AGP Executive Report

UN climate push: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to underline that sea-level rise is already hitting island nations, with Tuvalu’s PM calling climate change an “existential threat” and urging bigger climate finance and faster SDG progress. Ocean science for Niue: Australia’s CSIRO is set to lead a major Pacific Ocean research voyage (27 Sep–16 Dec 2026) with Pacific partners, collecting ocean and atmosphere data and docking in Fiji and New Zealand, with the route including Niue. Blue Pacific protection funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants for tropical Pacific conservation, backing marine protected area proposals across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, plus support for high-seas protection under the UN treaty. Media on loss and damage: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, stressing the media’s role in covering climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and calling to keep 1.5°C “alive and thriving.” Nuclear legacy, marine recovery: A new look at Bikini Atoll highlights how marine life has rebounded in a nuclear test crater decades after devastation, with corals and fish reported thriving.

UN Climate Push: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to underline that climate impacts are already here, with Tuvalu’s PM calling sea-level rise a “present reality” and urging climate finance as grants at the scale needed for unavoidable loss and damage. Ocean Science for the Region: CSIRO is leading a major Pacific Ocean research voyage (27 Sept–16 Dec 2026) with Pacific partners, with the RV Investigator expected to dock in Fiji and New Zealand and travel via Niue among other stops to track how the ocean and atmosphere are changing. Blue Pacific Protection Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in new grants to conserve tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, plus work toward high-seas protection under the UN High Seas Treaty. Media on Loss and Damage: Pacific editors and news leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, stressing the media’s role in amplifying Pacific voices on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Niue in the Research Route: The CSIRO voyage itinerary explicitly includes Niue, tying local attention to wider regional monitoring of ocean change. Bikini’s Nuclear Reef Comeback: A Stanford study highlights how marine life has rebounded in Bikini Atoll’s bomb crater decades after nuclear testing, offering a stark reminder of both harm and resilience in the Pacific marine environment.

Climate at UNGA: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to underline that climate change is already reshaping island futures, with Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo calling sea-level rise a “present reality” and urging climate finance as grants at the scale needed for adaptation and loss-and-damage. Ocean science for climate action: Australia’s CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean research voyage from late September to December, with Pacific researchers onboard and the route including Niue, to track how the ocean and atmosphere are changing ahead of Fiji’s pre-COP meeting. Tropical Pacific conservation funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in new grants to protect 625,000 square miles of ocean across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, including support for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Media push on loss and damage: Pacific editors and news leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, stressing the media’s role in covering climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Niue in the spotlight via research: The CSIRO voyage itinerary explicitly includes Niue, tying local attention to wider regional ocean monitoring. Regional partnerships: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with cooperation flagged across areas including renewables and capacity building.

Pacific Ocean Research: CSIRO will lead a major Pacific Ocean voyage (27 Sep–16 Dec 2026) on RV Investigator, with Pacific researchers onboard, collecting ocean and atmosphere data from Fiji through places including Niue, to support climate-change response ahead of Fiji’s pre-COP meeting. Ocean Protection Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, backing marine protected area work across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, and supporting early high-seas protection proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Niue Ocean Conservation Recognition: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for “Revive our Oceans,” promoting long-term Ocean Conservation Commitments to fund permanent protection of the Pacific. Tokelau Marine Baseline: National Geographic Pristine Seas begins an expedition in Tokelau to map nearshore reefs, offshore and deep-sea environments, feeding a future National Ocean Policy and marine spatial plan. Pacific Media on Loss & Damage: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, urging stronger coverage of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and calling to keep 1.5°C “alive.”

Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect 625,000 square miles of tropical Pacific ocean, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, plus work toward high-seas protection under the UN High Seas Treaty. Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in “Revive our Oceans” for Ocean Conservation Commitments—aimed at long-term, permanent funding for Pacific ocean protection. Earthshot Prize (Global): Prince William’s 2026 Earthshot finalists were announced, with Niue and Barcelona both recognized for tackling long-term ocean financing and climate-resilient coastlines. Climate + Media Accountability: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, urging stronger coverage of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and calling to keep 1.5°C “alive and thriving.” Pacific Diplomacy + Capacity: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” and proposed tailored capacity-building programmes for Pacific professionals. Coastal Heat Adaptation (Barcelona): Barcelona is investing €150m to green-transform a heavily used coastline, restoring marine habitats and building heat- and climate-ready public spaces.

Earthshot Oceans (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in “Revive our Oceans,” backing long-term ocean protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments, aiming to secure durable funding for Niue’s vast marine territory. Earthshot Oceans (Barcelona): Barcelona is also a 2026 Earthshot finalist, with a €150m plan to reshape a heavily used coastline for heat, flooding and erosion risks while restoring marine habitats. Pacific Media & Loss and Damage: Pacific editors and news leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, stressing media’s role in covering climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution impacts across the region. Pacific Media Summit (Savusavu): The 8th Pacific Media Summit in Fiji focuses on reaching remote communities with reliable information and digital innovation, with strong regional participation. Pacific Environment Funding (Tropical Pacific): Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in grants to protect 625,000 square miles of ocean, supporting marine protected areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu. Pacific Governance & Capacity (India/PIF): India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “Strategic Partner Stream,” and proposed tailored capacity-building for Pacific priorities, including cooperation areas like renewables and healthcare. Cook Islands Health (NCDs): WHO and Cook Islands health officials highlighted safe care for non-communicable diseases, citing high rates of hypertension, smoking, alcohol use and low physical activity. Security vs Environment (Cook Islands port): The US says a future military presence linked to a Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” even as the port project is described as not a US base.

Ocean Protection & Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in grants to conserve 625,000 square miles of tropical Pacific ocean, backing marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, and supporting Pacific-led work toward international high-seas marine protection. Ocean Conservation (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in “Revive our Oceans,” promoting Ocean Conservation Commitments backed by a 32 million dollar endowment aimed at long-term protection of the Pacific. Earthshot Prize (Niue & Barcelona): Niue and Barcelona were highlighted as finalists for tackling long-term ocean protection finance and building resilience for crowded coastlines under climate change. Pacific Media & Connectivity: Samoa delegates joined the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Fiji, focused on reaching remote communities with reliable information and digital innovation. Health (NCDs): WHO and Cook Islands health leaders discussed safe care for non-communicable diseases, citing high rates of hypertension, smoking, alcohol use and low physical activity. Security & Ports (Cook Islands): The US says a military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” while the NZ$101 million project is framed as a port upgrade to help counter “bad actors.”

Earthshot Prize (Oceans): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in “Revive our Oceans,” backing long-term ocean protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments and a stated NZ$32m endowment goal. Earthshot Prize (Niue + partners): Niue and Barcelona were also highlighted as finalists for tackling long-term ocean funding and making crowded coastlines more resilient. Ocean conservation funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect 625,000 square miles of tropical Pacific ocean, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands and other island states. Climate risk for reefs: Pacific meteorology briefings warn a strong El Niño could bring below-normal rainfall and sea level drops in the west, exposing shallow reefs and lagoon ecosystems to heat and disrupting lagoon circulation. Health (Cook Islands): WHO and Cook Islands health officials focused on safer care for non-communicable diseases, citing high rates of hypertension, smoking, alcohol use and low physical activity. Media access (Pacific): The 8th Pacific Media Summit in Fiji is pushing digital innovation so remote communities can access reliable information and have their voices heard.

Pacific Media Summit: Journalists from across the region met in Savusavu, Fiji for the 8th Pacific Media Summit, focused on reaching remote island communities with reliable information and stronger digital tools. Non-communicable Disease Care: In the Cook Islands, WHO and Te Marae Ora highlighted the burden of NCDs and the need for safer, higher-quality care across patients’ full lives. Ocean Protection Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in new grants to protect Pacific ocean areas, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu. Niue Ocean Conservation Recognition: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model, aiming for long-term protection of the Pacific. El Niño Risks for Reefs: Pacific climate briefings warn this El Niño could be among the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall and sea level drops that may expose shallow reefs and lagoon ecosystems to heat and disruption.

World Patient Safety Day (Cook Islands): WHO met Cook Islands health leaders on safer care for non-communicable diseases, citing high rates of hypertension, smoking, alcohol use and low physical activity. Pacific Ocean Protection Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in grants to conserve 625,000 sq miles of tropical Pacific ocean, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands and moves toward international high-seas protections. Niue Ocean Conservation Recognition: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named an Earthshot Prize finalist for “Revive our Oceans,” backing long-term financing through Ocean Conservation Commitments to protect the Pacific for future generations. Earthshot Prize Spotlight (Niue & Barcelona): Niue and Barcelona were both finalists in the Revive our Oceans category, with Niue highlighted for funding protection over decades and building resilience for changing coasts. El Niño Risk for the Pacific: Pacific climate briefings warn El Niño could be among the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall likely in parts of the western Pacific and stresses for reefs and lagoon ecosystems. US Port Upgrade Talks (Cook Islands): The US says a military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” with the project framed as supporting policing against illegal fishing and narco-terrorism.

Non-communicable disease care: WHO and Cook Islands health leaders marked World Patient Safety Day by pushing safer, better lifelong care for chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cancer and respiratory disease, citing high adult risk factors from the 2022 STEPS survey. Pacific ocean protection funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m for Pacific-led conservation, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, and work toward high-seas international protections. Niue ocean conservation spotlight: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named an Earthshot Prize 2026 finalist for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model, aiming to fund long-term protection of the Pacific Ocean via a growing endowment. Earthshot Prize momentum: Prince William announced the 2026 Earthshot finalists, with Niue and Barcelona both recognised in the Revive our Oceans category for long-term ocean financing and climate-resilient coastal approaches. El Niño warning for the Pacific: Pacific climate experts say El Niño is strengthening and could be among the strongest since 1950, with forecasts of drier conditions in parts of the western Pacific and reef and lagoon risks from lower sea levels. Regional security vs environment: The US says a future military presence linked to a planned port upgrade in the Cook Islands is “being negotiated,” with officials stressing the port project is not a US base while linking it to policing illegal fishing.

Ocean Protection Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in six grants to protect 625,000 square miles of tropical Pacific ocean, backing marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, plus work toward international high-seas protections. Niue Ocean Conservation Spotlight: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize 2026 for its “Ocean Conservation Commitments,” aiming to build a US$32 million endowment for permanent Pacific Ocean protection. Earthshot Prize Ocean Recognition: Niue and Barcelona were both selected as 2026 finalists in the Revive our Oceans category, with Niue highlighted for long-term financing for a vast marine territory. El Niño Watch: Pacific climate briefings warn El Niño could be among the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall likely in parts of the western and southern Pacific and risks to reefs and lagoon ecosystems from lower sea levels and heating. Regional Climate Readiness: Coverage from the Pacific Meteorological Council highlights upgrades to early warning systems and forecasting capacity across Pacific nations, including new multi-hazard centres and improved monitoring.

Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in six grants to protect 625,000 square miles of tropical Pacific ocean, backing marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, and supporting Pacific-led work toward international high-seas protections. Niue Ocean Protection Recognition: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model, building a US$32 million endowment aimed at permanent Pacific Ocean protection. Earthshot Prize Spotlight (Oceans): Niue and Barcelona were both finalists in the “Revive our Oceans” category, with Niue highlighted for long-term financing to safeguard reefs and marine ecosystems. El Niño Risks for Reefs: Pacific climate briefings warn the El Niño forming in a warmer world could be among the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall in parts of the west and central impacts that may expose shallow reefs and lagoon ecosystems to heat and altered circulation.

Ocean Conservation Finance: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in the “Revive our Oceans” category, backing its Ocean Conservation Commitments model that aims to fund permanent protection of the Pacific through a $32m endowment. Global Ocean Focus: Earthshot Prize finalists also include Niue alongside Barcelona, with the programme highlighting long-term funding and climate-resilient coastal protection. El Niño Watch: Pacific climate briefings warn the El Niño building across the region could be among the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall likely for parts of the western and southern Pacific and risks to reefs and lagoon circulation as sea levels fall. Weather Readiness: Pacific nations are reporting progress strengthening meteorological services and early warning systems through the Pacific Meteorological Council, including new multi-hazard centres and upgrades to forecasting and monitoring. Pacific Governance & Tech: Pasifika AI creators are urging that Pacific-focused AI must be community-owned and designed to “refuse” speaking without a mandate, tying tech choices to local values and control.

Earthshot Prize (Ocean): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in the “Revive our Oceans” category, backing long-term ocean protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments and a reported US$32m endowment aimed at permanent safeguards for the Pacific. Earthshot Prize (Global): Prince William announced the full set of 15 Earthshot Prize 2026 finalists across five categories, with winners to be revealed in Mumbai in November and each category winner set to receive £1m. Marine research (Tokelau): National Geographic Pristine Seas is launching an expedition in Tokelau to run a first baseline survey of nearshore reefs, offshore and deep-sea habitats, with results intended to guide future marine protection planning. Climate risk (El Niño): Pacific meteorology briefings warn the developing El Niño could be among the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall likely for parts of the western Pacific and potential impacts on reefs and lagoon circulation. Weather readiness (Pacific): The Pacific Meteorological Council highlights progress on early warning systems and forecasting capacity, including upgrades to observation networks and faster severe-weather monitoring.

Earthshot Prize (Niue ocean): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for its “Ocean Conservation Commitments,” which aims to build a long-term endowment (reported at $32m) to fund permanent protection of Pacific waters. Earthshot Prize (ocean funding focus): Niue and Barcelona are both finalists in the Revive Our Oceans category, with the pitch centered on securing finance for protection over decades, not short-term grants. El Niño risk for the Pacific: The Pacific Meteorological Council warns El Niño could become one of the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall likely across parts of the western Pacific and impacts that may be unusual in a warmer world—raising concerns for reefs and lagoon ecosystems. Regional climate readiness: Pacific nations are also sharing progress on stronger weather services and early warning systems through PMC-8, including upgrades to forecasting and monitoring capacity. Pacific ports & security: Separate reports say US military presence linked to Cook Islands port upgrades is “being negotiated,” with the port project described as not a US military base.