AGP Executive Report

Ocean Conservation Grants: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect and sustainably manage more than 625,000 square miles of Pacific ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting total Pacific awards under its $100m pledge to $63.3m and aiming to protect at least 30% of waters by 2030. Loss and Damage Media Push: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for governments and regional agencies to share timely, transparent climate loss-and-damage information and answer public questions, while backing training and resources for journalists. UN Climate Warnings: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo said sea-level rise is a present reality and urged climate finance as grants at the needed scale; Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele warned a single disaster could erase years of development. Regional Tax Cooperation: Palau hosted the first PITAA annual meeting in-country since 2004, bringing 14 delegations to discuss stronger revenue systems and modern tax administration. Niue Link in Regional Politics: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “Strategic Partner Stream,” with cooperation discussed including healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building.

Pacific Media Accountability: Pacific editors and newsroom leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to climate loss-and-damage information and for governments and regional agencies to answer public questions. Climate Finance & Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect over 625,000 square miles of ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, as it works toward a 2030 goal of protecting at least 30% of Pacific waters. Tuvalu & Solomon Islands at UNGA: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the UN General Assembly sea-level rise is already here and urged climate finance as grants at the needed scale; Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele warned a single disaster can erase years of development. Regional Tax Cooperation: Palau hosted the first Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association heads meeting in the country since 2004, bringing 14 delegations to discuss stronger revenue systems and modern risk management. Niue-linked Note: Niue is listed among delegations attending the PITAA meeting, underscoring Niue’s participation in regional governance and public finance coordination. Sports Disruption: Lakapi Samoa says Oceania 7s cancellation has disrupted Manu Samoa 7s and Manusina 7s preparations for next year’s World Rugby qualification.

Rugby & Sports Governance: Lakapi Samoa says it’s disappointed Oceania Rugby cancelled the Oceania 7s in Rotorua (Oct 31–Nov 1), cutting crucial international game time for Samoa’s Manu Samoa 7s and Manusina 7s as they prepare for next year’s World Rugby qualification series. Health Policy & Representation: Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues New Zealand’s health system must be fixed through stronger primary care and prevention, and says Pacific voice in Parliament should reflect a Pacific worldview. Climate, Media Freedom & Accountability: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding governments and regional agencies provide timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and answer public-interest questions. Regional Finance & Capacity: Palau hosts the first PITAA annual meeting in-country since the group began in 2004, bringing Niue and other members to discuss stronger revenue systems, technology, risk management and workforce development. Pacific Diplomacy: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building.

Health & Representation: Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says New Zealand’s health system must shift toward primary care and prevention, and argues Pacific representation should bring a “Pacific worldview” to Parliament. Climate Accountability for Media: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger government and regional agency accountability, plus more support for Pacific journalists. Regional Diplomacy & Capacity Building: At the UN General Assembly, India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “Strategic Partner Stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and tailored capacity-building for Pacific professionals. Tax Cooperation in the Pacific: Palau hosts the first PITAA annual heads meeting in the country since 2004, bringing together 14 delegations to discuss stronger revenue systems, technology, risk management and workforce development. Climate Warnings at UNGA: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told leaders sea-level rise is a present reality, while Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele warned a single disaster can erase years of development. Niue-linked Community Note: A Niue Honey feature highlights the island’s beekeeping revival and local enterprise.

Media & Accountability: Pacific editors and newsroom leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for governments and regional agencies to give timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and to show up for public-interest questions and interviews. Climate Justice: The declaration frames climate-related loss and damage as climate justice for Pacific communities, urging action to avert, minimise and address impacts. Support for Journalists: Delegates also pushed for stronger backing for Pacific journalists, including training and resources, plus tighter partnerships between media organisations. Regional Media Focus: The declaration was adopted at the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, Fiji, alongside discussions on reaching remote communities and using digital tools to keep island voices heard. Niue Angle: Niue is represented among delegations at the summit, reflecting the island’s continued participation in regional media cooperation.

Pacific Media & Climate Accountability: Pacific editors and newsroom leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for governments and regional agencies to share timely, transparent climate loss and damage information and to face public-interest questions, while backing journalists with training and resources. Regional Governance & Revenue: Palau is hosting the Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association (PITAA) annual heads meeting, bringing 14 delegations—including Niue—to discuss stronger revenue systems, technology, risk management and workforce development. UN Climate Push: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo said sea-level rise is already a “present reality” and urged climate finance as grants at the needed scale, while Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele warned that one disaster can erase years of progress. Pacific Diplomacy: India was placed on the “strategic partner stream” in the Pacific Islands Forum, with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Niue Community Spotlight: Two Niuean-linked community leaders received King’s Birthday Honours in New Zealand—recognising long service to the Niuean community and to policing and Pacific community bridges.

Media & Climate Accountability: Pacific editors and newsroom leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling on governments and regional agencies to share timely, transparent loss-and-damage information and answer public-interest questions, while backing journalists with training and resources. Regional Governance & Capacity: Palau hosted the first PITAA annual heads meeting since 2004, bringing together tax administrators from across the Pacific (including Niue) to discuss stronger revenue systems, technology, risk management and workforce development. UN Climate Push: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo warned sea-level rise is already here and urged climate finance as grants at the required scale, while Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele stressed small states face shocks that can erase years of progress. Pacific Media Summit Focus: The 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu highlighted reaching remote communities and digital innovation, with record attendance and support from PACMAS for media participation. Niue Community Spotlight: Two Niuean-linked community figures received King’s Birthday Honours in New Zealand—recognising long service to Niuean language and culture, and to policing and Pacific community links.

Pacific Climate at UNGA: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is “present reality,” urging climate finance as grants at the required scale and faster progress on SDG 14. Regional Health & Resilience: A new Devpolicy Blog analysis says Pacific life expectancy has climbed to 68.8 years since 1960, with Solomon Islands moving above the regional average. Pacific Media Freedom & Access: In Savusavu, Fiji, the 8th Pacific Media Summit drew a record crowd, focusing on reaching remote communities and digital tools; editors adopted a Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Declaration calling for action on 1.5°C. Niue & Culture Recognition: Niuean community leader Vai Kumitau received a King’s Birthday honour in New Zealand for services to the Niuean community and language work. Niue in the Regional Spotlight: A Niue Honey feature highlights local efforts to revive and protect the island’s bee sanctuary. India–Pacific Forum Moves: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Ocean Protection Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to support marine protected areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu.

UN Climate Push: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to press for urgent climate action, with Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo calling sea-level rise a “present reality” and urging climate finance as grants at the needed scale, while Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele warned a single disaster can erase years of development. Regional Media Freedom: Fiji’s media sector is marking a “full circle” after the scrapping of Fiji’s MIDA, as Pacific journalists gather in Savusavu for the 8th Pacific Media Summit focused on reaching remote communities and using digital tools. Pacific Media Summit Declaration: Editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, stressing media’s role in amplifying Pacific voices on climate, biodiversity loss and pollution. India–Pacific Ties: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” and proposed tailored capacity-building programmes for Pacific professionals. Ocean Protection Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m more for tropical Pacific conservation, backing marine protected area proposals across multiple island nations. Tax Cooperation in the Pacific: Niue is among delegations at Palau’s first PITAA meeting since 2004, aiming to strengthen revenue systems, technology, risk management and workforce development. Niue Community Spotlight: Niuean language and community leaders in New Zealand received King’s Birthday Honours, including services to the Niuean community and culture.

Climate at the UNGA: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is “present reality,” urging climate finance as grants at the scale needed for unavoidable impacts and loss and damage. Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele warned that a single disaster can erase years of development, calling for better measures of small-state vulnerability. Regional media push: In Savusavu, Fiji, the 8th Pacific Media Summit drew a record turnout as journalists focus on reaching remote communities and using digital tools to keep Pacific voices heard; editors also adopted a Loss and Damage media declaration. Pacific governance & capacity: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and tailored capacity-building for Pacific professionals. Niue & community recognition: In New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours, Niuean language and community leader Vai Kumitau received the King’s Service Medal. Ocean protection funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants for tropical Pacific conservation, including support for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Tax cooperation in the region: Palau hosted the first PITAA annual meeting in-country since 2004, bringing Niue and other delegations together to strengthen revenue systems and modern tax administration.

Tax & Governance: Palau is hosting the Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association (PITAA) annual heads meeting in Koror (Sept 21–25), bringing together 14 Pacific delegations including Niue to compare ways to strengthen revenue systems, technology, risk management and staff capacity. Climate Diplomacy: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo warned sea-level rise is “present reality” and urged climate finance as grants at the scale needed for unavoidable impacts and loss and damage; Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele stressed small states face shocks that can erase years of progress. Health & Development: Economists report Pacific life expectancy has risen to 68.8 years since 1960, with Solomon Islands moving above the regional average. Media & Rights: Pacific editors adopted a Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Declaration, backing stronger journalism to amplify Pacific voices on climate, biodiversity and pollution. Regional Partnerships: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with Jaishankar also proposing tailored capacity-building for Pacific professionals. Environment Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty.

Pacific Media & Climate Messaging: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, stressing media’s role in amplifying Pacific voices on climate, biodiversity and pollution. Regional Diplomacy: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “Strategic Partner Stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Niue Environment & Finance: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named an Earthshot Prize finalist for long-term ocean protection funding via Ocean Conservation Commitments. Niue Community & Culture: Niuean language and community leaders received King’s Birthday honours in New Zealand, including recognition for services to Niuean language and Pacific community work. Cook Islands–US Port Talks: The US says any military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade is still being negotiated, even as the project is framed as a jointly funded “friendly port.” Pacific Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new tropical Pacific grants, supporting marine protected areas and high-seas protection work across multiple island nations.

Cook Islands–US Security: The US says any military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn Island port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” even as the NZ$101m project (US US$50m, NZ NZ$17.5m) is framed as a “friendly port” to help counter “bad actors” and support policing against illegal fishing and narco-terrorism. Pacific Media Freedom: Fiji’s media industry is described as having “turned full circle” after the scrapping of MIDA, with the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu spotlighting remote-community reporting and digital innovation. Pacific Media Summit Declaration: Editors and news leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, urging action to keep 1.5°C “to stay alive and thrive” and calling for stronger Pacific voices on climate, biodiversity loss and pollution. India–Pacific Forum Moves: India has been placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and tailored capacity-building. Niue–Ocean Conservation Recognition: Niue Ocean Wide Trust is named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for long-term ocean protection financing via Ocean Conservation Commitments. Niue–Culture & Service Honours: Niuean language and community leader Vai Kumitau received a King’s Service Medal in New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours.

Pacific Islands Forum diplomacy: India has been moved into the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar pointing to cooperation on healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Capacity-building focus: At the FIPIC foreign ministers’ meeting in New York, Jaishankar said India will tailor training modules to each Pacific country’s priorities, sending professionals to India for focused, region-led programmes. Media and climate accountability: Pacific editors and news leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, stressing the media’s role in amplifying Pacific voices on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Niue environment recognition: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist (Revive our Oceans), backing long-term ocean protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments. Pacific travel policy: Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to make it cheaper and easier for families to reconnect in Aotearoa. Regional security and ports: The US says any future military presence tied to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade in the Cook Islands is “all being negotiated,” even as the port project is framed as non-military. Community honours: In New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours, Niuean language and community leader Vai Kumitau received a King’s Service Medal.

Pacific Media Freedom: Fiji’s MIDA was scrapped in 2023, but this week’s 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu is being framed as a “full circle” for press freedom, with Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka opening the event and backing a Suva media training centre. Regional Journalism Access: The summit (21–25 Sept) focuses on reaching remote communities and strengthening digital tools, with close to 200 delegates and Samoa’s media delegation among those attending. Niue Environment & Finance: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for ocean work, pitching long-term funding through “Ocean Conservation Commitments” to protect the Pacific beyond short grants. Pacific Ocean Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect marine areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu, including support for high-seas protection. Pacific Mobility Policy: Labour in New Zealand is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens if elected, aiming to cut costs for family visits tied to weddings and funerals. US–Pacific Security Talks: The US says any military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade in the Cook Islands is “all being negotiated,” while the port upgrade itself is described as not a US base.

Pacific Media Summit: Pacific journalists and media leaders gathered in Savusavu, Fiji for the 8th Pacific Media Summit, focused on reaching remote communities through digital innovation and stronger regional cooperation; the Fijian Media Association and PINA are co-hosting with close to 200 participants, including a Samoa delegation. Niue Culture & Community Honours: Two Niue-linked community figures received King’s Birthday Honours in New Zealand—Vai Kumitau for services to the Niuean community and Inspector Neru Leifi for police and community work—highlighting ongoing cultural and public service ties. Niue Ocean Protection Recognition: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named an Earthshot Prize finalist for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model, aiming to fund long-term protection of the Pacific beyond short-term grants. Earthshot Prize Spotlight (Ocean): Niue and Barcelona were both recognised as 2026 finalists in “Revive our Oceans,” with Niue’s large-scale marine territory and financing approach at the centre. Pacific Travel Policy: Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens if elected, aiming to cut costs and barriers for families visiting Aotearoa for major cultural events. US–Cook Islands Port Talks: The US says any future military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade in the Cook Islands is “all being negotiated,” while the port project itself is described as not a US military base.