AGP Executive Report

El Niño Food Crisis: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are reeling as frost and long dry spells wipe out gardens, cut water supplies, and threaten hunger for up to 3 million people, with families reporting food may last only two to three months. Pacific Climate Prep: SPREP is urging island communities to start preparing now that an El Niño event is underway, stressing that knowledge and early action can reduce risks. Climate Science Under Fire: Pacific leaders at UN talks in Bonn pushed back hard against efforts to weaken climate science language, warning that anyone blocking science is not acting in Pasifika interests. Kiribati in Regional Climate Work: California, Guam, Hawai’i, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Weno Municipality pledged deeper cooperation on climate adaptation and resilience to protect ecosystems and communities. Tuna Governance for Resilience: Ministers at the 21st PNA Ministerial Meeting in Majuro backed progress in tuna fisheries management and endorsed a pathway for tuna development that supports economic resilience. Coral Survival Research: Scientists are hunting “super reefs” in the Central Pacific, including work in the Marshall Islands, to find heat-tolerant corals that could help reefs recover across Kiribati and nearby islands. Digital Risks for Youth: Kiribati’s youth and women’s minister warned that AI and social media bring both opportunities and harms like misinformation and online abuse across the Pacific. Banaba Resource Tensions: Banaban leaders and Rabi District Council of Social Services are questioning proposed pinnacle extraction on Banaba, calling it a “quick fix” tied to trust fund mismanagement. Fuel Crisis Response: Pacific leaders are coordinating under the Biketawa Declaration as the region faces tough choices amid fuel shortages and rising costs.

Climate diplomacy: Pacific Small Island Developing States leaders in Bonn warned that attempts to weaken climate science in UN talks will put Pasifika lives at risk, with Kiribati and other low-lying states pushing back hard on 1.5°C language. Regional resilience: California, Guam, Hawai’i, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Weno (FSM) backed deeper cooperation on climate adaptation and resilience after the Pacific Climate Summit, aiming to protect ecosystems and built economies. El Niño preparedness: SPREP urged Pacific communities to start practical preparations after an El Niño event was declared underway, stressing early action to reduce risks. Coral survival research: Scientists are hunting “super reefs” that can withstand extreme heat, including work in the Central Pacific to identify resilient coral and build connected marine-protected networks across Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu. Fisheries and food security: Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM youth and officials completed training on climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries in China, focusing on climate-smart aquaculture, fisheries management and circular agriculture. Governance and resources: Banaban leaders’ critics say proposed pinnacle extraction is being used as a “quick fix” amid ongoing fallout from the Banaban Trust Fund scandal. Fisheries access shift: Tokelau has been removed from the Nauru Agreement, risking government revenue tied to tuna access days under the Vessel Day Scheme.

Climate diplomacy & tuna governance: Ministers from PNA member states met in Majuro for PNA MIN21, with Kiribati’s outgoing chair handing over to Marshall Islands and ministers backing progress on tuna management plus the PNA Collective Pathway to Tuna Development. Climate science pushback: Pacific Small Island Developing States leaders warned at UN climate talks in Bonn that attempts to weaken climate science will not be tolerated, with Kiribati and other atoll states coordinating to defend the 1.5°C limit language. El Niño preparations: SPREP urged Pacific communities to start practical planning after El Niño was declared underway, stressing early action to reduce risks. Adaptation cooperation: California, Guam, Hawai’i, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Weno (FSM) pledged deeper regional cooperation on climate adaptation and resilience after a Pacific Climate Summit. Banaba resource concerns: Banaban leaders on Rabi accused proposed pinnacle extraction on Banaba of being a “quick fix” tied to Banaban Trust Fund mismanagement, questioning the consultation process. Coral survival research: Scientists are hunting “super reefs” in the Central Pacific, including work near Majuro’s Laura, to find heat-tolerant coral that could help recovery across Kiribati and the region. Food systems training: Youth and officials from Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM completed a climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries seminar in China, focusing on climate-smart aquaculture, fisheries management and resilient farming.

Climate diplomacy: Pacific Small Island Developing States leaders in Bonn warned that attempts to weaken climate science in UN talks put Pasifika lives at risk, with Kiribati and others pushing to defend the 1.5°C limit and scientific language. El Niño preparedness: SPREP urged Pacific communities to start preparing now after an El Niño event was declared underway, stressing early action to reduce risks as impacts vary by country. Coral survival research: Scientists are hunting “super reefs” in the Central Pacific, including work in the Marshall Islands near Laura, to find heat-tolerant coral that could help rebuild reefs across Kiribati and neighboring atolls. Food and fisheries resilience: Youth and officials from Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM completed climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries training in China, focusing on climate-smart farming, aquaculture, and fisheries management. Public health and water: The Blue Pacific Act push highlights gaps in clean water and sanitation across the Pacific, including limited safe drinking water access in Kiribati, raising risks for diarrheal disease and child health. Regional cooperation: California and Pacific partners issued a joint statement to deepen climate adaptation and resilience cooperation, including with Kiribati. Health threats: Dengue activity is rising across the Pacific, with Kiribati among countries reporting outbreaks.

Banaba Governance & Environment: Rabi District Council of Social Services warns that proposed pinnacle extraction on Banaba is being pushed as a “quick fix” for losses tied to the Banaban Trust Fund scandal, questioning whether consultations were transparent and informed. Pacific Climate Cooperation: California, Guam, Hawai’i, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Weno (FSM) sign on to deepen climate adaptation and resilience work, focusing on protecting ecosystems and communities as climate impacts intensify. Fuel Crisis Response: A week of Pacific reporting highlights how the region is scrambling to cope with expensive imported fossil fuels, with leaders invoking the Biketawa Declaration framework to coordinate emergency responses. UN Climate Talks: Pacific Small Island Developing States leaders in Bonn deliver a blunt warning that attempts to weaken climate science put Pasifika lives at risk, with Kiribati among those resisting changes to key UN language. El Niño Preparedness: SPREP urges Pacific communities to prepare now that El Niño is declared underway, stressing early action and staying informed. Health & Mosquito Risks: Dengue activity is rising across the Pacific, with outbreaks reported in Kiribati and other islands and thousands of cases already recorded this year. Coral Survival Research: Scientists continue hunting “super reefs” that may resist or recover from heat, including work in the Marshall Islands that could inform regional reef protection with Kiribati and Tuvalu in mind.

UN Climate Talks: Pacific Small Island leaders in Bonn hit back at efforts to weaken climate science in UN texts, with Fiji’s Dr Sivendra Michael warning that “anyone that is blocking references to science… is not our friends,” as Kiribati and other atoll states coordinate to defend the 1.5°C limit. El Niño Preparedness: SPREP urged Pacific communities to start practical planning after the WMO’s Pacific centre declared El Niño underway, stressing early action to reduce risks. Coral Survival Research: Scientists are hunting “super reefs” that resist extreme heat, including work in the Marshall Islands to find resilient coral near Laura and build a connected network across the Central Pacific with Kiribati and Tuvalu in mind. Dengue Alert: Dengue activity is rising across the Pacific, with outbreaks reported in Kiribati and other islands; health systems are likely to face pressure as cases climb. Climate-Resilient Food Systems: Solomon Islands youth and officials (including participants from Kiribati) completed a China-hosted seminar on climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries, focusing on climate-smart aquaculture and fisheries management. Clean Shipping Pact: Seven Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership in Majuro to coordinate a low-carbon, climate-resilient transition for regional maritime routes, including Kiribati.

Climate-ready farming & fisheries: A 14-day seminar in China (Wuxi, Jiangsu) trained 25 participants from Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM on climate-smart agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries management, including field visits and research exchanges. El Niño preparation: SPREP urged Pacific communities to start practical planning after the WMO’s Pacific climate centre declared El Niño underway, stressing that early action can protect families as impacts vary by country. Coral survival research: Scientists are racing to understand “super reefs” that resist heat, with a focus on building resilient reef networks across the Central Pacific, including Kiribati. Dengue risk rising: Dengue activity is increasing across the Pacific; as of 11 June, outbreaks are reported in Kiribati and several neighbours, with thousands of cases and pressure on health services. Clean shipping pact: Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership in Majuro to coordinate a low-carbon, climate-resilient transition for regional maritime routes, including Kiribati. Health cooperation: India’s High Commissioner met Kiribati’s health minister to discuss support such as affordable drugs, dialysis machines and a sea ambulance.

Coral Resilience Research: Scientists at Woods Hole are racing to identify “super reefs” in the Central Pacific—heat-tolerant coral communities that keep functioning as nearby reefs bleach—using ocean-current modeling, lab heat tests, and a robotic survey vessel to map and flag resilient corals for protection and future reef recovery networks across places including Kiribati. Marine Protection Planning: A proposed “Super Reef corridor” would connect resilient reefs and stepping-stone habitats across the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Tuvalu, but researchers stress it must be co-designed with communities so people can still fish and live. Clean Shipping for the Pacific: Seven Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership in Majuro, aiming to coordinate a low-carbon, climate-resilient transition for regional shipping—relevant to Kiribati’s long-distance, high-cost maritime routes. Fisheries Market Access & Cooling Rules: Pacific fisheries officials, including from Kiribati, are training on new EU tuna freezing requirements, where meeting strict onboard temperature and storage rules can mean keeping access to a major global tuna market. Dengue Alert: Dengue activity remains elevated across the Pacific, with Kiribati among countries reporting outbreaks as cases and hospital pressures continue to rise. Digital Safety in the Pacific: Kiribati officials warned at a regional peace and security dialogue that AI and social media bring both opportunities and risks like misinformation and online harm.

Coral Resilience Research: Woods Hole scientists are racing to find “super reefs” in the Central Pacific—heat-tolerant coral communities that keep functioning as nearby reefs bleach—using ocean-current modeling, lab heat tests, and a robotic survey vessel (Yellowfin) plus AI to flag which corals can handle extreme warming. Regional Conservation Planning: Experts say protecting “source reefs” and stepping-stone habitats across places like the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Tuvalu could help coral larvae spread and speed recovery, but any protected areas must be co-designed with communities who rely on fishing. Clean Shipping for Island Climate Goals: Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership in Majuro, aiming to coordinate a low-carbon, climate-resilient transition for regional shipping—supporting low-carbon vessels, port upgrades, and skilled workers—while keeping maritime connectivity for island communities. Dengue Alert in the Pacific: Health reports show elevated dengue activity across the region, with Kiribati among the countries reporting outbreaks as cases and hospitalisations rise. Fisheries Access Risk: Tokelau has been removed from the Parties to the Nauru Agreement tuna management scheme, threatening government revenue tied to access days—highlighting how fisheries governance changes can quickly affect Pacific livelihoods.

Coral Survival Research: Woods Hole scientists are racing to find “super reefs” in the Central Pacific—coral communities that can resist or bounce back from extreme heat—using reef mapping, lab heat-testing, and a robotic “Yellowfin” vessel to spot which corals bleach under warming seas. Marine Protection for Connectivity: Experts say the next step is building a multi-country network of marine-protected areas linking resilient reefs across the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Tuvalu, so heat-tolerant traits and coral larvae can spread to help recovery. Clean Shipping Pact: Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership in Majuro, aiming to coordinate a low-carbon, climate-resilient transition for regional shipping—relevant for island economies and sea routes that keep communities supplied. Dengue Alert: Multiple Pacific countries report elevated dengue activity, including Kiribati, with thousands of cases and ongoing mosquito-borne risk. Fisheries Access Pressure: Tokelau has been removed from the Nauru Agreement’s tuna management scheme, threatening government revenue tied to access days—highlighting how regional fisheries rules can quickly reshape Pacific livelihoods. Digital Risks in the Pacific: Kiribati officials warned that AI and social media bring both opportunity and threats like misinformation and youth harm, as cybersecurity concerns rise across the region.

Coral “Super Reef” search: Scientists are racing to find heat-tolerant coral reefs that can keep recovering as global warming drives record bleaching, including a “super reef” corridor idea linking resilient reefs across the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu. EU tuna access and cold-chain rules: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained on new EU requirements for how tuna must be frozen onboard vessels, with temperature control now tied directly to market access. Dengue surge across the Pacific: Dengue outbreaks are reported in Kiribati and several other Pacific islands, with thousands of cases and pressure on hospitals since early 2026. Clean shipping pact: Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership to coordinate a low-carbon, climate-resilient transition for regional maritime routes, including Kiribati. Digital and youth safety in the Pacific: Kiribati’s youth and women’s minister warned that AI and social media can spread misinformation and harm mental health, even as they support education and culture. Fisheries management shake-up: Tokelau has been removed from the Nauru Agreement, risking revenue from tuna access days—highlighting how regional fisheries rules can quickly change livelihoods. Health cooperation: India and Kiribati discussed deeper healthcare support, including drugs, dialysis machines and sea ambulance services.

Coral “Super Reef” Search: Scientists are racing to find heat-tolerant coral strongholds as record bleaching continues, including work in the Marshall Islands that could help build a multi-country network of protected reefs linking resilient “source” areas across the region, with community-led planning emphasized. Pacific Climate & Health Watch: Dengue outbreaks are rising across the Pacific, with Kiribati among the affected places, adding pressure to already stretched health systems. Clean Shipping Pact: Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership to speed a low-carbon, climate-resilient transition for regional maritime routes, including support for low-carbon fleets and port upgrades. Regional Cooperation Platforms: China-Pacific Island cooperation platforms highlighted climate and disaster support, including emergency stockpiles and climate change collaboration involving Kiribati. Fisheries Shock for Tokelau: Tokelau was removed from the Nauru Agreement fisheries scheme, risking revenue tied to tuna access days—an important reminder of how quickly ocean governance changes can hit island livelihoods.

Coral Bleaching Watch: Scientists in the Marshall Islands are racing to understand why a few reefs near Majuro seem to resist the worst marine heat wave on record, after bleaching spread across 80%+ of reefs since 2023—good news for “super reef” research that matters for fish, coast protection, and atoll land. Digital Safety in the Pacific: At the Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue in Suva, Kiribati’s Ruth Cross Kwansing warned that AI and social media bring real benefits but also misinformation, online harm, and youth mental health risks—“the threat and the solution” can sit on the same device. Dengue Rising: More Pacific countries are reporting dengue outbreaks, with Kiribati among six reporting outbreaks as of 11 June 2026; the region has logged 3,500+ confirmed cases and hospitals are likely to feel pressure. Health Cooperation: India’s High Commissioner in Fiji met Kiribati’s health minister to deepen cooperation, including affordable drugs, dialysis machines, and sea ambulance support. Clean Shipping Pact: Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership in Majuro, aiming to coordinate a low-carbon, climate-resilient shift for regional shipping—Kiribati included.

Fisheries & Livelihoods: Tokelau has been removed from the Pacific tuna management body PNA, cutting off access to the Vessel Day Scheme that brings major government revenue—reportedly with Vanuatu taking Tokelau’s place. Climate & Oceans: Pacific leaders backed a global push for accountability on warming, while separate reporting highlights how record marine heat waves are driving the worst coral bleaching on record—an urgent reminder for reef-dependent Kiribati communities. Clean Shipping: Seven Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to shift regional maritime fleets toward low-carbon vessels and climate-resilient ports, with Kiribati among signatories. Health & Mosquito Risk: Dengue activity is rising across the Pacific, with Kiribati among countries reporting outbreaks—raising pressure on local health services. Regional Cooperation: China and Pacific island countries are expanding multilateral cooperation platforms, including climate response and disaster mitigation, with Kiribati represented. Governance & Transparency: UNDP and Japan supported a new parliamentary website platform in Palau, part of a wider SLIP II push that includes Kiribati.

Fisheries & Food Security: Tokelau has been removed from the Pacific tuna management body PNA, losing access to the Vessel Day Scheme that brings major government revenue—reportedly replaced by Vanuatu. Clean Shipping & Climate Resilience: Seven Pacific transport ministers signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership in Majuro, aiming to shift regional maritime fleets toward low-carbon vessels and climate-resilient ports, with Kiribati among the signatories. Health & Mosquito Risk: Dengue activity is rising across the Pacific, with outbreaks reported in Kiribati and several other territories as cases and hospitalisations climb. Coral Bleaching Alarm: Scientists continue searching for “super reefs” as global warming drives record marine heat waves and widespread coral bleaching. Blue Pacific Diplomacy: Pacific leaders renewed a global appeal for peace, linking security and rising climate-related pressures on island economies and infrastructure. Governance & Transparency: Palau’s National Congress took ownership of a new parliamentary website with real-time access to legislation and hearings, supported by Japan and UNDP.

Fisheries & Livelihoods: Tokelau has been removed from the Pacific’s Nauru Agreement tuna management scheme, losing access to the Vessel Day Scheme that brings major government revenue—RNZ Pacific reports Vanuatu has taken Tokelau’s place. Climate & Health Risks: Dengue activity is rising across the Pacific, with outbreaks reported in Kiribati, Tuvalu and others, and thousands of cases already recorded this year. Clean Shipping: Pacific transport ministers have signed the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to steer the region toward low-carbon vessels and climate-resilient ports. Coral Bleaching Research: Scientists are searching for “super reefs” as record marine heat waves drive widespread coral bleaching and poor recovery. Governance & Resilience: UNESCO and partners supported a Pacific course on managing World Heritage sites with disaster and climate resilience, including Kiribati participants. Regional Cooperation: China says its Pacific multilateral cooperation platforms are boosting climate response and disaster preparedness, with Kiribati among participants.