Oceania

Unauthorised entry to uninhabited Crown lands, including the remote ‘Ata Island, has been banned and similar uninhabited territories are off-limits without prior written approval; permission is needed for any purpose including tourism, research or filming

The Refugee Action Coalition says there is no future for the asylum seekers still on Nauru, following a funding deal for the Regional Processing Centre reached with Australia; of 93 transferred, 4 have been granted refugee status, 89 are still in progress

The traditional chief of Bava Island on Vella has voiced strong opposition to mining operations on the island due to mining’s potential destruction of ancestral land, environmental degradation, and threats to the livelihoods of local communities

The only female candidate running for the Motu Koita chair - the landowner representative body of the Motu and Koitabu people - has launched her campaign: presenting her plans, she pledged special attention to the mothers and children

In 3 May Federal election for the 48th Parliament of Australia the PM Albanese Labor party won a second term over the opposition Liberal–National Coalition, led by Peter Dutton; Labor secured its highest-ever seat count in the House of Representatives

Increasing malaria cases (over 900 in Gizo hospital), a shortage of drugs and rising numbers in Malaita Province pushed the Vector-Borne Disease Office to tour various communities to conduct malaria awareness campaigns and distribute bed nets

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

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