AGP Executive Report

Pacific Climate Finance: Pre-COP31 talks in Fiji are urging stronger access to climate funding and recognition of the ocean’s economic importance, including risks to tuna stocks and island livelihoods. Niue’s Blue Economy: Niue Ocean Wide is a finalist for the 2026 Earthshot Prize. Its work supports protection of more than 300,000 square kilometres of marine territory, including an area covering about 40% of Niue’s waters, while linking conservation with sustainable livelihoods and local income.

Niue Ocean Finance & Jobs: Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust has been named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize 2026 in the Revive Our Oceans category, backing ocean protection across 300,000+ sq km and supporting community-led stewardship that links conservation with sustainable livelihoods and blue-economy opportunities. Pre-COP31 Climate Diplomacy: Pacific leaders are pushing for action, not more promises, as pre-COP31 meetings begin in Fiji and Tuvalu, with Fiji’s climate minister stressing the need to anchor global climate talks in Pacific realities—especially the ocean-climate link. Pacific Ocean Stewardship at COP31: SPREP highlights how climate change is threatening coral reefs, sea levels, extreme weather and tuna migration—while pointing to COP31 Pacific partnership pillars including climate finance access and stronger Pacific leadership. Australia–Pacific Talks Cost Pressure: Only two non-Pacific leaders are attending the pre-COP in Fiji, as Australia defends the over-$20m cost and frames the meeting as a key diplomatic push for regional security and climate focus. Bezos Earth Fund Ocean Grants: The Bezos Earth Fund is adding $25m for Pacific ocean conservation across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting its Pacific total to $63.3m and aiming to protect at least 30% of regional waters by 2030. Fiji Airways Connectivity Boost: Fiji Airways plans more seats from 2027, including new Western Sydney flights and increased services to Hong Kong, Christchurch, Singapore and Tokyo—aimed at strengthening tourism and business links through Nadi.

Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Earthshot Bid: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize 2026 in the Revive Our Oceans category, backing protection of over 300,000 sq km of marine territory and using ocean finance to help communities manage resources and build sustainable livelihoods. Pre-COP31 Climate Diplomacy: Pacific leaders are pushing for action at pre-COP31 talks in Fiji and Tuvalu, with Fiji’s climate minister stressing the region must be at the centre of global decisions and that oceans and climate links should be recognised ahead of COP31. Bezos Earth Fund Ocean Grants: The Bezos Earth Fund is adding more than $25m to Pacific ocean conservation across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to support protection of at least 30% of regional waters by 2030. Pacific Honours in NZ: Seven Pacific community leaders, athletes, educators and advocates have received national honours at investiture ceremonies in Auckland, including Niue-linked fashion pioneer Talaleomalie Mena Loheni recognised for services to Pacific fashion. Aviation & Connectivity: Fiji Airways plans extra 2027 seats, including new Western Sydney flights and more services to key markets, citing the role of connectivity in tourism and business.

Niue Ocean conservation: The Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust has been named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize 2026 in the Revive Our Oceans category, highlighting Niue’s community-led model for protecting and sustainably managing more than 300,000 sq km of marine territory, including the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area. Pacific climate diplomacy: Pre-COP31 talks in Fiji are underway with Pacific leaders pushing for action, not more promises, and warning the region’s climate crisis can’t be sidelined as major world leaders’ attendance is questioned. Pre-COP funding and focus: Australia’s Climate Minister Chris Bowen says the pre-COP engagement is a key diplomatic push, while the Albanese government faces scrutiny over the estimated $20m+ cost. Blue-economy money from Bezos Earth Fund: Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund is adding over $25m to Pacific ocean conservation across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, bringing its Pacific total to $63.3m under a pledge aimed at protecting at least 30% of waters by 2030. Health and prevention: In New Zealand politics, Niue-born candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues health reform should start with prevention and stronger primary care, including better funding for GPs and the wider system. Regional honours: Seven Pacific community leaders, athletes, educators and advocates have formally received national honours at investiture ceremonies in Auckland.

Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Earthshot finalist: Niue’s NOW Trust has been named one of 15 Earthshot Prize 2026 finalists in the Revive Our Oceans category, highlighting its ocean protection and ocean-finance model covering 300,000+ sq km and the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area (about 40% of Niue’s EEZ). Pre-COP31 climate push in Fiji and Tuvalu: Pacific leaders are urging action, not more promises, as pre-COP meetings begin, with Fiji stressing Pacific lived experience and Indigenous knowledge in shaping COP31 outcomes. Pacific honours in New Zealand: Seven Pacific community leaders, athletes, educators and advocates have received national honours at investiture ceremonies in Auckland, including Pacific fashion pioneer Talaleomalie Mena Loheni (MNZM). Bezos Earth Fund boosts Pacific ocean conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting its Pacific ocean commitment to $63.3m and targeting 30% protection by 2030. Health and prevention focus: In New Zealand politics, Pacific candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues health reform should start with prevention and stronger primary care, including better funding models for GPs.

Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Earthshot nod: The Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize 2026 in the Revive Our Oceans category, backing community-led protection of more than 300,000 sq km of marine territory, including the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area (about 40% of Niue’s EEZ). Pacific climate push ahead of COP31: Pacific leaders are urging action, not more promises, as Pre-COP31 meetings get underway in Fiji and Tuvalu, with Fiji’s Minister Lynda Tabuya saying the region must sit at the centre of global climate decisions and that ocean-climate links should be anchored in talks. Bezos Earth Fund boosts blue conservation: Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund is adding over $25m for ocean conservation across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting its Pacific total to $63.3m under a $100m pledge aimed at protecting at least 30% of regional waters by 2030. Health and prevention focus: In New Zealand politics, Niue-born candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says health reform should start with primary care and prevention, including changes to how GPs and the wider system are funded. Pacific life expectancy gaps: New analysis highlights uneven progress across the Pacific, with Naoero falling furthest behind—dropping from among the region’s higher performers in 1960 to the lowest in 2023.

Pacific Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund has approved over $25 million in new grants for ocean conservation across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, bringing its Pacific total to $63.3 million under its “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push aimed at protecting at least 30% of regional waters by 2030. Climate Deadline Pressure: The latest spending also underlines the bigger clock: Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate work by 2030, and reports say billions remain to be allocated with only about four years left. Media & Accountability on Loss and Damage: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger government and regional agency accountability, plus more support for journalists. Health Policy Focus: In New Zealand politics, Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues health reform should start with primary care and prevention, including changes to how GPs and the wider system are funded, drawing on her Pacific community background. Life Expectancy Watch: A new analysis says average life expectancy across the Pacific rose to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress lags global peers; it flags Naoero as falling to the lowest in 2023, while some countries improved and others declined. Legal Cooperation Milestone: UNIDROIT marked its centenary activities in Seoul, with talks on implementing the Cape Town Convention and strengthening an Asia-Pacific liaison presence. Local Governance & Representation: On the Chatham Islands, candidates held the community’s first-ever election debate, highlighting how to serve a remote electorate with its own identity and priorities.

Pacific Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund has approved more than $25 million for ocean protection across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, bringing its Pacific commitment to $63.3 million under the “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push aimed at protecting at least 30% of regional waters by 2030. Health Policy & Prevention: Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says New Zealand’s health system needs a stronger prevention and primary care focus, and highlights her Pacific roots, including Niue connections, as she argues for changes to how GPs and the wider system are funded. Life Expectancy Gap in the Pacific: A new analysis shows Pacific life expectancy has risen to an average 68.8 years since 1960, but progress lags global peers, with Naoero falling furthest behind—dropping from among the highest in 1960 to the lowest in 2023. Climate Loss & Damage Transparency: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger accountability from governments and regional agencies. Legal Cooperation (UNIDROIT): UNIDROIT marked its centenary with a Seoul visit tied to the Cape Town Convention and plans for an Asia-Pacific liaison office, underscoring growing legal cooperation in the region. Local Politics (Chatham Islands): New Zealand’s remote Chatham Islands held its first election debate, spotlighting how candidates plan to serve a small community with limited services and a very different identity from mainland Aotearoa.

Pacific Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund is adding more than $25 million to ocean conservation across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting its Pacific total to $63.3 million under its “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push aimed at protecting at least 30% of waters by 2030. Climate Finance Deadline Pressure: The grants land as the fund faces a tight 2030 timeline after Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate work in 2020, with billions still to be awarded. Regional Media & Loss/Damage Accountability: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for faster, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger government and regional agency accountability. Health Policy Focus: In New Zealand politics, Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues health reform should start with primary care and prevention, including changes to how GPs and the wider system are funded. Pacific Life Expectancy Watch: A new analysis says average Pacific life expectancy has risen since 1960 but remains below global progress, with Naoero falling to the lowest in the region by 2023. Pacific Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as PINA looks ahead to a Papua New Guinea-hosted media summit in 2028.

Pacific Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund has approved over $25 million in new grants for ocean conservation across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting its Pacific total to $63.3 million under its $100 million “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” pledge, with a goal of protecting at least 30% of regional waters by 2030. Climate Loss & Damage Accountability: Pacific media leaders meeting in Savusavu adopted the “Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration,” calling for faster, transparent access to climate loss and damage information and stronger government and regional agency accountability, plus more support for Pacific journalists. Health Policy Focus: Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says New Zealand’s health system needs prevention and stronger primary care, arguing for changes to how GPs and the wider system are funded, and highlighting her Pacific roots including Niue. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), with Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as PINA’s next term looks toward PNG hosting the Pacific Media Summit in 2028. Life Expectancy Watch: A new analysis finds Pacific life expectancy gains since 1960 have been uneven, with Naoero falling to the lowest in the region by 2023, while some countries like Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have improved relative standing. Governance & Community Reality (NZ): On the Chatham Islands, candidates held the community’s first-ever election debate, underscoring how remote places with limited services shape local political priorities.

Pacific Ocean Finance: The Bezos Earth Fund has added over $25 million to ocean conservation grants across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, bringing its Pacific total to $63.3 million under the $100 million “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push, with a goal to protect 30% of waters by 2030. Climate & Health Policy: In New Zealand politics, Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues health reform should start with primary care and prevention, citing her Pacific community roots including Niue. Climate Accountability for Media: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger support for journalists. Regional Development Watch: A new analysis says Pacific life expectancy has risen to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress is uneven—Naoero is flagged as falling furthest behind. Regional Leadership: Neville Choi (PNG) was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Lisa Osifelo as vice president. Governance & Resilience at UNGA: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress sea-level rise as a present reality and to push for climate finance at the scale needed. Local Politics (NZ): On the Chatham Islands, Wellington Bays candidates faced a first-ever election debate in a community that doesn’t see itself as Aotearoa.

UNIDROIT & Justice Cooperation: UNIDROIT marked its centenary with a Seoul visit by Secretary-General Ignacio Tirado, meeting Korean officials on the Cape Town Convention and plans for a new UNIDROIT Asia-Pacific liaison office. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m+ in new grants to protect and sustainably manage Pacific waters across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting total Pacific awards to $63.3m under its “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” pledge. Climate Loss & Damage Accountability: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger support for journalists. Pacific Health & Living Standards: New research highlights uneven life expectancy gains across the Pacific, with Naoero falling furthest behind and now at the lowest point in the region. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as PINA looks toward a PNG-focused next term. UNGA Climate Warnings: Tuvalu and Solomon Islands leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress sea-level rise and vulnerability to shocks, urging scaled climate finance and faster SDG progress.

UNIDROIT & Legal Trade: UNIDROIT marked its Asia-Pacific push with a Seoul visit for the 20th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific, focusing on the Cape Town Convention and plans for a new UNIDROIT Liaison Office for the region. Ocean Conservation Funding: Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect and sustainably manage Pacific waters across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu—part of a $100m Pacific pledge aimed at protecting 30% of waters by 2030. Health & Prevention Politics: In New Zealand election coverage, Niue-born candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues the health system should shift toward primary care and prevention, including changes to how GPs and funding work. Life Expectancy Watch: A new Devpolicy analysis says Pacific life expectancy rose to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress lags other income groups, with Naoero falling furthest behind. Media Accountability on Climate Loss: Pacific editors adopted a Savusavu declaration calling for timely, transparent access to loss and damage information and stronger government accountability, alongside better support for journalists. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected new president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Solomon Islands journalist Lisa Osifelo as vice president.

Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund has announced $25m in new grants to protect and sustainably manage marine areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu—covering 625,000+ square miles—with the wider Pacific pledge now at $63.3m toward a $100m goal. Climate Accountability for Media: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for governments and regional agencies to share timely, transparent climate loss-and-damage information and answer public questions. Health Policy Focus: NZ Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says health reform should start with primary care and prevention, including how GPs and funding are structured, and she highlights Pacific representation in Parliament. Life Expectancy Gaps: New analysis shows Pacific average life expectancy rising to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress is uneven—Naoero is singled out for falling to the lowest in 2023. Regional Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi has been elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Solomon Islands journalist Lisa Osifelo as vice president. UN Climate Push: Tuvalu and Solomon Islands leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress sea-level rise, climate finance needs, and vulnerability to shocks.

Pacific Climate Grants: Jeff Bezos’ Bezos Earth Fund has approved $25m in new grants to protect 625,000+ square miles of ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, as part of its “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push to manage waters sustainably and protect at least 30% by 2030. Media Accountability: Pacific editors and newsroom leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for faster, transparent access to climate loss-and-damage information and stronger government and agency accountability. Health Policy Shift: Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says New Zealand’s health system needs prevention and better primary care funding, arguing Pacific communities are not getting the quality of care they deserve. Life Expectancy Watch: New analysis shows Pacific life expectancy rising to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress lags other income groups; Naoero is highlighted as falling furthest behind. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), with Solomon Islands’ Lisa Osifelo as vice president. UNGA Climate Warnings: Tuvalu and Solomon Islands leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress sea-level rise and vulnerability to shocks, urging scaled climate finance and faster action. India-Pacific Cooperation: India has been placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation on healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building.

Health & Policy: New Zealand Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says fixing the health system must start with primary care and prevention, including rethinking how GP funding works, and she highlights her Pacific roots (including Niue) as part of what she wants in Parliament. Life Expectancy & Development: A new Devpolicy analysis puts Pacific average life expectancy at 68.8 years (up from 52.7 in 1960) but still below middle-income progress, with Naoero singled out for a sharp slide to the lowest in the region by 2023. Climate Accountability for Media: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding governments and regional agencies provide timely, transparent climate loss and damage information and answer public questions. Regional Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as PINA looks ahead to a PNG-focused term. Pacific Finance & Conservation: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to support conservation in tropical Pacific nations and help develop marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty.