AGP Executive Report

Banaba Mining Dispute: Court filings in Fiji are deepening the fight over proposed pinnacle extraction on Banaba, with community groups and the Rabi Administration clashing over accounts of the plan and lingering concerns that Banaban Trust Fund audit records still haven’t been released. Disaster Logistics Training: SPC and WFP ran the first Humanitarian Warehouse Exchange in Brisbane, training Pacific disaster logistics and warehouse officers—including Kiribati staff—on procurement, storage, quality checks, kitting and dispatch, plus first aid certification. Cybercrime Alert: INTERPOL warns Fiji and the wider Pacific are increasingly exposed to cybercrime, citing scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes, and urging stronger regional cooperation and cyber resilience. El Niño Impacts: SPREP says El Niño can bring both risks and opportunities, while other Pacific coverage highlights how El Niño-driven drought, frost and pests are already damaging food gardens and threatening food security, especially in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands. Careers & Skills: Students and Pacific employers met at BYU–Hawaii for a career conference that included Kiribati participation, linking young people to internships and jobs across Oceania.

Banaba Mining Court Fight: New Fiji court filings deepen the dispute over proposed pinnacle extraction tied to Banaba, with community groups and the Rabi Administration clashing over conflicting accounts and unanswered Banaban Trust Fund audit records, while the Rabi side says no mining project is finalised and any Centrex Limited proposal is paused. Disaster Logistics Training: SPC and WFP ran a Humanitarian Warehouse Exchange in Brisbane for Pacific disaster management teams, including Kiribati, to strengthen warehouse receiving, storage, dispatch, quality checks, and first aid skills for faster relief delivery. Cybercrime Alert: INTERPOL warns Fiji and the wider Pacific are increasingly exposed to scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes, citing weak cybersecurity readiness and limited technical resources, with Fiji flagged as targeted by RedLine malware. El Niño Watch for the Pacific: SPREP highlights that El Niño can bring both risks and opportunities, outlining what Pacific communities may expect in coming months as ENSO phases shift. Workforce Link-Up: BYU–Hawaii’s Oceania 2026 career conference brought students and employers from across the Pacific, including Kiribati, to connect on internships and careers.

Water Access Gap: A new global map shows safe drinking water is still out of reach for over 2 billion people, with access near-universal in parts of Europe, North America and Australia but below 20% in several low-income countries—an infrastructure and service challenge that matters for island communities too. Pacific Cybersecurity: INTERPOL warns Fiji and the wider Pacific face rising cybercrime, driven by weak preparedness and limited technical resources, with scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes increasing the pressure on local systems. El Niño Food Security: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are seeing depleted harvests and frost-linked crop damage as El Niño brings drought and colder nights, threatening food supplies for millions and raising malnutrition risks. Climate-Resilient Farming Training: A 14-day climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries seminar in China brought together participants from Solomon Islands and Kiribati (plus Tonga and FSM), focusing on climate-smart farming, aquaculture and stronger industrial supply chains. Regional Fuel Crisis Response: Pacific leaders are leaning on the Biketawa Declaration framework as fuel costs and shortages strain island economies, with emergency conservation steps already underway in parts of the region. Banaba Resource Debate: Banaban leaders and Rabi officials are disputing proposed pinnacle extraction, with critics calling it a “quick fix” tied to governance and trust fund mismanagement.

Water Access Gap: A new global map shows safe drinking water remains out of reach for over 2 billion people, with many low-income countries still below 20% access to safely managed services—highlighting the need for reliable, on-premises, contamination-free supply. Pacific Cybersecurity: INTERPOL warns cybercrime is rising across Fiji and the wider Pacific, driven by scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes, with limited local technical capacity leaving small island states exposed. El Niño Food & Water Risks: SPREP urges Pacific communities to prepare now as El Niño is underway, warning impacts will vary by country but could be far-reaching—while Papua New Guinea’s Highlands face depleted harvests and hunger threats from drought, frost and crop damage. Fuel Crisis & Regional Coordination: Pacific leaders are leaning on the Biketawa Declaration by consensus to respond to ongoing fuel shocks, as countries consider measures like fuel conservation, electricity rationing and even school closures. Climate-Resilient Farming Training: A Solomon Islands-led group including youth from Kiribati completed a 14-day climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries seminar in China, focusing on climate-smart aquaculture, fisheries management and stronger industrial supply chains.

Water Access Gap: A new global map shows safe drinking water is still out of reach for more than 2 billion people, with many low-income countries below 20% access even as wealthy regions near universal coverage. Gender & Safety: A Pacific-focused look highlights how violence against women remains alarmingly high, with Papua New Guinea cited among the worst cases—an issue that also touches regional partners including Kiribati. Climate & Food Security: El Niño is driving frost and drought in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands, threatening harvests and pushing families toward hunger and malnutrition. Cybersecurity for Small States: INTERPOL warns cybercrime is rising across Fiji and the Pacific, with scams, ransomware, phishing and AI deepfakes targeting countries with limited technical resources. Fuel Crisis Pressure: Pacific leaders are responding to fuel shocks—rationing and emergency measures are being considered as governments invoke the Biketawa Declaration to coordinate action. Climate-Resilient Farming Training: Solomon Islands, Kiribati and other Pacific participants completed a climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries seminar in China, focusing on climate-smart farming, aquaculture and stronger regional cooperation. Regional Industry Link: Fiji reports record 2025 fresh and frozen agricultural exports (excluding sugar) reaching $187.2m, led by kava, taro and turmeric.

Gender Violence Watch: Global data flags Papua New Guinea as one of the worst places for intimate partner and domestic sexual violence, with normalization of abuse making change harder; the list also includes Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. Migration & Housing: A South Australian town says migrants are helping keep local schools, churches, and businesses running even as housing shortages persist. Food Security Shock: El Niño is battering Pacific farming, with Papua New Guinea’s Highlands facing frost, drought, and pests that are shrinking harvests and threatening hunger for up to millions. Pacific Jobs Link-Up: BYU–Hawaii’s Oceania 2026 career conference brought employers from across the region, including Kiribati, into direct contact with students for internships and pathways. Cyber Risk: INTERPOL warns Fiji and the Pacific face rising cybercrime from scams, ransomware, phishing, and AI deepfakes, urging stronger regional cooperation. Banaba Resource Debate: Banaban leaders on Rabi are disputing proposed pinnacle extraction, calling it a “quick fix” tied to Banaban Trust Fund mismanagement. Climate-Resilient Farming Training: Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM youth completed a China seminar on climate-smart agriculture and fisheries, aiming to apply lessons locally. Fuel Crisis Response: Pacific leaders are leaning on the Biketawa Declaration as fuel costs and shortages force tough conservation choices. Agribusiness Exports: Fiji reported record fresh and frozen agricultural exports (excluding sugar) hitting $187.2m in 2025, led by kava and taro.

El Niño Food Shock: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are bracing for hunger as frost and long dry spells wipe out gardens and livestock, with Oxfam PNG warning up to 3 million people could be affected and some households may run out of food in just 2–3 months. Pacific Fuel Strain: Across the region, emergency steps are spreading as imported fossil fuel prices bite—leaders have invoked the Biketawa Declaration (first agreed in Kiribati) to coordinate responses to the ongoing crisis. Climate-Resilient Farming Training: Youth and officials from Solomon Islands, including Kiribati participants, just completed a 14-day seminar in China on climate-smart agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, with a focus on building practical, resilient “industrial chain” approaches. Cybercrime Alert: INTERPOL warns Fiji and Pacific states face rising cyber threats like scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes, stressing the need for stronger regional cooperation and preparedness. Banaba Extraction Debate: Banaban leaders and Rabi District social services are clashing over proposed pinnacle extraction, with critics calling it a “quick fix” tied to unresolved trust fund mismanagement. EU Tuna Access Rules: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu fisheries officials are training on EU freezing requirements, aiming to protect access to the EU tuna market.

El Niño Food Shock: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are bracing for hunger as frost, drought and pests wipe out gardens and livestock, with Oxfam warning up to 3 million people could be affected and some households may have only two to three months of food. Regional Climate Prep: SPREP is urging Pacific communities to start preparing now that an El Niño event is underway, stressing practical steps and staying informed. Climate-Resilient Farming Training: Youth and officials from Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM just completed a 14-day seminar in China focused on climate-smart agriculture, aquaculture and building stronger industrial supply chains. Fuel Crisis Pressure: Pacific leaders are still dealing with costly imported fuel, and emergency conservation steps are spreading as governments invoke the Biketawa Declaration to coordinate responses. Cybercrime Alert: INTERPOL warns cyber scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes are rising across Fiji and the Pacific, pointing to weak preparedness and limited technical resources. Banaba Extraction Debate: Banaban leaders and Rabi officials are clashing over proposed pinnacle extraction, with critics calling it a “quick fix” tied to trust fund mismanagement. EU Tuna Access: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu fisheries and health officials are training on onboard freezing rules to protect access to the EU tuna market. Agribusiness Exports: Fiji logged record fresh and frozen agricultural export earnings (excluding sugar) of $187.2m in 2025, led by kava.

El Niño Food Security Shock: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are bracing for hunger as frost and long dry spells damage crops and livestock, with Oxfam warning up to 3 million people could be affected and some households may run out of food in just two to three months. Pacific Fuel Crisis Response: Pacific leaders are invoking the Biketawa Declaration to coordinate tough measures as fuel shortages strain island economies, with some governments already considering rationing and school closures. Climate-Resilient Farming Training (Kiribati in focus): Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM youth and officials just completed a 14-day climate-smart agriculture and fisheries seminar in China, covering aquaculture, smart farming and practical technology visits. Cybersecurity Alarm for the Region: INTERPOL says cybercrime is rising fast across Fiji and the Pacific, driven by scams, ransomware, phishing and AI deepfakes—highlighting the need for stronger regional defenses. EU Tuna Market Access: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu fisheries and health officials are training on EU onboard freezing rules, where meeting temperature requirements can make or break access to the EU tuna market. Infrastructure Asset Management: Engineers and officials from Micronesia met in Palau to improve maintenance of roads, bridges and heavy machinery as heat and sea impacts worsen. Banaba Resource Debate: Banaban leaders face renewed controversy over proposed pinnacle extraction, with critics calling it a “quick fix” tied to trust fund mismanagement.

El Niño Food Shock: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are bracing for hunger as frost and prolonged drought have wiped out gardens and livestock, with Oxfam PNG warning up to 3 million people could be affected and some households may have food for only two to three months. Pacific Cyber Risk: INTERPOL flags rising cybercrime across Fiji and the Pacific, driven by scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes, urging stronger regional cooperation and cyber readiness. Banaba Resource Tensions: Banaban leaders and Rabi District social services are questioning proposed pinnacle extraction on Banaba, calling it a “quick fix” tied to ongoing trust fund mismanagement and challenging how mandates were gathered. Fuel Crisis Pressure: Pacific governments are tightening fuel-saving measures as imports strain budgets, with leaders invoking Kiribati’s Biketawa Declaration to coordinate responses to the wider crisis. Climate-Smart Training for Kiribati: A Solomon Islands delegation (including Kiribati participants) completed a 14-day climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries seminar in China, focusing on smart farming, aquaculture and practical adaptation. EU Tuna Market Access: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu fisheries and health officials are training on EU freezing rules, highlighting how onboard temperature controls can make or break access to the EU tuna market. Infrastructure Asset Management: JICA and Micronesia partners in Palau are building skills to better manage roads, bridges and heavy machinery as heat and erosion worsen.

El Niño Food Shock in PNG: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are bracing for depleted harvests and hunger after El Niño brought frost, prolonged dry spells, and crop and livestock losses, with Oxfam PNG warning up to 3 million people could be affected and some households may have food for only two to three months. Pacific Fuel Crisis Response: Pacific leaders are leaning on the Biketawa Declaration as fuel shortages bite, with countries weighing emergency conservation steps like rationing and even school closures to cut demand. Climate-Resilient Farming Training: Youth and officials from Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM just completed a 14-day seminar in China on climate-smart agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture, aiming to strengthen practical skills and local projects. Cybercrime Alert for the Pacific: INTERPOL warns cybercrime is rising across Fiji and the region, driven by scams, phishing, ransomware, and AI deepfakes—highlighting the need for stronger cyber readiness and cooperation. Banaba Extraction Debate: Banaban leaders and Rabi District Council of Social Services are clashing over proposed pinnacle extraction, with critics calling it a “quick fix” tied to Banaban Trust Fund mismanagement. Tuna Export Compliance (EU): Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu fisheries and health officials are training on onboard freezing requirements for EU tuna access, as temperature control rules tighten. Infrastructure Asset Management in Palau: Engineers from Micronesia and Japan are sharing approaches to keep roads, bridges, and heavy machinery working as heat and erosion worsen. Digital Risks in Kiribati: A Pacific peace and security panel flagged how AI and social media can spread misinformation and harm youth, even as they also support awareness campaigns.

El Niño Food Security Shock: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are bracing for hunger as frost, drought and pests have wiped out crops and livestock, with Oxfam PNG warning up to 3 million people could be affected and some households may run out of food in just two to three months. Regional Climate Prep: SPREP is urging Pacific communities to start preparing now that an El Niño event has been declared underway, stressing early action to protect families and livelihoods. Climate-Resilient Agriculture Training: Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and FSM participants have completed a 14-day seminar in China on climate-smart agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, with a focus on practical ways to strengthen resilience and industrial chain capacity. Pacific Fuel Crisis Response: The Pacific is still feeling the squeeze from expensive imported fuel, with countries weighing emergency conservation steps and leaders invoking the Biketawa Declaration to coordinate responses. Cybersecurity for Small States: INTERPOL warns cybercrime is rising across Fiji and the Pacific, driven by scams, ransomware, phishing and AI deepfakes—highlighting the need for stronger regional cooperation and readiness. Banaba Resource Debate: Banaban leaders face mounting criticism over proposed pinnacle extraction, with Rabi District Council of Social Services calling it a “quick fix” tied to ongoing Banaban Trust Fund governance concerns. Infrastructure Asset Management: Palau hosted a regional seminar for Micronesia on managing roads, bridges and heavy machinery as heat and sea impacts threaten core infrastructure. Tuna Market Access & Cooling Rules: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu fisheries and health officials trained on onboard freezing requirements tied to EU tuna regulations, aiming to protect access to the EU market.

Pacific Fuel Shock Response: Pacific leaders are coordinating under the Biketawa Declaration as fuel costs and supply disruptions keep squeezing island economies, with emergency measures already appearing in places like the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Fiji and Samoa. Climate-Resilient Farming Training: Youth and officials from Kiribati and Solomon Islands completed a 14-day climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries seminar in China, focusing on climate-smart farming, aquaculture, and building stronger “industrial chain” resilience. El Niño Preparedness: SPREP is urging Pacific communities to prepare now that an El Niño event has been declared underway, stressing early action to reduce risks to families and services. Cybersecurity for Small Islands: INTERPOL warns cybercrime is rising across Fiji and the Pacific, driven by scams, ransomware, phishing and AI deepfakes—highlighting limited local technical resources as a key vulnerability. EU Tuna Freezing Rules: Fisheries officials from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu are training on EU onboard freezing requirements, a reminder that small compliance gaps can threaten access to the EU tuna market. Infrastructure Asset Management: Engineers from four Micronesian nations met in Palau for a JICA-supported asset management seminar on maintaining roads, bridges and heavy machinery as heat and erosion worsen. Banaba Resource Debate: Banaban leaders face mounting criticism over proposed pinnacle extraction, with concerns it’s being pushed as a “quick fix” amid ongoing trust fund governance problems.

Cybersecurity in the Pacific: INTERPOL warns cybercrime is rising across Fiji and the region, with scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes targeting countries with limited technical resources. Fuel crisis pressure: Pacific leaders are responding to costly fuel imports and possible rationing, with the Biketawa Declaration invoked to coordinate action after COVID shocks and fuel spikes. Climate-resilient farming training: Solomon Islands, with Kiribati among participants, completed a 14-day seminar in China on climate-smart agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, focusing on practical methods and stronger industry links. El Niño readiness: SPREP urges Pacific communities to prepare now that an El Niño event has been declared, stressing early action to reduce risks to families and livelihoods. Infrastructure asset management: Palau hosted a regional seminar on maintaining roads, bridges and heavy machinery as heat and erosion threaten core transport and construction assets. Fisheries access shift: Tokelau has been removed from the Nauru Agreement’s tuna management scheme, putting revenue at risk by losing access to the Vessel Day Scheme. EU tuna freezing rules: Fiji, Kiribati and other Pacific exporters are training on EU requirements for onboard tuna freezing, aimed at protecting market access.

Pacific Security & Digital Trade: INTERPOL warns Fiji and the wider Pacific are facing rising cybercrime, with scams, phishing, ransomware and AI deepfakes exploiting weak defenses and limited local resources. Banaba Resource Debate: Banaban leaders and Rabi District Council of Social Services are clashing over proposed pinnacle extraction, with critics calling it a “quick fix” tied to Banaban Trust Fund mismanagement and questioning the consultation process. Fuel Shock Response: Pacific governments are coordinating under the Biketawa Declaration as fuel costs and supply disruptions bite, with emergency measures ranging from conservation steps to possible electricity rationing. Climate-Resilient Food Systems: Solomon Islands, with Kiribati participation, completed a 14-day China training on climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries, focusing on climate-smart farming, aquaculture and stronger supply-chain resilience. El Niño Preparedness: SPREP urges Pacific communities to prepare early for El Niño impacts after it was declared underway, stressing practical risk-reduction steps. Infrastructure Skills for Micronesia: Palau hosted a regional asset management seminar (roads, bridges and heavy machinery) with JICA support, aiming to help Micronesia maintain critical infrastructure as heat and sea impacts worsen. Healthcare & Trade Links: India’s High Commissioner met Kiribati’s health minister on cooperation including affordable drugs, dialysis machines and sea ambulance, alongside discussions on commerce and coconut/coproopra industry priorities. Fisheries Market Access: EU tuna-freezing rules are pushing Pacific fisheries officials (including Kiribati) to learn new onboard refrigeration requirements to protect access to the EU market. Regional Cooperation Platforms: China briefed Nanjing-based multilateral cooperation platforms with PICs, covering climate response, agriculture, disaster mitigation and police training, including Kiribati participation. Fisheries Revenue Risk: Tokelau has been removed from the Nauru Agreement’s tuna Vessel Day Scheme, putting a major income stream at risk as it loses access to sold fishing days.

Banaba Resource Debate: Banaban leaders and Rabi DCOSS are pushing back on proposed pinnacle extraction, saying it’s being used as a “quick fix” for losses tied to the Banaban Trust Fund scandal, with critics questioning whether village mandates were gathered transparently. Pacific Fuel Pressure: Pacific governments are responding to a fuel crisis worsened by past shocks, with leaders invoking the Biketawa Declaration to coordinate emergency measures as tough choices loom. Climate-Smart Agriculture Training: A Solomon Islands delegation, including Kiribati youth and officials, completed a 14-day climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries seminar in China focused on smart farming, aquaculture, and stronger industrial supply chains. El Niño Preparedness: SPREP is urging Pacific communities to prepare early for El Niño impacts after the WMO’s Pacific climate centre declared the event underway. Fisheries Market Access (EU): Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained on onboard tuna freezing requirements tied to EU rules, highlighting how engineering and temperature control can affect access to the EU tuna market. Healthcare Cooperation: India’s High Commissioner met Kiribati’s health minister to discuss affordable drugs, dialysis machines, sea ambulance support, and capacity building. Infrastructure Asset Management: Palau hosted a regional asset management seminar for roads and bridges, bringing Micronesia engineers together with JICA to tackle heat and erosion damage. Fisheries Revenue Risk (Tokelau): Tokelau has been removed from the Nauru Agreement’s tuna access scheme, putting a major income stream at risk as it loses Vessel Day Scheme access.