AGP Executive Report

Climate Diplomacy: Vanuatu’s Climate Change and Environment Minister Ralph Ragenvanu criticised Australia’s NSW approval of a major coal mine expansion, warning it sends the wrong signal ahead of UN Pre-COP talks in Fiji. Cancer Tech for Rural Care: A “dazzling” new radiation therapy system (RapidArc Dynamic) is now available for public hospital patients in western NSW, aiming to cut treatment time and reduce dose to nearby organs. Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund is adding $25m for Pacific Ocean protection across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, targeting at least 30% protected waters by 2030. Regional Infrastructure & Surveys: NZDF engineers and hydrographers are upgrading schools, a hospital, and water systems on Penrhyn (Cook Islands), while collecting new survey data for safer navigation. Space & Light Pollution: Astronomers are pushing the UN to seek an ICJ advisory opinion to curb satellite-driven orbital clutter and protect the night sky. Pacific Fisheries Priorities: Pacific nations at FAO’s COFI37 urged stronger international support for fisheries, including youth and women moving into value-adding and tech-led roles. Tax Systems Modernisation: Palau hosts PITAA’s annual meeting focused on stronger revenue systems, risk management, and technology for Pacific tax administrations.

AI & Youth: Eddie Perfect says he doesn’t want his teenage daughters using AI chatbots, arguing the tech is “coming for everything” and could outsource thinking. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m+ in new grants to protect 625,000+ sq miles of Pacific ocean across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to safeguard 30% of waters by 2030. Maritime Safety in El Niño: A Pacific climatologist warns boat operators to take extra care as El Niño-linked weather turbulence coincides with recent deadly incidents at sea. Fisheries & Regional Support: Pacific nations urged stronger international backing at a fisheries summit, with calls to build youth opportunities and tech-enabled value-adding in the sector. Space & Light Pollution: Astronomers push for UN legal clarity via an ICJ advisory opinion to slow satellite-driven skyglow and orbital clutter. Tax Tech & Risk Management: Palau hosts PITAA’s annual meeting focused on modern tax systems, technology, risk management and workforce development, including Vanuatu participation. Media for Remote Communities: PINA summit discussions in Savusavu highlighted practical ways Pacific newsrooms can reach remote areas using community networks and smarter digital approaches.

Blue Pacific Ocean Protection: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25M+ in new grants to protect and sustainably manage over 625,000 sq miles of ocean across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting total Pacific awards to $63.3M under its $100M pledge. Maritime Safety & Tech Support: NZDF engineers and hydrographers completed school, hospital and water-tank upgrades on Penrhyn (Cook Islands) and recorded 400 survey lines to update outdated charts—work tied to Exercise Tropic Twilight. Fisheries & Ocean Governance: Pacific nations urged stronger international backing at FAO’s COFI37, stressing youth and women’s roles, value-adding, tech and tackling illegal fishing. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.6 quake near New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands triggered no tsunami threat, underscoring how fast alerts can clear. Satellite & Light Pollution Push: Astronomers and a nonprofit are urging the UN to seek an ICJ advisory opinion to slow orbital clutter and protect the night sky. Gendered Climate Water Decisions: Pacific activists say women are excluded from water decision-making, driving calls for gender justice ahead of COP31. Regional Media for Remote Communities: Pacific journalists at Savusavu pledged stronger climate loss-and-damage reporting and better ways to reach far-flung audiences. Tax Tech Collaboration: Palau hosted PITAA’s first meeting in-country since 2004, focusing on modern revenue systems, risk management and workforce development, with Vanuatu among delegations.

Pacific Ocean protection grants: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect 625,000+ sq miles of ocean across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga, and Vanuatu, aiming for sustainable management and protecting at least 30% by 2030. Fisheries push: Pacific nations backed stronger international support at FAO’s COFI37, stressing youth jobs, value-adding, tech and innovation, and tackling illegal fishing. Earthquake update: A magnitude 6.6 quake struck near New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands with no tsunami threat reported. Satellite clutter and astronomy: Astronomers want the UN to seek an ICJ advisory opinion to clarify legal duties to curb orbital debris and protect the night sky as mega-satellite and data-center plans expand. Gender + water decisions: Pacific research ahead of COP31 says women are excluded from water decision-making, driving wider climate and water insecurity impacts—calling for women’s voices in community and subnational forums. Vanuatu tech diplomacy: Finland pitched cooperation with Vanuatu on maritime surveillance, disaster response, and critical communications. Regional media capacity: Pacific journalists met in Savusavu to strengthen reporting on climate loss and damage and improve how news reaches remote communities, including digital skills training for mobile-first audiences. Maritime safety warning: A climatologist links recent Pacific sea tragedies to turbulent El Niño-era conditions, urging extra caution by boat operators. Tax systems modernisation: Palau hosted PITAA talks on upgrading revenue systems, risk management, and workforce skills, with Vanuatu among delegations.

Fisheries & Ocean Jobs: Pacific leaders at FAO’s COFI37 in Rome pushed for stronger international support for ocean communities, stressing that youth and women need skills, finance, infrastructure and market access to move from catching fish into processing and fisheries businesses. Satellite & Light Pollution Law: Astronomers and a space nonprofit are urging the UN to ask the ICJ for guidance on legal duties to prevent orbital clutter and protect the night sky as mega-satellite and data-centre plans accelerate. Gendered Water Decisions: New Pacific research says women are repeatedly excluded from water decision-making, driving wider climate and water insecurity impacts, with calls for women’s voices at community and subnational levels. Vanuatu Tech Diplomacy: Finland’s ambassador says Finland can support Vanuatu with technology for maritime surveillance, disaster response and critical communications. Tax Systems Modernisation: Palau hosts PITAA’s annual meeting with Vanuatu among delegates, focusing on stronger revenue systems, risk management and workforce development. Maritime Safety in El Niño: A regional climatologist warns boat operators to take extra care as El Niño-linked weather turbulence coincides with recent Pacific sea tragedies. Media Reaching the Remote: Pacific journalists in Savusavu backed stronger reporting on climate loss and damage and practical digital training to better serve remote communities. Vanuatu in FIFA: Vanuatu’s assistant referee Jeremey Garae was named for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

Earthquake Watch: A 6.6 magnitude, shallow quake hit near New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands, with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reporting no tsunami threat—another reminder of how fast Pacific hazard alerts move. Gender & Water Decisions: Pacific research ahead of COP31 says women are repeatedly excluded from water decision-making, even though they hold key household knowledge—fueling wider climate and water insecurity. Space & Light Pollution: Astronomers are pushing the UN to seek an ICJ advisory opinion to slow satellite-driven orbital clutter and protect the night sky as megaconstellations and even mirror-satellite plans expand. Digital News Capacity: A Savusavu workshop trained Pacific media teams to build more mobile-first digital content and better understand audience needs. Media for Climate Loss: Pacific editors adopted a Savusavu declaration calling for stronger reporting on climate-related loss and damage, including harms beyond money. Vanuatu Tech Diplomacy: Finland’s ambassador pitched cooperation with Vanuatu on maritime surveillance, disaster response, and critical communications. Tax Tech in the Region: Palau hosted PITAA leaders to discuss modern tax systems, risk management, and workforce development, with Vanuatu among delegations.

Maritime & Ocean Safety: A Pacific climatologist warns that El Niño–driven weather turbulence is a key backdrop to recent sea tragedies, urging boat operators to take extra caution even if rough seas aren’t “directly” caused by El Niño. Media & Digital Skills: A Savusavu workshop backed by PACMAS and ABC is training Pacific newsrooms to go more mobile-first and better match what audiences want online. Climate Reporting: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, pushing stronger coverage of non-financial harms already hitting communities. Regional Tech & Governance: Finland’s ambassador pitched cooperation with Vanuatu on maritime surveillance, disaster response and critical communications. Tax Tech for the Pacific: Palau hosted the first PITAA annual meeting in-country since 2004, focusing on modern tax systems, risk management and workforce development, with Vanuatu among delegations. Space & Light Pollution: Astronomers and a nonprofit are urging the UN to seek an ICJ advisory opinion to slow orbital clutter and protect the night sky as mega satellite and data-centre plans accelerate. Vanuatu in the spotlight: Vanuatu’s assistant referee Jeremey Garae was named for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, alongside other Pacific officials.

Gender & Water Justice: A new Pacific-focused study says women are being shut out of water and climate decisions, especially at community and subnational levels, with 53% of respondents calling it the most urgent issue and 79% saying it needs more attention in global debates. Space & Data-Driven Risk: Astronomers are urging the UN to seek an ICJ advisory opinion to clarify legal duties for keeping near-Earth space usable as satellite “clutter” grows and plans for massive space-based data centres accelerate. Vanuatu Maritime Tech Policy: Vanuatu is considering linking marine weather warnings to vessel permission rules, aiming to give clearer guidance to operators after the MV Matui tragedy. Pacific Media Capacity: A Savusavu digital skills workshop backed by PACMAS and ABC pushed Pacific newsrooms toward more mobile-first content and better audience connection. Regional Climate Reporting: Pacific editors pledged stronger coverage of climate loss and damage, including non-financial harms, at a Savusavu forum. Tax & Systems Modernisation: Palau hosts the first PITAA annual meeting in-country since 2004, with Vanuatu among delegations discussing tech, risk management and workforce development for revenue systems. Sports Tech Talent: Vanuatu’s Jeremey Garae was named an assistant referee for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

Maritime Safety & Weather: A Pacific climatologist says recent boat tragedies across the region—including Vanuatu’s MV Matui—line up with rough conditions during El Niño, urging operators to take extra care and turn weather warnings into clearer guidance for sea travel. Digital Media Skills: A Savusavu workshop backed by PACMAS and ABC trained Pacific newsroom teams (including Vanuatu) to make content more mobile-first and better match what audiences want online. Regional Media Independence: At the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, leaders pushed for independent reporting and stronger climate loss-and-damage coverage, including non-financial impacts on communities. Vanuatu in Global Climate Finance Talks: UNGA81 coverage highlights how Pacific-focused infrastructure and climate governance debates are shifting toward practical delivery, including renewable energy investment and better implementation support. Finland–Vanuatu Tech Cooperation: Finland’s ambassador pitched closer collaboration on maritime surveillance, disaster response, and critical communications. Tax & Systems Modernisation: Palau hosted PITAA’s annual heads meeting, with Vanuatu among delegations discussing revenue systems, risk management, and workforce development. FIFA Officiating (Vanuatu): Vanuatu’s assistant referee Jeremey Garae was named for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

Maritime safety for Vanuatu: A Pacific climatologist says recent sea tragedies across the region, including Vanuatu’s MV Matui, line up with rough weather during El Niño—urging boat operators to take extra care and use clearer guidance. Weather-to-rules push: Vanuatu is considering linking marine weather warnings to vessel permissions, so operators get clearer “can we go?” direction instead of interpreting general forecasts themselves. Digital media skills in the Blue Pacific: A Savusavu workshop backed by PACMAS and ABC trained Pacific newsrooms on mobile-first content and better audience connection, with Vanuatu among the participants. Tax tech and systems in Palau: Palau hosts PITAA’s annual heads meeting, bringing Vanuatu and other Pacific tax administrators together to modernise revenue systems with technology, risk management and workforce development. Climate reporting and ocean storytelling: Pacific editors pledged stronger coverage of climate loss and damage, while a pre-summit workshop stressed translating ocean and climate science into stories communities can act on. Regional leadership: Solomon Islands journalist Elizabeth Osifelo was elected PINA vice-president, with Vanuatu represented in the new regional media leadership mix. UNGA diplomacy with Vanuatu: India’s FIPIC talks on renewables, climate action, disaster resilience, healthcare and capacity building included Vanuatu’s health minister.

Maritime safety & weather guidance: Vanuatu’s MV Matui tragedy is prompting calls to turn marine weather warnings into clearer vessel rules, so operators don’t have to interpret general forecasts themselves. Digital media skills: A Savusavu workshop backed by PACMAS and ABC trained Pacific newsrooms (including Vanuatu) to build mobile-first content and better understand audience needs. Climate reporting for loss & damage: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, pushing stronger coverage of non-financial harms already hitting communities. Regional governance & funding: DENR’s UNGA81 remarks urged reform of global environmental governance so developing countries get less fragmented systems and more usable support. Tech diplomacy: Finland’s ambassador pitched cooperation with Vanuatu on maritime surveillance, disaster response and critical communications. Tax tech collaboration: Palau hosted the PITAA annual meeting, bringing Vanuatu and others together to modernise revenue systems with technology and risk management. India-Pacific cooperation: UNGA sidelines saw FIPIC talks on renewables, climate action, disaster resilience, healthcare and capacity building, with India placed on the PIF “strategic partner stream.” Sports officiating: Vanuatu assistant referee Jeremey Garae was named for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

Maritime Safety & Weather Rules: Vanuatu is considering vessel-specific weather guidance, linking marine warnings to which boats can operate—an idea raised after the MV Matui tragedy, aiming to reduce captain guesswork and make sea travel decisions clearer. Digital Media Skills: A Savusavu workshop trained Pacific newsroom teams (including Vanuatu) to build more mobile-first digital content and stronger newsroom strategies, supported by PACMAS and ABC. Climate Reporting for Loss & Damage: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, pushing newsrooms to cover non-financial harms like displacement, culture and social impacts—not just costs. Tax Tech & Modernisation: Palau hosted PITAA’s annual heads meeting, bringing together Vanuatu and other Pacific tax administrators to discuss modern revenue systems, risk management and workforce development. UN Environmental Governance: Vanuatu’s hosted UNGA dialogue on “Renewing Environmental Multilateralism” urged less fragmented climate governance and better resourcing so developing countries can actually implement existing commitments. Regional AI Values: A Pasifika AI creator warned that Pacific-aligned AI must be built with community mandate, even if it means less flashy performance.

UN Climate Governance: DENR chief Juan Miguel “Mitch” Cuna told UNGA 81 that environmental treaties must deliver practical outcomes, cut duplication, and give developing nations fair access to climate finance, tech transfer and capacity-building. Finland–Vanuatu Tech Links: Finland’s ambassador pitched cooperation on maritime surveillance, disaster response and critical communications during a first visit to Vanuatu. Tax Tech for the Pacific: Palau hosted the first PITAA annual heads meeting in-country since 2004, bringing Vanuatu and other members to modernise revenue systems with tech, risk management and workforce skills. Climate Reporting Upgrade: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, pushing newsrooms to cover economic, cultural and social harms already hitting communities. Remote Media & Digital Skills: At the PINA summit in Savusavu, leaders backed digital innovation for reaching remote audiences, plus a separate workshop trained Pacific newsrooms on mobile-first content. Maritime Safety Warning: A Pacific climatologist urged extra caution for boat operators as El Niño-linked rough conditions raise the stakes for sea travel. Vanuatu Vessel Weather Rules: Vanuatu is considering vessel-specific weather guidance tied to permissions after the MV Matui tragedy. India–Pacific Capacity Building: India’s FIPIC talks with Pacific ministers focused on renewables, climate action, disaster resilience, healthcare and tailored capacity-building. Football Tech/People: Vanuatu’s assistant referee Jeremey Garae was named for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

UN Climate Governance: Vanuatu hosted a UNGA 81 dialogue on “Renewing Environmental Multilateralism,” with DENR’s Juan Miguel Cuna arguing global treaties must move beyond pledges and cut duplication, while developing nations need better access to climate finance, tech transfer and capacity building. Pacific Media & Digital Skills: The 8th Pacific Islands News Association summit in Savusavu wrapped with a focus on reaching remote communities through digital innovation; separate reporting highlights training for Pacific newsrooms on mobile-first content and audience connection. Maritime Safety: A Pacific climatologist says recent sea tragedies across the region, including Vanuatu’s MV Matui, align with turbulent El Niño-era weather, but operators must treat rough conditions with extra caution. Vanuatu in Regional Tech/People: Vanuatu’s Jeremey Garae was appointed as an assistant referee for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, underscoring growing Pacific representation in global sport. India-Pacific Cooperation: On UNGA sidelines, FIPIC foreign ministers reaffirmed cooperation with Vanuatu’s health minister involved, covering renewables, climate action, disaster resilience, education and capacity building.

Pacific Tech & Diplomacy: On UNGA sidelines in New York, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Pacific and Caribbean leaders, including Vanuatu’s Health Minister Robert Bohn, as FIPIC foreign ministers reaffirmed cooperation on renewable energy, climate action, disaster resilience, education, healthcare, and capacity building. Regional Governance: Jaishankar also said India has been placed on the Pacific Islands Forum’s “strategic partner stream,” a move framed as deepening cooperation across the region. Vanuatu Meteorology: Vanuatu’s Ralph Regenvanu formally registered interest in hosting a Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre for the Pacific, building on national weather, climate, and geo-hazard monitoring capacity. Digital Skills for Media: A PACMAS-supported digital workshop in Savusavu, Fiji trained Pacific newsroom teams (including Vanuatu) on mobile-first content and digital strategy ahead of the 2026 Pacific Media Summit. AI & Values: PACNEWS highlighted a Pasifika AI creator’s warning that Pacific-aligned AI needs community mandate, not just tech promises.

Pacific Climate Tech & Policy: The Fifth Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference (5POPCCC) in Honiara wrapped with a “Talanoa” on ten takeaways, urging Pacific-led evidence, priorities and agency to stay focused on 1.5°C and deepen adaptation practice. Vanuatu & Regional Disaster Readiness: Vanuatu has formally registered interest in hosting a Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre for the Pacific, building on its meteorological and geo-hazards monitoring capacity, with next steps expected at the Pacific Meteorological Council in 2028. Maritime Security & Illegal Fishing: Tonga is set to benefit from a new US-Australia push on maritime security, including US funding aimed at combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) with training and monitoring support. AI & Media Skills in the Pacific: A digital skills workshop in Savusavu trained Pacific newsroom teams (including Vanuatu) on mobile-first content and audience-focused digital strategy ahead of the 2026 Pacific Media Summit. Vanuatu in the Spotlight: Vanuatu’s Health Minister and other regional leaders were part of India’s FIPIC foreign ministers meeting, where India offered customised capacity-building programmes for Pacific priorities. Sports Tech/Officials: Vanuatu’s assistant referee Jeremey Garae was named for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.