AGP Executive Report

Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Leaders will meet Aug 30–Sep 4 in Palau on “Building Economies: Life, Action, Unity,” with the venue itself raising the stakes as China and the US compete for influence across the Indo-Pacific. New Caledonia politics: France has pledged €2 billion to rebuild the territory, while UN concerns continue over the decolonization process; meanwhile, provincial elections are set for June as voter roll changes spark criticism. Regional resilience training: Journalists and disaster officials gathered in Palau for a Media Masterclass tied to the Pacific DRM ministerial push—aiming to improve how climate and ocean risks are communicated. Health watch: The CDC reports a sharp jump in dengue in the US tied mostly to travel, with 2024 cases far above the 2010–2023 average. Security backdrop: US Marines begin a new six-month rotation in northern Australia after drills in the Philippines, with training reported in New Caledonia too.

Pacific Islands Forum geopolitics: The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will be held in Palau (Aug 30–Sep 4) and is expected to carry major Indo-Pacific political weight as China and the US compete for influence, with regional tensions also playing out across Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesian blocs. Local resilience and jobs: A World Bank economist says Pacific jobs strategies should start with “foundations of growth” like resilient infrastructure and reliable energy, then tackle private-sector lending and better use of skills from migration. Disaster risk communications: Journalists and communications officers in Palau are training alongside disaster-risk officials ahead of the regional DRM ministerial meeting, aiming to improve how climate and ocean risks are understood and acted on. Ocean protection push: Papua New Guinea is moving to create a large “no-take” marine protected area in the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, while France backs the broader Pacific push to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. Health watch (US): CDC data show dengue cases in the US jumped 359% in 2024 vs the 2010–2023 average, largely tied to travel.

Pacific Islands Forum geopolitics: The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is set for Aug 30–Sep 4 in Palau, with leaders warning it could reshape Indo-Pacific influence as China and the US compete more openly across Micronesia. Regional security and pressure: A New Zealand May Day message ties Pacific instability to imperial wars and says militarization is tightening across the region. Health watch: In the US, dengue is surging—CDC data shows a 359% rise in average annual cases in 2024 vs 2010–2023, with most cases linked to travel. Environment and resilience: Papua New Guinea plans a large “no-take” marine protected area in the Melanesian Ocean Corridor to safeguard sharks, turtles, dolphins and more, while France backs broader Pacific ocean protection goals. Local governance and delivery: A US GAO report flags delays and late audits slowing Compact of Free Association funding oversight in Palau, FSM and the Marshall Islands. What’s next for New Caledonia: The week also points to the lead-up to the 28 June poll.

Pacific May Day Mobilisation: A New Zealand socialist leader used the May Day online rally to warn the Pacific is being squeezed by the US-Israeli war on Iran, rising energy costs, and a renewed push for unrest as imperial powers militarize the region. New Caledonia Security: The speech points to thousands of French riot police still occupying New Caledonia two years after a mass uprising over inequality and colonial rule. Regional Climate & Media: In Palau, a Pacific media masterclass running alongside the DRM ministerial meeting is training journalists and disaster officials to better communicate climate, ocean health, and disaster risk. Ocean Protection in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea says it will create a large “no-take” marine protected area as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, aiming to safeguard sharks, turtles, dolphins and more while supporting fisheries. Health Watch: In the US, CDC data shows dengue cases rose sharply in 2024, with most linked to travel—prompting renewed travel cautions for multiple countries.

Dengue Alert: The CDC reports a sharp jump in dengue in the US—average annual cases up 359% in 2024 versus 2010–2023—with most cases linked to travel, prompting a fresh travel notice for 12 countries and renewed calls for bite prevention and clinician awareness. Pacific Resilience Training: In Palau, Pacific media and disaster officials are meeting for a five-day masterclass tied to the regional DRM ministerial push, aiming to tighten how climate and ocean risks are communicated across the region. Ocean Protection Push: Papua New Guinea is moving to create a huge “no-take” marine protected area in the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, while France backs the broader Melanesian push to meet global ocean targets. Health & Community Context: In PNG’s Sepik, cocoa farmers are seeing steadier incomes as quality-focused practices and market access improve. Elsewhere in the week: A US judge’s death dominated headlines, and US Marines began a new six-month rotation to northern Australia after drills including in New Caledonia.

Dengue Alert: The CDC reports a 359% jump in average annual dengue cases in the US in 2024 versus the 2010–2023 average, with 97% of cases linked to travel and most peaks hitting July–September—prompting a Level 1 travel notice for 12 countries. Pacific Media & Risk: In Palau, a five-day Pacific Media Masterclass is running alongside a regional disaster risk management ministerial meeting, aiming to tighten how journalists, scientists, and disaster officials communicate on climate and ocean threats. Ocean Protection Push: Papua New Guinea is moving to create a roughly 200,000 km² “no-take” marine protected area as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, while France backs the wider push to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. Health & Governance Context: A US report flags delays and late audits slowing Compact of Free Association funding implementation for Pacific states—an issue that can ripple into services and resilience planning. Regional Note: New Caledonia is also in the news this week with a scheduled 28 June poll.

Passing of a long-serving judge: U.S. federal judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. has died in Charleston at 100, ending a 68-year run on the bench that made him the longest-serving federal judge in U.S. history. Pacific media training: Journalists and communications officers gathered in Palau for a five-day Media Masterclass alongside the regional disaster risk management ministerial meeting, aiming to tighten links between media, scientists, and disaster agencies. Ocean protection push: Papua New Guinea says it will create a roughly 200,000 km² “no-take” marine protected area as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, while France backs broader Melanesian ocean commitments at the summit in Port Moresby. Nickel vs nature debate: A new study warns that expanding nickel supply from tropical regions could collide with tropical biodiversity hotspots and marine conservation goals. Local relevance: New Caledonia appears in the nickel supply context, and the week also includes ongoing Pacific governance and funding concerns, but no new New Caledonia-specific health policy items surfaced in this set.

Pacific Disaster Response Media Training: Journalists and communication officers across the Pacific are in Palau for a five-day Media Masterclass running alongside the Second Pacific Disaster Risk Management ministerial meeting, aiming to tighten links between media, scientists and disaster agencies on climate, ocean health and risk—Australia’s ambassador says it’s a “strategic investment in regional resilience.” Ocean Protection Push in Melanesia: Papua New Guinea is moving to create a huge no-take marine protected area—about 200,000 km²—as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, to shield sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and seabirds while keeping fisheries benefits for communities; France also backed the wider Melanesian Ocean Summit goals. Local Economy & Governance Watch: In PNG’s Sepik, cocoa farmers in Wewak are seeing steadier incomes after improved fermentation and market access; meanwhile, a US GAO report flags late compact funding payments and delayed audits for Freely Associated States, raising oversight and delivery concerns.

Pacific Disaster Response Training: Journalists and communication officers across the Pacific are in Palau for a five-day Media Masterclass running alongside the Second Pacific Disaster Risk Management ministerial meeting opening tomorrow, with organizers urging closer links between media, scientists, and disaster agencies to better explain climate, ocean health, and disaster risk. Ocean Protection Push: Papua New Guinea says it will protect about 200,000 km² of ocean in a new “no-take” Western Manus Marine Protected Area as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, aiming to safeguard sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and seabirds while still supporting fisheries. Regional Backing: France has pledged support for Melanesian ocean efforts at the Melanesian Ocean Summit, tying its message to global targets like protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. New Caledonia Politics: France’s PM says provincial elections will be held June 28 after a constitutional reform bill linked to the Bougival agreement was rejected by the National Assembly. Local Watch: New Caledonia suspends trade cooperation with Vanuatu over an FLNKS meeting.

Melanesian Ocean protection: Papua New Guinea has announced a new “no-take” marine protected area as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, aiming to shield about 200,000 km² of ocean—roughly the size of the UK—from fishing and other damaging activity, with Western Manus set to protect gray reef sharks, manta rays, green turtles, dolphins and seabirds while still supporting fisheries for coastal communities. France backs Pacific ocean push: France has pledged support for stronger regional cooperation on marine protection, fisheries management and maritime security at the Melanesian Ocean Summit, linking the effort to global ocean commitments. New Caledonia politics: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says provincial elections will be held on June 28 after France’s National Assembly refused to examine a constitutional reform bill tied to the Bougival agreement. Regional governance watch: A U.S. GAO report flags delays and late audits in Compact of Free Association funding for Palau, FSM and RMI, raising concerns about oversight and delivery.

Marine Protection Push: Papua New Guinea has announced a new “no-take” marine protected area in the Western Manus region, aiming to shield about 200,000 km² of ocean from fishing and other damaging activity—while still supporting local fisheries through long-term conservation. Regional Diplomacy: France backed Pacific ocean efforts at the Melanesian Ocean Summit, linking support to commitments to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 and to strengthen regional cooperation on marine protection and maritime security. New Caledonia Politics: France’s prime minister says provincial elections will be held on June 28, warning that the current political deadlock could become a “seedbed for renewed violence” and saying the status quo blocks decolonization. Security & Defence: The U.S. says a new six-month Marine rotation to Australia is underway after drills in the Philippines, with the latest deployment earning a special crisis-response certification.

Marine Protection Push: Papua New Guinea says it will create the Western Manus Marine Protected Area, a strict “no-take” zone covering about 200,000 km² across the Coral Triangle, to protect sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and seabirds while keeping fisheries strong for coastal communities. Regional Ocean Diplomacy: France backed the Melanesian Ocean Summit message that Pacific action is key to global ocean goals, including protecting at least 30% of ocean areas by 2030. New Caledonia Politics: France’s prime minister says provincial elections will be held June 28 after a constitutional reform bill tied to the Bougival agreement was rejected by the National Assembly, with warnings that the current deadlock could fuel renewed violence. Security & Defence: U.S. Marines begin a six-month rotation to northern Australia after training in the Philippines, with this year’s force noted as the first certified as a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Governance Watch: A U.S. audit report flags delays and late audits in Compact of Free Association funding oversight for Palau, FSM and RMI.

New Caledonia Politics: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says provincial elections will be held on June 28, after France’s National Assembly refused to examine a constitutional reform bill tied to the Bougival agreement—he warns the “status quo” could become a “seedbed for renewed violence” and says dialogue has restarted with all Bougival signatories and other parties. Regional Security: The Cook Islands and New Zealand have begun talks on defence and security cooperation following last month’s China-related spat resolution. Pacific Funding Watch: A new U.S. GAO report flags slow breakdowns in Compact of Free Association funding oversight, with late payments and late audit reports in Palau, FSM, and the Marshall Islands. Marines in the Region: U.S. Marines begin a six-month rotation to northern Australia after drills in the Philippines, with this year’s force the first certified as a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Health & Life Sciences: A new study finds 21.2% of flowering plants’ evolutionary history is in a vulnerable place, with a New Caledonia shrub (Amborella) highlighted as uniquely irreplaceable.

New Caledonia Elections: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says provincial elections will be held on June 28, after France’s National Assembly refused to examine a constitutional reform bill tied to the Bougival agreement—he warned the “status quo” could fuel renewed violence and said dialogue has restarted with all Bougival signatories and other parties. Regional Security: The U.S. Embassy in Canberra says Marine Rotational Force–Darwin has begun its six-month rotation to Australia following multinational drills in the Philippines, with about 2,000 Marines deploying and the force newly certified as a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Pacific Jobs Focus: A World Bank economist says Pacific countries need jobs built on resilient infrastructure, better private-sector lending, and smarter use of available capital, noting remoteness, small size, and climate risk as hard constraints. Health & Environment: A cargo ship registered in Vanuatu sank after grounding north of Greece’s Andros; all nine crew were rescued, and authorities arrested two officers while responding to possible pollution.

Special Forces Milestone: MRF-D 26 has been certified as Darwin’s first-ever Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, marking a rare “first” since the rotational force began in 2011. New Caledonia Politics: French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu says provincial elections will be held on June 28, after France’s National Assembly refused to examine a constitutional reform bill tied to the Bougival agreement—while he warns the status quo could fuel renewed violence. UN Pressure: The UN has warned France over the decolonization process, keeping international scrutiny on the timetable and guarantees. Regional Health & Livelihoods: In Papua New Guinea’s Sepik, cocoa farmers in Wewak report steadier incomes after improved farming practices and better market access. Environment & Science: A new study finds more than a fifth of flowering plants’ evolutionary history is in a vulnerable place, with New Caledonia’s Amborella highlighted as uniquely irreplaceable.

Cocoa lift in Sepik: In Wewak’s Paliama village, families are shifting from informal cocoa sales to a more organized, quality-focused system under the Ramangs Cocoa Development Project, with better fermentation and drying helping growers sell with more confidence to reliable markets. New Caledonia politics: French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu says provincial elections will be held on June 28, warning that the “status quo” could fuel renewed violence and block decolonization. UN pressure: The UN has warned France over the decolonization process, as political deadlock continues. Regional security talks: The Cook Islands and New Zealand have started talks on defense and security cooperation after a China-related spat was settled. PNG legal win: A former Papua New Guinea finance secretary, Steven Gibson, has won a lawsuit against the government for malicious prosecution, ordered to receive about US$22,000. Science spotlight: A new study finds more than a fifth of flowering plants’ evolutionary history is in a vulnerable place, with a New Caledonia shrub (Amborella trichopoda) highlighted for its unique branch.