The Queensland Government has launched its Queensland-Pacific Trade and Investment Strategy 2026-2028, outlining plans to deepen commercial engagement with Pacific economies and build on more than AUD 9 billion in existing trade links. Led by Trade and Investment Queensland, the strategy positions the state as “Australia’s Pacific State”, citing Queens...

The Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council, the Australia Fiji Business Council and the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council have welcomed the launch of the Queensland-Pacific Trade and Investment Strategy 2026-2029, highlighting the importance of sustained industry engagement in delivering outcomes across the region. Representatives from th...

The Fiji Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has concluded nationwide public consultations on the Draft Tourism Bill 2026, marking a key step toward establishing the country’s first comprehensive tourism legislation. Consultations were conducted across major tourism centres including Suva, Sigatoka, Nadi, Rakiraki, Labasa and Savusavu, with particip...

New Caledonia and Vanuatu are set to be connected by a pioneering underwater telecommunications cable equipped with scientific monitoring technology aimed at improving earthquake and tsunami detection in one of the world’s most seismically active regions. Jeremie Katidjo Monnier, member of the New Caledonian government responsible for the management of...

The Solomon Islands government has repealed the Coconut and Coconut Product Management Fees Regulations 2026 with immediate effect, saying the move is aimed at protecting farmers, supporting exporters and encouraging growth in the country’s coconut industry. The repeal was approved by Acting Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Manas...

Fiji and Australia have reaffirmed their strategic partnership following high-level bilateral talks between Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and senior Australian ministers in Suva, with discussions focusing on regional security, economic cooperation and the development of the proposed Vuvale Union. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for...

The Tuvalu Fisheries Authority (TFA) has secured NZ$10.9 million in grant funding from New Zealand to advance the third phase of its national fisheries support programme, in a move aimed at strengthening sustainable resource management and boosting economic returns. The five-year agreement, signed with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trad...

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) and with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has advanced regional efforts to embed gender equality across the tourism sector with the review of its draft Gender and Inclusive Tourism Action Plan (GITAP) 2026–2030. The initia...

The Solomon Islands has established a regional cumulative impacts working group as part of efforts to strengthen environmental and social oversight of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project, a key national infrastructure initiative aimed at transforming the country’s energy sector. The working group is designed to coordinate the identification, ...

A delegation from Bolton Group and Tri Marine, key players in the global tuna and seafood supply chain, has commended the Solomon Islands government for its support of the country’s fisheries sector during a meeting with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. Bolton and Tri Marine, which jointly own National Fisheries Development (NFD) and SolTuna Ltd in Noro...

Fiji and Denmark have reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation on climate action and regional engagement, following high-level talks aimed at strengthening partnerships ahead of key global negotiations. Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Lynda Tabuya, met with Denmark’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Fiji, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, on A...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has outlined the government’s immediate priorities following Tropical Cyclone Maila, while addressing fuel price pressures, regional coordination and ongoing governance issues. Speaking at a media briefing on April 28, Manele said the government is moving into the next phase of recovery after conducting as...

New Caledonia is moving to strengthen the governance and regional positioning of its cultural sector, following a high-level steering committee meeting focused on major events and policy reforms. Mickaël Forrest, the government member in charge of culture, chaired the third meeting of the steering committee for large cultural events at Canala City Hall...

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has reinforced its push for stronger regional coordination and policy alignment after participating in the 18th Heads of Fisheries Meeting convened by the Pacific Community (SPC) in Nouméa, New Caledonia. The annual meeting, a key technical forum for Pacific fisheries leaders, brought together senior off...

Fiji’s fuel supply remains stable despite mounting global price pressures, with the government moving to cushion households and key sectors from rising costs, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said. In a national address, Rabuka said Fiji currently holds about 45 million litres of fuel in onshore storage, with a further 22 million litres expected before t...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed $679.8m to its Pacific developing member countries in 2025, including $214.4m in grants from the Asian Development Fund, according to its Annual Report 2025 released today. The report outlines the bank’s operational, institutional and financial performance over the year, with a focus on economic sustainability...

Fiji and Singapore have reaffirmed their strategic partnership with a renewed focus on energy security and supply chain resilience, as global fuel market uncertainties continue to weigh on Pacific economies. Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Sakiasi Ditoka, met with Singapore’s Assistant Minister for Transport and Senior Minister ...

Local tax incentives in New Caledonia supported nearly 17.9 billion CFP francs ($160 million) in private investment over the past year, underscoring their role as a key policy lever to stimulate economic diversification and job creation. Nine major projects were approved under local tax relief schemes, generating or consolidating 241 direct jobs and de...

Officials from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) participated in an international seminar on green development and cooperation in China, as the government looks to strengthen sustainable growth strategies in the agriculture sector. Planning Department Director Danny Lehe and Extension Department Acting Deputy ...

Ten farmers in Fiji have completed a four-day basic beekeeping training in Sabeto, Nadi, as part of efforts to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture and diversify rural incomes. The training, conducted under the Farmer Field School activities of the Climate Smart Agriculture Programme, equipped participants with practical skills in bee biology, colo...

Alumni of the UK government’s Chevening scholarship programme in Solomon Islands convened a two-day symposium in Honiara, bringing together leaders from across government, business and civil society to assess the country’s progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event, held from April 16 to 17, marks a decade since Solo...

Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum Troika met in person on April 16 in Nadi to assess key regional priorities amid growing global uncertainty, underscoring the need for stronger coordination and political leadership across the Pacific. The meeting was chaired by Jeremiah Manele, prime minister of Solomon Islands, and attended by Surangel Whipps Jr of...

Efforts to improve public transport in Honiara are advancing, with authorities developing a draft driver manual aimed at standardising bus operations and improving safety and service quality. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Honiara City Council are working with stakeholders under a transport management project led by the Japan Internatio...

Lion One Metals Limited said it is prioritising operational reliability and disciplined execution at its Tuvatu gold mine in Fiji, as it advances development and infrastructure upgrades to support sustained production. The Canada-based company reported that during March 2026, the mine achieved an average mill feed grade of about 4.97 grams per tonne of...