AGP Executive Report

Development Finance: ADB’s new 2026–2030 Pacific strategy includes Kiribati, with a focus on jobs, essential services and infrastructure tailored to dispersed island economies. Banking: ANZ has named Edwin Shankar its next Kiribati country head, subject to approval; he is expected to take up the role in December. ANZ is the country’s only commercial bank. Economic Outlook: The IMF expects Kiribati’s growth to ease to 3% this year from 4.3% in 2025, citing high operating costs, skills shortages and pressure on state-owned enterprises. Energy Costs: Kiribati is set to receive US$12.77 million from an ADB package to help manage higher fuel costs and protect essential services and vulnerable households. Shipping: Butaritari hosted the Central Pacific Shipping Commission’s annual meeting, with members focused on reliable cargo services for remote islands; Tuvalu will chair the commission and host next year’s meeting. Seafood Exports: Pacific officers are receiving training in food-safety rules, inspections and traceability needed to meet European Union market requirements.

Deep-Sea Mining: Companies’ US-backed claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover areas equal to about half the seabed already designated for mining by the international regulator. Overlapping claims are raising concerns about ocean governance and environmental harm. Regional Shipping: Butaritari hosted the Central Pacific Shipping Commission’s annual meeting for the first time, as members focused on reliable cargo services for remote island communities. Tuvalu takes over the commission’s chair and will host next year’s meeting. Economic Outlook: The IMF expects Kiribati’s growth to slow to 3% in 2026, citing high business costs, skilled-worker shortages and pressure on state-owned enterprises; public spending and construction are expected to support activity. Energy Costs: Kiribati will receive US$12.77 million from an ADB emergency package to help manage higher fuel costs, maintain essential services and protect vulnerable households. Cleaner Shipping: Pacific officials warn that limited funding, aging fleets and a lack of technical expertise are hindering efforts to cut shipping emissions without making vital transport services less affordable.

Regional Shipping: Butaritari hosted the Central Pacific Shipping Commission’s annual meeting for the first time, bringing together members working to improve cargo access and route coverage. Kiribati handed the commission’s chair to Tuvalu, which will host next year’s meeting. Cleaner Shipping: Pacific officials say funding, infrastructure and skills shortages are slowing efforts to modernise ageing fleets, while stressing that lower emissions must not make essential transport less affordable. Fuel and Power: Kiribati is set to receive US$12.77 million from an Asian Development Bank package to ease rising fuel costs, protect essential services and support energy security. Economic Outlook: The IMF expects growth to slow to 3% in 2026 from 4.3% last year, citing high operating costs, worker shortages and financial pressure on state-owned enterprises.

Industry Standards: Kiribati remains on the US trafficking watch list, with logging camps, fishing vessels and foreign-owned operations identified as hotspots for forced labour. A downgrade could trigger restrictions on some US aid. Climate Adaptation: Former president Anote Tong says Kiribati needs urgent, costly engineering measures to protect islands from rising seas, including raising land, and called for technical expertise and funding. Economic Outlook: The IMF expects growth to slow to 3% in 2026 from 4.3% last year, citing high business costs, skilled-worker shortages and pressure on state-owned enterprises. Construction and public spending are expected to support activity. Energy Security: The ADB has approved a US$12.77 million grant for Kiribati to help manage fuel-price volatility, as import and freight costs put pressure on electricity and essential goods.

Economic Outlook: Kiribati’s growth is forecast to slow to 3% in 2026 from 4.3% last year. The IMF cites high business costs, skills shortages and pressure on state-owned enterprises, while construction and public spending are expected to support growth. Energy Security: Kiribati is set to receive a US$12.77 million ADB grant to help manage imported-fuel price swings and protect electricity and essential services from rising costs. Public Health: Kiribati joined six other countries at a WHO workshop focused on putting proven alcohol-control measures into practice, including taxation and restrictions on marketing and availability. Seafood Exports: A regional training programme is helping Pacific officials strengthen food-safety inspections, traceability and certification—key requirements for accessing export markets.

Energy Security: Kiribati is set to receive US$12.77 million from an ADB emergency package to help manage rising imported-fuel costs, which are pushing up electricity and essential-goods prices. The wider US$40.1 million package also supports Tonga and Tuvalu. Climate Resilience: New research warns that extreme El Niños may become more frequent if fossil-fuel use continues, raising risks for Kiribati, including heavy rainfall and damage to livelihoods. Seafood Exports: A regional training programme in Suva is helping officers from six Pacific countries strengthen food-safety checks, traceability and certification—key requirements for seafood exports. Climate Finance: SPC reports US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including support to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities and economies adapt.

Energy Security: Kiribati is set to receive US$12.77 million from an Asian Development Bank emergency package to help manage fuel-price volatility, as higher import and freight costs pressure electricity supplies and household budgets. Fisheries: A strengthening El Niño is expected to shift tuna distribution and fishing activity into 2027, with warmer seas and possible flooding posing added challenges for Kiribati’s fisheries and coastal communities. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including a US$107 million project to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities and economies adapt. Seafood Exports: A regional training programme in Suva is helping officials strengthen fishery-product inspections, traceability and certification—key requirements for accessing export markets.

Energy Security: Kiribati will receive US$12.77 million from an Asian Development Bank emergency package to help manage rising fuel costs and protect electricity and essential services, as higher fuel and freight prices put pressure on island economies. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate funding, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent communities adapt. Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and fishing activity across the Pacific into 2027. Kiribati may also face flooding and warmer seas, adding pressure on fisheries and coastal communities. Seafood Exports: A regional training programme is strengthening food-safety and certification skills to help Pacific countries meet export-market requirements.

Climate & Fisheries: A strengthening El Niño could disrupt Pacific tuna fishing into 2027. Kiribati is also among the islands warned of warmer seas and possible flooding, risks for fishing and coastal livelihoods. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank has approved a US$12.77 million grant for Kiribati to manage fuel-price volatility and strengthen energy security as imported fuel and freight costs rise. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities and economies adapt to climate change.

Energy Costs: Kiribati is set to receive US$12.77 million from an Asian Development Bank emergency package to help manage fuel-price shocks, which are raising electricity and essential-goods costs across fuel-dependent island economies. Climate and Fisheries: A strengthening El Niño could disrupt tuna fishing grounds and catch rates through 2027; Kiribati may also face flooding and warmer seas. Seafood Exports: A regional training programme in Suva is helping officers from six Pacific countries strengthen fishery-product inspections, traceability and certification for export markets. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent communities and economies adapt.

Seafood Exports: A two-week Fiji training is helping officers from six Pacific countries strengthen fish-safety checks, traceability and certification needed to access export markets. Climate Finance: SPC reports US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities adapt. Kiribati Shipping: The Kiribati National Shipping Line’s Marin Mainiku has carried researchers from Tarawa to Nikumaroro, where an underwater survey of the Taraia Object is underway. Energy Security: ADB has approved a US$12.77 million grant for Kiribati to manage fuel-price volatility, as high import and freight costs weigh on electricity and essential goods. Tuna Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift fishing grounds and catch rates through 2026 and into 2027, creating challenges for Pacific fisheries and island economies.

Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent communities and economies adapt. The programme also supported seven Pacific countries and territories to update their climate plans. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank approved US$40.1 million for Kiribati, Tonga and Tuvalu to manage fuel-price shocks. Kiribati is set to receive US$12.77 million as higher fuel and freight costs drive up electricity and essential-goods prices. Fisheries: A strong El Niño is expected to shift tuna distribution and fishing activity across the Pacific through 2026 and into 2027, putting pressure on fisheries management and island economies. Kiribati could also face flooding and warmer seas.

Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate funding approvals, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent communities and economies adapt. Kiribati Shipping: A Kiribati National Shipping Line vessel carried a 17-person team from Tarawa to Nikumaroro, where an underwater survey of the Taraia Object has begun. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank approved a US$12.77 million grant for Kiribati, part of a US$40.1 million regional package to cushion the impact of fuel-price volatility. Tuna Fisheries: A strengthening El Niño is expected to shift tuna distribution and fishing activity across the Pacific into 2027, adding pressure to fisheries management and island economies.

Earhart Expedition: An underwater survey of the Taraia Object has begun in Nikumaroro’s lagoon, where researchers are investigating a possible wreck linked to Amelia Earhart. The 17-person team travelled from Tarawa aboard a Kiribati National Shipping Line vessel. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank has approved US$12.77 million for Kiribati to help manage fuel-price volatility, as rising import and freight costs put pressure on electricity, essential services and household budgets. Fisheries: A strengthening El Niño is expected to shift tuna grounds and fishing activity across the Pacific into 2027, posing challenges for fisheries management and island economies. Kiribati could also face warmer seas and flooding. Ocean Protection: Pacific governments, scientists and finance institutions are advancing research and policy on ocean acidification, a growing threat to the waters that support regional food supplies and livelihoods.

Ocean Protection: Pacific governments, scientists and finance institutions met in Wellington to turn ocean-acidification research into policy and climate action, a priority for the waters and fisheries supporting island economies. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank approved US$40.1 million for Kiribati, Tonga and Tuvalu to cushion rising fuel costs; Kiribati will receive US$12.77 million to manage price volatility and protect essential services. Critical Infrastructure: Australia is investing A$3 million in coastal and riverbank protection across the Pacific, including work to safeguard the East Micronesia undersea cable landing site in Tarawa. Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates across the Pacific through 2026 and into 2027, complicating fisheries management and threatening income for island economies. Forecasts also warn Kiribati could face flooding and warmer seas.

Ocean Economy: Pacific governments, scientists and finance institutions are pushing for action on ocean acidification, which threatens the waters that sustain island communities and fisheries. Energy Security: ADB approved US$40.1 million for Kiribati, Tonga and Tuvalu to manage fuel-price shocks; Kiribati will receive a US$12.77 million grant to ease pressure from imported energy costs. Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates across the Pacific through 2026 and into 2027, creating challenges for Kiribati’s fishing industry. Critical Infrastructure: Australia is investing A$3 million in climate-resilient infrastructure across the region, including protection for the East Micronesia undersea cable landing site at Nanikaai, Tarawa.