AGP Executive Report

UNIDROIT & Justice Cooperation: UNIDROIT marked its centenary with a Seoul visit by Secretary-General Ignacio Tirado, meeting Korean officials on the Cape Town Convention and plans for a new UNIDROIT Asia-Pacific liaison office. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m+ in new grants to protect and sustainably manage Pacific waters across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting total Pacific awards to $63.3m under its “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” pledge. Climate Loss & Damage Accountability: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to loss-and-damage information and stronger support for journalists. Pacific Health & Living Standards: New research highlights uneven life expectancy gains across the Pacific, with Naoero falling furthest behind and now at the lowest point in the region. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as PINA looks toward a PNG-focused next term. UNGA Climate Warnings: Tuvalu and Solomon Islands leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress sea-level rise and vulnerability to shocks, urging scaled climate finance and faster SDG progress.

UNIDROIT & Legal Trade: UNIDROIT marked its Asia-Pacific push with a Seoul visit for the 20th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific, focusing on the Cape Town Convention and plans for a new UNIDROIT Liaison Office for the region. Ocean Conservation Funding: Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect and sustainably manage Pacific waters across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu—part of a $100m Pacific pledge aimed at protecting 30% of waters by 2030. Health & Prevention Politics: In New Zealand election coverage, Niue-born candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues the health system should shift toward primary care and prevention, including changes to how GPs and funding work. Life Expectancy Watch: A new Devpolicy analysis says Pacific life expectancy rose to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress lags other income groups, with Naoero falling furthest behind. Media Accountability on Climate Loss: Pacific editors adopted a Savusavu declaration calling for timely, transparent access to loss and damage information and stronger government accountability, alongside better support for journalists. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected new president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Solomon Islands journalist Lisa Osifelo as vice president.

Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund has announced $25m in new grants to protect and sustainably manage marine areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu—covering 625,000+ square miles—with the wider Pacific pledge now at $63.3m toward a $100m goal. Climate Accountability for Media: 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. Health Policy Focus: NZ Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says health reform should start with primary care and prevention, including how GPs and funding are structured, and she highlights Pacific representation in Parliament. Life Expectancy Gaps: New analysis shows Pacific average life expectancy rising to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress is uneven—Naoero is singled out for falling to the lowest in 2023. Regional Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi has been elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Solomon Islands journalist Lisa Osifelo as vice president. UN Climate Push: Tuvalu and Solomon Islands leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress sea-level rise, climate finance needs, and vulnerability to shocks.

Pacific Climate Grants: Jeff Bezos’ Bezos Earth Fund has approved $25m in new grants to protect 625,000+ square miles of ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, as part of its “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push to manage waters sustainably and protect at least 30% by 2030. Media Accountability: Pacific editors and newsroom leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for faster, transparent access to climate loss-and-damage information and stronger government and agency accountability. Health Policy Shift: Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says New Zealand’s health system needs prevention and better primary care funding, arguing Pacific communities are not getting the quality of care they deserve. Life Expectancy Watch: New analysis shows Pacific life expectancy rising to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress lags other income groups; Naoero is highlighted as falling furthest behind. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), with Solomon Islands’ Lisa Osifelo as vice president. UNGA Climate Warnings: Tuvalu and Solomon Islands leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress sea-level rise and vulnerability to shocks, urging scaled climate finance and faster action. India-Pacific Cooperation: India has been placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation on healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building.

Health & Policy: New Zealand Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says fixing the health system must start with primary care and prevention, including rethinking how GP funding works, and she highlights her Pacific roots (including Niue) as part of what she wants in Parliament. Life Expectancy & Development: A new Devpolicy analysis puts Pacific average life expectancy at 68.8 years (up from 52.7 in 1960) but still below middle-income progress, with Naoero singled out for a sharp slide to the lowest in the region by 2023. Climate Accountability for Media: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding governments and regional agencies provide timely, transparent climate loss and damage information and answer public questions. Regional Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as PINA looks ahead to a PNG-focused term. Pacific Finance & Conservation: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to support conservation in tropical Pacific nations and help develop marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty.

Health & Policy: NZ Labour candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa says fixing the health system means shifting focus to primary care and prevention, including rethinking how GPs and the wider system are funded, while highlighting Pacific health gaps in Aotearoa. Public Health Metrics: New analysis shows Pacific life expectancy has risen to 68.8 years from 52.7 in 1960, but progress lags middle-income peers; Naoero stands out for falling from among the region’s best in 1960 to the lowest in 2023. Climate Accountability for Media: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for timely, transparent access to climate loss and damage information and stronger government accountability, plus more support for Pacific journalists. Regional Diplomacy & Capacity: India says it will tailor capacity-building programmes for Pacific priorities and has been placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with cooperation flagged across healthcare, renewables, connectivity and training. Conservation Finance: Bezos Earth Fund pledges $25m more for tropical Pacific conservation, including support for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Sports & Broadcasting (PNG-Niue link): NBC will televise PNG boxing stars John Ume and Kondup Samson Wailo in New Zealand, boosting international exposure for Pacific fighters.

Pacific health & living standards: A new Devpolicy analysis says Pacific life expectancy has risen to 68.8 years since 1960, but progress lags middle-income peers—and Naoero is the standout concern, sliding from above the upper-middle-income average in 1960 to the lowest in the Pacific by 2023. 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 responsiveness to public questions. UN climate push by leaders: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo warned sea-level rise is “present reality” and urged scaled climate finance, while Solomon Islands’ PM Jeremiah Manele stressed small states face shocks that can wipe out years of development. Regional business & partnerships: India has been placed on the “strategic partner stream” in the Pacific Islands Forum, with cooperation flagged in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Niue relevance: The life-expectancy findings place Naoero at the centre of the region’s development debate.

Climate & Media Accountability: Pacific editors and newsroom leaders 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 training and resources for Pacific journalists. Pacific Diplomacy & Climate Risk: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo warned sea-level rise is a present reality and urged climate finance as grants at the needed scale, while Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele stressed small island vulnerability to shocks that can erase years of development. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), with Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as PINA looks ahead to a PNG-focused next term. Health & Development Metrics: Economists report average Pacific life expectancy has risen to 68.8 years, but Niue/Naoero’s gains have been modest, with its ranking falling sharply over time. Niue Business Spotlight: A feature on Niue Honey highlights how the island’s bee sanctuary and honey business has been rebuilt and expanded, turning local beekeeping into a growing enterprise. Pacific Partnerships & Capacity: India says it will tailor capacity-building programmes for Pacific priorities and has been placed in the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” signaling deeper cooperation on healthcare, renewables, connectivity and skills.

Loss & Damage 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 to show up for public-interest questions as climate justice concerns mount. Media Capacity for the Pacific: The declaration also pushes for stronger support for Pacific journalists—training, resources, and tighter partnerships—to better cover climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Pacific Leadership in News: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), with Lisa Osifelo as vice president, setting up a new term that includes a PNG-focused push ahead of the 2028 Pacific Media Summit. Pacific Health & Living Standards: Economists report average life expectancy across Pacific Island countries has risen to 68.8 years, but Niue’s progress is described as especially modest, with its standing slipping over time. Niue Business Spotlight: A feature on Niue Honey highlights how the island’s bee sanctuary and honey business has been rebuilt and expanded, turning local beekeeping into a growing enterprise. Regional Diplomacy & Support: India was placed on the strategic partner stream in the Pacific Islands Forum, with cooperation flagged across healthcare, renewables, connectivity, and capacity building.

Health & Development: New analysis shows Pacific life expectancy has climbed to 68.8 years from 52.7 in 1960, but progress is slower than in other income groups; Naoero’s gains are especially weak, sliding from among the region’s top performers to the lowest in 2023. Climate & Finance at the UN: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to press for urgent climate action and scaled grants, with Tuvalu calling sea-level rise a “present reality” and Solomon Islands warning one disaster can wipe out years of development. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, backing marine protected areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, plus work toward high-seas protections under the UN treaty. Regional Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea journalist Neville Choi was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association, with Solomon Islands journalist Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as PINA looks toward a PNG-focused next term. Niue Business Spotlight: A feature on Niue Honey traces how the island’s bee sanctuary and honey business is being rebuilt and scaled again after years of neglect. Pacific Trade & Partnerships: India has been placed on the strategic partner stream in the Pacific Islands Forum, with cooperation flagged in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building.

Pacific Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea’s Neville Choi has been elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), with Solomon Islands journalist Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as outgoing president Kalafi Moala steps aside ahead of a new push that includes PNG hosting the Pacific Media Summit in 2028. Climate & Resilience at UNGA: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is a “present reality,” calling for climate finance as grants at the scale needed for adaptation and loss-and-damage, while Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele warned a single disaster could wipe out years of development. Health & Living Standards: Economists report Pacific life expectancy has risen to 68.8 years from 52.7 in 1960, with Solomon Islands moving above the regional average, while Naoero’s gains lag and its ranking has fallen sharply. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, supporting marine protected areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, plus work on high-seas protection under the UN High Seas Treaty. Niue Business Spotlight: A feature on Niue Honey traces how the island’s beekeeping business was revived and expanded, turning a near-forgotten hive operation into a growing local enterprise. Regional Cooperation: India proposed tailored capacity-building for Pacific priorities and was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with cooperation flagged in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building.

Pacific Media Leadership: Papua New Guinea media leader Neville Choi has been elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), with Solomon Islands journalist Lisa Osifelo as vice president, as the group looks ahead to a new term and a Papua New Guinea focus. UN Climate Push: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to stress climate as a present survival threat, with Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo calling for scaled climate grants and Solomon Islands’ PM Jeremiah Manele warning that one disaster can wipe out years of development. Pacific Health & Living Standards: Economists report Pacific life expectancy has risen to 68.8 years from 52.7 in 1960, with Solomon Islands and Vanuatu moving above the regional average, while some countries like Naoero have fallen sharply in ranking. Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, supporting marine protected areas and high-seas protection under the UN High Seas Treaty. Niue Business Spotlight: A feature on Niue Honey shows how the island’s beekeeping business is being rebuilt and expanded, turning local hives into a growing sanctuary and enterprise. Regional Trade/Capacity: India says it will tailor capacity-building for Pacific priorities under the FIPIC framework, and has been placed on the Pacific Islands Forum strategic partner stream.

UN Climate & Resilience: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to press urgent action on climate finance and loss and damage, with Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo calling sea-level rise a “present reality” and urging grants at scale, while Solomon Islands’ PM Jeremiah Manele warned that a single disaster can wipe out years of development. Health & Development: Economists say Pacific life expectancy has jumped to 68.8 years from 52.7 in 1960, with Solomon Islands and Vanuatu moving above the regional average, but Naoero’s gains lag far behind. Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new tropical Pacific grants to protect and restore marine areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, including support for early marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Niue Business Spotlight: A feature on Niue Honey shows how the island’s bee sanctuary was rebuilt from near-forgotten hives into a growing local business. Regional Partnerships & Skills: India proposed tailored capacity-building for Pacific priorities under the FIPIC framework, and also moved into the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream.” Sports & Media: NBC will broadcast PNG fighters John Ume and Kondup Samson Wailo in New Zealand, boosting international exposure for PNG combat sports.

Pacific Health & Living Standards: Economists say average life expectancy across Pacific Island countries has climbed to 68.8 years from 52.7 in 1960, with Solomon Islands moving from below the regional average to above it, while Naoero’s gains lag and its ranking has slipped sharply. Ocean Conservation Finance: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, supporting marine protected areas and work under the UN High Seas Treaty. Earthshot Prize Spotlight (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for “Revive our Oceans,” backing long-term ocean protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments. Regional Cooperation & Media: SPREP’s Pacific Editors Forum adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, urging Pacific media to keep amplifying climate, biodiversity and pollution impacts. Trade & Mobility (Pacific to NZ): Labour says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to make it easier and cheaper for families to reconnect in Aotearoa for major life events.

Niue Ocean Conservation: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize 2026 (Revive our Oceans), selling Ocean Conservation Commitments to build a NZ$32m endowment aimed at permanent protection of the Pacific Ocean. Earthshot Spotlight: Niue and Barcelona are both Earthshot finalists for ocean work, with winners due to be announced in Mumbai in November. Pacific Climate Media: SPREP’s Pacific Editors Forum adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Declaration, urging media to amplify Pacific voices on climate, biodiversity loss and pollution. Pacific Business & Mobility: 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 weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Regional Partnerships: India says it has been placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” with cooperation flagged in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Local Economy Story: A Niue Honey feature highlights how the island’s beekeeping business is rebuilding and expanding a Pacific bee sanctuary. Sports & Media: NBC will broadcast PNG’s John Ume and Kondup Samson Wailo in New Zealand on Oct 3, with Niuean Commonwealth Games medallist Duken Williams set to fight Wailo.

Pacific Partnerships & Skills: India says it will tailor capacity-building programmes for Pacific Island countries, sending professionals to India for focused, priority-led training under the FIPIC framework. Regional Media & Climate Accountability: SPREP’s Pacific Editors Forum adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Declaration, urging stronger action on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution while calling on media to amplify Pacific voices. Pacific Ocean Finance: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in grants to protect Pacific ocean ecosystems, backing marine protected areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu and supporting high-seas protection work. Niue’s Earthshot Moment: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model, aiming to fund long-term protection with a growing endowment. Niue Business Spotlight: A Niue Honey feature highlights how the island’s beekeeping business revived hundreds of hives and is building a Pacific bee sanctuary. Travel & Family Links: Labour proposes expanding visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to make it cheaper and easier for families to reconnect in Aotearoa for major life events.