve to champion a safer, more inclusive digital future for the Pacific, calling the region not just neighbours but “a family of nations, bound by ancestry, culture and history.” Addressing the Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue in Suva, ...

Fiji’s digital journey is set to accelerate as the government launches a phased rollout of 5G technology, starting this year in the nation’s busiest cities before extending to rural and maritime communities. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica unveiled the Cabinet-endorsed 5G Spectrum Assignment and Rollout Strategy i...

The Cook Islands and the United States have agreed to strengthen cooperation on scientific research and the responsible development of seabed mineral resources, marking a significant milestone in their partnership as the Pacific nation celebrated its 60th anniversary of self-government on 4 August. The joint announcement reflects the shared recognition...

Weir is pleased to announce the appointment of Mick Henderson as Regional Managing Director for the Minerals Division in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, effective immediately. Mick brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of delivering results across Eastern Australia and the Pacific Islands. His deep regional insight and customer-first ...

Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Tomasi Tunabuna, has reaffirmed his determination to strengthen the country’s agriculture sector, calling for commitment and collaboration from all corners of the industry. Speaking to stakeholders, Tunabuna said that the sector’s growth depends on the sustained efforts of farmers, agribusinesses, industry...

The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has been allocated $284.4 million in the 2025-2026 Budget to deliver major upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure across the country. The funding will go towards upgrading water sources and treatment plants, improving water pipes and supply systems, and reducing water loss. A further $4.9 million will be used ...

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) has begun a review of the Solomon Islands National Infrastructure Investment Plan (SINIIP) to ensure major projects are better prioritised and aligned with national development goals. A national workshop was held on 13 August, bringing together senior government officials, state-own...

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has met with Dr. Fahad Al Taffaq, the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Australia, in a bid to deepen ties and explore new avenues of cooperation between Solomon Islands and the UAE. During talks in Honiara, Manele shared updates on the Bina Harbour project, describing it as a transformational initiative for the nation. ...

The Solomon Islands has taken a major step toward transforming its economy with the launch of the Goldridge Mine Processing Plant Expansion Project, a multi-billion-dollar investment expected to boost national revenue, create thousands of jobs and deliver lasting benefits for landowners and communities. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Centra...

The Kingdom of Tonga and The Metals Company’s (TMC) subsidiary Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. (TOML) have signed a revised sponsorship agreement aimed at strengthening Tonga’s stake in the future development of seafloor mineral resources. The new pact updates the terms of their 2021 agreement ensuring that Tongans will continue to receive financial benefit...

Swire Shipping, a leading shipping company in the Asia-Pacific, announced a significant upgrade to its North Asia Express (NAX) service with the introduction of fixed-day weekly sailings and expanded capacity. Effective 22 August 2025, the service will offer market-leading speed and reliability, significantly enhancing connectivity between the Chinese ...

TE Pacific Group, through its Papua New Guinea operation TE PNG, has entered into a strategic partnership with Lightspeed Fiji to strengthen and expand information and communications technology (ICT) services across Fiji. The partnership combines TE PNG’s proven experience in delivering large-scale ICT and critical communications projects across the Pa...

Prime Minister James Marape has described the official visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as a “historic and defining moment” in bilateral relations, reaffirming a shared commitment to peace, prosperity and Pacific solidarity. The visit, from 4 to 6 August, marked a milestone in Papua New Guinea’s diplomatic history as Mr Luxon becam...