News Roundup

Pacific Islands News Roundup – November 21 – 28, 2025

Political Leadership and Regionalism, Peace and Security

  • Political Analysis: Tonga’s 2026 Election Opens a Three-Way Contest for Power (Tonga Independent)
  • ‘No one’s looking at our part of the world’: New map monitors Micronesia’s security as US-China competes in region (Guam PDN)
  • Chinese research ships and U.S military active in north Pacific, shows monitor (Island Times)
  • Pacific climate leaders ‘deeply disappointed’ as Australia loses bid to host COP31 (RNZ)
  • COP31 Compromise: Pacific Nations maintain influence despite hosting setback (Pasifika Environews)
  • 2025 general elections: Tongatapu 6 sends Tonga’s only woman MP to new Parliament (PMN)
  • Samoa under the lens: PINA and PFF write to PM over Observer ban (Samoa Observer)
  • Samoa pushes back at media freedom claims, says action targets “persistent unethical conduct” (PACNEWS)
  • Vanuatu Rejects Misleading Narratives on National Security Law Changes (VBTC)
  • Tongatapu 6 again elects Tonga’s only woman MP amid low turnout (Talanoa O’ Tonga)
  • Closed during COVID-19 as a cost-cutting measure, Fiji to reopen embassy in Brussels (Fiji Times)
  • Vanuatu, France conclude first negotiations on Matthew and Hunter (Vanuatu Daily Post)
  • Fiji among 10 nations that voted against renewing mandate for continued assistance to Palestinian refugees (Fiji Times)
  • East New Britain group supports Bougainville independence (Islands Business)
  • Guam Guard to launch partnership in the Marshall Islands (MBJ)

People-Centered Development

  • ‘My mana reignited’: Attendees leave world’s largest indigenous education conference feeling inspired (RNZ)
  • Health funding crisis deepens in PNG (National PNG)
  • Fiji nears universal access to clean water (FBC News)
  • Citizen accountability in Palau mapped in new report, pairing tradition with transparency (Island Times)
  • iTaukei children face growing abuse crisis (FBC News)
  • Chinese Embassy Backs Solomon Kings Football Club Ahead of OFC Pro League Debut (In-Depth Solomons)
  • PNG Project delivers safe drinking water to 1,300 (National PNG)
  • New oxygen plant secures medical supply for future health crises in Fiji (FBC News)
  • The IEOM takes an educational approach to over-indebtedness in the Marquesas Islands (Tahiti Infos)
  • Solomon Islands launches 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign (SIBC)

Climate Change and Disasters, Ocean and Environment

  • COP30 ends with ‘extremely weak’ outcomes, Pacific campaigner says (RNZ)
  • Fire disrupts COP30 in Belém, but Pacific holds firm on ocean and 1.5°C goals (Pasifika Environews)
  • Tuvalu and climate sector want more from Australia (PACNEWS/AAP)
  • Belém COP30 delivers climate finance boost and a pledge to plan fossil fuel transition (PACNEWS/UN News Centre)
  • Hawaiʻi’s Green Fee Is Latest Climate Change Effort Challenged By Trump (Honolulu Civil Beat)
  • Tiny plastics can kill marine wildlife: Study raises alarms for Pacific islands (Pacific Island Times)
  • WHO steps up support in Micronesia as Dr Piukala warns of rising health pressures and climate-driven emergencies (PACNEWS)
  • American Samoa Governor comments on BOEM action in deep sea mining lease proposal (Talanei)
  • Marine biodiversity hotspot in Solomon Islands under threat from mining, expert warns (Island Sun)
  • PNG Strengthens Disaster Readiness With Major Equipment Support From China (PNG Today)
  • Hawaiʻi State updates sea level rise viewer to support smarter coastal planning (Maui Now)

Resources and Economic Development, Technology and Connectivity

  • Global Tuna Alliance urges WCPFC to “anchor albacore’s future” with Pacific-led plan (PACNEWS)
  • PNG to host first infrastructure investment summit in Sydney (National PNG)
  • Governors of Guam and NMI take action after Journal deep sea mining story appears (MBJ)
  • Guam, CNMI leaders tell US: Impact of deep-sea mining requires scientific study (Pacific Island Times)
  • Solomon Islands Government Welcomes Launch of Adamasia Submarine Cable Project (Tavuli News/OMPC)
  • China-Aid Renovation Project launched in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post)
  • PNG launches long-term tourism roadmap with new National Policy (PNG Today)
  • King Tupou VI explores China’s clean-energy innovation during state visit (Talanoa O’ Tonga)
  • U.S. Delivers $20M for Palau Pension Plan, but Use Hinges on Reform (Island Times)
  • From food to textile: Showcase boosts Guam-Palau supply chains (Guam PDN)
  • Vanuatu Economy Grows 3.8% in 2024, Driven by Construction and Agriculture (VBTC)
  • China’s SBD$80 Million Rural Development Program Enters Second Phase in Solomon Islands (In-Depth Solomons)

Disclaimer:

The PIR seeks to include news coverage from news outlets across the Pacific, representing a diversity of coverage in the region. Please note that the inclusion of article links does not represent PIR or PIDP endorsement of the information presented in the articles.

Latest Content from the Pacific Islands Report

  • Pacific Islands Security In the Era of US-China Competition (Visions & Voices)
  • Abandonment of Soft Power, Neglect of Climate Change, and the Shifting Geopolitical Landscape of the Pacific (Visions & Voices)
  • Tackling Systemic Inequities in The Solomon Islands Healthcare System: The Race-Health-Governance Nexus (Visions & Voices)
  • The Watchdogs of the Blue Pacific: Media Accountability in Regional Security (Visions & Voices)

The Pacific Islands Report (PIR) is a project of the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center and the Center for Pacific Islands Studies (CPIS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

This non-exhaustive news roundup, featuring open-access information, is organized with the thematic areas of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its implementation plan.

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