AGP Executive Report

COP31 Prep: Australia’s Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is heading to Bonn to lead energy security talks and help set the scene for COP31 later this year, with Pacific priorities front and centre. Tuvalu Climate Accountability: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo says AFP’s report on fossil fuel investments by the Tuvalu Trust Fund is “not a good look,” and the government is reviewing the holdings. EU Seafood Rules: Fisheries officials from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu trained in Suva on new EU freezer-vessel food-safety requirements that could affect 97% of EU-listed Pacific vessels. Climate Displacement Push: Pacific leaders are urging New Zealand to prepare for climate displacement, citing research that nearly one million people were displaced by climate disasters from 2010–2021. Tuvalu Youth Voices: A survey of young Tuvaluans finds unemployment is the top driver of poverty and worries about unequal development and being unheard. Australia–Tuvalu Ties: Australia and Tuvalu opened a new Australian High Commission chancery in Funafuti, powered by renewables and framed as a long-term partnership.

COP31 Prep: Australia’s Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is heading to Bonn, Germany, to lead energy security talks and set the scene for COP31 later this year, with Pacific priorities to stay front and centre. Tuvalu Fossil Fuel Scrutiny: Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo says AFP’s report on fossil-fuel-linked investments in the Tuvalu Trust Fund is “not a good look,” and the government is reviewing the holdings. EU Seafood Rules: Fisheries officials from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu are training in Suva on new EU freezer-vessel requirements that could affect 97% of EU-listed Pacific vessels exporting to Europe. Climate Displacement Push: Pacific leaders are urging New Zealand to act on climate displacement, warning current policies don’t match the scale of people being forced to move. Pacific Diplomacy: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te highlighted shared democratic values with Pacific allies at the first Pacific Cultural Gala, including Tuvalu. Tuvalu-Australia Ties: Australia has opened a new renewable-powered High Commission chancery in Funafuti, marking deeper partnership under the Falepili Union.

Samoan Language Week: Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT) kicked off Samoan Language Week celebrations with a community night of legends, history, songs, and hands-on screen printing, plus coconut “valu le popo” and traditional food like pani popo and sapasui. Climate & oceans: Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo hit back after AFP revealed the Tuvalu Trust Fund—managed by Mercer—invested in fossil-fuel-linked holdings, saying it’s “not a good look” for a country that campaigns hard on climate action. Food safety for Pacific seafood: Fisheries officials from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu trained in Suva on new EU rules that could affect 97% of EU-listed Pacific freezer vessels, after concerns about tuna freezing temperatures. Planned relocation push: Pacific leaders urged New Zealand to prepare for climate displacement, warning current frameworks don’t match the scale of people forced to move. Tuvalu-Australia ties: Australia opened a new renewable-powered High Commission chancery in Funafuti, underlining the Falepili Union partnership and climate resilience cooperation.

Climate & Governance: Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo says AFP’s report that the Tuvalu Trust Fund invested in oil and coal is “not a good look,” and the government is reviewing the holdings. Climate Displacement: Pacific leaders are urging New Zealand to move faster on climate displacement, warning current policies don’t match the scale of people forced to move by disasters. Ocean Survival: Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo told the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo that climate action and ocean management must be treated as one agenda, citing coastal erosion, coral bleaching and shifting fish patterns. Fisheries & Food Safety: Pacific fisheries officials in Suva trained on new EU rules that could affect 97% of EU-listed Pacific freezer vessels, after auditors found tuna not consistently frozen to required temperatures. Energy & Jobs: A renewable push is opening a job and skills pathway for Ovalau through a solar project linked to a fish company. Diplomacy: Australia and Tuvalu opened a new Australian High Commission chancery in Funafuti, powered by renewables, as ties deepen under the Falepili Union. Youth Voices: A Tuvalu youth survey highlights unemployment and unequal development as top worries, with many feeling their voices aren’t heard.

Fossil fuel scrutiny: Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo says AFP’s report that the Tuvalu Trust Fund invested in oil and coal is “not a good look,” and the government is reviewing the holdings. Youth and jobs: A survey of young Tuvaluans finds unemployment is the top driver of poverty, with many feeling development is concentrated in Funafuti. EU seafood rules: Fisheries officials from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu trained in Suva to meet new EU freezer-vessel requirements that could affect 97% of Pacific vessels exporting to the bloc. Climate talks push: Amnesty urges countries to carry momentum from the Santa Marta fossil fuel phase-out process into Bonn climate negotiations. Displacement planning: Pacific leaders urge New Zealand to prepare for climate displacement, warning current frameworks don’t match the scale of movement already underway. Australia ties: Australia and Tuvalu opened a new Australian High Commission chancery in Funafuti, powered by renewables and framed as a deeper long-term partnership. Pacific diplomacy: Taiwan President Lai attended the first Pacific Cultural Gala, highlighting shared democratic values with Tuvalu and other allies.

EU Fisheries Compliance: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials met in Suva for training on new EU food-safety rules for freezer vessels, aimed at keeping Pacific seafood exports flowing after EU auditors flagged failures to hit required -18°C brine temperatures. Climate Displacement: Pacific leaders urged New Zealand to act on climate displacement, citing research that nearly one million people were displaced across the region from 2010–2021 and warning a clear framework is still missing. Tuvalu Survival Agenda: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo called for climate action and ocean management to be treated as one agenda at a Tokyo summit, pointing to coastal erosion, coral bleaching and shifting fish as everyday realities. Australia–Tuvalu Ties: Australia opened a new renewable-powered High Commission chancery in Funafuti, while Tuvalu’s acting PM highlighted climate resilience and support for Tuvaluans relocating under the Falepili pathway. Tuvalu “Digital Nation”: Tuvalu’s Digital Nation push is framed as a way to preserve statehood and identity even if land is lost to sea-level rise. Energy Skills: Solar training in Fiji built local capacity across Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to install and maintain solar systems as fuel costs bite. Solomon Islands Reset: New PM Matthew Wale says he will review a secret 2022 security pact with China and begin treaty talks with Australia.

Tuvalu–Australia Ties: Australia has opened a new High Commission chancery in Funafuti, a renewable-powered base meant to deepen diplomacy and development links under the Falepili Union. Climate–Ocean Focus: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo urged the world to treat climate action and ocean management as one survival agenda, pointing to coastal erosion, coral bleaching and shifting fish patterns. Tuvalu Mobility Support: Acting PM Panapasi Nelesone met Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn, highlighting climate threats and the real-world housing and transport challenges facing Tuvaluans moving via the Falepili pathway. Regional Energy Push: Community leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu trained on solar installation and maintenance to cut reliance on imported fuel as prices keep climbing. Solomon Islands Security Reset: New PM Matthew Wale says he will review a secret 2022 China security pact and start treaty talks with Australia, as Canberra watches closely. UNCTAD Oil Warning: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz tensions could add about US$20.4b a year to vulnerable countries’ oil import bills. Tuvalu Education Upgrade: UNICEF-backed support is helping Tuvalu teachers gain qualifications and improve classroom learning, reaching teachers across outer islands.

Digital Nation Push: Tuvalu is moving ahead with its “Digital Nation” plan, aiming to keep functioning as a state and support a Tuvaluan diaspora even as sea levels rise and land disappears. Climate Resilience in Practice: FAO-backed training in Fiji is helping Samoa’s forestry officers improve sustainable teak and pine production, boosting skills to handle climate shocks and ecosystem pressures. Tuvalu-Australia Partnership: Tuvalu’s Acting PM Panapasi Nelesone met Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn, stressing climate risk and the real-world housing and transport challenges faced by Tuvaluans relocating under the Falepili pathway. Solomon Islands Pivot: New PM Matthew Wale says he will review a secretive 2022 security pact with China, while Australia and the Solomons prepare for new treaty talks to “reset” ties. Energy Costs, Local Solutions: Solar training for community leaders in Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu is equipping locals to install and maintain solar PV systems to cut reliance on imported fuel. Education Upgrade: UNICEF reports a US$2.5m programme to improve teaching quality in Tuvalu, helping teachers gain formal qualifications and stronger classroom skills.

Solomon Islands–Australia Pivot: New PM Matthew Wale says he will review a secretive 2022 security pact with Beijing after admitting he only saw the text days before his Australia trip, while Australia pushes for a new “comprehensive treaty” and a reset in ties. Tuvalu–Australia Partnership: Tuvalu’s Acting PM Panapasi Nelesone met Australia’s Governor-General in Funafuti, stressing climate change as Tuvalu’s biggest threat and highlighting support for Tuvaluans relocating under the Falepili mobility pathway. Tuvalu Education Upgrade: UNICEF reports a US$2.5m programme to improve teaching quality in Tuvalu, helping teachers gain formal qualifications through training supported by GPE and the University of the South Pacific. Energy Independence Push: Pacific leaders and community reps from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu trained on solar installation and maintenance as fuel costs rise, aiming for more local control of power. Regional Climate Focus: Pacific officials stepped up COP31 preparations, with Fiji and Tuvalu set to host pre-COP31 meetings in October. Maritime Safety & Security: Australia’s ADF says it will support Pacific countries with disposal of World War II explosives, and will send naval minehunters to Tuvalu for lagoon reconnaissance.

Tuvalu–Australia Partnership: Tuvalu’s Acting Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone met Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Funafuti, reaffirming cooperation under the Falepili Union, climate resilience, development support, and national security, while stressing that sea-level rise is already “lived reality.” He also raised the practical hurdles Tuvaluans face when relocating to Australia under the Falepili mobility pathway, especially housing and transport. Education & Skills: UNICEF reports Tuvalu is rolling out a US$2.5m programme to strengthen teaching quality, helping teachers gain formal qualifications and leadership skills, with support from the Global Partnership for Education and the University of the South Pacific. Energy Costs & Solar Training: Pacific leaders and community representatives from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu took part in hands-on solar technology training to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels as fuel prices bite. Regional Climate Focus: Pacific senior officials stepped up preparations for COP31, including planning pre-COP31 meetings hosted by Fiji and Tuvalu in October. Fossil Fuel Trust Fund Scrutiny: An AFP investigation says Tuvalu’s climate-linked trust fund has exposure to fossil fuel investments, prompting Tuvalu to review its “fossil fuel exposure.”

Climate & Fossil Fuels: Tuvalu’s climate-hit trust fund is under review after an AFP investigation found it invested in coal mining, gas exploration and a major oil refinery—sparking outrage from local activists who say it clashes with calls for a fossil-fuel phase-out. Energy Security: Fuel prices are pushing Pacific communities toward solar. Leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu took part in hands-on solar PV training to install and maintain systems, aiming for more local control and backup power. Education in Tuvalu: UNICEF reports a US$2.5m programme to upskill teachers across Tuvalu, addressing gaps in formal qualifications and helping more educators meet new Bachelor of Education requirements. Regional Media: Papua New Guinea is hosting the 16th Pacific Media Partnership Conference in Port Moresby, with a focus on resilient storytelling and safer, stronger journalism across the Blue Pacific. Maritime Cooperation: Japan’s PM met Tuvalu’s PM in Tokyo to urge closer cooperation on climate and ocean issues, including maritime coordination. COP31 Prep: Pacific senior officials met to sharpen shared priorities for COP31, with Fiji and Tuvalu set to host pre-COP meetings in October.

Tuvalu Education Boost: Tuvalu’s Ministry of Education is rolling out a US$2.5m programme to upgrade teacher skills, with UNICEF support, targeting fewer untrained teachers and improving learning outcomes through blended training to run until 2029. Energy Crisis Response: Community leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu and Tuvalu trained on solar PV installation through the Solar Scholars initiative, installing systems to cut reliance on costly imported fuel and provide backup power. COP31 Prep in the Region: Pacific senior officials met to sharpen shared priorities for COP31, including pre-COP meetings hosted by Fiji and Tuvalu from 5–8 October 2026. Tuvalu Climate Accountability: An AFP investigation says the Tuvalu Trust Fund has fossil-fuel exposure via investments tied to coal, gas and major oil refining, and Tuvalu says it is reviewing the risk. Pacific Media Resilience: PNG is hosting the 16th Pacific Media Partnership Conference on resilient journalism, tackling misinformation and digital threats affecting Pacific newsrooms.

Education Upgrade: Tuvalu has launched a US$2.5 million teacher-training push, backed by the Global Partnership for Education, UNICEF and USP’s Institute of Education, to help teachers meet new rules requiring at least a Bachelor of Education—aiming to improve classroom learning for about 970 children while keeping training accessible for teachers in outer islands. COP31 Prep: Pacific senior officials met to lock in a united regional approach for COP31, with Fiji and Tuvalu set to host pre-COP meetings from 5–8 October 2026 ahead of the main talks in Türkiye. Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly backed an ICJ finding that countries have a legal duty to limit global warming, with Vanuatu leading the push—while the US voted against the resolution. Tuvalu Safety & Security: Australia’s ADF says it will support Pacific efforts to remove World War II explosives, and at Tuvalu’s request will send Royal Australian Navy minehunters to conduct technical reconnaissance in Nanumea Lagoon from 1–13 July. Energy Costs & Skills: Fuel-price pressure is driving Pacific communities toward solar—leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu trained to install and maintain systems locally. Fossil Fuel Trust Scrutiny: An AFP investigation says Tuvalu’s climate-linked trust fund has investments tied to fossil fuels; Tuvalu says it is reviewing its “fossil fuel exposure.”

Tuvalu Climate & Justice: The UN General Assembly backed an ICJ finding that countries have a legal duty to curb global warming, a move Vanuatu pushed through while the US voted against it—setting up more climate litigation pressure. Tuvalu Trust Fund Scrutiny: An AFP investigation says Tuvalu’s $200m climate trust fund has fossil-fuel exposure via investments tied to coal, gas and a major oil refinery; Tuvalu says it’s reviewing the risk. Energy Costs & Resilience: Fuel prices are driving Pacific communities toward energy independence, with Tuvalu, Fiji and Vanuatu representatives training in solar installation and maintenance to build local control. Education Upgrade: Tuvalu has launched a $2.5m programme to help teachers meet new Bachelor of Education requirements, aiming to directly support about 970 children. Regional Security: Australia’s ADF will help dispose of World War II explosives across the South West Pacific, and will deploy to Tuvalu for lagoon reconnaissance ahead of future disposal work. Fisheries Protection: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of regional surveillance involving Tuvalu and other Pacific states to deter illegal fishing. Diplomacy: Taiwan hosted Tuvalu’s foreign minister, reaffirming cooperation under the Treaty of Union and Prosperity, including climate resilience and ICT.

Climate Justice in the UN: The UN General Assembly backed an International Court of Justice finding that countries have a legal duty to limit global warming, with the U.S. voting against it—an outcome likely to shape future climate lawsuits. Tuvalu Trust Fund Scrutiny: An AFP investigation says Tuvalu’s $200m trust fund has fossil-fuel exposure via investments tied to coal, gas and a major oil refinery, and Tuvalu says it is reviewing its exposure. Youth Voices on Climate and Rights: A survey of young people in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Samoa found most think development benefits are unfairly shared and many lack trust in those in charge, while still showing willingness to engage politically. Education Upgrade for Tuvalu: Tuvalu launched a $2.5m programme to help teachers meet new Bachelor of Education requirements, aiming to directly benefit about 970 children. Regional Security for Fisheries: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of Pacific-led surveillance involving Tuvalu and others, targeting illegal fishing and related maritime crime. Teacher Training: Tuvalu’s teacher qualification push is backed by GPE, UNICEF and USP’s Institute of Education.

UN Climate Duty: The UN General Assembly backed a landmark International Court of Justice advisory opinion, with 141 countries voting yes, saying states have a legal responsibility to limit global warming—an outcome the U.S. opposed. Tuvalu Fossil Fuel Exposure: An AFP investigation says Tuvalu’s $200m climate trust fund has investments tied to coal, gas and major oil assets, and Tuvalu says it is reviewing its “fossil fuel exposure.” Teacher Training Boost: Tuvalu launched a $2.5m programme to lift teacher qualifications nationwide, supported by GPE and UNICEF, aiming to directly benefit about 970 children. Regional Fisheries Patrols: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of Pacific-led surveillance against illegal fishing, with Tuvalu among participating countries and support from partners including Australia and New Zealand. Pacific Youth for COP31: UNDP is inviting Pacific youth (18–35) to talanoa dialogues starting 2 June in Suva to shape a youth climate agenda ahead of COP31 in Türkiye. Tuvalu-Linked ADF Work: Australia’s ADF says it will also support Tuvalu with minehunter reconnaissance in Nanumea Lagoon from 1–13 July as part of Operation RENDER SAFE.