Pacific news in brief for 14 July

Palau

Authorities in Palau have laid out preparation plans for hosting the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting.

The Island Times reports President Surangel Whipps Jr addressed accommodation concerns last week.

He said hotel rooms are secured for heads of state, but lodging citywide is filling up quickly, and urged residents with available rooms to list them on Airbnb.

He said similar public accommodation-sharing arrangements have supported past PIF meetings.

Justice Minister Jennifer Olegeriil said a "progressive" security plan is in place and continuing to be built with support from international partners.

Fiji

The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) has raised concern over Fiji's human rights record in the wake of the signing of two agreements with Australia.

The ACIJ said it is deeply concerned that Australia is expanding defence and security ties with Fiji had been announced, despite unresolved allegations of torture, ill-treatment and custodial violence by the Fijian military.

It also said it represents a Fijian torture survivor abused by members of the Fijian military.

The centre said, where there are credible concerns that a state's security forces have committed serious human rights violations, defence cooperation should be subject to robust human rights conditions, including independent vetting, ongoing monitoring and accountability safeguards.

Tuvalu

Tuvalu is close to finalising a National Security Policy placing maritime conservation and management at the centre of its strategy.

Officials and community stakeholders met last week to review the draft before endorsement.

Fakasoa Tealei from Tuvalu Prime Minister's Office said the policy looks beyond policing and defence.

It covers climate change, cyber and maritime security, transnational crime, migration, energy security and economic resilience.

New Zealand/Pacific

New Zealand's government has announced it will talk with Australia and Fiji on the possibility of joining their Ocean of Peace Alliance.

The mutual defence treaty was signed in Fiji this week, the same day that China launched a missile test in the South Pacific.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand already works with both Australia and Fiji on how to develop a safer region, so engaging with them on this alliance is logical.

The alliance is a mutual defence treaty that commits its parties to cooperate and consult, and to act to meet common danger.

It provides for other Pacific States to join, with the agreement of Australia and Fiji.

Tuvalu/Federated States of Micronesia

Tuvalu and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have backed the call by the head of the United Nations for stronger international action on methane emissions.

UN secretary-general António Guterres has called for governments and industries to move beyond voluntary commitments and deliver measurable emissions reductions.

The Pacific Island Times reported Tuvalu and the FSM saying methane mitigation is one of the most effective but underutilised climate solutions

They say the issue carries particular urgency for low-lying island nations already facing rising sea levels, coastal erosion, changing weather patterns and warming oceans.

Vanuatu

China has donated three new television cameras to Vanuatu's state broadcaster

The equipment was requested by the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation.

VBTC said the donation will improve its news gathering and production for audiences across Vanuatu.

China's ambassador to Vanuatu Li Minggang said the support to VBTC will strengthen people-to-people exchanges and help build local media capacity.

Papua New Guinea

PNG Prime Minister James Marape says a new audit recognises public concern over how government funds for small and medium enterprises - or SMEs- were handled.

The audit follows allegations relating to the management of 200 million Kina under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Marape has ordered the National Monitoring Coordination Authority, and other departments through the Chief Secretary, to appoint an independent firm to audit the SME funding programme.

The audit will check how much public money was allocated, released and spent, and whether payments followed government rules.

Marape said the claims remain allegations and urged people to allow the process to run its course.

Local media report Commerce and Industry Minister Win Daki has had his portfolio removed, but he denies any wrongdoing.

Papua New Guinea

The US has announced a US$30 million investment to deploy Starlink satellite access across Papua New Guinea.

The low-orbit satellite service owned by Space-X recently gained a license to operate in PNG.

The Post Courier reported the US Charge d'Affaires in PNG Alex Berenberg calling the technology "transformational".

He said the investment will help bring high-speed, low-latency internet to hundreds of clinics, schools and government offices that have been cut off from the digital world.