U.S.-Pacific Diplomacy: President Joe Biden met Pacific island leaders at a second White House summit, announcing U.S. recognition of Niue and the Cook Islands plus new infrastructure support aimed at keeping the Indo-Pacific “free, open” and countering China’s influence. Regional Environment Governance: SPREP’s fifth Executive Board meeting in Samoa is underway, with Wallis-et-Futuna chairing for the first time, as members focus on climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and disaster risk. Climate Push for COP31: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger Pacific climate action ahead of COP31, calling for more climate finance, renewable energy investment, and louder Pacific leadership through Pre-COP31 meetings. Fisheries & Niue’s E-Zone Coordination: Samoa used the WCPFC scientific session to press for tighter fish stock monitoring and EEZ security, including coordination on E-Zone boundaries involving Niue and others, alongside anti-illegal fishing and trafficking operations. Niue in the Spotlight: A new Niue silver coin marks 75 years of Chabad-Lubavitch leadership, while a Niue artist’s first Aotearoa exhibition in Auckland brings ancestral and environmental stories to a wider audience. Citizenship Policy Watch (NZ): New Zealand plans a mandatory citizenship test for most grant applicants from late 2027, with exemptions including children under 16 and those aged 65+.