AM Edition: Here are the top 10 politics articles on LiveNews.co.nz for October 6, 2026 – Full Text
1. SAFE says accountability ignored in Hoggard portfolio complaint
October 5, 2026
Source: SAFE For Animals
Following a formal complaint lodged over ten months ago, SAFE says the Coalition Government has failed to address concerns over Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard’s oversight of animal welfare.
SAFE’s original complaint pointed to a pattern of decisions under Minister Hoggard’s watch that it says prioritised industry interests over animal welfare, including the proposed reversal of the live export ban, the continued use of farrowing crates despite a High Court ruling, and Minister Hoggard’s prominent public endorsement of rodeo. The animal rights organisation says these examples raise serious concerns about conflicts of interest, industry influence, and the extent to which independent advice on animal welfare has been disregarded.
SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall says the substantive concerns outlined in their formal complaint warrant proper scrutiny and consideration.
“Our formal complaint reflects what we have consistently seen under Minister Hoggard’s oversight of the animal welfare portfolio, with industry capture going unchecked and animal welfare repeatedly being sidelined.”
After lodging the complaint with the Prime Minister’s Office in November 2025 and subsequently raising the matter directly with Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, SAFE says there has been no action, investigation, or meaningful engagement with the evidence it provided.
SAFE later escalated the matter to the Office of the Auditor-General, citing concerns about accountability and failures in the Government’s response process.
Hall says the issue has become about more than the original complaint.
“We’ve followed every appropriate process available to us, but ten months down the line we haven’t seen any meaningful action or investigation into the serious concerns raised about Andrew Hoggard’s oversight of animal welfare.”
SAFE maintains the evidence underpinning its complaint has not been properly examined, and that responses from Government officials have focused on dismissing the complaint rather than addressing its substance.
“The issue is now not only about the complaint itself, but also the refusal to address the issues raised” says Hall.
“These are serious concerns about the integrity of New Zealand’s animal welfare system and the extent to which industry interests could be shaping decisions on animal welfare at ministerial level.”
SAFE believes the lack of action raises broader questions about whether New Zealand’s animal welfare system contains adequate safeguards against industry influence. The organisation points to its recent call for Federated Farmers Vice President Sandra Faulkner to step down from the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), maintaining that senior leadership roles within industry lobby groups are incompatible with positions intended to provide independent animal welfare advice.
According to SAFE, both situations point to a wider pattern which risks undermining public confidence in animal welfare decision making.
“A strong animal welfare system must be independent, transparent and accountable, but the current system is failing animals” says Hall.
SAFE continues to call for the animal welfare portfolio to be reassigned while the concerns regarding Minister Hoggard are investigated, maintaining that the Government’s failure to meaningfully engage with the complaint is now a matter of public accountability.
“This case really highlights what is fundamentally wrong with New Zealand’s animal welfare system” says Hall.
“When industry interests are allowed significant influence over animal welfare decision making and serious concerns can be ignored without proper examination, public confidence in the system is seriously undermined.”
SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
Notes for editors
Timeline
- 10 Nov 2025: Formal complaint submitted to: Christopher Luxon – Prime Minister Winston Peters – Leader, NZ First David Seymour – Leader, ACT Todd McClay – Minister of Agriculture Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- 20 Nov 2025: ‘No action’ response from PM’s office
- 2 Dec 2025: Follow up correspondence to PM’s office
- 2 Dec 2025: Letter sent to directly to Todd McClay (Minister of Agriculture)
- 5 Dec 2025: ‘No action’ confirmation from PM’s office
- 2 June 2026: Second letter to Todd McClay (Minister of Agriculture)
- 2 June 2026: Lack of response/process concerns escalated to the Office of the Auditor-General
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2. Taking $14.6 million off criminals to protect New Zealanders
October 5, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Money seized from criminals will fund nine initiatives to reduce violence, prevent reoffending, and disrupt the drug trade, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
“Criminals profit from other people’s misery. We are taking that money off them and putting it to work protecting New Zealanders,” says Mrs McKee.
“The Proceeds of Crime Fund has allocated $14.587 million to initiatives focused on fewer victims and safer communities.
“That means intervening before young people’s offending escalates, helping victims escape violence, and giving Customs better tools to stop drugs at the border.
“New Zealanders expect money taken from criminals to deliver results. Following our refocus of the Fund, these investments must directly contribute to reducing violent crime.
“We have already exceeded the Government’s target of 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by December 2029, but we want to go even further.”
The nine funded initiatives are:
- Positive Pathways – Youth Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme: $2.007 million. Kura Cares Charity will expand support for high-needs young people in Auckland and Wellington to reduce offending and support rehabilitation.
- Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust – Ruapehu Rangatahi Hub: $1.971 million. Early intervention and coordinated support for young people at risk of offending.
- Waipuna Youth Reoffending Reduction Programme: $2.064 million. St John of God will support 40 high-needs young people in Canterbury through mentoring, outdoor learning, and pathways into education and employment.
- PIVOT: Bail to Belonging: $1.535 million. Pivot Support Services will establish bail accommodation in Tauranga and strengthen its Hamilton service, helping reduce reoffending and address remand caused solely by the lack of a suitable bail address.
- Te Whare o Tapatahi – Taranaki Violence Prevention and Homelessness Response Initiative: $2.959 million. YMCA Taranaki will expand targeted violence prevention and crisis support through its existing homeless shelter.
- Preventing Technology Facilitated Sexual Exploitation and Violence Among Young New Zealanders: $1.2 million. Netsafe will deliver prevention, victim support, and early intervention to address online exploitation, extortion, and violence.
- Customs handheld X-ray devices: $547,000. New equipment will help officers detect concealed drugs during on-site inspections of freight and small consignments.
- Customs substance identification equipment: $308,000. A replacement spectrometer and drug monitoring projects will strengthen detection and responses to emerging drug threats.
- Removing Barriers to Safety: Pet Inclusive Family Violence Prevention: $2 million. This previously announced funding supports Pet Refuge’s work helping victims escape family violence without leaving their pets behind.
Notes to editors:
- The funding round received 43 eligible proposals seeking more than $160 million.
- Established in 2009 and administered by the Ministry of Justice since April 2019, the Proceeds of Crime Fund uses money recovered under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 to support targeted initiatives that reduce violent crime.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/05/taking-14-6-million-off-criminals-to-protect-new-zealanders/
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3. Dry dock project moves to expert consideration
October 5, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Northland Shipyard and Dry Dock project has had its Fast-track application accepted as complete by the Environmental Protection Authority, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.
The application for the planned shipyard and marine maintenance facility at Marsden Point will next be referred for consideration by an independent expert panel.
“This is another important milestone for the project. Clearing this first procedural step means an expert panel can now consider the application for this nationally and regionally significant piece of infrastructure,” Mr Jones says.
“The Northland dry dock is an example of the concrete steps the Government is taking to address New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit, with Cabinet ring-fencing $100 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to see this important project progress.
“A purpose-built facility capable of maintaining large vessels will deliver significant economic benefits for Northland and New Zealand, particularly once the new inter-island ferries we have secured are navigating our waters.”
New Zealand currently relies on access to overseas dry docks, including in Sydney and Singapore, for work on large vessels.
“A facility here would reduce transit costs and emissions, while improving the time vessels are available for service. It also means the money spent on servicing these large ships stays here in New Zealand and helps grow the economy,” Mr Jones says.
“The scale of this project means construction would provide a significant boost to Northland. Once operating, the dry dock is also expected to support hundreds of permanent jobs and deliver lasting economic benefits to the region.”
Progressing work on the Northland Shipyard and Dry Dock is part of the New Zealand First-National coalition agreement.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/05/dry-dock-project-moves-to-expert-consideration/
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4. New appointment to Māori language Commission
October 5, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
New appointment to Māori language Commission
Julian Wilcox has been appointed Chair of the Māori Language Commission, Acting Māori Development Minister Shane Jones says.
“Dr Wilcox brings a deep knowledge and practice of te reo Māori, strong governance capability, and a proven track record of leadership across both Māori and public sector settings,” Mr Jones says.
“The Māori Language Commission plays a vital role in supporting and promoting te reo Māori. Dr Wilcox’s expertise and longstanding commitment to the Māori language makes him exceptionally well-placed to guide its ongoing work.
Dr Wilcox’s three-year term begins today.
Mr Jones also acknowledged outgoing Chair Professor Rawinia Higgins MNZM.
“Prof Higgins has provided distinguished leadership to the Māori Language Commission and has made a significant contribution to the revitalisation of te reo Māori throughout her tenure.
“Her commitment to strengthening the status, use, and visibility of te reo Māori has helped advance the aspirations of many whānau, communities, and organisations across New Zealand. I thank her for her service and wish her all the best for the future,” Mr Jones says.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/05/new-appointment-to-maori-language-commission/
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5. “Future Resonance — ShanghaiEye Night” Brings Shanghai to Washington, Fosters People-to-People Exchange Across the Pacific
October 5, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
“Future Resonance — ShanghaiEye Night” China-U.S. people-to-people exchange events held in Washington D.C. Photo: Shanghai Media Group
The event, held by Shanghai Media Group, brought together nearly 100 prominent figures from China and the United States across the political, business, technology, cultural and arts sectors. Song Jiongming, President of Shanghai Media Group, and Susan Lee, Secretary of State of Maryland, attended the event and delivered remarks. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng was also in attendance.
In the afternoon, the National Mall was transformed into a “mini Shanghai” carnival. The carnival featured 50 stalls showcasing international cuisine, a “Shanghai Charm” themed exhibition area and displays of China’s intangible cultural heritage.
Visitors got a glimpse of Shanghai’s cutting-edge technological innovation through a model of the C919 passenger jet, explored the city’s latest trends through a model of the Oriental Pearl Tower and popular Chinese cultural and creative IPs, and took a virtual journey through Shanghai’s past and present with VR headsets provided by the Shanghai Museum. Time-honored brands such as White Rabbit candy, Hero fountain pens and Lao Feng Xiang Jewelry offered visitors a taste of Shanghai’s iconic homegrown brands. Meanwhile, an IP SHANGHAI lenticular art exhibition brought the city to life through dynamic images that changed as visitors moved around the displays.
From such an immersive experience showcasing Shanghai as a first stop for international visitors entering China to distinctive IPs spanning culture, commerce, tourism, sports and exhibitions, the carnival offered Americans and international visitors a glimpse of the city and a chance to experience Shanghai firsthand at one of Washington’s most iconic landmarks. Many visitors said they hoped to visit Shanghai in person and explore the city on foot through a “city walk.”
As the sun began to set, its golden glow fell over the Capitol dome. Against an iconic backdrop featuring the two cities, the “Future Resonance” outdoor concert got underway.
Young performers from China and the United States took the stage alongside renowned artists from both countries. The One Voice Children’s Choir from the United States and the Manhattan Philharmonic joined forces to perform “We Are Together,” a song created in Shanghai to celebrate friendship between the two countries.
The program featured a rich mix of symphonic works, traditional Chinese music, Chinese opera and anime music. Footage from Shanghai’s city image film “UP! SHANGHAI” played on the large screen behind the stage throughout the concert.
Later that evening, nearly 100 guests from China and the United States, including prominent figures from politics, business, technology, culture and the arts, took part in the ShanghaiEye Night dialogue session.
Themed “Invest in China for a Win-Win Future,” the dialogue highlighted the China International Import Expo and Shanghai’s development as an international economic, financial, trade, shipping and technological innovation center. It also showcased the city’s world-class business environment and provided a platform for high-level dialogue and practical cooperation between Chinese and U.S. companies.
The dialogue also featured a “Shanghai Charm” city image reception area. On one side, twenty selected historical photographs capturing key “Shanghai moments” in China-U.S. relations were displayed, including the signing of the Shanghai Communiqué, the launch of the first China-U.S. air route, the opening of Apple’s first store in China, the Tesla Gigafactory and the 10th anniversary of Shanghai Disney Resort.
On the other side, 20 photographs from the IP SHANGHAI platform, under the theme “Chasing Dreams in Shanghai,” showcased Lujiazui Financial City, Yangshan Deep-Water Port, Shanghai Grand Opera House, the North Bund shipping hub, and the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek. Together, the displays offered guests a visual introduction to the city and created lasting memories of Shanghai.
With the support of the Information Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government and co-hosted by Shanghai Media Group, the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Conservation Center and the Washington Chinese Community Alliance, the event brought together guests from a range of sectors in China and the United States.
The event brought Shanghai closer to American audiences and the international community through city promotion, cultural performances, interactive experiences and high-level dialogue. It also provided a platform for people-to-people and cultural exchange between China and the United States.
Hashtag: #ShanghaiEye
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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6. Patience Is Being Repriced as Government Borrowing, AI And Energy Compete For Long-Term Capital: GIC CEO Lim Chow Kiat
October 5, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Fifth WMI Global-Asia Family Office Summit examines portfolio resilience and next-generation readiness as WMI research identifies meaningful participation as a key marker of preparedness
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 October 2026 – Government borrowing, the artificial intelligence (AI) build-out and the overhaul of energy systems are all competing for the same pool of long-term money at a time when lenders demand more compensation to commit for long, WMI Chairman and GIC CEO Mr Lim Chow Kiat said today at the fifth WMI Global-Asia Family Office Summit.
Mr Lim said: “There is no shortage of capital in the world. What is shorter is patience, and patience is being repriced.” He added:”The advantage of long-term capital—whether it is a family’s wealth or a country’s reserves—is that we do not have to predict the outcome. We have to be prepared for it, selective in what we own, and ready to move when others cannot.”
In his opening keynote, Mr Lim encouraged investors to look beyond the level of bond yields to what is driving them: stronger growth and investment, or doubts about inflation and public finances. He noted that AI has become a credit story as well as an equity one, with more of the build-out funded by debt. As outcomes widen across AI and energy, he said granularity matters more than ever, with GIC looking at assets one at a time rather than buying a broad theme.
Family offices navigate a new era of disruption and opportunity
Held under the theme Legacy in Action: Capital for the New Horizon, the two-day Summit will welcome close to 650 participants from across the family office ecosystem to discuss investing, family office governance, leadership and social impact.
The opening-day Single Family Office Forum brings together more than 240 participants, comprising families and their family office teams from Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States, at different stages of building, stewarding and carrying forward their family enterprises and legacies.
Over five years, the Summit has grown alongside Singapore’s family office ecosystem into a trusted community where families, investors and professionals connect, learn from one another and explore opportunities together.
Preparing the next generation for stewardship
Alongside discussions on the investment landscape, the Summit examined how families can prepare the next generation to assume responsibility for capital, enterprise and legacy.
In her welcome address, Ms Foo Mee Har, CEO of WMI, launched Stewardship by Design: Preparing Asia’s Next Generation for Leadership and Impact, a study conducted jointly with academics from Harvard Business School and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
The research draws on responses from about 150 family offices, primarily in Asia. It compares their responses with those of family offices worldwide, with the majority from the Americas.
According to the study, 49% of Asian respondents consider the next generation prepared, compared with 52% in the comparison group. The figures are close, but they also reveal a shared challenge: only about half of respondents see the next generation as ready.
Ms Foo said: “Our study found that when next-generation members have the opportunity to contribute alongside senior family members on consequential decisions, families are almost seven times more likely to see them as ready.”
“The next generation does not develop judgement by waiting on the sidelines for responsibility to arrive, yet many families face a practical challenge. They want to prepare the next generation, yet they are not ready to hand over major decisions. Nor do they have to.”
Ms Foo added: “But there is no single structure that every family should follow. Asian families differ in size, history and complexity. What matters is having a clear path for development that fits the family’s circumstances.”
Translating research into practical support
To put these findings into practice, Ms Foo announced two distinct new WMI programmes to help prepare the next generation.
The first is PATH: Purpose, Aspiration, Trust and Heritage, a new programme for next-generation members of business-owning and wealth-owning families.
PATH will help participants explore their values and aspirations, deepen their understanding of enterprise, ownership and governance, and consider the different roles they can play as family stewards. They will identify practical next steps towards making a meaningful contribution to their families.
Connecting family offices with innovation
Ms Foo also shared with participants that WMI is working to connect family offices with globally leading innovation ecosystems.
Through learning journeys and direct engagement with founders, investors, researchers and technology leaders, family offices and next-generation members will get firsthand exposure to emerging technologies and business models, helping them understand the latest developments and where new opportunities may lie.
Insights from global business and technology leaders
Day One also features Dr David K. Lam, Founder of Lam Research and Chairman and CEO of Multibeam Corporation; Mr Mark Lee, CEO of Singlun; and Ms Cindy Karim, Principal of the Karim Family Foundation, alongside other prominent family principals, investors and technology leaders.
Discussions span emerging technologies and investment judgement, next-generation leadership, family enterprise, governance and long-term impact.
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Trade), and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore will attend the Summit as Guest of Honour later today.
The WMI Global-Asia Family Office Summit continues on 6 October 2026 with the Partners Forum, bringing together financial institutions, advisers and other professionals supporting families across investments, governance, succession, philanthropy and legacy.
For Mr Lim Chow Kiat’s full speech, click here.
For Ms Foo Mee Har’s full speech, click here.
To download the report, click here.
Hashtag: #WMI
About WMI
WMI provides a comprehensive suite of practice-based certification and diploma programmes and collaborates with leading universities for master’s degrees. With over 20,000 annual enrolments, WMI serves a diverse community of professionals across Asia—including wealth and asset managers, family offices, and professionals in tax, legal, compliance, and financial regulation across more than 160 programmes. WMI is recognised as Singapore’s lead training provider for private banking and wealth management.
WMI helms the Global-Asia Family Office (GFO) Circle, a trusted network platform that builds capabilities and fosters community within the family office sector. The GFO Circle is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). WMI also leads the Asia Centre for Changemakers (ACC), supported by Temasek Trust and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). The ACC aims to build capacity and nurture a strong pipeline of active and informed changemakers with a focus on Asia.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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7. Road freight industry continues to tackle decarbonisation head-on
October 5, 2026
Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand launched its updated Green Compact at Linfox’s Auckland head office on Friday. The Green Compact sets out the industry’s roadmap to a net-zero road freight sector by 2050.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says the industry needs to decouple emissions from New Zealand’s growing freight task.
“Road freight carries 93 percent of New Zealand’s freight by tonnage. Our challenge is to move more freight while using less fuel and producing fewer emissions for every tonne delivered.
“Rising fuel prices are shifting the dial. Fuel-efficient and lower-emission vehicles are becoming more commercially attractive, not just environmentally desirable.”
Kalasih noted that the low and zero-emission heavy vehicle fleet grew from 568 vehicles to 1,867 vehicles between March 2023 and September 2026, an increase of 1,299 vehicles or approximately 229%.
“Modelling by MTA and NZIER predicts that by 2045, 69 percent of our heavy truck fleet will still be diesel. High upfront costs and limited charging and refuelling infrastructure remain significant barriers. Industry action needs to be supported by policy settings that make investment commercially sensible,” Kalasih says.
The update highlights immediate ways operators can reduce fuel use, costs and emissions, including combining loads, backloading, route optimisation, fuel-efficient driver training and greater use of high-productivity vehicles.
“Decarbonisation is not just about replacing every diesel truck. A fuller truck, a better-planned route and a well-trained driver can reduce costs and emissions today,” says Kalasih.
Transporting New Zealand is calling on the next Government to make the transition commercially viable through full capital expensing for high-productivity and low-emission trucks, stronger roads and bridges, updated vehicle dimension and mass rules, and a nationwide public fast-charging network for heavy vehicles.
The Green Compact Update can be found here.
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 93% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
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8. Pre-COP31: World leaders must show up for the Pacific through action, not just speeches
October 5, 2026
Source: Amnesty International
4 October 2026
- Australia must turn its claim to Pacific climate leadership into concrete action
- Governments urged to end fossil fuel era and deliver scaled up grants-based climate finance
- Amnesty International launches campaign spotlighting environmental human rights defenders
As Pacific leaders, communities and civil society gather in Fiji and Tuvalu for the Pre-COP31 meetings, the expected absence of many world leaders must not become another excuse for climate inaction, Amnesty International said today.
The meetings come after an unusually hot European summer, with August 2026 becoming the joint-hottest month on record. Against the looming threat of a powerful El Niño, widespread wildfires, droughts, and floods, the new UN warning of the world rapidly breaching warming thresholds adds urgency to the need for decisive climate action.
“World leaders have spent years talking about the climate threats facing the Pacific. Now they must come to Fiji and Tuvalu, listen to Pacific communities and act. Rising seas are already eating away at people’s lands, livelihoods and cultures. Concern without action will not hold back the tide,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.
“Those who do not show up in person cannot evade their responsibilities. Their absence will not stop the seas from rising or erase the obligations of high-emitting countries towards communities paying the highest price for a crisis they did least to cause.
“An empty seat is not the greatest failure. The greater failure is an empty promise. Pre-COP31 must turn years of rhetoric into concrete commitments and action that deliver the climate ambition the world needs at COP31 in November.”
Fiji’s Environment Minister has said that the Pacific-led summit will proceed “with or without” major world leaders.
The Pacific is sounding the alarm
Amnesty International has documented how climate change is already harming human rights in Tuvalu, Kiribati and other Pacific Island countries. Rising seas, extreme heat, droughts and saltwater intrusion are threatening people’s rights to water, food, health, adequate housing and a safe future. Tuvalu contributes less than 0.003% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it faces some of the climate crisis’ most severe consequences.
During her visit to Tuvalu in 2025, Agnès Callamard witnessed efforts by communities and the authorities to reclaim land from the advancing sea and enable people to remain in their homeland.
“To any world leader who hesitates to confront the biggest crisis of our time, I say this: come to Tuvalu. Speak to people living with rising seas and extreme heat. Witness their daily struggle to adapt, protect their rights and push back against the impacts of a climate crisis they did not cause. The reclaimed land in Tuvalu is not a tourist backdrop. It represents a country fighting for its survival,” said Agnès Callamard.
Students from the Pacific took the fight against climate change to the world’s top court, leading the International Court of Justice to issue a landmark Advisory Opinion in July 2025, which made it clear that governments have a legal obligation to protect human rights from climate change impacts.
“The Pacific should not have to plead for the world’s attention. Climate action is no longer simply a political choice. It is a legal and moral imperative,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Governments must end fossil fuel use and expansion through just transitions that leave no one behind, tax big polluters and deliver scaled up grants-based climate finance, providing climate reparations and ensuring communities on the front lines of the climate crisis have the resources and power to determine their own futures. The Pacific is sounding the alarm. If the world fails to act here, it will fail everywhere.”
Australia must turn partnership into action
As President of Negotiations at COP31, Australia has a particular responsibility to stand with its Pacific neighbours and secure an ambitious, human rights-centred outcome. Australia cannot credibly claim climate leadership while continuing to support fossil fuel expansion that deepens the harms facing Pacific communities.
Based on Amnesty International’s recommendations ahead of COP31, Australia and other governments must use pre-COP31 to advance three priorities:
- Stop the climate crisis at its source by ending fossil fuel expansion and accelerating a full, fast, fair, funded and human rights-compliant transition away from fossil fuels with states most responsible going further and faster. Renewable energy is less expensive than fossil fuels; governments must stop supporting their allies in the fossil fuel industry with tax-payer funded subsidies.
- Support communities to thrive by ensuring the Just Transition Mechanism is operational and accountable and can help deliver funding and support to affected communities, including Indigenous Peoples.
- Scale up finance from high income high emitting countries where it is needed most by significantly increasing public, grants-based funding for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, without pushing lower-income countries further into debt.
“Pacific leadership has helped keep the fight for 1.5°C alive, but Pacific communities cannot carry the burden of global climate leadership alone,” said Agnès Callamard. “Australia must use its presiding role to turn Pacific demands into COP31 outcomes, starting with stopping the crisis at source through a just transition away from fossil fuels.”
No climate justice without environmental defenders
Governments cannot deliver climate justice while excluding affected communities or silencing those who challenge harmful projects. Across the world, Indigenous Peoples, environmental human rights defenders and communities on the front lines of the climate crisis are resisting fossil fuel expansion and fighting for fairer, more sustainable futures. Yet many face harassment, surveillance, criminalization, violence and restrictions on peaceful protest.
Australia’s treatment of peaceful climate activists will be an important test of its climate leadership. There are also concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Fiji.
Ahead of COP31, Amnesty International is launching a global campaign “Protecting our Future: Environmental Human Rights Defenders Powering Just Transitions” spotlighting environmental human rights defenders and the alternatives they are fighting for around the world. This includes the First Nations people in Australia, who are challenging offshore oil and gas exploration affecting their lands and waters.
The campaign will show what resistance, dignity and a people-powered just transition can look like when communities refuse to see their lands, waters and futures sacrificed for fossil fuel profits.
Australia and Fiji must ensure that civil society, Indigenous Peoples, affected communities and environmental defenders can participate, speak out and protest peacefully without discrimination, intimidation or reprisals.
“Environmental defenders are protecting our shared future. Governments must listen to them, protect them and ensure they have a meaningful say in climate decisions,” said Agnès Callamard.
“COP31 must deliver more than promises. Anything less would betray our shared responsibility to uphold human rights and secure climate justice.”
Background
The Pacific-led pre-COP31 meetings will take place in Nadi, Fiji, and Tuvalu from 5 to 8 October 2026. COP31 will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026.
Official release: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/10/pre-cop31-pacific/
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9. Thailand’s LTR Visa Hits 12,000 Approvals in Four Years, Adding USD 1.28 Billion to the Economy
October 5, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)
Introduced in September 2022 to attract high-potential foreigners to reside and conduct economic activities in Thailand, the LTR visa program has generated an average economic value of more than USD 107,000 (THB 3.6 million) per recipient, according to BOI data. The calculation covers visa fees, spending in Thailand by visa holders, direct investment, and tax revenue from highly skilled professionals.
Amid intensifying global competition for highly skilled personnel, the LTR visa is an important mechanism for bringing global talent into Thailand. This is particularly relevant as the country prepares for a new wave of investment in advanced-technology industries, including semiconductors and advanced electronics, digital technology and AI, humanoid robotics, aviation, and biotechnology.
“The LTR visa is a strategic pillar to attract global talent as Thailand absorbs a new wave of advanced technology investments,” said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Board of Investment. “Drawing top-tier executives and technical specialists from around the world is vital to strengthening our national competitiveness and securing technology transfers from international partners.”
Approved LTR visa recipients primarily come from leading economies. The United States accounts for the largest group, with more than 2,400 approvals, followed by Japan with more than 1,300 and the United Kingdom with more than 1,000. Japanese nationals comprise a notable share of the specialist bracket, aligning with Japan’s heavy footprint in Thailand’s automotive and precision-electronics supply networks.
The 12,010 approved LTR visa recipients fall into five categories: 1,779 Highly-Skilled Professionals; 1,043 Work-from-Thailand Professionals, who work from Thailand for overseas employers; 737 Wealthy Global Citizens; 4,561 Wealthy Pensioners; and 3,891 Dependents of recipients in the first four categories.
Among recipients in the Highly-Skilled Professionals and Work-from-Thailand Professionals categories, 54% hold executive-level positions and 36% are professionals in various fields; the remainder are at the technical level. Applicants in each category must meet specific criteria, such as requirements relating to assets, income, investment evidence, work experience, and health insurance, and undergo rigorous checks by the relevant agencies.
To handle rising application volumes and remove long-standing administrative bottlenecks, the BOI rolled out an integrated digital processing portal in September 2026. The platform centralizes review procedures across four primary state bodies: the Department of Consular Affairs, the Immigration Bureau, the Department of Employment, and the Revenue Department.
Complementing the portal, the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC), a one-stop service center, is located on floors 6-7 of the Parade Zone at One Bangkok. “The center is intended to strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness in continuously attracting high-potential talent from around the world,” said Mr. Narit.
In addition to attracting foreign talent through the LTR visa, BOI also facilitates visas and work permits for executives and personnel working in BOI-promoted businesses through the BOI Visa, and offers the Smart Visa for startups. BOI also supports the skills development of Thai personnel through the Skill Bridge measure, and helps Thai entrepreneurs adopt modern technology to enhance their competitiveness through the Business Transformation measure. These measures work hand in hand to attract international experts, develop Thai personnel, and upgrade Thai businesses, strengthening Thailand’s readiness for the transition to a new economy driven by technology and innovation.
Note: Currency conversions are based on the Bank of Thailand’s average selling rate of approximately 1 USD = 33.6 THB.
https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/
Hashtag: #Thailandboardofinvestment #BOI #FDI #Investment
Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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10. Siam Piwat to Invest US$300 Million (THB10 Billion) in ICONPHUKET, The Icon of Southern Wonders, Opening in 2029
October 5, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
- ICONPHUKET will create a first-of-its-kind Hybrid Retail-Attraction & Entertainment Destination, featuring 12 extraordinary world-class attractions designed to captivate global audiences and redefine lifestyle, entertainment, and meaningful travel experiences.
- ICONPHUKET will unite the potential, identity, wisdom, arts and cultural heritage of Southern Thailand’s 14 provinces through world-class experiences, bringing Southern Thailand’s extraordinary potential to the global stage and showcasing the best of Thailand to the world.
- The project is envisioned as a model city shaped through cross-sector collaboration, helping to strengthen a sustainable cluster economy across Southern Thailand. Siam Piwat expects the development to support 50,000–80,000 jobs from construction through full operations; ICONPHUKET is expected to attract 80,000–100,000 visitors per day once fully operational.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 October 2026 – Siam Piwat Group, Thailand’s leading retail and real estate developer behind Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery and joint owner of ICONSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, has unveiled ICONPHUKET, a THB10 billion destination development in Phuket scheduled to open in 2029.
ICONPHUKET – The New Icon of Southern Thailand and Global Destination
ICONPHUKET marks a major expansion beyond Bangkok for Siam Piwat and will bring together the culture, creativity, products and economic potential of Southern Thailand’s 14 provinces in one destination. The project is designed as a first-of-its-kind Hybrid Retail-Attraction and Entertainment Destination,featuring 12extraordinary world-class attractions designed to captivate global audiences, integrating tourism, public spaces and nature with year-round experiences for Thai and international visitors. Building on the success of ICONSIAM and Siam Paragon, which have helped position Thailand as a global benchmark for destination development, Siam Piwat sees ICONPHUKET as its next transformative destination project.
The first-of-its-kind Hybrid Retail-Attraction & Entertainment Destination
Chadatip Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., said: “ICONPHUKET represents the next chapter of our vision to create destinations that generate economic value while showcasing Thailand’s strengths to the world. By connecting the capabilities of all 14 southern provinces with global opportunities, ICONPHUKET will serve as a gateway to Southern Thailand’s potential, helping strengthen Phuket and the region as a leading destination for tourism, investment and the creative economy.”
Discover the spirit of Southern Thailand and the inspiration behind ICONPHUKET, a new global destination bringing together the unique identity, culture, wisdom and potential of Thailand’s 14 southern provinces.
ICONPHUKET will serve as the centerpiece of Synthesis Ark Phuket, an integrated mixed-use megaproject developed by CV Group of Companies, with an investment value of more than US$1.5 billion (THB 50 billion) and spanning over 80 hectares in Thalang, Phuket, Thailand. The wider project will include residences, hotels, offices, serviced apartments, educational institutions, and health and wellness facilities, with convenient access to Phuket International Airport and yacht marinas. Phase 1 of Synthesis Ark Phuket is scheduled to be completed by 2032. The development is envisioned as a future-ready urban destination that supports the long-term growth of a sustainable Southern economic cluster.
More than 40% of ICONPHUKET will be dedicated to green and open spaces, while one-third of the project will comprise attractions and entertainment. Developed with local communities, government agencies and private-sector partners, the project will incorporate green technologies, resource-efficiency systems and smart mobility solutions. It will also provide a platform for SMEs, community enterprises and local products from across Southern Thailand.
ICONPHUKET will unite the strengths of Southern Thailand’s 14 provinces in one destination. As a gateway to the region’s potential, it will connect local enterprises, communities and products with new opportunities in international markets, while presenting Southern Thailand’s distinctive character to Thai and global visitors and bringing the region’s extraordinary potential to the global stage.
The development is expected to support 50,000–80,000 jobs from construction through full operations and encourage longer stays and higher tourism spending across the southern region. Further details on ICONPHUKET will be announced in the coming months.
For more information, please call +66 2 658 0808 or visit www.iconphuket.com
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Hashtag: #ICONPHUKET #TheNewIconOfSouthernWonders #SiamPiwat #Phuket #SouthernThailand
Siam Piwat
For over six decades, Siam Piwat has been renowned for creating iconic destinations and world-class experiences, continuously redefining Bangkok’s retail landscape through award-winning developments that set new global benchmarks. Guided by creativity, innovation, and sustainability, the company continues to lead with a bold vision that inspire, engage, and delight customers from around the world, while creating long-term value for society, businesses, and future generations.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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