i'm luxmy gopal and these are the headlines. mourners pay their respects to the last soviet leader, mikhail gorbachev, who is now being buried in moscow. moscow blames maintenance problems for failing to resume the main pipeline that transports gas from russia to europe after a three—day closure. more than half of manufacturers in the uk say they may have to cut production or close down completely because of rocketing energy bills. a £2 cap on bus fares across england for three months ready for lift—off...again. nasa prepares to make a second attempt later to launch its most powerful rocket to the moon, five days after technical problems scuppered the first. now on bbc news, talking business.

fiji, a country of more than 300 islands strung together in the pacific ocean. this is the economic and technology hub of the south pacific, and has one of the region �*s but in recent years, this island paradise, along with other countries in the pacific, have been battered by cyclones and extreme weather patterns, even as rising threaten to leave entire villages under water. and then came the pandemic. as borders closed and countries went into lockdown, fiji sought lucrative sea food and while its tourism sector all to map the way forward, pacific island leaders met face to face for the first time in almost

three years in the capital of fiji tackled a regional approach to climate change, post—pandemic economic recovery and as china expands its influence in the region, leaders will have to decide who will future of the welcome to surrounded by sea, it is no surprise that i have been talking to some fishing communities to find out the issues they are facing.

0n the journey to the island of bau, there's a very real sense that time is standing still. it's located a short boat ride just 10 minutes east of fiji's biggest island. bau's rich history is deeply intertwined with fiji's own today. it's still a sanctuary in the middle of the pacific ocean tradition steeped into a very simple way of life. and here visitors are rarely allowed. and for hundreds of years, fishing and some subsistence farming have been the main ways and means of life. but increasingly, villagers have had to go to the mainland, as they call it, forjobs. and while the people of bau remain custodians of the past, the community here is running out of ways to secure its future and adapt to an ocean that is rising

fast and furiously. efforts have been made to protect the island from extreme weather events like a seawall. this local fisherman tells me they are no longer working. i grew up here. the village chief day that fish and other sea life used to be plentiful around the island. today, they are scarcer than ever. changes in the

temperature is of the ocean and careless tourism are killing coral reefs. commercial overfishing is compounding the problem, with licences to fish june compounding the problem, with licences to fishjune are being sold to japan, south korea and south china more than ever before. —— tuna. policing and regulating these waters is a major challenge. establishing an effective system to share the ocean �*s catch is another. the pacific supplies more than half of the world's tuner and fish stocks are considered healthy, for now. but smaller local fisheries have are considered healthy, for now. but smaller localfisheries have had a lot to contend with. smaller local fisheries have had a lot to contend with.— smaller local fisheries have had a lot to contend with. april 2020, we had to cease _ lot to contend with. april 2020, we had to cease operation. _ lot to contend with. april 2020, we had to cease operation. we - lot to contend with. april 2020, we had to cease operation. we lost - had to cease operation. we lost close to 50 employees. there were other challenges like the increase in fuel and the ukraine war is not helping at all. we thought we were

out on the pandemic, and now this. fishing has always been a major part of the economy of the pacific islands and it is the natural resource to be exported from the region. but labour and fuel costs are rising and so it is becoming more difficult for this to continue being profitable. the big question for businesses here is how to keep making those profits, and how to move up the value chain. businesses and authorities alike agree that needs investment. the and authorities alike agree that needs investment.— needs investment. the pacific islands should _ needs investment. the pacific islands should process - needs investment. the pacific islands should process their i needs investment. the pacific i islands should process their own resources. that would give the maximum benefit and return to the people. not only in dollar revenue, but also in employment opportunities. i have been one for the instigators of asking the small countries that they could work with

the bigger countries like fiji, which has a good superstructure, the resource of water, that we can work together to build factories that can benefit because it is bigger than allowing other countries just to fish and process their own bodies. —— produce. getting more value from a smaller ocean catch is key for islanders to deal with climate change. changing sea currents are redistributing tuna stocks around the region and there is more appetite than ever amongst foreign interest for a slice of the pie. pacific nations call themselves a family, tied together by a shared culture and way of life. if they are to have a fighting chance in the future, they will need to stand as one, now more than ever before. i have been told the man steering the

future of fiji is the attorney general. he is minister of the economy as well, and so oversees climate change. but he is also minister for public service, communications, and housing and community development. he works here in this building. let's find out what he has to say. what would you say is the single biggest threat to fiji and the region today? i biggest threat to fi'i and the region today?_ biggest threat to fi'i and the reuion toda ? ., . ., region today? i would say climate chance. region today? i would say climate change- rising — region today? i would say climate change. rising sea _ region today? i would say climate change. rising sea levels - region today? i would say climate change. rising sea levels has - region today? i would say climate change. rising sea levels has a i region today? i would say climate i change. rising sea levels has a huge impact. 65% of the population lives within 65 kilometres of the shoreline. but for some islands it is 12 feet, the highest point above sea level. it is a threat to many in low—lying countries. there is a lot of emphasis on mitigation, particularly through the paris agreement. the inability to invest in mitigation, that will eventually lead to loss and damage. it is

irretrievable. _ lead to loss and damage. it is irretrievable. and _ lead to loss and damage. it is irretrievable. and how do you feel about continuing to take aid and investment from countries that are such big polluters? the us, china, australia. fiji such big polluters? the us, china, australia. , , _, australia. fi'i is still committed to these australia. fiji is still committed to these targets, _ australia. fiji is still committed to these targets, still _ australia. fiji is still committed l to these targets, still committed australia. fiji is still committed - to these targets, still committed to having marine protected areas within 30 or 40% of our ocean space. hopefully they will learn from the fact we are taking the moral high ground. if we can do that, they can do that also. and a lot of it depends on the political will of those countries. we have seen huge change in the australian analysis of climate change now, with a change of government. the dynamics are very different. i5 government. the dynamics are very different. , ., ., ., , different. is china gradually increasing _ different. is china gradually increasing its _ different. is china gradually increasing its presence - different. is china gradually increasing its presence in i different. is china gradually. increasing its presence in the pacific area? you should ask them that. ~ ., ., ,,

pacific area? you should ask them that. ~ ., ., , ., pacific area? you should ask them that. . ., ., i. pacific area? you should ask them that. ~ ., ., that. what do you think? look, as far as fi'i that. what do you think? look, as far as fiji is _ that. what do you think? look, as far as fiji is concerned, _ that. what do you think? look, as far as fiji is concerned, we - that. what do you think? look, as far as fiji is concerned, we have i far as fiji is concerned, we have had good relationships with everybody. so i don't necessarily see that is something that is increasing or decreasing. but there had been a — increasing or decreasing. but there had been a push _ increasing or decreasing. but there had been a push from _ increasing or decreasing. but there had been a push from china - increasing or decreasing. but there had been a push from china in - increasing or decreasing. but there had been a push from china in the| had been a push from china in the pacific region in the last few months, right?— pacific region in the last few months, riht? ~ , ., ., months, right? and so has australia. we deal with — months, right? and so has australia. we deal with each _ months, right? and so has australia. we deal with each individual- months, right? and so has australia. we deal with each individual countryl we deal with each individual country on each matter. if you ask whether we are borrowing from money, the last time was in 2012. our debt to china is being reduced. 0ur largest debt is to the world bank and the japanese. you know, it's not like this image that is being portrayed, like some of the older countries in the pacific being beholden to chinese debt. we are not. we pick and choose what we want, and it is the right of a sovereign state to do so. ., .,

the right of a sovereign state to do so. ., ., ., , ., the right of a sovereign state to do so. ., ., ., ~ , ., so. you are also minister for the economy- _ so. you are also minister for the economy- the — so. you are also minister for the economy. the pandemic- so. you are also minister for the economy. the pandemic has - so. you are also minister for the | economy. the pandemic has been so. you are also minister for the - economy. the pandemic has been bad for fiji. economy. the pandemic has been bad for fi'i. ~ ., .,, economy. the pandemic has been bad for fi'i. ~ ., ., ~ for fiji. what impact has it had? a devastating _ for fiji. what impact has it had? a devastating impact, _ for fiji. what impact has it had? a devastating impact, in _ for fiji. what impact has it had? a devastating impact, in respect- for fiji. what impact has it had? a devastating impact, in respect of. devastating impact, in respect of our economy. a huge contraction of about 70.2% in 2020. last year was about 70.2% in 2020. last year was about 4.5%. it decimated our tourism sector. 40% of our gdp is dependent on the tourism sector, so it has implications for other industries, too. there are people who live off the tourism sector. even before the pandemic, we were diversifying our economy. we have a growing sector, we have liberalised the economy and we have liberalised the economy and we now, like most other pacific countries are facing the issue of inflation. it does have an impact on peoples ability and access to disposable income, and we are concerned about issues, like we must ensure people receive the same level of nutrition and make sure that our young people have that same level of

nutrition. we need partners who understand about the impacts of climate change on us, but also in terms of liberalising the economy and seeing us as a viable destination. fiji is the industrial hub for the entire region. broadband cables run from here to all of the surrounding islands. diversifying into technology and services is one way to move up the value chain, and reduce the impact of climate change on the economy. tucked away in a corner of the capital is a burgeoning ecosystem of start—ups. hello, nice to meet you. burgeoning ecosystem of start-ups. hello, nice to meet you.— hello, nice to meet you. truman bradley is _ hello, nice to meet you. truman bradley is heavily _ hello, nice to meet you. truman bradley is heavily involved. - hello, nice to meet you. truman bradley is heavily involved. he i bradley is heavily involved. he calls himself a serial entrepreneur, running seven countries ranging from furniture to technology.— furniture to technology. everyone wants to be _ furniture to technology. everyone wants to be involved _ furniture to technology. everyone wants to be involved in _ furniture to technology. everyone wants to be involved in fiji. - furniture to technology. everyone wants to be involved in fiji. he i wants to be involved in fi'i. he used to wants to be involved in fiji. he used to head up the foreign investment office in fiji. for him,

the pacific is the perfect place to grow the businesses of tomorrow. indie grow the businesses of tomorrow. we have grow the businesses of tomorrow. - have access to north america, access to asia, access to australia and new zealand. looking at that in a mindset, you know, we have a university here that is creating graduates but they are not finding where they fit, so then they all leave. why can't we work with those graduates and then enable them to build applications and opportunities for our products. the build applications and opportunities for our products.— for our products. the location of fi'i and for our products. the location of fiji and its _ for our products. the location of fiji and its young, _ for our products. the location of fiji and its young, educated - fiji and its young, educated workforce i making it attractive for investment. fiji workforce i making it attractive for investment-— investment. fi'i is benefiting from the attention — investment. fiji is benefiting from the attention coming _ investment. fiji is benefiting from the attention coming into - investment. fiji is benefiting from the attention coming into the - the attention coming into the region. it is uniquely placed within the pacific. geographically, it happens to be the centre of many of the pacific islands. fiji also benefits from relatively developed infrastructure. fiji benefits from relatively developed infrastructure.— infrastructure. fi'i is also home to the premier— infrastructure. fiji is also home to the premier university _ infrastructure. fiji is also home to the premier university in - infrastructure. fiji is also home to the premier university in the - the premier university in the region. top students come from all over the pacific to study here. but they often leave for more developed

markets like australia and new zealand, in search of betterjob opportunities. businesses here are starting to recognise that potential. starting to recognise that potential-— starting to recognise that notential. ~ ~ ., , ., potential. we think fi'i has an advantage * potential. we think fi'i has an advantage when _ potential. we think fi'i has an advantage when it _ potential. we think fiji has an advantage when it comes - potential. we think fiji has an advantage when it comes to l potential. we think fiji has an l advantage when it comes to the potential. we think fiji has an - advantage when it comes to the bpo sector because it has got a really well educated, young, work force. it has also got excellent internet connectivity. has also got excellent internet connectivity-— has also got excellent internet connectivity. bpo, or business nrocess connectivity. bpo, or business process outsourcing, - connectivity. bpo, or business process outsourcing, where i connectivity. bpo, or business - process outsourcing, where companies outsource some operations, like call centres. they have started to take off here. as in india and the philippines, they are proving to be a stepping stone to the evolution of a stepping stone to the evolution of a wider technology sector. cloud technology provider is one such company. i technology provider is one such com nan . ~' , company. i think the time is absolutely _ company. i think the time is absolutely right _ company. i think the time is absolutely right for - company. i think the time is absolutely right for local - company. i think the time is - absolutely right for local companies to be at— absolutely right for local companies to be at the forefront and actually realise _ to be at the forefront and actually realise what applied technology can do for _ realise what applied technology can do for such causes. as an example, climate _ do for such causes. as an example, climate change. you look at the

modelling of variations in temperature and sea level rises and greenhouse emissions, we are at the front foot _ greenhouse emissions, we are at the front foot -- — greenhouse emissions, we are at the front foot —— that we are at the forefront — front foot —— that we are at the forefront of _ front foot —— that we are at the forefront of all of those things. it forefront of all of those things. it is a forefront of all of those things. is a race. forefront of all of those things. it is a race. the future of fiji and the pacific islands will depend on whether they can find innovative ways to diversify their economies, and thrive in spite of the threat of climate change. and whether they can build a future which gives the young population a reason to stay. well, the future of those adorable children may lie in how well pacific island nations cooperate on key issues in the future. that was the central theme at this year �*s pacific islands forum back injuly. the first time regional leaders were meeting face—to—face since the pandemic began. but even before the meetings got under way we saw cracks in that. one micronesian island spit from the gathering and moved many

who may have been motivated by china's influence. china has been active in the pacific for decades. interestingly, us vice president pamela harris make a virtual appearance during the conference this year to signal what new zealand saysis this year to signal what new zealand says is a re—engagement by the united states in the pacific. so, what does this renewed focus by not only the us and china, but also pacific players new zealand and australia mean for the pacific islands? joining me for more is a fijian member of parliament, and anna coles, senior lecturer at the university of new zealand in wellington. to get started, just two months before the key pacific islands forum china signed a security pact with the solomon islands. what signals does that send to you is to mark well, certainly the security deal signed with solomon islands in april

this year did demonstrate a growing interest by china to act as it is self stated, as a security stakeholder in the region, in the pacific. ., ., , , pacific. that was the first time we heard that language _ pacific. that was the first time we heard that language from - pacific. that was the first time we heard that language from china i pacific. that was the first time we - heard that language from china about its security interests in the pacific. and then, of course, following the security deal, china sought to have the ten pacific island countries that recognise china sign up to very broad sweeping economic trade and security pact. now that was rejected by the pacific island countries that it was seeking to sign those deals with, but it did indicate a shift by china from its traditional bilateral approach in the region to a wider multilateral approach. but the region to a wider multilateral a- roach. �* , the region to a wider multilateral annroach. �* , ., , the region to a wider multilateral a- roach. �* , ., , ., approach. but it is not 'ust china, is it? iias — approach. but it is not 'ust china, is it? has there h approach. but it is not 'ust china, is it? has there been _ approach. but it is notjust china, is it? has there been change - approach. but it is notjust china, is it? has there been change in i is it? has there been change in approach on the us side, or are they

only there because china is there? i would argue it's a mix of the two. a genuine desire to re—engage, but also concerns about chinese influence. i also concerns about chinese influence-— influence. i think it is their reaction — influence. i think it is their reaction to _ influence. i think it is their reaction to china _ influence. i think it is their reaction to china 's - influence. i think it is their - reaction to china 's movement into the pacific. — reaction to china 's movement into the pacific, deep into the pacific. you know. — the pacific, deep into the pacific. you know. i_ the pacific, deep into the pacific. you know, i maybe want to cut to the chase _ you know, i maybe want to cut to the chase there — you know, i maybe want to cut to the chase. there is so much alarm from the us, _ chase. there is so much alarm from the us, australia and new zealand about— the us, australia and new zealand about china 's movement into the us, it would _ about china 's movement into the us, it would be _ about china 's movement into the us, it would be great if we had these three _ it would be great if we had these three countries who would look up to, you _ three countries who would look up to, you know, as the developed democracies, to help us in the pacific— democracies, to help us in the pacific to — democracies, to help us in the pacific to strengthen our own institutions. i think, pacific to strengthen our own institutions. ithink, if pacific to strengthen our own institutions. i think, if at the us and australia and new zealand want to help _ and australia and new zealand want to help the pacific, or don't want to help the pacific, or don't want to drive — to help the pacific, or don't want to drive us— to help the pacific, or don't want to drive us further into the arms of china, _ to drive us further into the arms of china, please help us strengthen our democratic— china, please help us strengthen our democratic governments and institutions.— democratic governments and institutions. ., ., ~' democratic governments and

institutions. ., ., ~ ., institutions. what would you like to see from traditional _ institutions. what would you like to see from traditional partners - institutions. what would you like to see from traditional partners like i see from traditional partners like new zealand and australia in the pacific? ., , ., , pacific? china tends to build the infrastructure _ pacific? china tends to build the infrastructure from _ pacific? china tends to build the infrastructure from australia - pacific? china tends to build the | infrastructure from australia and new zealand and we have seen in fiji that they— new zealand and we have seen in fiji that they tend to do a lot of great work— that they tend to do a lot of great work in _ that they tend to do a lot of great work in capacity building because they are — work in capacity building because they are trying to build up our capacity _ they are trying to build up our capacity. but when the government is in need. _ capacity. but when the government is in need, when the people are in need of bridges _ in need, when the people are in need of bridges and dwarfs and roads and so forth, _ of bridges and dwarfs and roads and so forth, it — of bridges and dwarfs and roads and so forth, it is probably the most tangible — so forth, it is probably the most tangible form of help from our developing partners —— wharfs. you know _ developing partners —— wharfs. you know, talking to the normal person during _ know, talking to the normal person during white walkabouts, there are some _ during white walkabouts, there are some people who are genuinely mistrustful of china. —— my walkabouts. some people favour

working — walkabouts. some people favour working with australia and new zealand — working with australia and new zealand more, but at the same time there _ zealand more, but at the same time there is— zealand more, but at the same time there is this — zealand more, but at the same time there is this element of not telling there is this element of not telling the people what you are planning to do with— the people what you are planning to do with china. we don't want that kind of— do with china. we don't want that kind of surprise that the solomon islands _ kind of surprise that the solomon islands government gave us before. so i islands government gave us before. so i think— islands government gave us before. so i think we really need a much higher— so i think we really need a much higher level of transparency from our own— higher level of transparency from our own governments about what they are planning to sign with our overseas _ are planning to sign with our overseas partners.— are planning to sign with our overseas partners. are planning to sign with our overseas nartners. , ., , ., overseas partners. there is a strong sense that this _ overseas partners. there is a strong sense that this is _ overseas partners. there is a strong sense that this is not _ overseas partners. there is a strong sense that this is not about - sense that this is not about outbidding and add competing china. china has deeper pockets and can afford the much larger big ticket items that are new zealand and australia can't necessarily. but there has also been a long concern for partners in the pacific to work together better, to work together collaboratively so that the kind of

gaps and challenges that arise when you have competing interests and agendas in the region, that those gaps are closed, or at least reduced. 50 gaps are closed, or at least reduced-— gaps are closed, or at least reduced. ., ., ., ., ., , reduced. so i have to ask, what has been so negative _ reduced. so i have to ask, what has been so negative about _ reduced. so i have to ask, what has been so negative about china - reduced. so i have to ask, what has been so negative about china 's - been so negative about china �*s increasing influence in the region? why does it matter who invests in the pacific?— the pacific? china plays by a different set _ the pacific? china plays by a different set of _ the pacific? china plays by a different set of rules. - the pacific? china plays by a i different set of rules. different rules _ different set of rules. different rules to — different set of rules. different rules to our other partners of the us, australia and new zealand. so this is— us, australia and new zealand. so this is where the worry is. it is not so — this is where the worry is. it is not so much _ this is where the worry is. it is not so much any negative aspect of what they— not so much any negative aspect of what they are bringing into the country— what they are bringing into the country in _ what they are bringing into the country in terms of roads and bridges — country in terms of roads and bridges and so forth, but it is because _ bridges and so forth, but it is because they are a different animal altogether. because china is not a democracy, — altogether. because china is not a democracy, they like to work with countries — democracy, they like to work with countries that perhaps don't have a hi-h countries that perhaps don't have a high level— countries that perhaps don't have a high level of good governance, or a hi-h high level of good governance, or a high level— high level of good governance, or a high level of good governance, or a high level of transparency in their own country. |

high level of transparency in their own country-— high level of transparency in their own country. i think it matters how countries invest _ own country. i think it matters how countries invest in _ own country. i think it matters how countries invest in the _ own country. i think it matters how countries invest in the region. - countries invest in the region. there are concerns that there are elements of the way in which china engages that undermines democracies and undermines civil society and the media. and that this is not necessarily unpopular with some governments in the pacific. iotgfe necessarily unpopular with some governments in the pacific. we have already seen — governments in the pacific. we have already seen that _ governments in the pacific. we have already seen that china _ governments in the pacific. we have already seen that china is _ governments in the pacific. we have already seen that china is a - governments in the pacific. we have already seen that china is a very - already seen that china is a very divisive issue, we have talked about it a lot. is the unity of the region under threat?— it a lot. is the unity of the region under threat? there are enormous efforts to strengthen _ under threat? there are enormous efforts to strengthen the _ under threat? there are enormous efforts to strengthen the region. i efforts to strengthen the region. the recently adopted 2050 strategy for the blue pacific continent is effectively a road map for shoring up effectively a road map for shoring up regionalism in the face of growing pressures and growing disruptive engagement by partners and strategic competition. so regionalism, and this is where it is fundamentally important that partners, such as the uk and us and

others, when they engage in the region, it is very much about remembering foreign centrality. we need to think about forum centrality. and making sure that the region serves as a buffer to these threats and challenges, and forms of disruptive diplomacy that we sometimes see in the pacific. fiji sometimes see in the pacific. fi'i sees sometimes see in the pacific. fi'i itsetf — sometimes see in the pacific. fiji sees itself as a leader in the pacific. do you think that is under threat in the region?— pacific. do you think that is under threat in the region? when we say we see ourselves — threat in the region? when we say we see ourselves as _ threat in the region? when we say we see ourselves as a _ threat in the region? when we say we see ourselves as a leader _ threat in the region? when we say we see ourselves as a leader in _ threat in the region? when we say we see ourselves as a leader in the - see ourselves as a leader in the pacific. — see ourselves as a leader in the pacific. i— see ourselves as a leader in the pacific, i talk about climate change _ pacific, i talk about climate change. at home, a hell of a lot more _ change. at home, a hell of a lot more needs to be done when it comes to climate _ more needs to be done when it comes to climate change when it comes to looking _ to climate change when it comes to looking after our environment, and internally — looking after our environment, and internally. can we really look after our environment when we act as climate — our environment when we act as climate champions to the rest of the world? _ climate champions to the rest of the world? , ., ., ., ,., climate champions to the rest of the world? , ., ., ., ., world? the us and china are some of the bit test world? the us and china are some of the biggest polluters _ world? the us and china are some of the biggest polluters in _ world? the us and china are some of the biggest polluters in the _ world? the us and china are some of the biggest polluters in the world. i

the biggest polluters in the world. do you think they have done their part in arresting the effects of climate change? fla. part in arresting the effects of climate change?— part in arresting the effects of climate chante? ., a ., ., ~' climate change? no. we look right around the world, _ climate change? no. we look right around the world, i'm _ climate change? no. we look right around the world, i'm in _ climate change? no. we look right around the world, i'm in australia | around the world, i'm in australia until— around the world, i'm in australia until recently, you know, it has been _ until recently, you know, it has been one — until recently, you know, it has been one of the countries that has been _ been one of the countries that has been accused of being a biggest polluter— been accused of being a biggest polluter per head of population. so no, i_ polluter per head of population. so no, i don't — polluter per head of population. so no, i don't believe they have done enough. _ no, i don't believe they have done enough, and i believe that again, the interest in the pacific is because _ the interest in the pacific is because of national resources, it is the cover— because of national resources, it is the cover -- — because of national resources, it is the cover -- it— because of national resources, it is the cover —— it is because of so many— the cover —— it is because of so many other— the cover —— it is because of so many other reasons. to answer your question, — many other reasons. to answer your question, no, — many other reasons. to answer your question, no, idon't many other reasons. to answer your question, no, i don't believe so. i question, no, i don't believe so. completely question, no, i don't believe so. i completely agree. there's far more that needs to be done, and commitment need to be followed through with it, and there needs to be consistency of engagement without a doubt. the be consistency of engagement without a doubt. , ., . ., a doubt. the us, france, china, new zealand, australia, _ a doubt. the us, france, china, new zealand, australia, what _ a doubt. the us, france, china, new zealand, australia, what can - a doubt. the us, france, china, new zealand, australia, what can they - a doubt. the us, france, china, new zealand, australia, what can they do| zealand, australia, what can they do to provide meaningful change on the

climate emergency facing the region? we need to strengthen our institutions. we need to strengthen the role _ institutions. we need to strengthen the role of— institutions. we need to strengthen the role of the media. we need to make _ the role of the media. we need to make sure — the role of the media. we need to make sure that we counter corruption, human rights abuses. we need to— corruption, human rights abuses. we need to increase media freedom and freedom _ need to increase media freedom and freedom of— need to increase media freedom and freedom of speech in our countries. ithink— freedom of speech in our countries. i think that — freedom of speech in our countries. i think that is where the us, australia _ i think that is where the us, australia and new zealand can play a greater— australia and new zealand can play a greater role. you know, before we can even— greater role. you know, before we can even start to talk about climate change _ can even start to talk about climate change if _ can even start to talk about climate change. if our media is self censoring, if people are self censoring, if people are self censoring, then how do we meet these bil censoring, then how do we meet these big challenges head—on with our own government and our own leadership? and if— government and our own leadership? and if there _ government and our own leadership? and if there is no transparency, you known _ and if there is no transparency, you know. if— and if there is no transparency, you know. if we — and if there is no transparency, you know, if we say there is not enough transparency from government when it comes— transparency from government when it comes to _ transparency from government when it comes to the way you deal with china, — comes to the way you deal with china, when it comes to the way you deal with— china, when it comes to the way you deal with indonesia, for example, then this — deal with indonesia, for example, then this is — deal with indonesia, for example, then this is where i think australia and new_ then this is where i think australia and new zealand and the us and uk, and new zealand and the us and uk, and other— and new zealand and the us and uk, and other western partners, can play

and other western partners, can play a bigger— and other western partners, can play a bigger role, strengthening the institutions.— a bigger role, strengthening the institutions. ., ,, . institutions. thank you both so much for “oinint institutions. thank you both so much forjoining us— institutions. thank you both so much forjoining us today. _ institutions. thank you both so much forjoining us today. that's _ institutions. thank you both so much forjoining us today. that's it - institutions. thank you both so much forjoining us today. that's it for - forjoining us today. that's it for this special edition of talking cam agribusiness asia on fiji �*s future in the road map for the pacific. —— talking business. hello there. still some warmth out there and overall the weather picture is looking rather more autumnal for the rest of this weekend and into next week, with the cloud of thick enough to produce some thundery downpours in places. this is the rainfall picture from earlier today, and this is where we have seen the bulk of the rain so far across western parts. elsewhere there have been a few heavy showers as well. it is all

down to an area of low pressure to the south—west of us. it will stay here for several days now, spinning up here for several days now, spinning up bands of rain and pushing north eastwards, but also some heavy and thundery showers, with quite breezy conditions. where we have seen the heaviest rain across western areas, notice how it will begin to become more patchy for a time before popping up later in the night. we will feed outbreaks of rain further north through scotland. the further north through scotland. the further north you are, you have had a largely fine day. central and eastern parts had some heavy showers but they will fade away and it will be quite warm overnight. quite muggy. many central and eastern areas. the day dry, but for eastern scotland we start with heavy rain and may be some disruption from that, as there may be early on in northern ireland before the rain clears way. it does turn drier and brighterfor the clears way. it does turn drier and brighter for the afternoon. for wales in the west some showery rain that will push towards the midlands and other parts of northern england, but the east will state mainly dry

with further warm and sunny spells and temperature is in the mid 20s. wendy through the irish sea early on. latertoward wendy through the irish sea early on. later toward south—west england and south wales, some of the rain will start to pep up once again as it moves its way further north. another area, another look at this area of low pressure going into monday, notice the position has not changed and again we will continue to see areas of rain or showers feeding through early on across parts of scotland, for example. heavy and possibly thundery showers will pop up elsewhere. quite windy towards the south—west. later on monday we could see heavy bursts of rain moving back in. notice how temperatures are above average for the time of year. still hitting 22 celsius, for example, in glasgow. much of the rest of the week ahead is looking distinctly unsettled. showery and wet at times, windy occasionally, and it will turn a little cooler.

this is bbc news. i'm luxmy gopal and these are the headlines... (00v)moscow blames maintenance problems for failing to resume moscow blames maintenance problems for failing to resume the main pipeline that transports gas from russia to europe after a three day closure. (sot) it is going to be harder to fill up gas storage, it will raise the risks of storage this winter and it makes a dilemma for politicians as they... more than half of manufacturers in the uk say they may have to cut production or close down completely because of rocketing energy bills. nasa are expcted to call off off their second attempt to launch its most powerful rocket, artemis i to the moon — five days after technical problems scuppered the first. these are live pictures from cape canaveral ahead of take off, which is hoped to be in the next three to five hours.