By Harriet Smith, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Melanesia program
- The European Union says the ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change is in part thanks to the Pacific.
- New Caledonia’s pro-independence leader Roch Wamytan maintains the territory should not have been granted membership to the Pacific Islands Forum as it is not independent, and says the membership will be used by France as a ‘Trojan horse’.
- Solomon Islands passport holders can now travel in Europe without a visa for up to 90 days in the Schengen area. This excludes Britain, the former colonial ruler of the Solomons.
- Coastal communities in the Solomon Islands' Malaita province are struggling to find land to grow food on as salt saturation increases.
- Still in the Solomons, the Australian army has blown up 10 tonnes of munitions left from fighting in World War Two.
- New Caledonia president Philippe Germain is in Canberra for the first time in seven years and says the main objective of the visit as economic integration.
- The UN has called on Nauru to improve its protection of children. A new report from UN Committee on the Rights of the Child suggests 30% of Nauruan girls under the age of 15 have experienced sexual abuse.
- West Papua’s membership bid for the Melanesian Spearhead Group is expected to be accepted in December, according to Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
- A forum in Sydney is hosting Pacific LGBTI activists to help boost their capacity. A major goal for many is decriminalisation of homosexuality, a sought after change which faces significant opposition, as evident in recent events in Tonga.
- Fallout continues after the murder of a young gay man in Papua New Guinea. A friend of the man who condemned the homophobic crime has received death threats.
- The Vatican has recognised a Port Moresby based yoga program that is helping locals to address anger and curb violence.
- The first Papua New Guinean Cardinal has been appointed by the Pope. The Archbishop of Port Moresby John Ribat, was one of the 17 new cardinals named this month.