AGP Executive Report

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.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist, backing long-term ocean protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments and a reported NZ$32m endowment aimed at permanent funding for the Pacific. Earthshot Prize (Ocean): Niue and Barcelona are also listed as 2026 finalists in the “Revive our Oceans” category, with the focus on securing protection funding for the next 20 years and building resilience for crowded coastlines. Pacific Ocean Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, plus work toward international high-seas marine protection. Niue Business/Environment: A feature on Niue Honey highlights how the island’s beekeeping business was revived after years of neglect, with new life in hundreds of hives and a push to build a Pacific bee sanctuary. Travel & Family Links (Niue/region): Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to make it easier and cheaper for families—including Niueans—to reconnect in Aotearoa for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Regional Trade/Media: NBC will televise PNG boxers John Ume and Kondup Samson Wailo in New Zealand, reflecting growing Pacific sports partnerships and international exposure for Pacific athletes.

Sports & Media: NBC will televise PNG boxers John Ume and Kondup Samson Wailo in New Zealand next Saturday under a new partnership with Light Speed, NBC and Combat Sports Network, with Wailo making his pro boxing debut against Niuean Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Duken Williams. Niue Business & Tourism: A feature on Niue Honey traces how the island’s beekeeping business revived from neglected hives to a renewed operation, highlighting local workshop work and the growth of a Pacific bee sanctuary-style model. Pacific Ocean Finance (Earthshot): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named an Earthshot Prize 2026 finalist for ocean protection, selling Ocean Conservation Commitments to build a long-term endowment aimed at permanent Pacific marine protection. Regional Policy (Travel): Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to help families reconnect for weddings, funerals and major cultural events, easing cost and process barriers for Niue and other Pacific whānau. Earthshot Spotlight (Ocean): Niue and Barcelona are both recognised as 2026 finalists in the Earthshot Prize “Revive our Oceans” category, with Niue’s focus on funding protection over decades.

Niue Ocean Wide Trust Earthshot nod: Niue’s Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for its “Ocean Conservation Commitments,” which aims to build a long-term endowment (reported at $32m) to fund permanent protection of the Pacific Ocean, with Niueans framing the ocean as identity and responsibility for future generations. Earthshot Prize finalists—ocean focus: The Earthshot Prize also lists Niue as a finalist in the “Revive our Oceans” category, highlighting the challenge of securing long-term finance for vast island waters and resilience for crowded coastlines. Pacific travel policy push: Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to make it easier and cheaper for Pacific families—including Niueans—to reconnect in Aotearoa for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Regional ocean funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, supporting marine protected areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu and helping countries coordinate high-seas protection. Local business spotlight—Niue Honey: A Niue Honey feature follows the revival of the island’s bee sanctuary, tracing how surviving hives were rediscovered and the business rebuilt into a growing conservation-linked enterprise. Health admissions debate: A Niue-linked interview controversy continues around MAPAS medical admissions, with Elliot Ikilei arguing selection should prioritize capability over ethnicity and warning against assuming “cultural competence” only comes from ancestry-based pathways.

Niue Ocean Conservation: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in the “Revive our Oceans” category, backing its model of selling Ocean Conservation Commitments to build a NZ$32m endowment for long-term protection of the Pacific. Earthshot Prize (Ocean + Local finance): Niue is also recognised alongside Barcelona for tackling the two big ocean problems: funding protection for decades and making busy coastlines more resilient as seas and weather shift. Pacific Ocean Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, supporting marine protected areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu and helping nations coordinate high-seas protections. Niue Business & Environment: A Niue Honey feature highlights how the island’s beekeeping revival is rebuilding hives after years of neglect, turning local know-how into a growing sanctuary-style business. Pacific Travel Policy: Labour is promising wider visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to help families reconnect for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Regional Politics (Health admissions): Elliot Ikilei says RNZ coverage of MAPAS medical admissions leaned too heavily on benefits while challenging ethnicity-based selection, arguing capability should come first.

Ocean Conservation Finance: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in new grants to protect 625,000 square miles of tropical Pacific ocean, backing marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, and supporting Pacific-led cooperation on high-seas protection. Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named an Earthshot Prize 2026 finalist for its “Ocean Conservation Commitments,” aiming to build a US$32m endowment for permanent ocean protection beyond short-term grants. Earthshot Prize (Global): Mahindra Last Mile Mobility was also selected as a 2026 finalist under “Clean Our Air,” citing billions of kilometres covered by electric last-mile vehicles and large estimated CO2 avoidance. Local Business & Travel (Pacific): Labour in New Zealand says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to help families reconnect for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Regional Business & Climate Resilience: Pacific meteorological services are strengthening early warning and forecasting, with examples including Tonga’s multi-hazard centre, Kiribati’s station upgrades, and Tuvalu using AI for faster severe-weather monitoring. Geopolitics & Risk: A week of naval exercises near the Korean Peninsula highlights ongoing regional tension as North Korea conducted missile tests shortly after.

Pacific Ocean Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in six grants to protect 625,000 square miles of tropical Pacific ocean, backing marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, and supporting Pacific-led work to create high-seas protections. Niue Earthshot Spotlight: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named an Earthshot Prize 2026 finalist for its “Ocean Conservation Commitments” model, aiming to build a US$32m endowment for long-term ocean protection beyond short-term grants. Earthshot Prize Momentum: Earthshot Prize 2026 finalists were also announced for ocean and air initiatives, including Niue and Barcelona in “Revive our Oceans,” and Mahindra Last Mile Mobility in “Clean Our Air” for scaling electric last-mile transport in India. Travel & Family Costs: Labour in New Zealand says it would expand visa-waiver travel for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum nations, easing the cost and process barriers for Pacific families visiting Aotearoa for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Regional Business & Security Watch: A Pacific-focused bulletin also flagged ongoing high-seas and regional cooperation efforts, alongside broader Pacific policy and resilience updates.

Earthshot Prize — Niue Ocean Wide Trust and Niue’s ocean work get global recognition: Niue has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in the “Revive our Oceans” category, alongside Barcelona, for tackling long-term ocean protection and climate-resilient coastal outcomes. The Niue Ocean Wide Trust’s model, Ocean Conservation Commitments, aims to build a $32m endowment to fund permanent protection across Niue’s vast marine territory. Earthshot Prize — Niue’s finalist status sits within a wider Pacific push: The Earthshot Prize’s 2026 finalists were announced by Prince William ahead of awards in Mumbai in November, with Niue highlighted for ocean financing at scale. Pacific travel policy — Labour signals visa-waiver expansion for Pacific families: Labour says it would make it easier and cheaper for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to travel to New Zealand by expanding visa-waiver access, targeting barriers for weddings, funerals and major family occasions. Business & tech — Pasifika AI debate turns to community mandate: PACNEWS reports Pasifika AI creator Kevyn Wahuzue warns Pacific-focused AI can’t truly represent communities without formal ownership and consent.