Pacific Finance & Economic Ministers: Finance ministers from across the Pacific are set to meet in the Marshall Islands for the 2026 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, with the Middle East crisis, regional economic resilience, and the launch of the Pacific Resilience Facility high on the agenda. U.S.-Pacific engagement: A White House summit with 12 Pacific leaders was described as “collaborative” and focused on listening, with pledges including new infrastructure investment (including subsea cables) and extra climate, growth, anti-illegal fishing, and public health funding. Climate risk for island economies: SPREP is urging Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño now that it has been declared underway, stressing early action to protect families and reduce country-by-country risks. Niue budget scrutiny: Niue MPs are challenging the new government’s first budget since the election, pointing to a widening deficit and asking why community development and social welfare are missing from stated priorities despite ongoing spending. Fisheries cooperation: Cabinet endorsed an MoU to strengthen regional cooperation on sustainable management of South Pacific albacore tuna, bringing together Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa and Tonga to support science-based management and shared advocacy. Regional security dialogue: Niue’s Home Affairs Minister Richie Mautama highlighted broad security concerns at the Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue, linking community safety and climate pressures with illegal activity and wider regional stability.