AGP Executive Report

RFMF Accountability: Fiji’s military commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai has told the Constitution Review Commission that decades of coups and constitutional disruption damaged Fiji’s “moral soul,” and backed a UN-guided national truth and reconciliation process. Digital Skills for Schools: A Fiji student urged digital literacy to be built into the curriculum, saying daily device use isn’t the same as workplace-ready skills. Climate Journalism Training: Pacific media can apply for PCBL and SPREP’s free training ahead of COP31, with selected participants joining official Pasifika TV coverage. Tech & Education Links: Fiji is exploring a long-term partnership with China’s Wuhan Technical University to expand TVET, AI, engineering and workforce development. Coral Resilience Research: An AI-based study estimates about 64,000 square miles of coral reefs could still resist climate change by 2050, highlighting “coral refuges” across multiple countries. Investment Rules Update: Fiji’s Investment Act 2020 reforms aim to streamline approvals for foreign and domestic investors while protecting domestic interests. Drug Parcel Forensics: Fiji Police are sending samples of washed-up drug parcels to Australian labs to trace origin and strengthen trafficking investigations. Fiji-US Ties: Fiji and the United States reaffirmed partnership during America’s 250th independence anniversary events in Suva, citing cooperation in science, technology and education. Renewables Push: Fiji plans to accelerate its renewable energy transition.

Digital Skills in Schools: A Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School student says Fiji should treat digital literacy as core curriculum, not just device use, so learners gain practical tech skills for higher education and jobs. Climate Journalism Training: Pacific media outlets can apply for PCBL and SPREP’s free pre-COP31 and COP31 climate reporting training, with selected participants joining official Pasifika TV coverage teams. Fiji–China Tech Education Talks: A Wuhan Technical University delegation met Fiji and Sabeto leaders to explore cooperation in TVET, artificial intelligence, engineering, tourism and workforce development. Coral Resilience Research: New AI-based analysis estimates about 64,000 square miles of coral reefs could resist climate change by 2050, pointing to “coral refuges” across several countries. Pacific Export Survey: A major 2026 Pacific Islands Export Survey shows exporters are diversifying and adopting digital tools despite tougher finance and global uncertainty. Investment Rules Update: Fiji’s Investment Act 2020 reforms aim to streamline approvals for foreign and domestic investors while protecting domestic interests. Health Funding Watch: The Fiji Medical Association welcomes higher health budget allocation but warns of ongoing gaps in senior roles and cuts affecting research, mental health and preventive services. Drug Parcel Forensics: Fiji Police are sending drug samples from washed-up parcels to Australian labs to trace origin and strengthen trafficking investigations. Rice Mechanisation: Dreketi rice farmers received a second harvester via a cost-sharing mechanisation programme to cut labour costs and harvest on time. FBC POP48 Film Challenge: FBC TV will host Fiji’s teams for a 48-hour, mobile-first regional film challenge across the Pacific this September. Ocean of Peace Institute: Fiji’s 2026–2027 budget includes initial funding to set up a Suva hub for peace policy dialogue, research and partnerships.

Fiji Investment Rules Update: Fiji’s Investment Act 2020 reforms are set to make approvals for foreign and domestic proposals more business-friendly, aiming to speed up investment while protecting vulnerable local interests. Education & AI Links: Fiji is exploring a long-term partnership with China’s Wuhan Technical University, with talks on TVET, artificial intelligence, engineering and workforce development after a delegation visit to Sabeto. Tech in Health Research: A Pacific health research symposium highlighted the need for women- and community-focused models of care, plus how AI tools are being used in healthcare across the region. Agriculture Mechanisation: Dreketi rice farmers received a second harvester through a cost-sharing mechanisation programme, boosting capacity and helping with timely harvesting. Healthcare Funding Watch: The Fiji Medical Association welcomed higher health budget allocation but warned of ongoing gaps in senior roles, preventive care, research and mental health funding. Drug Trafficking Forensics: Fiji Police are working with Australian labs to profile drug-filled parcels washed ashore, to trace origin and strengthen investigations. Media & Digital Safety: Fiji readers may be watching global policy too—US lawmakers passed a Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act to add safeguards for children online. Creative Tech for Storytelling: FBC has been selected as Fiji’s broadcast partner for the People of the Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge, using professional production tech to help teams create films in 48 hours.

Fiji–China Skills Push: Fiji is exploring a long-term partnership with Wuhan Technical University to boost TVET, AI, tourism, engineering and workforce training, with talks held in Sabeto. Drug Trafficking Probe: Fiji Police are working with Australia to forensically profile washed-up drug parcels, aiming to trace their origin after positive cocaine tests. Health Funding Watch: The Fiji Medical Association welcomes a higher health budget but warns of ongoing gaps in senior roles, preventive care and specialist services. Agriculture Tech on the Ground: A Dreketi rice cooperative received a second harvester under farm mechanisation support, targeting faster, cheaper harvesting and higher output. Budget Accountability: Fiji’s Agriculture Ministry says it will tighten monitoring of taxpayer-funded farm programmes to prove real impact on productivity and livelihoods. Media & Tech for Creators: FBC has been selected as Fiji’s host broadcaster for the People of the Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge, using professional tech to produce films in 48 hours. Cancer Care Infrastructure: Fiji plans its first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM, backed by the latest health push. Regional Conservation: Pacific leaders and Indigenous groups are meeting to strengthen Indigenous-led conservation and climate resilience. Ocean Peace Institute: Fiji will establish an Ocean of Peace Institute in Suva, with initial budget funding for research and policy partnerships.

RIMPAC Setup in Hawaii: RIMPAC’s 30th edition is underway with 30 countries, including Fiji, as teams set up the Pacific Warfighting Center to coordinate ship, aircraft and troop movements across the Hawaiian operating area. Climate-Tech Cooling Push: A UN ESCAP report frames cooling as a public health priority tied to climate action, warning that unmanaged air-conditioning growth can worsen emissions, pollution and energy poverty. Fiji Health Budget Boost: Fiji’s 2026–2027 budget backs a major health transformation, including Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital, plus upgrades to primary care facilities. Healthcare Funding Gaps: The Fiji Medical Association welcomes the higher health allocation but flags cuts to areas like family health, research and mental health, plus shortages in senior roles. Renewables Investment: Energy Fiji is set to invest about FJD2b in hydropower, solar with battery storage, and grid upgrades to lift renewable generation and improve energy security. Agriculture Accountability: Fiji’s agriculture ministry says it will move from activity reporting to measuring real farmer impact, with tighter monitoring of programme outcomes. Microbiome Study (Fiji + Italy): Researchers found people who live together share more oral and gut microbial strains, with cohabiting partners showing especially high oral sharing. SME Market Entry Support: Business Bridge Asia expands Southeast Asia market entry consulting for SMEs, adding more on-the-ground support across 14+ markets. Fiji Media Tech for Storytelling: FBC is selected as Fiji’s host broadcaster for the regional People of the Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge, using mobile-first production tech.

Fiji Health Upgrade: Fiji’s 2026–2027 Budget backs a major health push, including Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital under the $500m Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation project, with linear accelerator and chemotherapy capacity for up to 60 patients a day, plus more acute care beds and upgrades to primary health facilities. Agriculture Accountability & Mechanisation: The Agriculture Ministry says it will move from reporting spending to measuring real farm impact, while Budget funding includes $221m for agriculture, stricter monitoring, and support for farm mechanisation—like a second rice harvester for Dreketi farmers to cut labour costs and harvest on time. Water & Energy Security: Fiji will drill and develop dozens of groundwater sites to improve safe drinking water, and Energy Fiji is progressing a roughly $2bn renewable investment with hydropower, solar with battery storage, and grid upgrades to cut outages and boost renewable targets. Regional Tech & Research: Fiji joins the Ocean of Peace Institute in Suva as a policy and research hub, and a Fiji-led Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge (POP48) will train and produce fast-turnaround regional stories using professional production tech. Science Spotlight: New research using oral and gut microbiomes in Italy and Fiji finds people who live together share more microbial strains, with links to cardiometabolic and cancer biomarkers. Diplomacy Watch: Quad foreign ministers are expected to meet in the Philippines in about two weeks on the sidelines of ASEAN talks, keeping Indo-Pacific security cooperation in focus.

Health Tech & Infrastructure: Fiji’s 2026–2027 Budget backs a major health overhaul, including $647m for the sector and a $500m Pacific Healthy Island Transformation Project that will build Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital (linear accelerator + chemotherapy capacity for up to 60 patients daily), plus upgrades to primary care facilities. Renewables & Grid Modernisation: Energy Fiji Limited is set to invest about $2b to accelerate renewables—two hydropower schemes (50MW baseload) and 165MW solar with battery storage—along with grid upgrades and redundancy to cut outages. Water & Land Systems: The Lands Ministry will drill/develop 88 groundwater sites and investigate 111 more, while also pushing digitisation of land records and reviewing key land and mining laws. Agriculture Productivity: Non-sugar farmers welcome $102m for the agriculture ministry, with calls for tighter monitoring of programme impact; Dreketi rice farmers also received a second harvester to boost output and reduce labour costs. Ocean Science & Policy: Fiji joins a new international effort to protect the ocean’s mesopelagic “twilight zone,” aiming for stronger safeguards and expanded research. Regional Tech/Media: FBC has been selected as Fiji’s official broadcaster for the People of the Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge, creating films in 48 hours using professional mobile-first production tech. Pacific Security Context: RIMPAC is underway in Hawaii with Fiji among first-time participants, while the Vanuatu “Nakamal Agreement” is signed with assurances on no foreign bases but continued infrastructure engagement.

Fiji Health & Tech: Fiji’s 2026–2027 Budget backs a major health overhaul, including $647m for the sector and a $500m Pacific Healthy Island Transformation plan to build Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital (linear accelerator + chemotherapy capacity for up to 60 patients daily), plus upgrades to acute care and primary facilities. Health Funding Watch: The Fiji Medical Association welcomed the higher health allocation but warned of funding cuts to key services and shortages in senior roles, urging stronger support for preventive care and research. Renewables Push: Energy Fiji Limited is moving ahead with an about $2b renewable investment, adding 50MW hydropower and 165MW solar with battery storage, alongside grid upgrades to cut outages and improve energy security. Water Security: The Lands and Mineral Resources Ministry will drill 88 groundwater sites and investigate 111 more to expand access to safe drinking water, while also digitising land records and reviewing key land laws. Agriculture Accountability: The Agriculture Ministry says it will shift from reporting spending to measuring real impact on farmers, with tighter monitoring of programme outcomes. Food Production Boost: Dreketi rice farmers received a second harvester under farm mechanisation support to improve harvesting efficiency and reduce labour costs. Regional Science & Storytelling: FBC has been selected as Fiji’s official broadcaster for the People of the Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge (POP48), creating films in 48 hours across Fiji and the region. Ocean Protection: Fiji joined an international effort to protect the ocean’s mesopelagic “twilight zone”, calling for precautionary safeguards and more research.

Fiji Health Upgrade: Fiji’s 2026–2027 Budget backs a major health overhaul, including $647m for the sector and the Pacific Healthy Island Transformation project that will build Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital (linear accelerator + chemotherapy capacity for up to 60 patients daily), alongside more acute care beds and upgrades to primary facilities. Renewables Push: Energy Fiji Limited is progressing a $2b renewable investment with 50MW hydropower plus 165MW solar with battery storage, plus grid upgrades and redundancy to cut outages and strengthen energy security. Ocean Protection: Fiji has joined an international effort to protect the ocean’s “twilight zone” (mesopelagic layer), calling for precautionary safeguards, stronger research, and better management before new deep-sea activities expand. Early Childhood Tech: Bebbo Pacific, Fiji’s first parenting app, launched in Nasinu with UNICEF support—guidance for parents, vaccination schedules, milestone alerts, and offline access, with iTaukei and Hindi versions in development. Agriculture Accountability: The Agriculture Minister says tighter monitoring will improve how farmers use budget support, with allocations spanning research, extension, mechanisation, training, and market access. Coral Resilience Research: Fiji-linked coral conservation work highlights heat-resistant corals and ocean nurseries as scientists race to protect reefs from repeated bleaching. Regional Film Tech: Solomon Islands’ Tavuli News secured a spot in the People of the Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge (4–6 Sept), with Fiji, Cook Islands and Samoa also sending teams.

Coral Resilience: Fiji-based scientists are racing to conserve heat-resistant corals as NOAA warns a fourth global bleaching event has hit nearly 85% of reef areas (2023–2025), with some corals surviving up to 96.5°F or higher. Health Tech & Cancer Care: Fiji’s 2026–2027 Budget backs a $500m Pacific Healthy Island Transformation plan, including Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital (linear accelerator + chemo capacity for up to 60 patients daily). Renewables Upgrade: Energy Fiji Limited is pushing a ~$2b renewable investment: two hydropower schemes (50MW baseload) plus 165MW solar with battery storage, alongside major grid upgrades to cut outages. Budget Accountability for Farmers: Non-sugar farmers welcome $102m for agriculture research, extension, mechanisation and access roads, while the Agriculture Minister says tighter monitoring will improve how recipients use funds. Water & Land Systems: Despite a lower Lands allocation, the Lands Ministry plans groundwater drilling and more land reforms, including digitising lease records and reviewing key land laws. Parenting App Launch: Bebbo Pacific rolls out in Fiji (and Samoa), offering offline parenting guidance, vaccination schedules and milestone alerts with data stored on parents’ devices. Ocean Protection: Fiji joins a global effort to safeguard the ocean’s “twilight zone” (mesopelagic layer) with precautionary rules and more research. Tourism Funding for Fiji Airways: A new 5% temporary tourism services tax (12 months) will ring-fence about $70m for Fiji Airways from Sept 1, 2026.

Renewables Push: Fiji is set to accelerate its renewable energy transition with a ~$2b Energy Fiji Limited investment: 50MW hydropower plus 165MW solar with battery storage, alongside grid upgrades and redundancy to cut outages and reduce reliance on imported fuel. Health Tech & Cancer Care: Fiji’s 2026–2027 Budget backs a major health overhaul, including Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital (linear accelerator + chemotherapy capacity for up to 60 patients daily), plus more acute care beds and upgrades to primary facilities. Water Security: The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources plans to drill and develop 88 groundwater sites and investigate 111 more, alongside land administration digitisation and legislation reviews to improve access to safe drinking water. Ocean Science: Fiji has joined a global effort to protect the ocean’s “twilight zone” (mesopelagic layer), calling for precautionary safeguards, stronger research, and management frameworks as threats like deep-sea mining grow. Digital Services: Immigration is moving ahead with Fiji’s digital transformation, including new online passport renewals, decentralised offices (Nakasi, Rakiraki), and upgraded border security systems. Early Childhood App: Bebbo Pacific, Fiji’s first parenting app in the Pacific, launched in Nasinu with UNICEF support, offering offline guidance, vaccination schedules, and child milestone notifications.

Fiji Health Upgrade: Fiji has earmarked $FJD647m for the health sector in the 2026–2027 Budget, including a $500m Pacific Healthy Island Transformation plan to build Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital (linear accelerator + chemotherapy for up to 60 patients daily), plus more acute care beds and upgrades to primary facilities. Renewables Push: Energy Fiji Limited is progressing a $2b renewable investment with new hydropower (50MW), solar with battery storage (165MW), and major grid upgrades to cut outages and strengthen energy security. Ocean Science & Protection: Fiji has joined a global effort to safeguard the ocean’s mesopelagic “twilight zone”, backing precautionary rules, stronger research, and protections against deep-sea mining and commercial fishing. Digital Parenting: Fiji launched Bebbo Pacific, a UNICEF-supported parenting app with guidance from pregnancy to age six, vaccination schedules, and offline access, with iTaukei and Hindi versions in development. Online Safety Update: Fiji’s Online Safety Commission says the Online Safety Act 2018 may need updating as TikTok-style harms evolve, with stakeholders pushing for stronger enforcement and proactive powers. Women in Engineering: Fiji’s Women Minister challenged Engineers Fiji to address barriers, noting women are 12% of the engineering association but there are no professionally registered women engineers on the Engineers Fiji list. Regional Tech & Security Angle: The Quad is moving toward deeper defence and infrastructure cooperation, with Pacific connectivity and ports (including Fiji) increasingly central to Indo-Pacific strategy.

Cancer Care Upgrade: Fiji has allocated $FJD647m for health in the 2026–2027 Budget, including a $500m Pacific Healthy Island Transformation project that will build Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital (linear accelerator + chemotherapy for up to 60 patients daily), plus more acute beds and upgrades to primary facilities. Renewables Push: Energy Fiji Limited is progressing an ~$2b renewable investment with 50MW hydropower, 165MW solar with battery storage, and major grid upgrades to cut outages and boost energy security. Ocean Protection: Fiji has joined Panama in a new effort to protect the mesopelagic “twilight zone”, backing precautionary rules, stronger research, and safeguards against deep-sea mining and commercial fishing. Digital Parenting: UNICEF-backed Bebbo Pacific launched in Fiji as a local parenting app with guidance, vaccination schedules, offline access, and plans for iTaukei and Hindi versions. Online Safety Review: Fiji’s Online Safety Act 2018 is under review, with calls for stronger enforcement and proactive powers as TikTok-style harms grow. Women in Engineering: Fiji’s Women in Engineering Day event highlighted barriers and the gap in professionally registered women engineers. Health Tech Research: A Fiji-linked study finds people who live together share more oral and gut microbiome strains, with some transmissible microbes tied to cardiometabolic and cancer markers.

Cancer Care Upgrade: Fiji will build its first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital under the $500m PHIT project, with linear accelerator tech and chemotherapy capacity for up to 60 patients a day, aiming to cut overseas referrals. Renewables Push: Energy Fiji Limited is progressing a $2b renewable investment plan in the 2026–2027 budget, adding new hydropower plus 165MW solar with battery storage, alongside grid upgrades to improve reliability. Early Childhood Tech: Bebbo Pacific, Fiji’s first parenting app, launches in Nasinu with guidance from pregnancy to age six, vaccination schedules, offline access, and plans for iTaukei and Hindi versions. Digital Government & Access: Fiji’s Immigration Ministry says it’s ready to implement digital passport renewals, open new offices in Nakasi and Rakiraki, and expand border security systems. Online Safety Review: The Online Safety Commission says the 2018 Act may need updating as TikTok “battles” and other harms push demand for stronger enforcement powers. Health & Equity: Diabetes Fiji backs the new 2026–2031 health strategy but warns success needs whole-of-government and whole-of-society action to tackle rising NCDs. Climate Voices: A young Fijian researcher selected for a UN climate delegation will focus on adaptation, finance, resilience and blue carbon policy. Sports Tech Spotlight: Former Suva coach Babs Khan tips Khelvin Civil Engineering Lautoka as favourites for the BiC Fiji FACT tournament knockout stages.

RIMPAC in Hawaii: The world’s biggest recurring naval exercise kicked off with Fiji among 30 countries, bringing 30,000 personnel, 30 surface ships, five submarines and 206 aircraft—an early signal of how fast regional security planning is moving. Digital Parenting in Fiji: UNICEF-backed Bebbo Pacific launched in Nasinu, offering offline and online parenting guidance, vaccination schedules, milestone alerts and warning signs, with iTaukei and Hindi versions in development. Climate Science to the UN: Fijian researcher Adi Sivoki Oripa Susu was selected for a UN climate negotiations youth delegation, aiming to bring community ecosystem monitoring and blue carbon research into adaptation and finance talks. Online Safety Act Review: Fiji’s Online Safety Commission says the 2018 law may need stronger enforcement and proactive powers as TikTok “battles” and harmful livestream content evolve. Cybercrime Warning: INTERPOL flags rising cyber threats across Fiji and the Pacific, including scams, ransomware, phishing and AI deepfakes, urging better regional cyber resilience. Women in Engineering: Fiji’s Women Minister challenged Engineers Fiji over the lack of professionally registered women engineers despite women making up 12% of membership. Health Systems Focus: Diabetes Fiji welcomed Fiji’s 2026–2031 health plan but stresses whole-of-society delivery, prevention, screening and digital health support. El Niño Food Crisis (PNG): Papua New Guinea faces severe food shortages as frost and drought damage crops and livestock, with millions at risk of malnutrition.

El Niño Food Crisis: Oxfam PNG warns up to 3 million people could be affected as frost, drought and pests wipe out Highlands crops and livestock, with some families facing only 2–3 months of food. Parenting Tech in Fiji: UNICEF-backed Bebbo Pacific launches in Nasinu, offering offline and online guidance from pregnancy to age six, plus vaccination schedules and milestone alerts, with iTaukei and Hindi versions in development. Climate Voices: Fijian researcher Adi Sivoki Oripa Susu selected for a UN climate delegation, aiming to bring blue carbon and ecosystem monitoring research into global adaptation and finance talks. Cost-of-Living Budget Push: A Fiji National University economist urges the 2026–2027 budget to back businesses, create jobs, and target household support while keeping fiscal responsibility in check. Digital Immigration Upgrade: Fiji’s immigration ministry seeks budget support for digital passports, online renewals, and new offices in Nakasi and Rakiraki to decentralise services. Online Safety Review: Fiji’s Online Safety Act 2018 may need stronger enforcement and proactive powers as TikTok “battles” and harmful livestream content raise concerns. NCD Focus: Diabetes Fiji welcomes the 2026–2031 health plan but says success needs whole-of-government and whole-of-society action, including community prevention and better screening. Cybercrime Alert: INTERPOL warns Fiji and the Pacific face rising scams, ransomware and AI deepfakes, driven by limited cybersecurity resources. Women in Engineering: Fiji’s Women and engineering leaders challenge the sector over the lack of professionally registered women engineers despite women making up 12% of membership.