Pacific news in brief for 2 July 2026

Fiji

The Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) says fuel and LPG prices are reduced for July.

Diesel is dropping between FJ$1.19 and FJ$1.25 across the country.

Motor spirit prices will decrease by 49 to 52 cents per litre and kerosene by around 42 cents in most parts of the country.

LPG prices will also decrease.

The FCCC said these reductions reflect improving global market conditions following progress in ceasefire negotiations in the Middle East.

But it warned global fuel markets remain vulnerable to geopolitical events and prices may continue to fluctuate as the global energy market recovers.

Samoa

Samoa's minister of finance has announced a reduction in the price of diesel and kerosene for July.

Diesel is down 82.3 sene to $4 tālā and 45 sene per litre, while kerosene has dropped 100.1 sene to 54.02.

Petrol has a tiny increase, up 1.7 sene.

The statement, signed by the finance minister, said the price decreases for both diesel and kerosene reflect the removal of the premium that traders and consumers paid for these refined products in April, but petrol prices did not include these premiums and stay at April levels.

It said the crude oil and refined product markets can be expected to remain volatile over the coming months.

Tonga

Tonga has lowered their maximum fuel prices for the first time since the war in the Middle East began.

Since February, diesel prices in Tongatapu have been raised by more than 64 percent.

That price cap has lowered by 85 sene to 4.20 pa'anga per litre from 1 July.

The price is now below what it was in April.

Papua New Guinea

A French court has ordered energy giant TotalEnergies to rewrite its climate plan, in a landmark ruling that could have implications for one of Papua New Guinea's biggest proposed gas projects.

France 24 reported the court found the company had failed to properly account for its customers' emissions - which make up more than 90 percent of TotalEnergies' carbon footprint.

Judges will now oversee the company's revised emissions reduction plan, marking the first time a court anywhere in the world has supervised a corporate climate strategy.

The PNG government expects a final investment decision later this year.

Papua New Guinea

A report has revealed failures behind a January aircraft crash at Kanabea Airstrip in Papua New Guinea.

The PNG Accident Investigation Commission's report showed a New Zealand-made PAC-750XSTOL aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the remote airstrip, after carrying a deceased person and family members there.

The report found the pilot continued the landing attempt despite the conditions, rather than diverting to another location.

Local media reported investigators found the runway was wet and in poor condition, and the airstrip did not have a windsock as mapped and registered.

No one was injured in the crash.

The 2026 Public Investment Program allocated about K346 million to key civil aviation agencies and projects.

Fiji

Fijian nationals travelling to India on a medical or tourist visa will no longer have to pay a fee.

The fee waiver applies to tourist, medical, and medical attendent visas.

Previously a tourist visa would cost FJ$230, and a medical or attendant visa would cost FJ$185 for up to six months.

All other visa fees for Fijian nationals will remain unchanged.

Pacific

Pacific leaders are speaking at a UN environment meeting in Bangkok this month.

The Committee on Environment and Development is a subsidiary body of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

In attendance from the region will be the climate change ministers of Fiji - Lynda Tabuya; Solomon Islands, Wayne Ghemu; and Tuvalu, Maina Talia.

The ninth session of the committee started 1 July.