AGP Executive Report

Media & Skills: Papua New Guinea’s Media Council mourns the death of Genesis Ketan, its Treasurer and early local media trainer, remembered for building young journalists and supporting women in media; PINA also highlights her role in Pacific media freedom and the 2024 Pacific Media Summit in Niue. Fisheries & Climate Resilience: Pacific countries are advancing a Green Climate Fund-backed Advanced Warning System to track climate-driven tuna shifts, with preliminary outputs shared at the Forum Fisheries Committee meeting; officials warn skipjack may move beyond Pacific EEZs, hitting government revenue and food security. Food Safety & Seafood Exports: EU rules on freezer vessels are set to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels, and Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu are training national authorities to meet new temperature requirements and protect access to the EU seafood market. Agribusiness Innovation: Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition 2026 finale, supported by the EU and FAO under STODAS, showcased agrifood entrepreneurs and MSMEs through pitch presentations and awards. Forestry Production: Samoa forestry officers completed a FAO-supported training on sustainable teak and pine production and management in Suva, focused on seed propagation and harvesting to strengthen climate resilience.

Climate & Fisheries: Pacific countries are rolling out a Green Climate Fund-backed Advanced Warning System to track climate-driven tuna shifts, with early modelling warning skipjack could move further into the high seas—threatening government revenue and coastal livelihoods. Food Safety & Seafood Exports: EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449 is set to tighten freezer-vessel temperature requirements, and a two-week EU-funded training in Suva is helping Pacific Island authorities (including Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu) keep access to the EU seafood market. Agribusiness Innovation: Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition finale (under the EU/FAO STODAS project) showcased new agrifood entrepreneurs and agribusiness ideas, supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Pacific islands. Forestry Skills for Resilience: FAO and Fiji’s Ministry of Forestry trained Samoa Forestry Division officers in sustainable teak and pine production and management, focusing on seed propagation and harvesting to close technical gaps. Tourism Data for Niue: The Niue Tourism Office, via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, showing New Zealand as the dominant source market (84%) and helping guide Niue’s next tourism strategy.

Climate & Fisheries: Pacific Island countries are rolling out a Green Climate Fund-backed Advanced Warning System to track climate-driven tuna shifts, with preliminary results shared at the Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Wellington—aimed at helping governments plan for skipjack moving beyond EEZs and protecting income that funds schools, hospitals, and local services. Food Safety & Seafood Exports: EU officials and Pacific regulators are training national competent authorities on new EU freezer-vessel requirements (Delegated Regulation EU 2025/1449), targeting compliance after concerns about brine temperatures—expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Agribusiness Innovation: Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition finale, supported by the EU and FAO under STODAS, showcased emerging agrifood entrepreneurs and agribusinesses, feeding into an incubator model designed to strengthen domestic agrifood systems. Forestry Production Skills: FAO and Fiji hosted Samoa forestry officers for hands-on training in sustainable teak and pine production and management, focusing on seed propagation and harvesting to close technical and data gaps. Tourism Data for Niue: The Niue Tourism Office, via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, released the 2024 International Visitor Survey report, highlighting visitor preferences and spending to guide Niue’s next tourism strategy. Tourism Promotion: A new Wallis and Futuna Pocket Guide launched with Wallis and Futuna Tourisme, offering practical travel advice and local recommendations to boost destination visibility.

Climate & Fisheries: Pacific governments are rolling out a Green Climate Fund-backed Advanced Warning System to track climate-driven tuna shifts, with preliminary outputs shared at the Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Wellington—aimed at helping countries prepare as skipjack increasingly moves beyond EEZs and threatens revenue, food security, and services. EU Seafood Compliance: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained in Suva on new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules (Delegated Regulation EU 2025/1449), expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU—after concerns over brine temperatures. Niue Tourism Data: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released the 2024 International Visitor Survey via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, highlighting visitor preferences and spending to guide Niue’s next tourism strategy. Agri-Entrepreneurship (Samoa): FAO and EU-funded STODAS supported Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition 2026 finale, backing MSMEs and agribusiness innovation through an incubator model. Forestry Skills (Samoa): FAO and Fiji delivered hands-on training for Samoa Forestry Division staff on sustainable teak and pine production and management to close technical and data gaps for climate resilience. Climate Finance (GEF): Niue is among countries receiving over USD 67m in new LDCF/SCCF funding to strengthen resilience through projects targeting flood/coastal risks and food and water security.

Maritime Compliance & Trade Access: EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449 is rolling out new technical food safety requirements for freezer vessels, with training for Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu aimed at keeping Pacific Island exporters eligible for the EU market; the rule is expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged freezer vessels. Agrifood Entrepreneurship: Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition 2026 finale (EU-funded via FAO’s STODAS) showcased agribusiness innovation and MSME pitches, reinforcing a pipeline of locally driven agrifood production ideas across the region. Forestry Skills for Climate Resilience: FAO and Fiji’s Ministry of Forestry supported Samoa Forestry Division officers with hands-on training in sustainable teak and pine production, focusing on seed propagation and harvesting practices to close technical and data gaps. Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released the 2024 International Visitor Survey under the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, highlighting visitor preferences and spending inputs for Niue’s next tourism strategy. Climate Finance for Resilience: GEF Council approvals will deliver over USD 67m for vulnerable countries including Niue, supporting projects on flood/coastal risk, food and water security, and ecosystem protection. Fisheries Surveillance Culture: A feature on Samoa’s Senior Fisheries Officer ties local livelihoods to Operation Tui Moana 2026, underscoring how surveillance and enforcement protect the sea-based economy. Shadow Fleet System Design: A new analysis argues Russia’s shadow fleet operations reuse and scale tactics similar to North Korea’s, focusing on how permissive registries and laundering mechanisms keep sanctioned activity afloat.

Food & Agribusiness: FAO reports Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition 2026 finale in Apia, backed by the EU’s STODAS project, spotlighting new agrifood entrepreneurs and agribusiness innovation through SROS’s Agribusiness Incubator. Seafood Compliance: Pacific Island authorities in Suva completed training on new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449, aimed at keeping access to the EU seafood market as the rules are expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels. Forestry & Climate Resilience: FAO says Samoa Forestry Division officers finished a Suva-based hands-on programme on sustainable teak and pine production and management, strengthening seed propagation and harvesting skills to close technical and data gaps. Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released Niue’s 2024 International Visitor Survey findings via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, with New Zealand the top source market (84%) and insights meant to guide more resilient, strategic tourism growth. Climate Finance: A GEF update says Niue and other vulnerable countries will receive over USD 67m in new LDCF/SCCF funding to reduce flood and coastal risks and bolster food and water security. Fisheries Stewardship: A feature profiles Samoa’s Senior Fisheries Officer Stella Sahara Tuuau and her role in Operation Tui Moana 2026, linking community livelihoods to stronger fisheries protection.

Agrifood Innovation: Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition 2026 wrapped up in Apia (5 June), backing agrifood MSMEs with EU-funded FAO support under STODAS—aimed at smarter, more resilient domestic agrifood systems across Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands. Seafood Market Access: New EU freezer-vessel food safety rules are set to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels; Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu officials trained in Suva (25 May–4 June) to help keep exports flowing. Forestry Skills for Climate Resilience: Samoa Forestry Division officers completed a Suva-based hands-on course on sustainable teak and pine production (25–29 May), filling seed propagation and harvesting data gaps with Fiji and FAO support. Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, highlighting visitor mix (NZ still dominant) to guide Niue’s next tourism strategy. Climate Finance: Niue is among countries receiving over USD 67m in new GEF funding to strengthen resilience via LDCF/SCCF projects targeting flood/coastal risks and food and water security. Fisheries Stewardship: A Samoa fisheries officer profile spotlights Operation Tui Moana 2026 and the people behind protecting Pacific fisheries. Fuel Pressure: In the region, Penrhyn Island hit a diesel crunch (last 100 litres) and is borrowing from a police patrol boat while restricting power use as prices rise.

EU Food Safety Compliance: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained in Suva on new EU freezer-vessel requirements under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449, aimed at fixing cold-brine performance issues that could affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific freezer vessels. Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation, with Niue Tourism Office support via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, showing New Zealand as the top source (84% of visitors) and highlighting key age and spending patterns to guide Niue’s next tourism push. Forestry & Climate Resilience: Samoa forestry officers completed a FAO-backed Sustainable Teak and Pine production and management training in Fiji, building seed propagation and sustainable harvesting skills to close technical and data gaps. GEF Adaptation Funding: Niue is among countries set to receive over USD 67m in new resilience funding through LDCF/SCCF projects, targeting flood/coastal risks and food and water security. Fuel Shock in the Region: Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands ran out of diesel (last 100 litres) and borrowed fuel from a police patrol boat while restricting power use, as regional fuel prices keep rising. Niue-Linked Regional Tourism Funding Debate: Fiji’s tourism promotion spending and its measurable benefits for small businesses faced scrutiny in Parliament, with claims that the South Pacific Tourism Exchange delivered record participation.

EU Food Safety Compliance: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained in Suva on new EU freezer-vessel requirements under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449, aimed at fixing cold-brine performance gaps that EU auditors flagged; the rules could affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged freezer vessels, so certification capacity is the focus. Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released the 2024 International Visitor Survey via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, with New Zealand the top source market (84%), followed by Australia (7%); Niue will use the findings to guide more resilient, sustainable visitor strategy. Climate-Resilient Forestry Skills: FAO and Fiji’s Ministry of Forestry hosted Samoa forestry officers for hands-on training in sustainable teak and pine production and management, building seed propagation and harvesting skills to close technical and data gaps. GEF Adaptation Funding: Niue is among countries receiving over USD 67m in new resilience funding approved under LDCF/SCCF, targeting flood and coastal risks plus food and water security. Fuel and Power Pressure: Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands hit a diesel crunch, borrowing fuel from a police patrol boat and restricting power hours while a battery replacement project is underway—another reminder of supply-chain fragility.

Food Safety & Fisheries Trade: EU officials trained Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu authorities on new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules, expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels—aimed at keeping access to the EU seafood market. Forestry & Climate Resilience: FAO backed Samoa’s forestry staff with hands-on training in sustainable teak and pine production and management, focusing on seed propagation and harvesting to close technical and data gaps. Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released the 2024 International Visitor Survey under NZ-funded PTDI, showing New Zealand as the top source market (84%) and highlighting visitor age and spending patterns to guide Niue’s tourism strategy. Climate Finance: Niue is among countries set to receive over USD 67m in new GEF funding to strengthen resilience, including projects targeting flood and coastal risks plus food and water security. Energy & Shipping Costs: Fuel price pressure continues across the region, with Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands running low on diesel and borrowing supply from a police patrol boat while restricting power use. Fisheries Careers & Surveillance: A Samoa fisheries officer profile spotlights regional enforcement work under Operation Tui Moana 2026, underscoring how skills and jobs in fisheries protection support Pacific food security.

EU Food Safety Compliance: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained in Suva on new EU freezer-vessel requirements, aimed at keeping about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels export-ready after EU auditors flagged brine temperatures below -18°C. Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released the 2024 International Visitor Survey under the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, with New Zealand the top source market (84%) and key insights meant to guide Niue’s next tourism strategy. Climate-Resilient Forestry Skills: FAO-backed training in Suva built Samoa’s capacity in sustainable teak and pine production, focusing on seed propagation and harvesting to close technical and data gaps. Fisheries Surveillance Careers: A Samoa fisheries officer story highlights how local talent is feeding into Operation Tui Moana 2026, showing fisheries protection as both livelihood and public service. Energy Cost Pressure: Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands hit a diesel shortage, borrowing fuel from a police patrol boat and restricting power use while awaiting a June barge delivery. Regional Tourism Funding Scrutiny: Fiji’s tourism exchange spending faces questions in Parliament over measurable support for small businesses, despite claims of strong participation and outcomes.

Climate Finance & Resilience: The GEF Council approved new LDCF/SCCF funding that includes Niue, with over USD 67m for vulnerable countries aimed at flood/coastal risk, food and water security, and ecosystem protection—plus co-financing to scale impact. Ocean Economy & Governance: Niue’s Ocean Wide (NOW) initiative is highlighted as a sovereign-led, law-and-data-backed financing model, using the NOW Trust to fund long-term conservation and resilience, including a no-take marine protected area covering about 40% of Niue’s EEZ. Tourism Data for Operators: SPTO and the Niue Tourism Office (via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative) released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, showing New Zealand as the top source market (84%) and feeding into Niue’s next tourism strategy. Fuel & Power Pressure: Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands hit a diesel crunch (last 100 litres), borrowing from a police patrol boat and restricting power hours while battery replacement work continues—an energy supply warning for the region. Forestry Skills for Climate Adaptation: FAO backed a Samoa–Fiji forestry exchange training officers in sustainable teak and pine production to close technical and data gaps.

Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation, with Niue Tourism Office support via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, released the 2024 International Visitor Survey—showing New Zealand as the top source market (84% of visitors), with most travellers aged 60–69—aimed at helping Niue plan more resilient, sustainable growth. Climate & Ocean Finance: A new report highlights Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) as a sovereign-led model turning ocean protection into long-term, predictable financing through the Niue and Ocean Wide Trust, backing conservation and resilience including the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area. Forestry Skills for Resilience: FAO-backed South-South training in Fiji built Samoa’s capacity in sustainable teak and pine production and management, focusing on seed propagation and harvesting techniques to close technical and data gaps. Fuel Shock in the Region: Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands hit diesel limits (last 100 litres) and borrowed fuel from a police patrol boat while restricting power use—another reminder of how rising fuel costs ripple into energy and logistics. Pacific Tourism Spend Scrutiny: Fiji’s tourism trade push faces questions in Parliament over funding levels and measurable support for small businesses, even as the South Pacific Tourism Exchange reports record participation.

Tourism Data & Planning: The Pacific Tourism Organisation, with Niue Tourism Office via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, released the 2024 International Visitor Survey—showing New Zealand as the top source market (84% of visitors), with most travellers aged 60–69—aimed at guiding Niue’s next tourism moves. Climate & Resilience Funding: The GEF approved new adaptation funding for vulnerable countries including Niue, with over USD 67m in fresh support and major co-financing expected to back flood/coastal risk and food-and-water security work. Forestry Skills for Climate Resilience: FAO backed a Samoa–Fiji forestry exchange training officers in sustainable teak and pine production and management, targeting seed propagation and sustainable harvesting to close technical and data gaps. Fuel & Power Pressure in the Region: Fuel prices keep climbing; Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands ran down diesel and borrowed supply from a police patrol boat, while restricting power use as battery replacements are underway. Blue Economy Finance: A feature highlights Niue’s Ocean Wide (NOW) model—turning ocean protection into a sovereign-led trust structure to fund long-term conservation and climate resilience. Fisheries Protection Careers: A profile spotlights Samoa’s fisheries officer Stella Sahara Tuuau, now helping with Operation Tui Moana 2026 surveillance.

Climate & Forestry Skills: FAO-backed South-South training in Fiji is building Samoa’s capacity in sustainable teak and pine production, focusing on seed propagation and harvesting to close key technical and data gaps. Tourism Data for Niue: The Pacific Tourism Organisation, with Niue Tourism Office support via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, released the 2024 International Visitor Survey—showing New Zealand as the top source market (84%) and highlighting visitor age patterns to guide smarter, more resilient tourism planning. Climate Finance for Resilience: GEF has approved new adaptation funding for vulnerable countries including Niue, with over USD 67m in fresh support and major co-financing expected under LDCF/SCCF for flood, coastal risk, and food and water security. Fisheries Protection Pathways: A Pacific fisheries career story spotlights how local experience can feed into regional surveillance—Samoa’s Stella Sahara Tuuau now supports Operation Tui Moana 2026. Fuel Pressure in the Region: Diesel shortages and rising fuel costs are hitting remote islands, with Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands borrowing diesel and restricting power use while waiting on barge deliveries. Niue Culture in the Spotlight: Niue music icon Che Fu received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Aotearoa Music Awards, performing a takalo and tying recognition back to family and community. Ocean-Based Financing: Niue’s Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) model is using a trust-backed, sovereign-led approach to fund ocean protection and resilience across the EEZ.

Tourism Data: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office (via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative) released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, highlighting Niue’s visitor mix and what it means for sustainable growth, with New Zealand the top source market (84%), followed by Australia (7%) and other Pacific islands (4%). Climate Finance: Niue is among countries set to receive over USD 67m in new GEF adaptation funding to strengthen resilience through projects under the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund, with major co-financing expected. Fisheries & Jobs: A Niue-linked Pacific fisheries story spotlights career pathways into surveillance and protection work, showing how fisheries management is becoming a real employment route across the region. Energy & Supply: Fuel pressure remains a live issue in the Pacific, with Penrhyn Island in the Cook Islands running down diesel and borrowing from a police patrol boat while power use is restricted. Blue Economy Finance: Niue’s Ocean Wide (NOW) model is framed as a sovereign-led way to fund ocean protection and resilience through the NOW Trust, tying conservation to long-term, predictable financing. Regional Tourism Trade: Fiji’s tourism exchange spending is under scrutiny as SPTE performance is defended, while the event is credited with helping smaller states like Niue connect with global buyers.