AGP Executive Report

Pre-COP31 Climate Diplomacy: Australia, Fiji and Tuvalu kick off pre-COP31 talks in Fiji, with pressure on leaders to justify a reported $20m+ cost and keep the Pacific’s climate priorities front and centre ahead of COP31. Pacific Climate-Health Message: University of Auckland’s Sir Collin Tukuitonga argues the world should look to Pacific solutions, linking climate action with health co-benefits and deeper regional collaboration. Pacific Weather Services Funding: Across the Pacific, meteorological services are pushing locally run forecasting and warning systems, but face a funding gap as the region plans a decade-long overhaul. Niue Ocean Conservation Recognition: The Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust has been named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize 2026 in Revive Our Oceans, backing community-led stewardship across 300,000+ sq km of marine territory, including the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area. Bezos Earth Fund Ocean Push: The Bezos Earth Fund is adding $25m to Pacific ocean conservation across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting its Pacific total to $63.3m and aiming for 30% protection by 2030.

Pre-COP31 Climate Diplomacy: Only two leaders from outside the Pacific are attending the pre-COP meeting in Fiji this week, as Australia’s Chris Bowen calls it a crucial chance to keep the region’s climate threat front and centre ahead of COP31. Pacific Push for Action: Fiji and other Pacific leaders say the world must deliver action, not more promises, with Fiji urging negotiations to better connect oceans and climate change and insisting the Pacific stays at the centre of global decisions. Pacific Climate Solutions & Health: University of Auckland’s Sir Collin Tukuitonga argues the Pacific has solutions for both climate change and health inequity, highlighting regional experience, stewardship, and community-led adaptation. Niue Ocean Protection Recognition: The Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust has been named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize 2026 in the Revive Our Oceans category, backing community-led stewardship across more than 300,000 sq km of marine territory. Pacific Weather Services Funding Gap: Across the region, Pacific meteorological services are building locally run forecasting and warning systems, but face uneven progress and a funding gap for a decade-long overhaul. Bezos Earth Fund Ocean Grants: The Bezos Earth Fund is adding $25m to Pacific ocean conservation, bringing its Pacific total to $63.3m, aiming to protect at least 30% of waters by 2030.

Earthshot Prize 2026: Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust has been named a finalist for the Revive Our Oceans category, backing protection and sustainable management of over 300,000 sq km of marine territory, including the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area (about 40% of Niue’s EEZ), with a people-led model that links ocean stewardship to livelihoods and blue-economy opportunities. Pre-COP31 Climate Push: Pacific leaders are urging “action, not more promises” as pre-COP31 talks get underway in Fiji and Tuvalu, with Fiji’s Lynda Tabuya saying the region must sit at the centre of global climate decisions and that oceans should be recognised in negotiations. Pacific Weather Funding Gap: Across the region, Pacific meteorological services are working to turn forecasts into real decisions, but face a funding gap as they plan a decade-long overhaul to strengthen locally run forecasting and warnings. 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, bringing its Pacific total to $63.3m under the “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push to protect at least 30% of waters by 2030.

Pacific Forecasting Capacity: Pacific Meteorological Council reports show uneven progress, but a clear push toward locally run weather and climate services—FSM is producing state climate outlooks and EAR Watch products, has Tsunami Ready recognition, and is working on more automatic weather stations and alert/communications training. Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund has added $25 million to Pacific Ocean conservation across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, bringing its Pacific total to $63.3 million under “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity,” with a goal of protecting at least 30% of marine waters by 2030. Climate Loss & Damage Media Access: 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 to help communities understand biodiversity loss and pollution and hold decision-makers to account. Pacific Ocean Research Voyage: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean research voyage on the RV Investigator, collecting ocean and atmosphere data from Fiji toward Antarctica to track how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how that affects marine ecosystems. Health & Pacific Representation (Niue connection): Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues New Zealand’s health system should focus more on prevention and primary care, drawing on her Pacific background that includes Niue family roots.

Pacific Forecasting Funding Gap: Pacific weather services are pushing beyond forecasts—building stations, skills, and local warning channels—but uneven progress and a looming funding gap threaten how well communities can act on drought, storms, and tsunami risk. Ocean Conservation Grants: The Bezos Earth Fund has added $25 million for Pacific Ocean conservation across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Vanuatu, bringing its Pacific total to $63.3 million under the “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push to protect at least 30% of marine waters by 2030. Climate Justice & Media Access: 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 accountability, alongside better support for journalists. Research Voyage for a Changing Ocean: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean research voyage on the RV Investigator, gathering ocean and atmosphere data to track how climate change is reshaping marine ecosystems and what it means for Pacific protection efforts.

Pacific weather services funding gap: Pacific Island weather agencies are trying to move beyond forecasts by building stations, skills, and local warning channels, but uneven progress and a looming funding gap threaten how well alerts reach communities. Bezos Earth Fund ocean push: The Bezos Earth Fund has added $25 million for Pacific 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” goal to protect at least 30% of waters by 2030. Climate loss-and-damage media access: 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 to hold governments and agencies to account. Ocean research voyage: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean research trip from Fiji toward Antarctica to track how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how that affects marine ecosystems, with early-career Pacific researchers onboard. Tuvalu climate urgency at the UN: Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is already here and urged climate finance at the scale needed to address unavoidable impacts and growing loss and damage.

Pacific Forecasting Funding Gap: Pacific weather services are facing a funding shortfall as the region moves toward a decade-long overhaul, with the risk that communities won’t get timely, locally useful warnings. Blue Pacific Ocean Grants: The Bezos Earth Fund has added $25 million for ocean conservation across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, bringing its Pacific total to $63.3 million and aiming to protect at least 30% of marine areas by 2030. Climate Loss & Damage Media Access: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for governments and regional agencies to share timely, transparent loss-and-damage information and answer public questions. Ocean Research Voyage: CSIRO is leading a major Pacific Ocean research trip from Fiji toward Antarctica to track how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how that affects marine ecosystems. Niue Connections in Health Politics: A Niue-born Pacific candidate in New Zealand argues health system change should start with prevention—linking community wellbeing to long-term sustainability. Bikini Atoll Marine Recovery: New reporting highlights how marine life has been found thriving in Bikini Atoll’s nuclear test crater decades after the blasts, underscoring nature’s resilience and the long shadow of radiation impacts.

Pacific Weather Services: A Pacific Meteorological Council report says regional weather services are pushing beyond forecasts—building stations, skills, and local warning channels so communities can make decisions on fishing, water, drought, and evacuations, with progress uneven but direction shared. Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund is adding $25 million to Pacific 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 to protect at least 30% of waters by 2030. Climate Communication & 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 to help communities understand climate impacts and hold governments to account. Research Voyage: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean research voyage (Sept–Dec 2026) from Fiji toward Antarctica, with Pacific researchers onboard to track how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how that’s affecting marine ecosystems, with Niue included in the route. UNGA Climate Warnings: Pacific island leaders at the UN General Assembly stressed that sea-level rise and climate threats are already here, and urged climate finance at the scale needed to address unavoidable impacts and growing loss and damage.

Pacific Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced over $25 million in new grants for ocean conservation across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, supporting protection and sustainable management of more than 625,000 square miles and aiming to help countries protect at least 30% of marine areas by 2030. Climate Loss & Damage Media Access: 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 agency accountability, framed as climate justice for Pacific communities. Ocean Science Voyage: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean research voyage from late September to mid-December 2026, with Pacific researchers onboard, to track how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how that is reshaping marine ecosystems. UNGA Climate Warnings: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress that sea-level rise and climate impacts are already here, with Tuvalu urging climate finance at the scale needed to address unavoidable loss and damage. Nuclear Legacy & Marine Recovery: A look back at Bikini Atoll highlights how, decades after US nuclear testing, researchers found surprisingly thriving corals and marine life in the former blast crater.

Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25+ million in new grants to protect and sustainably manage large areas of Pacific ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu—part of its “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push to back marine protection at scale and reach at least 30% protected by 2030. Climate Loss & Damage Media Access: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger government accountability, with support for Pacific journalists on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Pacific Ocean Research Voyage: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean research voyage (Sept–Dec 2026) with Pacific partners, collecting ocean and atmosphere data from Fiji toward Antarctica, including stops through Niue, to better understand how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how marine ecosystems are responding. UNGA Climate Warnings: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress that sea-level rise and climate impacts are already here, urging climate finance at the scale needed for unavoidable impacts and growing loss and damage. Niue in the Research Route: The CSIRO voyage itinerary explicitly includes Niue, linking local waters to wider regional climate and ocean monitoring efforts. Pacific Regional Environment Reporting: SPREP’s Pacific Editors Forum wrapped with renewed commitments to amplify Pacific voices on the triple planetary crises—climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Blue Pacific Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25 million in new grants to protect and sustainably manage ocean areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu—covering 625,000+ square miles and pushing total awards to $63.3 million toward its 2030 goal of protecting at least 30% of Pacific waters. Loss and Damage Media Accountability: Pacific editors 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, framing climate impacts as climate justice. Pacific Ocean Research Voyage: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean and atmosphere science voyage from late September to mid-December, with Pacific researchers onboard, including a route that includes Niue, to track how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how marine ecosystems are changing. UNGA Climate Warnings: Pacific leaders told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is already here, urging climate finance at the scale needed for unavoidable impacts and growing loss and damage. Coastal Heat Adaptation Abroad: Barcelona highlighted climate-driven coastline and habitat pressures while investing in green coastal transformation to restore marine areas and strengthen natural coastal protection.

Blue Pacific Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect 625,000+ sq miles of ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to sustainably manage waters and protect at least 30% by 2030. Ocean & Climate Research Voyage: CSIRO will lead a Fiji-to-Antarctica research trip (Sept–Dec 2026) with Pacific partners, including Niue, to track how the ocean absorbs heat and carbon and how marine ecosystems are changing. Loss and Damage Media Push: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger support for Pacific journalists. UNGA Climate Urgency from Small Islands: Tuvalu’s PM said sea-level rise is already a reality and urged scaled climate finance; Solomon Islands highlighted how vulnerability can erase development after disasters. Niue in the Mix: The CSIRO voyage route explicitly includes Niue, tying local waters to wider regional climate and biodiversity monitoring.

Health & Prevention: Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says New Zealand’s health system should be fixed before people reach hospital, with more focus on primary care and prevention, and she links the push to Pacific community experience and representation. Climate Loss & Damage Media Access: Pacific editors 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, framed as climate justice for Pacific communities. Ocean & Marine Protection Research: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean voyage (Sept–Dec 2026) from Fiji toward Antarctica, with Pacific researchers onboard, to track how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how marine ecosystems are changing. UNGA Climate Warnings: Pacific leaders told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is already here, and urged climate finance at the scale needed to address unavoidable impacts and growing loss and damage. Conservation Funding for the Blue Pacific: Bezos Earth Fund announced new grants for tropical Pacific conservation, including support for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Biodiversity Resilience Story: A report revisits Bikini Atoll’s nuclear legacy, noting Stanford researchers found giant corals, sharks and tuna thriving decades later in the crater.

Health & Pacific representation: Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says New Zealand’s health system must shift toward primary care and prevention, drawing on her Pacific community roots (including Niue) and calling for better GP and system funding. Loss and damage media push: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding governments and regional agencies share timely, transparent climate loss and damage information and answer public questions, while backing Pacific journalists with training and resources. Ocean science for climate resilience: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean research voyage (Fiji to Antarctica) with Pacific researchers, aiming to track how the ocean absorbs heat and carbon and how marine ecosystems are changing. Climate threats at UNGA: Pacific leaders told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is already here, and urged scaled climate finance and faster action on SDG 14 “life below water.” Blue conservation funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Niue in the research route: The CSIRO voyage will travel through Niue waters as part of the broader Pacific-to-Antarctic mission.

Loss & Damage Media Push: Pacific editors and newsroom leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding governments and regional agencies share timely, transparent climate loss and damage information and answer public questions, while backing journalists with training and resources. Ocean Climate Research: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean voyage (Sept–Dec 2026) from Fiji toward Antarctica, with early-career Pacific researchers onboard to track how the ocean is absorbing heat and carbon and how that’s reshaping marine ecosystems, with Niue listed among the route stops. UNGA Climate Warnings: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress climate threats as present realities, with Tuvalu calling for climate finance at the scale needed for unavoidable impacts and Solomon Islands warning that one disaster can wipe out years of progress. Blue Pacific Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to expand tropical Pacific conservation, including support for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Pacific Media Summit Focus: The 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu highlighted reaching remote communities with reliable information and stronger digital innovation for a “Connected Blue Pacific.”

Loss & Damage Media Push: Pacific editors and newsroom 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, with climate justice framed around biodiversity loss and pollution as well as climate change. Ocean Science for Niue & neighbours: CSIRO is leading a major Pacific Ocean research voyage (Fiji to Antarctica) collecting ocean and atmosphere data, with early-career Pacific researchers onboard and the route including Niue—aimed at better understanding how the ocean absorbs heat and carbon and how marine ecosystems are changing. Conservation Funding for the Blue Pacific: Bezos Earth Fund grants total $25m in new support for tropical Pacific conservation, including work in the Cook Islands and Niue-linked region priorities, plus backing for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Pacific Climate Leadership at UNGA: Tuvalu and other leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress sea-level rise as a present reality and to demand scaled climate finance, while highlighting the vulnerability of small island states to shocks. Local Health Link: In the Cook Islands, WHO and health officials spotlight safe care for non-communicable diseases—an environment-adjacent reminder that resilience also depends on health systems.