The East Micronesia Cable landed in Nauru on 9 August, following a successful landing in July in Kiribati. The international telecommunications cable is now just months away from being ready for service.

The occasion was celebrated with an event which marked the floating in of the cable to the Nauru landing site from the cable lay ship, with a large buoy. Acting President, the Hon. Jesse Jeremiah, The Hon. Shadlog Bernicke, M.P. Minister for Information, Communication and Technology and Hon. Charmaine Eraidinomo Scotty, M.P. Minister for Health attended the event, alongside funding   partner representatives from Australia, Japan and the United States, Nauru government officials, and children from Nauru Primary School. 

Australia’s Acting High Commissioner to Nauru, Mr Stephen Close attended the major milestone alongside Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Rokuichiro Michii, and US Embassy Fiji First Secretary, Kelly Busby. Mr Close remarked that the cable landing is not just about technology, but about the generations of Nauruans who will benefit from it. 

Nauru Primary School students toured the Cable Landing Station and are excited for the enhanced opportunities for their online learning due to improved internet access. 

The AUD135 million project is funded by Australia, with a grant of up to AUD65 million via the AIFFP, alongside Japan and the United States. It will deliver a 2,250-kilometre-long undersea cable and supporting infrastructure connecting Tarawa in Kiribati, Nauru and the state of Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to the existing HANTRU-1 cable landing point located in Pohnpei, FSM.

The East Micronesia Cable will bring faster, high quality and more reliable and affordable internet to more than 100,000 people across the three Pacific countries, providing better access to services, information and worldwide markets.

The project will improve the availability of digital government services and enable increased trade and employment opportunities. It will also strengthen the countries’ resilience to climate change, assisting governments with disaster and climate change preparedness and reducing the chances of an outage in the event of adverse weather events.

A third Ceremonial Buoy event to mark the final cable landing in Kosrae, FSM will be held in the coming weeks, with the cable expected to be ready for service in November 2025.

Australia is proud to invest in essential infrastructure that meets the priorities of Pacific communities and supports better connectivity within and across Pacific nations.

The East Micronesia Cable has landed in Kiribati, marking an important milestone in providing the community with faster, high quality, more affordable and reliable internet. 

The project will provide the first undersea telecommunications cable for South Tarawa, strengthening Kiribati's climate resilience, assisting governments with disaster and climate change preparedness and reducing the chances of an outage in the event of adverse weather events. Most importantly, the cable will connect families and communities – to each other – across atolls, across the region and globally.

With representatives from the project’s development partner governments gathering alongside Kiribati government officials in Tarawa to celebrate the major milestone, the event marked the arrival of the international telecommunications cable to the landing site at Nanikai from the cable lay ship. 

Australia was represented by our Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs, His Excellency Ewen McDonald. “Today’s event marks a critical milestone in improving telecommunications connectivity for Kiribati to ensure its progression into a digital future” said Mr McDonald. 

Funded by Australia, Japan and the United States, the East Micronesia Cable will improve connectivity across Kiribati, Nauru and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Local partners are leading delivery of the project, which in Kiribati include the Ministry of Information, Communication and Transport and BwebwerikiNET Limited.

The cable landing is an important milestone towards increased economic growth and development for the region, with the project to deliver a 2,250-metre-long undersea cable and supporting infrastructure connecting Kiribati, Nauru and FSM to the existing HANTRU-1 cable landing point located in Pohnpei, FSM.

Once in service, the cable is expected to provide more than 100,000 people across the three countries with increased availability of digital government services and enables increased trade and employment opportunities.

Australia is supporting the AUD135 million project via the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), with a grant of up to AUD65 million.

The AIFFP is committed to principles of quality infrastructure delivery, with the project delivering local labour and job opportunities. 

“The East Micronesia Cable project will be transformative for the people of Kiribati,” Australia’s High Commissioner to Kiribati, Mr Mark Foxe said.

“Australia is proud to celebrate this critical milestone alongside our partners and invest in infrastructure that has real impact on communities across the Pacific.”

Ceremonial Buoy events in Nauru and Kosrae in FSM will be held in the coming weeks, with the cable expected to be ready for service in November 2025.

For more information about the project, visit the AIFFP website or the East Micronesia Cable website, which provides information in English, Gilbertese, Kosraean and Nauruan.

Earlier this month, two barges loaded with plant and equipment critical for the maritime works at Kimbe port departed from Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The journey will take approximately 12 days and will deliver equipment to commence construction at Kimbe port in West New Britain.

The Kimbe marine works are part of the Ports Infrastructure Investment Program (PIIP) funded by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), which will upgrade five ports across PNG (Kimbe, Oro Bay, Daru, Kavieng, and Lae).

Earlier this year, Pacific Marine Group Pty Ltd (PMG) was contracted to undertake the complex marine works at Kimbe, with the contract valued at PGK260 million. This project is anticipated to boost to the local economy and provide opportunities for local Papua New Guinean firms delivering benefits to the local community. The work is expected to support access to greater economic opportunity to the people of West New Britain through local employment and skills development opportunities.

CEO of PNG Ports Corporation Ltd, Mr Neil Papenfus says that he’s happy to see significant progress with mobilisation of PMG into Kimbe.

“It is exciting to see. As we draw closer to commencement of work, we are committed to ensuring the project is delivered on time, on budget and to international standards for the benefit of the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

Business Development Manager for PMG Mr Andrew Morris is also pleased to see this collaboration advance.

“We’ve officially moved into the mobilisation phase of the Kimbe Port Redevelopment with a strong team and a clear vision for the future of this critical infrastructure,” he said.

The project involves the demolition and construction of a new wharf structure as well as restoration works to the existing wharf and revetment walls with works scheduled to conclude in 2026.

In the coming months local firm Global Constructions Ltd will also mobilise to Kimbe and commence the shore-based works at the port through a contract valued at PGK79 million.

The deployment of this equipment is a very welcome first step just ahead of Papua New Guinea’s golden jubilee celebrations for the 50th Independence Anniversary in September. Progressing this work and enhancing vital maritime links to Kimbe is an important milestone and a great tribute to the very close relationship that PNG shares with Australia.

Fixim Sola, a new solar repair training course launched last month in Vanuatu’s Tafea Province, is giving local communities the tools, skills and confidence to manage solar waste, improve energy access and create new job opportunities.

Launched in June, 48 participants from five islands, including 18 women and four people with disabilities, took part in two weeks of hands-on learning led by the University of New South Wales in partnership with the Vanuatu Disability Promotion Advocacy Association, Vanuatu Institute of Technology, University of the South Pacific and the Vanuatu Department of Energy. 

Jocelyn Iaioha, a single mother from South West Tanna, hopes the skills she gained will help launch a new career. “I’m hoping to become an entrepreneur and start a business in solar system operations to earn money. It is hard, but I believe and trust in myself that I can do it. If I can do it, other women can too - and I will be a role model for my daughter.”

Roy Daniel, a police officer who maintains the emergency radio system for Tafea Province, also took part. “Fixim Sola is very important because many people across Tafea have solar systems. It’s important for us to have the knowledge and tools to fix them properly.”

Hear from participants about what the training meant to them.

The training is part of a larger initiative to tackle solar e-waste in off-grid communities and support the creation of local repair and recycling systems. In August, trained participants will take part in planning sessions to set up community repair hubs, lead local repair days, raise awareness about maintenance and cyclone preparedness, and share their new skills with others.

A school-based program will also begin in September at Lini Memorial High School on Pentecost Island, helping young people understand solar technology and develop practical skills for the future.

The Fixim Sola course is one part of a broader solar panel recycling and reuse program in Vanuatu, supported by the Australian Government. Over time, the program is expected to benefit more than 55,000 people.

Since 2024, Australia has invested around AUD 5 million in off-grid renewable energy projects in Vanuatu through the Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships, a pilot program under REnew Pacific. The partnership is supported through the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350 million Australian Government initiative delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).

Learn more about the partnership: Harnessing the circular economy to tackle solar e-waste in Vanuatu.

Reliable solar energy and clean water are now powering essential health services for more than 7,100 people on Vanuatu’s remote Ambae, thanks to REnew Pacific’s HELPR-1 project.

This follows the installation of a new off-grid solar power and water systems at Nduindui Health Centre and Lolopuepue Dispensary, part of the HELPR-1 Climate Adaptation Program, delivered by Respond Global in partnership with Vanuatu’s National Green Energy Fund through REnew Pacific. 

This project will see Respond Global transport and install 20 new off-grid solar power systems and upgrade 20 additional health facilities across Vanuatu’s six provinces.

At Nduindui Health Centre, the project has installed a 10kW off-grid solar system alongside two 6,000 litre water tanks, providing running water and clean, sustainable power to clinical services and staff accommodation. At Lolopuepue Dispensary, a 10kW solar system has been integrated with an upgraded 10,000 litre water tank to deliver reliable water for handwashing and staff facilities.

The new infrastructure was officially commissioned in a ceremony led by Vanuatu’s Minister of Health, Hon. John Still Tari Qetu, and is ready for immediate use. Additional medical equipment will be delivered later this year to further strengthen healthcare delivery for local community members.

The Minister of Health and a local Member of Parliament have also donated two Starlink units, to be installed at both health centres to provide reliable internet connectivity. These Starlinks are part of eight units secured for Penama Province, with three donated by local MPs and five by the Penama Provincial Government.

REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million commitment to expanding clean, reliable off-grid renewable energy in rural and remote Pacific and Timor-Leste communities. Over the next five years, the program will fund locally-led projects that improve lighting, water, healthcare, education, agriculture and resilient livelihoods.

Respond Global’s HELPR-1 is actively bringing the REnew Pacific vision to life by demonstrating how locally led, community-focused solutions can deliver practical climate resilience and transform essential services in even the most remote parts of Vanuatu.

Learn more about the project.

REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. It’s part of the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350million initiative for climate infrastructure in the region delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).

Visit the REnew Pacific website for more information and to sign up for updates.

Senior representatives from Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Nauru, Japan and the United States came together in Japan this week to attend the East Micronesia Cable Project Executive Board meeting. 

Participants celebrated the excellent progress in project delivery to date, with civil works and installation of prefabricated Cable Landing Stations at the four cable landing sites in Kosrae and Pohnpei, FSM, Tarawa in Kiribati and Nauru, in final stages of completion. Loading of the cable onto the cable lay ship the Normand Clipper commenced in late May, with the laying of the cable scheduled to start in July.

The East Micronesia Cable will bring faster, high quality and more reliable and affordable internet to more than 100,000 people across FSM, Kiribati and Nauru, providing better access to services, information and worldwide markets. 

Discussions between the six partner governments focused on business and financial planning as well as system operations and maintenance in preparation for the cable being ready for service by November 2025. 

The delegation also visited the East Micronesia Cable project’s submarine cable supplier NEC Corporation’s factory in Otsuki, where a range of equipment for the 2,250-kilometre-long cable is being manufactured. The USD95 million (AUD135 million) project is funded through grants from Australia, Japan and the United States, and will deliver a submarine telecommunications cable and supporting infrastructure connecting Kiribati, Nauru and the state of Kosrae in FSM to the existing HANTRU-1 cable landing point located in Pohnpei, FSM.

Read more about the project.

The solar “hub” at Takataka Cultural Centre in Solomon Islands’ Malaita province is now installed and energised, a major milestone for the Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership between Superfly Limited, Mai-Ma’asina Green Belt (MMGB), Save the Children Solomon Islands and the Australian Government.

Serving a community of more than 4,000, the Cultural Centre is well on its way to becoming a major solar-powered “hub” for the region, with affordable solar kits as "spokes" for local businesses and households to improve energy access across remote areas of East Are’are.

Once complete, the solar system will power the cultural centre, freezers for cold storage and a charging station for an electric boat. It’s also laying the groundwork for a scalable, community-driven solution to energy challenges in other remote communities across Solomon Islands.

Learn more about this partnership: https://thebpp.com.au/partnership/energising-solomon-islands-malaita-community-with-affordable-solar-power/

The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships are part of our Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership initiative to expand AIFFP’s climate investments.

REnew Pacific is AIFFP’s new $75 million program to power off-grid communities across the Pacific and Timor Leste, like this one, with renewable energy.

Find out more: https://renewpacific.com.au/    

Kimbe Port in Papua New Guinea’s West New Britain Province is set for a significant upgrade, with a PGK80 million contract awarded to local firm Global Construction Ltd to deliver critical land side upgrades.

The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and delivered in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea and PNG Ports Corporation Limited.

The upgrades will improve core port infrastructure, including pavement reconstruction, drainage, terminal lighting, and firefighting systems.

Key buildings such as the port office, cargo shed and passenger terminal will also be refurbished to improve safety, functionality and user experience.

The works are expected to create over 300 local jobs, with 70 per cent of the workforce to be sourced locally, providing employment and skills development in West New Britain.

Speaking at the signing, the Hon. William Duma MP, Minister for State Enterprises, noted the significance of Australian support.

“For the people and Government of Australia to be able to come back and help us with the AIFFP program means a lot to us. If you look at the history of Kimbe, Bialla, Rabaul, even Manus, nearly all of them were built by the Australians themselves more than 50 years ago the fact that the Government and the people of Australia decided to help us reflects the long and enduring relationship we have with our closest neighbour, the people of Australia,” he said.

The Governor of West New Britain, the Hon. Sasindran Muthuvel MP, welcomed the project and added that developing the port to international standards would improve business and support employment opportunities and bring much-needed development.

The Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Ewen McDonald said the PGK80 million contract will create employment and provide skills development opportunities for both West New Britain and  Papua New Guinea more broadly.

“Using projects to provide opportunities for national industry should be a goal for all development partners in Papua New Guinea. Relying only on international firms misses opportunities for lasting economic gains,” he added.

The land side contract follows the earlier award of marine works to Pacific Marine Group Pty Ltd.

Together, the contractors will deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that meets the growing needs of the province and its people. Construction is expected to begin shortly and be completed by 2026.

The Kimbe Port project is part of AIFFP’s PGK1.6 billion Ports Infrastructure Investment Program, which is supporting upgrades at ports across Papua New Guinea, including in Kavieng, Daru, Oro Bay and Lae. 

These investments are improving connectivity, enhancing trade, and supporting inclusive growth across the country.

Learn more about Australia’s investment in Upgrading ports across Papua New Guinea.