AGP Executive Report

World Oceans Day Ocean Stewardship: Vanuatu Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu used World Oceans Day to push urgent ocean stewardship, calling the Pacific’s “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution a shared responsibility. Pacific Ocean Governance: Former Pacific Islands Forum SG Dame Meg Taylor warned that geopolitical rivalry and foreign funding could weaken Pacific-led ocean governance, urging stronger economic self-determination and protection of Pacific priorities. Ocean Protection in the Region: Papua New Guinea announced a Western Manus Marine Protected Area—over 200,000 km²—aiming for a total fishing ban and linking into the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves with Vanuatu and Fiji. Fossil Fuel Accountability: Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo said it’s “not a good look” after AFP revealed the Tuvalu Trust Fund invested in oil and coal, with the government reviewing the holdings. Climate Justice in Law: The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing an ICJ advisory opinion on states’ legal duties to prevent climate harm, with Vanuatu’s government linked to the original case and renewed calls to protect climate and environmental activists. Sustainable Food Systems: Samoa’s EU/FAO-backed Agri-Innovate Competition finale highlighted agrifood innovation and entrepreneurship as part of efforts to build climate-resilient domestic agrifood systems. Ocean Food Safety Trade: EU-funded training in Suva supported Pacific authorities to meet new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules, protecting access for Pacific seafood exporters.

Ocean Governance & Security: Dame Meg Taylor says growing geopolitical rivalry and foreign funding could weaken Pacific-led decision-making, urging Pacific nations to protect ocean governance and economic self-determination as militarisation and external priorities rise. Pacific Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution endorsing last year’s ICJ advisory opinion that states have a legal duty to prevent environmental harm, with Vanuatu’s government among those who brought the case—while activists still face persecution. Fossil Fuel Scrutiny: Tuvalu’s PM is disappointed after AFP revealed the Tuvalu Trust Fund invested in oil and coal-linked funds, calling it “not a good look” given Tuvalu’s climate advocacy. Marine Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea announced a Western Manus Marine Protected Area—over 200,000 km²—with a total fishing ban, aiming to protect biodiversity and support the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves that links PNG, Fiji and Vanuatu. Food Safety for Pacific Fisheries: EU-backed training in Suva prepares Pacific authorities for new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules that could affect most Pacific Island vessels exporting to the EU. Sustainable Agriculture Support: Samoa’s EU/FAO-funded Agri-Innovate Competition 2026 spotlights agribusiness innovation and entrepreneurship as part of STODAS work to strengthen climate-resilient food systems.

Marine Protection Push: Papua New Guinea announced the Western Manus Marine Protected Area—over 200,000 km² in the Bismarck Sea—with a total fishing ban, aiming to safeguard biodiversity and support long-term fisheries through the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves. Pacific Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing the ICJ advisory opinion on states’ legal duty to prevent climate harm, a move tied to Vanuatu’s role in the original case and now feeding climate litigation. Fossil Fuel Finance Scrutiny: Tuvalu’s PM said it’s “not a good look” that the Tuvalu Trust Fund was invested in oil and coal-linked holdings, with the government reviewing the investments amid its high exposure to sea-level rise. Ocean Food Safety Rules: EU training in Suva prepared Pacific fisheries authorities for tougher EU freezer-vessel requirements, affecting most EU-listed Pacific Island vessels exporting seafood. Energy Shock Warning: UNCTAD warned that instability in the Strait of Hormuz could add about US$20 billion a year to fuel import bills for the world’s most vulnerable countries, including many Pacific SIDS. Local Resilience via Forestry: Samoa forestry officers completed a FAO-supported training in sustainable teak and pine production to strengthen climate resilience and address technical gaps.

Marine Protection: Papua New Guinea announced the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a no-take sanctuary of about 200,000 km² in the Bismarck Sea, with a total fishing ban and plans to link it through the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves spanning PNG, Fiji and Vanuatu. Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on states’ legal duties to prevent climate harm, a move tied to Vanuatu’s role in the original case and aimed at protecting climate and environmental activists. Fossil Fuel Scrutiny: Tuvalu’s prime minister said it’s “not a good look” after AFP revealed the Tuvalu Trust Fund invested in oil and coal-linked holdings, prompting a review. Ocean Trade Rules: EU food-safety requirements are set to affect most Pacific freezer vessels exporting to the EU, with Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained to meet the new standards. Pacific Energy Resilience: Samoa and Fiji forestry staff completed a FAO-supported exchange on sustainable teak and pine production to strengthen climate resilience. Vanuatu Climate Watch: Vanuatu is on El Niño watch as regional climate conditions shift. Local Youth Sport: A Pacific tennis camp in Port Moresby brought together under-12 players from PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for skills development.

Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea has announced the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a no-take sanctuary of about 200,000 km² in the Bismarck Sea, with a total fishing ban and plans to link it into the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves spanning PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji. Climate Justice & Legal Pressure: The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing the ICJ advisory opinion that states have legal duties to prevent climate harm, a move tied to a Vanuatu-led case and now feeding climate litigation—while activists still face criminalisation in some countries. Fossil Fuel Scrutiny: Tuvalu’s PM says it’s “not a good look” that the Tuvalu Trust Fund invested in oil and coal, prompting a review of holdings as the country faces extreme climate impacts. Pacific Ocean Economy: The EU’s new food safety rules for freezer vessels could affect about 97% of Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU, with Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu training to meet requirements. Vanuatu on El Niño Watch: Coverage flags Vanuatu’s El Niño monitoring as weather risks build across the region. Regional Climate Transition Push: A conference in Colombia ended without binding deals but aimed to build coalitions for transitioning away from fossil fuels, with climate-vulnerable states including Vanuatu in the mix.

Marine Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea has announced the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a no-take sanctuary of about 200,000 km² in the Bismarck Sea, with a total fishing ban and plans to legally formalise it—part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves linking PNG, Fiji and Vanuatu. Climate Justice at the UN: The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing the International Court of Justice advisory opinion that states have legal duties to prevent climate harm, while warning that many countries still target climate and environmental activists. Pacific Ocean Food Safety: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu trained on new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules that could affect most Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU, aiming to keep market access while lifting compliance. Fossil Fuel Scrutiny in the Pacific: Tuvalu’s PM says it’s “not a good look” that the Tuvalu Trust Fund invested in oil and coal-linked holdings, and the government is reviewing the investments. Tourism Data for Sustainability: Niue and other Pacific islands shared International Visitor Survey findings through the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, helping shape more resilient, sustainable tourism planning. Vanuatu Climate Watch: Vanuatu is on El Niño watch, as regional climate conditions remain a key risk for weather and ecosystems.

Climate Justice & Legal Action: The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing last year’s ICJ advisory opinion that states have a legal duty to prevent climate harm, a move tied to Vanuatu’s role in the original case and now feeding climate litigation—while activists still face persecution in multiple countries. Ocean Protection (Melanesia): Papua New Guinea announced the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a proposed no-take sanctuary of over 214,000 sq km in the Coral Triangle, as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves linking PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji. Climate Finance Scrutiny: Tuvalu said it’s disappointed after AFP revealed its trust fund investments were exposed to oil and coal, prompting a review—highlighting the tension between climate advocacy and fossil-linked portfolios. Energy Shocks for Small Islands: UNCTAD warned that rising oil prices from Strait of Hormuz tensions could add over US$20 billion a year to the oil import bills of vulnerable economies, including many Pacific SIDS. Pacific Resilience & Skills: FAO supported Samoa and Fiji forestry staff with training on sustainable teak and pine production to strengthen climate resilience through better seed propagation and harvesting practices. Tourism Data for Sustainability: Niue (with SPTO and the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative) released visitor survey findings to help shape more resilient, sustainable tourism planning across Pacific destinations including Vanuatu.

Climate Justice at the UN: The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing last year’s ICJ advisory opinion that states have a legal duty to prevent climate harm—an important win for Vanuatu-linked climate litigation, but also a reminder that many governments still target climate and environmental activists. Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea announced the Western Manus no-take marine protected area—over 214,000 sq km—aimed at safeguarding Coral Triangle biodiversity and supporting long-term fisheries, as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves that also involves Vanuatu. Energy Resilience for Pacific Communities: Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu leaders completed hands-on solar training to cut dependence on imported fossil fuels, with local systems installed to help during outages and rising fuel costs. Vanuatu Tourism & Sustainability Data: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Vanuatu Tourism Office released 2025 visitor survey results, highlighting strong demand driven by culture and nature—useful for planning more resilient, sustainable tourism. Climate Finance & Fossil Fuel Exposure: Tuvalu said it’s reviewing fossil-fuel-linked investments in its climate trust fund after reporting showed oil and coal exposure—raising tough questions about how climate money is managed.

El Niño watch in Vanuatu: Vanuatu has declared an El Niño watch, with early signs pointing to warmer ocean conditions and reduced, uneven rainfall. Climate risk planning: Minister Ralph Regenvanu told Parliament impacts may vary by island, with likely pressure on water, agriculture and livestock, and the government is preparing response plans, emergency funding triggers, and support for vulnerable communities. Energy resilience training (Fiji–Vanuatu–Tuvalu): Leaders and community representatives trained on installing and maintaining solar PV systems through the Solar Scholars Initiative, aiming to cut reliance on imported diesel and provide backup power during outages. Tourism data for Vanuatu: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Vanuatu Tourism Office released Vanuatu’s 2025 International Visitor Survey results, highlighting strong visitor interest driven by culture and nature, and using the data to guide more sustainable planning. Ocean protection in the region: Papua New Guinea announced a proposed Western Manus no-take marine sanctuary, framed as a major step for biodiversity and long-term fisheries sustainability, linked to the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves that includes Vanuatu.

Vanuatu Climate Watch: Vanuatu has declared an El Niño watch, with early signals pointing to warmer ocean conditions and uneven, reduced rainfall—raising risks for water supplies, agriculture, livestock, and outer islands. The government says response plans and emergency funding mechanisms are ready, and urges communities to start storing water and follow official advisories. Pacific Energy Resilience: Fuel-price pressure is pushing communities toward solar. Leaders and community representatives from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu completed hands-on solar technology training through 350.org Pacific and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, including installing solar PV systems at community buildings in Fiji. Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea announced plans for the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a proposed no-take sanctuary covering over 214,000 sq km in the Bismarck Sea, aimed at protecting globally significant marine biodiversity and supporting long-term fisheries sustainability. Tourism Data for Sustainability: Vanuatu’s tourism performance is getting a boost from new visitor survey results released via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, using survey findings to guide planning and investment.

Climate Risk Watch: Vanuatu has declared an El Niño watch, warning of warmer ocean conditions, uneven and reduced rainfall, and likely water and agriculture impacts—especially for outer islands—while urging early preparations like water storage and readiness to activate emergency funding. Community Energy Resilience: Leaders and community representatives from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu completed hands-on solar technology training to cut reliance on imported diesel and build local energy control, with systems installed on community buildings. Tourism & Sustainability Signals: Vanuatu’s tourism performance is highlighted in the Pacific Tourism Organisation and Vanuatu Tourism Office International Visitor Survey results for 2025, using visitor spending and satisfaction data to guide more resilient, sustainable planning. Climate Finance & Delivery: The Global Environment Facility is gearing up for its next cycle, pushing a sharper focus on impact, speed and scale as it moves from GEF-8 into GEF-9. Ocean Governance: Solomon Islands used the Melanesian Ocean Summit to argue for ocean rules grounded in Indigenous stewardship, national authority and implementation-ready frameworks—an approach relevant to Vanuatu’s own marine protection priorities.

El Niño Watch in Vanuatu: Vanuatu has declared an El Niño watch, with climate minister Ralph Regenvanu warning of warmer ocean conditions, reduced and uneven rainfall, and likely water and agriculture impacts—especially for outer islands—while the government readies response plans and possible emergency funding. Community Solar Training: Leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu completed hands-on solar technology training through 350.org Pacific and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, aiming to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels and boost local energy resilience. Vanuatu Tourism Snapshot: The Vanuatu Tourism Office and Pacific Tourism Organisation released 2025 International Visitor Survey results, highlighting strong visitor interest driven by culture and natural beauty, and feeding into more sustainable tourism planning. Blue Pacific Media for Climate Resilience: A regional push to strengthen Pacific media reporting on weather and climate is underway, with training planned to help journalists cover climate risks and resilience stories more effectively. UN Climate Legal Signal: A UN vote backed the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on climate change, reinforcing that countries have legal duties to limit global warming—an issue likely to shape future climate action debates across the Pacific.

Energy resilience in the Pacific: Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu leaders completed hands-on Solar Scholars training, installing solar PV systems and learning how to assemble and maintain them to cut reliance on imported fuel and handle outages. Climate risk for Vanuatu: Vanuatu has declared an El Niño watch, warning of drier conditions, warmer ocean temperatures and uneven rainfall, with government plans for water support and possible emergency measures. Tourism data for planning: Vanuatu’s International Visitor Survey for 2025 shows strong visitor satisfaction and highlights the role of natural beauty, culture and adventure—plus growing local capacity in tourism analysis. Climate accountability push: A UN vote backed the ICJ advisory opinion on climate change, reinforcing that governments have legal duties to limit global warming—an important signal for future action. Blue/green finance for businesses: A new Sustainable Pacific Blue Circle Fund launched in Suva to help Pacific SMEs access funding, especially for blue economy, green economy and climate resilience projects. Wildlife conflict over development: Residents allege a sports facility project at Fred Caterson Reserve is displacing and harming native wildlife after fencing and tree clearing. Pacific media capacity: A regional media partnership conference in PNG focuses on strengthening Pacific storytelling on weather and climate for resilience. Ocean governance at the Melanesian Ocean Summit: Solomon Islands stresses ocean rules should be grounded in Indigenous stewardship, national authority and implementation-ready frameworks. Fisheries rules with environmental stakes: The WTO fisheries subsidies agreement is hailed as a marine protection win, but concerns remain about whether key countries will stall the next phase.

Solar for energy resilience: 350.org Pacific and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities trained community leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu and Tuvalu to install and maintain solar PV, installing two systems in Fiji to cut fuel-cost pressure and keep lights on during outages. El Niño watch for Vanuatu: Vanuatu declared an El Niño watch as early signals point to warmer ocean conditions and uneven, reduced rainfall, with MPs pushing for faster planning for water, agriculture, livestock and outer islands; officials are preparing emergency funding and support. Climate law momentum: A UN vote backed the ICJ advisory opinion on climate change, strengthening the push for governments to turn legal duties into real action—an issue Vanuatu and other Pacific states are watching closely. Blue economy finance: A new Sustainable Pacific Blue Circle Fund launched in Suva to help Vanuatu and other Pacific countries’ small businesses access funding for blue economy, green economy and climate resilience work. Pacific media for weather and climate: SPREP-backed efforts are building Pacific journalists’ capacity to report on weather and climate for resilience, with a regional workshop planned in Tonga. Tourism snapshot: Vanuatu’s 2025 International Visitor Survey results were released, highlighting strong visitor satisfaction and the role of natural beauty, adventure and culture.

Energy Resilience: Community leaders in Fiji, Vanuatu and Tuvalu trained through 350.org’s Solar Scholars program, installing solar PV systems to cut reliance on imported fuel and keep power running during outages. Climate Preparedness: Vanuatu declared an El Niño watch, warning of hotter seas, uneven rainfall and possible water and agriculture impacts, with emergency funding and early public water-storing advice. Climate Accountability: Pacific groups welcomed a UN General Assembly vote backing the ICJ climate advisory opinion, saying governments now face a legal clarity-to-action test. Ocean Governance: Solomon Islands used the Melanesian Ocean Summit to push for ocean rules grounded in national authority, Indigenous stewardship and domestic “implementation-ready” processes. Blue-Green Finance: A new EU-backed Sustainable Pacific Blue Circle Fund launched in Suva to help Vanuatu and other Pacific businesses access finance for the blue economy, green economy and climate resilience. Marine Protection Trade: The WTO fisheries subsidies deal was highlighted as a marine win, with concern that the next phase could be stalled by a few major players. Regional Security & Environment: Pacific customs leaders meet in Nadi as environmental crimes and smuggling risks sit alongside drug trafficking and organised crime on the border agenda.

Climate Resilience Media: SPREP is backing a regional media workshop (17–18 Sept) to help Pacific journalists better report weather and climate risks, including coverage linked to Tonga’s Pacific Meteorological Council meeting. El Niño Watch (Vanuatu): Vanuatu has declared an El Niño watch, warning of drier, warmer conditions and uneven rainfall, with government plans for water support, emergency funding triggers, and early public preparation. Energy Sovereignty (Vanuatu, Fiji, Tuvalu): As fuel costs bite, community representatives trained on solar installation and maintenance through the Solar Scholars Initiative, aiming to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Climate Accountability (UN/ICJ): A UN General Assembly vote backed the ICJ advisory opinion on climate change, with Climate Action Network calling it a political signal that legal duties must turn into real action. Ocean Governance (Solomon Islands): Solomon Islands pushed for ocean governance grounded in national authority and Indigenous stewardship, stressing consultation and domestic approvals before any regional framework. Sustainable Finance (Blue/Green Economy): A new Sustainable Pacific Blue Circle Fund launched in Suva to help SMEs in Vanuatu and other Pacific states access finance for blue economy, green economy, and climate resilience. Pacific Borders & Environmental Crime: Pacific customs leaders meet in Fiji (2–4 June) to scale up cooperation against cross-border threats, including environmental crimes. Fisheries Subsidies: The WTO fisheries subsidies deal is framed as a marine win for Pacific fishers, but progress on the next phase could stall if key countries drag negotiations. Vanuatu in Global Climate Mobility Debate: A commentary highlights how climate mobility is already happening in the Pacific, raising urgent risks of statelessness and nationality loss.