Pacific diplomacy in motion: Papua New Guinea and Niue signed a framework agreement on development and technical cooperation on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting in Palau, setting up cooperation across trade, education, labour mobility, health, climate resilience, digital connectivity and people-to-people links, with either side able to end the deal on six months’ notice. Realm of New Zealand talks: In Auckland, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Cook Islands PM Mark Brown, Niue PM Dalton Tagelagi and Tokelau Ulu Alapati Tavite for the first four-way Realm leaders meeting, focusing on shared security, regional cooperation and getting ready for the Palau summit. Climate finance goes local: The Pacific Resilience Facility is taking 14 community projects to pre-COP events and COP31, including Niue initiatives such as water security work and revival of traditional planting practices, as the Pacific-owned fund moves from concept to delivery. Security and logistics debate: New Zealand PM Luxon defended sending a second RNZAF plane for the Pacific Islands Forum mission, arguing remote travel and connectivity needs require a backup aircraft. Niue remembrance: Thirty-nine memorial headstones were delivered to Niue by an RNZAF C-130J to honour First World War servicemen, marking a major step in a project to keep Niue’s contribution visible. Regional agenda setting: Leaders in Palau are heading into a tougher Forum week as geopolitics, transnational crime and pressure on unity shape the agenda.