AGP Executive Report

Ocean Conservation: Fiji says it will fully protect 15% of its ocean territory by end of 2026, aiming to reach the 30x30 goal of 30% protected by 2030, as illegal fishing and climate pressures threaten coral and fish stocks. Regional Collaboration: The plan links to the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR) partnership involving Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to strengthen conservation across Melanesia. Marine Life Protection: A U.S. lawsuit targets seafood imports from eight countries, including Vanuatu, alleging fisheries practices kill whales and dolphins through bycatch beyond U.S. limits. Health & Risk: Australia’s vaccine donations to Pacific nations topped 1 million doses, with Vanuatu receiving 20,000 as outbreaks continue. Disaster Monitoring: After a powerful Philippines earthquake, Pacific tsunami monitoring is on alert for countries including Vanuatu, though New Zealand says there’s no threat to it. Coral Reefs: Saudi Arabia chairs ICRI and backs recommendations aimed at turning coral reef commitments into real national action, with a Global Coral Reef Summit planned for late 2026.

Seabed Mining & Indigenous Rights: Pacific Indigenous communities are pushing back on deep-sea mining, arguing it threatens poorly understood ecosystems and also raises sovereignty issues; New Caledonia’s 50-year commercial seabed mining ban is highlighted as a major Indigenous-backed win. Pacific Health & Vaccines: Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine donations to Pacific nations have topped 1 million doses, including deliveries to Fiji and Timor-Leste, as COVAX coverage is expected to meet only part of regional needs. Coral Reefs & Policy: Saudi Arabia chairs the ICRI meeting and backs five recommendations aimed at turning coral reef commitments into national action, with a Global Coral Reef Summit planned for November 2026. Marine Life Protection (Bycatch): A U.S. lawsuit seeks to halt seafood imports from eight countries, including Vanuatu, alleging fisheries kill whales and dolphins through bycatch beyond U.S. limits. Disaster Monitoring: After a powerful Philippines earthquake, Pacific agencies—including Vanuatu—were placed on tsunami monitoring alert, though New Zealand received no threat assessment. Local Tech/Finance (Vanuatu link): Vantage, a CFD broker, announces inclusion on Fortune’s Crypto Innovators list, pointing to its cross-market trading infrastructure. Media Trust in Elections: Pacific media leaders discuss how unregulated online platforms can undermine trust ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing ethical standards and editorial independence.

Seabed Mining & Indigenous Rights: Indigenous communities across the Pacific are pushing back on deep-sea mining, arguing it threatens poorly understood ecosystems and should be treated as a sovereignty issue, with New Caledonia’s 50-year commercial seabed mining ban cited as a major win. Pacific Health: Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine donations to Pacific nations have topped 1 million doses, including 20,000 to Vanuatu, as countries race to respond to outbreaks. Coral Reefs: Saudi Arabia is chairing ICRI and driving a push for stronger coral reef protection, including five strategic recommendations and plans for a Global Coral Reef Summit in November 2026. Marine Life Protection: A US lawsuit targets seafood imports from eight countries, including Vanuatu, alleging fisheries exceed US limits for whale and dolphin bycatch. Earthquake Monitoring: After a powerful Philippines quake, Pacific agencies—including Vanuatu—were placed on tsunami monitoring alert, though New Zealand says there’s no threat. Cybercrime Warning: Reports from Australia highlight encrypted-app recruitment of vulnerable teens into serious crimes, a reminder for Pacific communities to strengthen online safety and protection. Agri-Tech Boost: Samoa’s EU/FAO-backed Agri-Innovate Competition 2026 spotlights agribusiness innovation and entrepreneurship across the region.

Seabed Mining & Indigenous Rights: Indigenous communities across the Pacific are pushing back on deep-sea mining for battery minerals, arguing it threatens poorly understood ecosystems and also raises sovereignty issues; New Caledonia has adopted a 50-year ban on commercial seabed mining in its waters. Pacific Health: Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine donations to Pacific nations have topped 1 million doses, with Vanuatu receiving 20,000 as countries race to respond to outbreaks. Coral Reefs: Saudi Arabia chaired the International Coral Reef Initiative meeting and secured five recommendations, paving the way for a Global Coral Reef Summit in November 2026. Marine Life Protection: A US lawsuit targets seafood imports from eight countries, including Vanuatu, alleging fisheries kill whales and dolphins as bycatch beyond US limits. Disaster Monitoring: After a powerful Philippines earthquake, Pacific coastal monitoring systems were placed on alert; New Zealand says there’s no tsunami threat, but advisories cover Vanuatu and other islands. Vanuatu Tech/Finance: Vanuatu-based CFD broker Vantage says it’s been added to Fortune’s Crypto Innovators list, highlighting its push to bridge traditional finance and digital assets. Media & Elections: Pacific media leaders warn that unregulated social platforms could undermine trust ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing the need for ethical standards and editorial independence.

Pacific Earthquake Watch: A powerful 7.8 quake hit Mindanao, triggering tsunami monitoring across the Pacific; New Zealand says there’s no threat to it, but advisories include Vanuatu and other island states with coastal checks and public guidance. Vaccine Supply Boost: Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine donations to Pacific nations have topped 1 million doses, including 20,000 to Vanuatu, as COVAX coverage is expected to meet only about a fifth of regional needs. Coral Reef Push: Saudi Arabia chaired the ICRI meeting and backed five recommendations, aiming to strengthen coral reef protection and set up a Global Coral Reef Summit in early November 2026. Marine Life Protection (Trade Pressure): A US lawsuit targets seafood imports from eight countries, including Vanuatu, alleging fisheries kill whales and dolphins as bycatch beyond US limits. Food Safety for Exports: 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. Tech/Finance Note: Vantage says it’s been added to Fortune’s Crypto Innovators list, highlighting its multi-asset CFD platform focus.

Crypto & Trading: Vanuatu-based multi-asset CFD broker Vantage says it’s been added to Fortune’s Crypto Innovators list, pointing to its “functional and transparent” trading setup as finance and digital assets converge. Pacific Health Aid: Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine donations to Pacific nations have topped 1 million doses, with Vanuatu receiving 20,000 as Fiji and others race to respond to outbreaks. Coral Reef Push: Saudi Arabia chairs the ICRI meeting and backs five recommendations, including a plan to host a Global Coral Reef Summit in early November 2026. Marine Life Protection: A US lawsuit targets seafood imports from eight countries, including Vanuatu, alleging fisheries exceed US limits for whale and dolphin bycatch. Disaster Monitoring: After a powerful Philippines earthquake, tsunami monitoring is on alert across much of the Pacific, with Vanuatu listed among areas under advisory. Food Safety for Exports: EU training in Suva supports Pacific authorities adjusting to new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules that could affect most Pacific-flagged vessels exporting to the EU.

Vaccine Supply: Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine donations to Pacific nations have topped 1 million doses, with Fiji receiving over half a million as it races to inoculate amid a Delta outbreak; Vanuatu is listed among recipients with 20,000 doses. Marine Protection via Law: A U.S. lawsuit targets seafood imports from eight countries, including Vanuatu, alleging fisheries kill whales and dolphins as bycatch and pushing the U.S. to enforce limits under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Pacific Earthquake Watch: After a powerful Philippines quake, New Zealand says there’s no tsunami threat locally, but regional coastal monitoring is on alert across Pacific islands including Vanuatu. Food Safety for Exports: EU rules on freezer vessels are set to affect most Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU; Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu trained to meet the new -18°C brine requirements. Local Progress on Safety: Vanuatu reports a drop in physical or sexual partner violence against women, down from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), with faster recent improvement. Climate Justice Push: Pacific students and advocates argue the ICJ’s climate advisory opinion should move from courtrooms to negotiations.

Pacific Disaster Readiness: After a powerful Philippines earthquake, New Zealand and regional agencies put coastal tsunami monitoring on alert; NZ says there’s no tsunami threat, but advisories cover places including Vanuatu. Climate Law Momentum: Pacific students and allies say the UN-backed push to implement last year’s ICJ climate ruling must move from courtrooms to negotiations, reinforcing states’ duties to prevent climate harm. Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea announced the Western Manus no-take marine protected area as part of a Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves linking PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji. Food Safety for Pacific Fisheries: EU training in Suva targets new EU freezer-vessel requirements that could affect most Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Local Safety & Health: WA reported a rare Murray Valley encephalitis death linked to mosquito exposure in the West Kimberley, with no vaccine and serious brain complications possible. Media Integrity: Pacific broadcasters warn that unregulated social platforms could undermine trust and editorial independence ahead of the next regional elections. Women’s Safety Data: Vanuatu’s latest survey reports intimate partner violence by husbands/partners fell from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), with faster recent progress. Tech & Crime Warning: Australia’s forensic psychiatrist says organised crime is recruiting vulnerable teens via encrypted apps and gaming platforms to commit serious offences.

Vanuatu Violence Update: Vanuatu reports a faster-than-global drop in physical/sexual partner violence by husbands or partners, down from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), with the pace of change improving in the last 12 months before each survey. Pacific Earthquake Watch: After a powerful quake in the southern Philippines, New Zealand says there’s no tsunami threat to NZ, but a regional advisory includes Vanuatu and other Pacific islands, with coastal monitoring on alert. Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea moves to create the Western Manus Marine Protected Area as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, aiming to protect biodiversity and support long-term fisheries. Media & Elections: Pacific broadcasters warn that unregulated media platforms and social media can undermine trust ahead of the 2027 election cycle, stressing editorial independence and ethical standards. Tech, Crime, and Safety: A report highlights how organised crime uses encrypted apps to recruit vulnerable teens for serious crimes, raising concerns about online platforms and youth protection. Food Safety for EU Seafood: EU training for Pacific fisheries authorities targets new freezer-vessel food safety rules that could affect most EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Sustainability Deadlines (Global, with Vanuatu relevance): A sustainability law bulletin flags major packaging EPR reporting deadlines in the US and upcoming EU packaging regulation milestones, plus California disclosure timing for emissions reporting.

Pacific Media & Elections: Vanuatu and other Pacific broadcasters are warning that unregulated social media platforms could undermine trust ahead of the 2027 national elections, pushing calls for stronger ethical standards and editorial independence. Disaster Monitoring: After a powerful Philippines earthquake, Pacific agencies including those covering Vanuatu placed coastal monitoring systems on alert, with New Zealand saying there’s no tsunami threat there while regional advisories remain. Ocean Protection: Papua New Guinea announced plans for the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a major no-take sanctuary tied to the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves involving Vanuatu and Fiji. Food Safety for Exports: EU-backed training in Suva focused on new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules, expected to affect most Pacific Island vessels exporting seafood to the EU. Climate & Energy Policy: A UN-backed push is endorsing a landmark ICJ climate ruling on states’ duties to prevent climate harm, while separate reporting highlights how fossil-fuel chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz can hit small island economies hard. Local Tech & Media Capacity: In PNG, and echoed across the region, leaders say digital transformation and social media are forcing broadcasters to rethink budgets, workflows, and how they reach rural audiences.

Energy Resilience Training: Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu leaders took part in hands-on solar installation and maintenance training under the Solar Scholars Initiative, aiming to cut reliance on imported diesel and build local control over power systems. Pacific Earthquake Monitoring: After a powerful Philippines quake, Pacific coastal monitoring systems were put on alert; New Zealand says there’s no tsunami threat for it, but advisories covered places including Vanuatu. Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea moved to create the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a proposed no-take sanctuary tied to the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves that also includes Vanuatu and Fiji. Food Safety for EU Seafood: EU-backed training in Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu prepared national authorities for new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules that could affect most Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Media Trust & Tech: Pacific broadcasters and media leaders discussed how social media and unregulated platforms are challenging election-era trust and editorial independence, with Vanuatu’s broadcaster calling out internal shifts needed for digital reporting. Vanuatu Violence Data: Vanuatu’s second national survey reports partner violence by husbands/partners fell from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), a faster decline than the global average.

Media & Elections: At the Pacific Media Partners Conference in Port Moresby, Vanuatu Broadcasting Television’s head of content warned that unregulated social media platforms can erode trust during the 2027 election cycle, making it harder to hold leaders accountable and protect editorial independence. Disaster Monitoring: After a powerful Philippines earthquake, Pacific agencies including Vanuatu were placed on tsunami monitoring alert, though New Zealand says there’s no tsunami threat for it. Energy Skills for Resilience: Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu community representatives completed hands-on solar installation and maintenance training under the Solar Scholars Initiative, aiming to cut reliance on imported diesel and build local energy control. Ocean Protection: Papua New Guinea announced the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a major no-take sanctuary tied to the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, with Vanuatu included in the wider network. Food Safety for Trade: EU-backed training in Suva covered new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules expected to affect most Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Women’s Safety Data: Vanuatu’s Second National Survey on Women’s Lives reports partner violence by husbands/partners fell from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), showing faster recent progress.

Tsunami Monitoring: After a powerful 7.8 quake hit the southern Philippines, Pacific emergency agencies—including New Zealand’s NEMA and GNS Science—placed coastal monitoring systems on alert; NZ says there’s no tsunami threat, but a regional advisory includes Vanuatu and other Pacific islands, with expected wave heights under 0.3m. Energy Skills for Resilience: Pacific leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu took part in hands-on solar training under the Solar Scholars initiative, learning to assemble and install basic solar PV systems to cut reliance on imported diesel and provide backup power during outages. Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea announced plans for the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a proposed no-take sanctuary of over 214,000 sq km, as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves linking PNG, Fiji and Vanuatu. Gender-Based Violence Data: Vanuatu’s Second National Survey reports partner violence by husbands or partners fell from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), a faster decline than the global average, though progress is still too slow. Media & Tech Capacity: Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation highlighted the challenge of shifting from traditional reporting to digital workflows, as technology and social media reshape how audiences are reached.

Tsunami Watch for Vanuatu: After a powerful earthquake hit the southern Philippines, Pacific agencies including Vanuatu were put on alert for possible tsunami impacts, with coastal monitoring systems activated and advisories covering the wider region. Solar Skills for Energy Independence: Pacific leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu took part in hands-on solar technology training to install and maintain solar PV systems, aiming to cut reliance on imported fuel and improve resilience during outages. Ocean Protection Push: Papua New Guinea advanced major marine conservation plans, proposing the Western Manus Marine Protected Area as a large no-take sanctuary linked to the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, with Vanuatu and Fiji in the regional network. EU Seafood Rules Hit Pacific Fleets: EU food safety requirements for freezer vessels are expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels, prompting technical training for national authorities to help keep access to EU seafood markets. Vanuatu Violence Against Women Survey: Vanuatu’s partner-violence rate fell from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), with the Vanuatu Women’s Centre and Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics reporting faster recent progress than the global average. Media Tech Transition in the Pacific: Coverage highlights how broadcasters in the region are struggling to adapt to fast-changing digital tools and audience habits, with Vanuatu’s VBTC and PNG’s NBC both facing staffing and reach challenges.

Energy Skills for Communities: Fiji, Vanuatu and Tuvalu leaders took part in hands-on Solar Scholars training in Nadi, learning to assemble and install basic solar PV systems to cut reliance on imported fuel and provide backup power during outages. Tourism Data for Planning: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Vanuatu Tourism Office released 2025 International Visitor Survey results, using 647 responses to map visitor satisfaction, spending and sustainability perceptions to guide investment and product decisions. Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea announced plans for the Western Manus no-take marine protected area, linking into the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves spanning Fiji, Vanuatu and PNG. Climate Accountability Push: A UN General Assembly resolution endorsed the ICJ’s climate duty ruling, a win for civil society that Vanuatu helped trigger, while activists still face persecution. Media Tech Transition: Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation highlighted the challenge of shifting from traditional reporting to digital platforms, echoing similar concerns raised by PNG’s NBC. Border Security & Trade: Vanuatu joined Pacific customs leaders to strengthen border security and improve trade controls.

Vanuatu Violence Drop: Vanuatu’s partner-violence rate fell from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), with faster recent progress, according to the Vanuatu Women’s Centre survey launched 9 March 2026. Pacific Ocean Protection: Papua New Guinea moved to create the Western Manus no-take marine protected area (over 214,000 sq km), linking into the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves with Fiji and Vanuatu. EU Seafood Rules: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu trained regulators on new EU freezer-vessel food safety requirements that could affect about 97% of Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Solar Skills for Energy Resilience: Community leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu and Tuvalu trained to install and maintain solar PV systems under the Solar Scholars initiative, targeting lower fuel dependence and backup power. Tourism Data for Planning: SPTO and Vanuatu Tourism Office released 2025 International Visitor Survey results, using 647 responses to guide investment and product decisions. Media Tech Transition: Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation says digital change is forcing budget and audience strategy shifts, while rural access remains a key hurdle.