AGP Executive Report

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.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model, aiming to fund long-term protection of the Pacific beyond short-term grants. Earthshot Prize (global): Prince William’s Earthshot Prize has announced 15 finalists across five categories, with winners due in Mumbai in November. Ocean conservation funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu. Pacific travel policy (election): Labour says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens if elected, easing costs and sponsorship burdens for families visiting Aotearoa for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Niue in the community spotlight: Two Niuean community figures in Aotearoa received King’s Birthday honours—one for services to the Niuean language community and another for bridging police and Pacific communities. Regional security (Cook Islands): The US says any military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” while stressing the port project is not itself a US base.

Earthshot Prize — Niue Ocean Wide Trust named a 2026 Earthshot finalist for ocean protection finance, pitching “Ocean Conservation Commitments” to fund long-term safeguards across Niue’s vast marine area. 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. Local Environment Spotlight — A Niue Honey feature follows the revival of the island’s beekeeping after neglected hives were rediscovered, with a push to rebuild and protect the bee sanctuary. Honours & Community — Niuean elder Vai Kumitau and Christchurch police bridge-builder Inspector Neru Leifi received King’s Birthday honours in New Zealand, recognising long service to Pacific communities and culture. Pacific Travel Policy — Labour says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to help families reconnect for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Regional Security Watch — The US says any military presence linked to a planned Cook Islands port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” with officials stressing the port project is not a US base.

Niue & Pacific Ocean Protection: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist, backing its “Ocean Conservation Commitments” model that aims to turn donations into a long-term endowment for permanent protection of the Pacific. Earthshot Prize Spotlight: The wider Earthshot 2026 field was announced, with Niue and Barcelona recognised in the “Revive our Oceans” category for long-term ocean financing and climate-resilient coastal work, while other finalists highlight nature, air, waste and climate solutions. US–Cook Islands Port Talks: The US says any future military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” with the NZ$101m project jointly funded by the US and New Zealand and described as not a US base. Pacific Travel Policy: Labour in New Zealand says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens if elected, easing costs and sponsorship burdens for family visits tied to weddings and funerals. Pacific Governance & Tech: A Pasifika AI creator warns Pacific-focused AI can’t speak for communities without formal mandate, arguing systems may need to “design for refusal” to stay aligned. Regional Climate Readiness: Pacific meteorological leaders met to strengthen early warning systems and forecasting, citing progress in Tonga, Kiribati and Tuvalu’s use of AI for faster severe-weather predictions.

Pacific Ocean Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m 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 pushing for high-seas protections. Niue Spotlight: Niue Ocean Wide Trust was named an Earthshot Prize 2026 finalist for its “Ocean Conservation Commitments” model, aiming to turn donations into a long-term endowment for permanent ocean protection. Earthshot Prize Round-Up: Mahindra Last Mile Mobility also made the Earthshot 2026 shortlist under “Clean Our Air,” while Niue and Barcelona were recognised as finalists for “Revive Our Oceans,” highlighting long-term financing and climate resilience for coastal areas. Visa Policy Watch: Labour in New Zealand says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens if elected, easing costs and sponsorship burdens for family visits to Aotearoa. US–Pacific Security Signals: The US says any future military presence linked to a Cook Islands port upgrade near Penrhyn is “being negotiated,” with the port project described as not a US base.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for its “Ocean Conservation Commitments,” a long-term endowment model aimed at permanent protection of the Pacific Ocean. Regional Environment: The Earthshot Prize also spotlighted Niue alongside Barcelona in the “Revive our Oceans” category, with finalists chosen from nearly 7,000 nominations worldwide and winners due in November in Mumbai. Pacific Politics (NZ election): Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum nations if elected, aiming to cut costs and barriers for Pacific families visiting Aotearoa for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. Security & Ports (Cook Islands): The US says a future military presence tied to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” while stressing the port project itself is not a US base. Pacific Governance & Tech: Pasifika AI creator Kevyn Wahuzue warns Pacific-focused AI can’t speak for communities without formal mandate, arguing “alignment” may mean less flashy but more accountable systems.