First cyclone of the season dumps rain on Vanuatu and Fiji

The first cyclone of the 2025/2026 season was named as Tropical Cyclone Urmil. Whilst the system did not make landfall, it brought huge amounts of rain to both Vanuatu and Fiji during its passage. There has been localised flooding in both countries, with some people having been evacuated on the outskirts of Port Vila. There have been power outages in Fiji and schools were closed for Monday of this week. Cyclone season ends 30 April.

PNG Media Council condemns attack on journalist

PNG’s Media Council has condemned an alleged attack on Rebecca Kuku, senior journalist for The National newspaper by correctional services officers at a recent press conference. The alleged assault followed a story by Ms Kuku on reports of prisoners being attacked by prison officers at Bomana jail, which prompted a call from the Prime Minister for an independent investigation. A police report has been filed, and the Prime Minister has ordered a full investigation.

Pre-COP meetings confirmed

The Pacific Islands Forum has announced details of the pre-COP meetings to be held in the region ahead of COP 31 in Turkïye. Forum Chair, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands, has advised that the pre-COP meeting will be held in Fiji during October with a “Leaders component” to be held in Tuvalu. In addition, there will be a climate event as part of the PIF Leaders’ Meeting in Palau in early September. We have yet to learn which global leaders will attend these meetings.

Pacific leaders meet with US officials in Honolulu

Pacific leaders and senior ministers travelled to Hawai’i for their first major engagement with the Trump 2.0 administration: the Pacific Agenda. It was billed as an “Investment, Security and Shared Prosperity” summit, and highlighted the “America First” driver of Washington’s current foreign policy, with a focus on driving increased commercial opportunities for American businesses. Following the summit, US Deputy Secretary of State undertook visits to Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.