PAYA joined the Queensland Naoero Community in Brisbane to celebrate Angam Day 2026, with President Dominic de Moura McCarthy and Treasurer Jessie Penning serving as VIP judges for the children's competitions and connecting with Naoero's diplomatic representatives.

PAYA CEO Phillie Julai Marai represented PAYA at the Yumi Stap Wantaim PNG–Australia International Relations Short Course in Melbourne. Through her keynote address and participation, she highlighted the importance of youth leadership, Indigenous knowledge, community-led development and diplomacy in strengthening PNG–Australia relations. The program provided valuable opportunities to explore shared history, cultural connections, grassroots leadership and greater collaboration between young people across the Pacific.

PAYA Naoero and the Naoero Chamber of Commerce joined forces to empower young people through a Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Workshop, building practical skills, confidence and new opportunities for Naoero's next generation of leaders.

Discover the highlights of PAYA's PNG Regional Youth Summit 2026, held from 14–17 September in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Four days of youth leadership, cultural exchange, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation and community engagement brought emerging Pacific leaders together to develop practical skills and inspire positive change. From climbing Mt Tavuvur and celebrating PNG's 51st Independence Day to learning about grassroots conservation and community-led development, the Summit empowered young people to build a more sustainable future.

PAYA partnered with SERACS Foundation Inc., APNGWN and Romen Grammar School to deliver the East New Britain Book Donation Project, distributing 19 boxes of children’s books and teacher resources to eight participating schools across East New Britain Province in July 2026. The project, supported by books donated by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, helped strengthen early literacy, classroom learning and access to reading materials for young students.

PAYA welcomed H.E. Ambassador Michelle Hau’ofa, Papua New Guinea’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva, for a special webinar exploring how young Pacific leaders can take action in their communities and carry their voices onto the global stage.

PAYA celebrates the contribution of Fiolino Sinemoni Mavaetau, who served on the PAYA Board from 2023 to 2026, representing Uvea mo Futuna, Polynesia and the French Pacific. We thank Sinemoni for three years of leadership, service and commitment to young people across our region.

PAYA was honoured to be recognised at Queensland’s 2026 Celebrating Multicultural Communities Reception, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for its significant contribution to Queensland’s multicultural community. The event celebrated the strength of Queensland’s diverse communities, including Pasifika, Australian South Sea Islander, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

PAYA officially opens its first branch, PAYA Naoero, launched on the Day of the Tribes with the Government of Naoero, UNDP and Australia's High Commissioner. Registered as a local NGO and led by a dei-Naoero committee of young people, the branch connects Naoero's youth to PAYA's Pacific-wide network.

PAYA’s “Connected but Disconnected” session, held in partnership with the U.S. Embassy, brought young people together to reflect on social media use, attention, relationships and wellbeing. The session encouraged participants to examine their digital habits and explore practical ways to use technology more intentionally.

Strong partnerships are the foundation of meaningful impact. On 3 July 2026, the Pacific-Australia Youth Association (PAYA) spent the day engaging with government agencies, development partners, and members in Port Moresby, reinforcing its commitment to creating opportunities for young people across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

PAYA Chair and President Dominic de Moura McCarthy has been featured in the Lowy Institute’s The Interpreter, advocating for Cairns to be recognised as Australia’s civilian hub for engagement with Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

Relationships are built through shared values, meaningful conversations, and a commitment to creating opportunities for future generations. On 30 June 2026, PAYA was honoured to be part of the America 250 (A250) Networking Event in Brisbane, celebrating the enduring friendship between the United States, Australia, and the Pacific.

A simple act of giving can become a lifeline for someone facing an emergency, undergoing treatment, or fighting to recover. Through our blood drive, PAYA brought young people and communities together to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and inspire more people to become regular donors.

PAYA was honoured to participate in the recent Far North Queensland Talanoa and Pasifika Community Roundtable, bringing together Pacific community and faith leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Pacific communities across the region.

“Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to take part in the Australia–Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue in Cairns, held from 5–9 May 2026. I was one of 19 delegates selected from across Australia and PNG to participate in the program, which this year explored the theme of “Bilums to Boardrooms: The Business of Australia–Papua New Guinea Relations.” Across the week, discussions focused on business relationships, trade and investment, small and medium enterprises, economic development and emerging market opportunities shaping the future of the bilateral relationship.”

On Saturday 25th April, members of the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. (PAYA) in Solomon Islands came together with a shared purpose: to support communities affected by Cyclone Maila. This initiative followed a meeting held on Saturday 18 April at the HCC Youth Hub in Honiara, where members discussed how they could contribute meaningfully to ongoing relief efforts. Rather than focusing on financial donations, the group agreed on a practical, community-driven approach, collecting essential household items, food, and everyday supplies for those most impacted.

PAYA attended the Multicultural Networking Night on Wednesday 22nd April at Queensland Parliament, joining approximately 150 community members, leaders, and representatives from across South East Queensland’s multicultural sector. The event was hosted by the Queensland Government and provided an opportunity for connection and engagement among community and organisational representatives.

PAYA was honoured to participate in the 2025 Elections Lessons Learnt and Reform Planning Workshop, held in Nadi, Fiji, from 13–21 April 2026. The workshop brought together representatives from the Nauru Electoral Commission (NEC), the Fijian Elections Office (FEO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and regional electoral experts to reflect on the administration of the 2025 General Election and identify practical reforms for future electoral processes.

On 27 December 2025, young people from across Ollei, Ngarchelong came together for the BHA Learning Cookout, an initiative delivered by Amber Holly Osima and supported by the Pacific-Australia Youth Association (PAYA). The event marked PAYA’s first supported activity in Palau and brought together over 45 participants aged 17 and under.