Co-hosted by the Development Policy Centre and the University of the South Pacific’s School of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Pacific Update is the premier forum for discussion of economic, social, political and environmental issues in the region.
Day Three will focus on migration and labour mobility.
The livestream starts 9am Fiji Time which is 7am Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Visit www.usp.ac.fj/live
All are welcome to attend the conference. Email devpolicy@anu.edu.au for late registrations.
Everyone is welcome to attend the 2025 Pacific Update at the Laucala Campus of the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.
Please email devpolicy@anu.edu.au with your name and organisation if you would like to organise a late registration.
Pacific Update presentations will be loaded to this page on the following day.
Select a day and click to view.
Welcome and opening plenary
Auditorium
Moderator: Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Campuses and Global Engagement), The University of the South Pacific
Welcome Remarks
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice Chancellor and President, The University of the South Pacific
» view livestream
Welcome Remarks
His Excellency Mr Peter Roberts, Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji
» view livestream
Keynote address
Hon Baron Waqa, Secretary General, Pacific Islands Forum
» read blog
» view livestream
Keynote address
A new approach to measuring the economic performance of the Pacific islands
Stephen Howes and Rubayat Chowdhury, Development Policy Centre, Australian National University
» view presentation
Panel 1a: Regional integration and governance
Chair: Tess Newton Cain, Sustineo
Why traditional media matters more than ever in shaping the Pacific’s digital future
Prashanth Pillay, Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Alexander Rheeney, Pacific Media Assistance Scheme
» view presentation
Tuvalu’s diplomatic preference: beyond the checkbook
John Augé, Center for Strategic and International Studies
» view presentation
Community rule and order making in Melanesia
Miranda Forsyth, Australian National University and Sinclair Dinnen, Australian National University
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A Blue Pacific rules-based order: our rules, our home
Joel Nilon, Australian National University and Sione Tekiteki, Auckland University of Technology
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1b: Charting a new course for accountability ecosystems in the Pacific
Chair: Maraia Vavaitamana, United Nations Development Programme
Lisa Denney, La Trobe University
Gregoire Nimbtik, Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat
Neelesh Gounder, The University of the South Pacific
» view The political economy of accountability ecosystems report
» view Accountability ecosystems political economy analysis: Vanuatu country study
Panel 2a: Gender and inequality
Chair: Kushneel Prakash, University of Melbourne
Significance of youth awareness of domestic violence laws in PNG and the Pacific
Minetta Daniella Kakarere, University of Papua New Guinea
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Dietary patterns of Indo-Fijians and their comparison to patterns of iTaukei (indigenous) Fijians
Naohiro Nakamura, The University of the South Pacific
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Navigating pandemics: adaptation and resilience of redundant workers in Fiji Airways
Lolesio Seone, The University of the South Pacific, Emalini Bainivalu Nakabea, The University of the South Pacific, Amalaini Tikoduadua, The University of the South Pacific and Nacanieli Rika, Consultant
» view presentation
Panel 2b: Unspoken rules of politics in Vanuatu
Uncovering voter motivations and the barriers and enablers to women’s political participation
Chair: Wilson Toa, Balance of Power
Hon Marie-Louise Milne, Government of Vanuatu
Telstar Jimmy, Balance of Power
Vani Nailumu, Balance of Power
Panel 3a: Social development
Chair: Rachel Payne, Partnerships for Social Protection
Life in the Pacific islands: understanding determinants of life satisfaction in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga
Kushneel Prakash, University of Melbourne
» view presentation
The price of darkness: economic cost of energy poverty in Pacific Island countries
Siti Nur Rosifah, Australian National University
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Living without electricity in urban communities in PNG: the case of 8-Mile Settlement
Loretta Dilu, University of Papua New Guinea
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Standing firm against the tides of change: land tenure system in the Kingdom of Tonga
Holomesi Finau, The University of South Pacific and Digby Race, The
University of the South Pacific
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Panel 3b: Filling the gaps: Reshaping social protection research in the Pacific and Timor-Leste
Chair: Shirleen Ali, Partnerships for Social Protection
Laisa Vereti, Pacific Disability Forum
Lavenatalagi Seru, Grants Associate, Global Greengrants Fund
Day Two - Wednesday 4 June
Gender and governance plenary
Keynote address
Chair: Miranda Forsyth, Australian National University
Bel isi: a PNG public-private partnership responding to gender-based violence
Tovi Amona, Bel isi PNG
» view livestream
» view speech
Keynote address
Chair: Henrietta McNeill, Australian National University
Pacific approaches to understanding and fighting corruption
Steven Ratuva, University of Canterbury
» view presentation
Grant Walton, Australian National University
» view presentation
Panel 4a: Corruption in the Pacific: perceptions, trends and resistance
Chair: Grant Walton, Australian National University
Passports, prosperity and problems: (counter) geopolitical narratives of corruption in Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment Scheme
Henrietta McNeill, Australian National University
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Money laundering mutual evaluations in the Pacific: an update
Michael Kabuni, Australian National University
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Security cooperation and corruption in the Pacific
Teddy Winn, Winn’s Consultancy Limited
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Addressing corruption in the context of climate change
Rimon Rimon, Kiribati journalist and Pacific Anti-Corruption Journalists Network
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Panel 4b: Climate and energy
Chair: Natasha Turia, Australian National University
Framing social protection and climate change in the Pacific
Marita Manley, Talanoa Consulting and Rachel Payne, Partnerships for Social Protection
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Assessing the role of natural soundscapes in enhancing tourist satisfaction and loyalty to Fiji’s nature-based tourist attractions
Vikas Gupta and Ilisapeci Matatolu, The University of the South Pacific
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The impacts of expanding the oil palm industry in Papua New Guinea: the case of Kairak Community, East New Britain Province
Melga Mevat, Pacific Adventist University
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Energizing remote islands in Tonga with mini-grid solar systems
Paea-’i-Muli Tau’aika and Seone Soakimi Lolesio, The University of the South Pacific
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Panel 5a: The future of work
Inclusive, climate-resilient and digitally enabled labour markets
Chair: Lavenia Rokovucago, The Asia Foundation
Abigail Chang, Pacific Australia Skills
Vera Chute, Women’s Entrepreneurs Business Council
Senimelia Seru, Fiji Disabled People’s Federation
Mishael Chand, Cadmus
Panel 5b: Economic development
Chair: Alyssa Leng, Australian National University
Challenges and issues in assessment of the economic impact of tourism: a Tongan case study
Semisi Taumoepeau, Auckland Institute of Studies
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Social constraints on capital accumulation in Melanesian economies
Martin Davies, Washington and Lee University
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The role of the enabling environment in the success of micro and small enterprises in small island developing states
Seone Soakimi Lolesio, The University of the South Pacific
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Correspondent banking relationships – impacts and mitigation
Denton Rarawa and Rodney Kirarock, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
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Panel 6a: Fiji economy
Chair: Keshmeer Makun, The University of the South Pacific
Fiji’s macroeconomic performance amid global and domestic uncertainty: progress, challenges and policy options
Janesh Sami, The University of the South Pacific
» view presentation
Economic development and poverty reduction: income and human capital nexus in Fiji Rukmani Gounder, Massey University
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Fiji’s current development priorities
Elisha Mala, Acting Manager Policy Planning and Sectoral/Regional, Ministry of Finance, Fiji
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The way forward for electoral reform in Fiji
Jon Fraenkel, Professor of Comparative Politics, Victoria University of Wellington
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Panel 6b: The potential of AI in policymaking and development in the Pacific
Chair: Ryan Edwards, Australian National University
Miranda Forsyth, Australian National University
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Jope Tarai, Australian National University
» view presentation
Welcome and opening plenary
Chair: Charlotte Bedford, Australian National University
Keynote address
Pacific Mobility
Jan Hutton, First Assistant Secretary, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
» view livestream
Keynote address
Solomon Islands labour mobility: achievements, outlook, and issues
Christina Marau, Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade
» view livestream
» view presentation
Session 1: Socio-economic analysis
Chair: Neelesh Gounder, The University of the South Pacific
Ko e kakai, íkai ko e palopalema: A social impacts study of temporary labour mobility in Tonga
Akosita Polota, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tonga and Kristy Ward, Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program
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Economic development and poverty alleviation in a Papua New Guinea: fishing island community through Pacific Labour Mobility Schemes
Keimelo Gima, The University of Papua New Guinea
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Beyond dependency: MIRAB as climate resilience strategy
Masami Tsujita, National University of Samoa
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Human mobility, demographic change and growth prospects in PICS
David Abbott, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
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Session 2: Reproductive health
Achieving reproductive justice for Pacific labour mobility participants
Chair: Dolores Devesi, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Fiji
Lindy Kanan, Australian National University
Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji
Sarai Amataga, True Relationships and Reproductive Health
Session 3: Pacific diaspora
Chair: Lisa Denney, La Trobe University
Trump’s deportations to the Pacific Islands: diplomacy and risk
Henreitta McNeill-Stowers, Australian National University
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Understanding Pacific communities in Australia
Huiyuan (Sharon) Liu, Australian National University and Toan Nguyen, Australian National University
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Navigating cultural identity and integration: the dualistic transition of Pasifika youth in Australia
Florence Hafoka-Kafoika, Alfred Deakin Institute for Globalisation and Citizenship
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How sovereignty is exercised (or constrained) under the free association model
Mata Rakanui, Office of the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
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Session 4: New developments
Chair: Ryan Edwards, Australian National University
Narratives, information and immigration policy preferences
Alyssa Leng, Australian National University
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2024 Pacific Engagement Visa scorecard: Papua New Guinea’s experiences
Natasha Turia, Australian National University
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Update on PIFS Pacific Regional Labour Mobility principles
Manisha Mudaliar, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Sachindra Singh, International Organization for Migration
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A preview of Pacific Labour Mobility Survey Wave Two
Dung Doan, World Bank and Ryan Edwards, Australian National University
» view presentation
Secretary-General, The Pacific Islands Forum
Baron Waqa began his tenure in June 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the development and prosperity of the Pacific region.
Born in Boe, Nauru, Baron Waqa has dedicated his life to public service.
Acting Executive Director, Bel isi PNG
Tovi is dedicated to advancing gender equality and supporting women’s empowerment in PNG.
Director, ANU Development Policy Centre
He served in various positions for a decade at the World Bank before becoming AusAID’s first Chief Economist in 2005.
Professor Howes is currently Professor of Economics at the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU.
Director for Labour Mobility, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Solomon Islands
As Director, her responsibilities include overseeing labour mobility policies and operations in Solomon Islands.
She has worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade since 2019.
ANU Development Policy Centre
For more than 15 years Grant has conducted research on governance and corruption in PNG and the Pacific.
He teaches the course Corruption and Anti-Corruption and is the convenor of the Integrity and Anti-Corruption specialisation for the Crawford School’s Master of Public Policy.
First Assistant Secretary, Pacific Integration Division, Office of the Pacific, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Pacific Integration Division leads Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme strategic policy, engagement with participating countries and design of new commitments (including skills development pilots). The Division also covers Pacific education and skills programs and the Pacific Engagement Visa.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific, University of Canterbury
He is Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies. He was awarded the 2020 Metge Medal by the Royal Society of New Zealand - Te Apārangi, a prestigious award in social science research excellence.
Professor Ratuva is author and editor of more than 10 books. He leads international and regional organisations and projects including as Chair of the International Political Science Association Research Committee on Climate Security and Planetary Politics.
The call for papers has now closed.
We invited researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners to submit abstracts and panel proposals on the topics below:
• Migration, trade, and integration
• Economic development and poverty reduction
• Public finance
• Public health and education policy
• Labour markets and social protection
• Environment, natural resources, and climate change
• Gender equality, disability and social inclusion
• Politics and governance
• Data and official statistics
Any enquiries should be directed to devpolicy@anu.edu.au.
