Oceania

A national referendum on seven constitutional amendments and a special election for Namdrik Mayor were held simultaneously and both have been characterized by a low turnout of voters; polling stations around Majuro registered an average 34%

Data collection was completed on local fishing activities on Arorae Island - popular fishing spots, catch volumes, fishing methods and other relevant practices - to help shape policies and guidelines to protect and sustain marine resources across Kiribati

A multi-government agency team will carry out climate vulnerability assessments, local consultations, site monitoring, data collection in a three-week mission in TORBA, a remote Province in Vanuatu, to combine government expertise with community input

Kiribati took part in the 2025 Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership Conference at University of South Pacific in Suva, Fiji: a celebration of the transformative role of education, research, innovation in the development of a sustainable ocean future

A deep sea mapping project will focus on the Marshall Islands as one of areas in the region to have their ocean floors mapped this year: the Ocean Exploration Trust is partnering with MI Marine Resources Authority on the upcoming visit of vessel Nautilus

Speed limit on Highway 35 from Makorori to Pouawa will increase to 100km/h following public consultation of 864 people: 41% of respondents supported keeping the current 80km/h limit, introduced in 2020 to curb accidents, and proven successful

Palau abstained from a UN vote on a resolution on Russian aggression in Ukraine, focused on cooperation with the Council of Europe; in February, Palau had aligned with the US voting against another resolution condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

The Rigo women in Agriculture suggested creating a market spot dedicated to the cooperatives selling in the city: a fundamental contribution to residents' healthy food supply, their fresh produce is now limitedly offered due to a lack of physical space

Appealing activities, interesting culture and natural environment are very attractive for tourists, but visitors said shortfalls in public facilities and services were unappealing, according to a new Tonga International Visitor Survey released this month

The aerial shooting of over 700 koalas in Budj Bim National Park in Victoria's west has begun; authorities claim they made the decision out of humane reasons, as the animals were dehydrated by a recent fire, the local community was horrified at the plan

The World Bank has committed US$7 million in new grants to support Tuvalu's financial management of and resilience to climate-related disasters, second and last of two operations aimed at mitigating climate impacts and strengthening disaster preparedness

The annual Secondary School Practicum Program has been launched: the practice provides hands-on experience to 357 students across ministries, agencies and private sector companies in Majuro, Wotje, Jaluit, Ebeye, and Enniburr, Kwajalein

A first-of-its-kind Data Protection Bill was passed during its first reading in parliament; the bill's author, Alexander Teabo told RNZ Pacific that protecting public information is the aim of his proposal, and the bill will protect the people