AGP Executive Report

UN Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution affirming countries’ legal responsibility to tackle climate change, endorsing an ICJ advisory opinion that urges states to curb fossil fuels—while the US voted against it, a move that could shape future climate litigation. Nauru Deportation Deal Funds: Nauru has withdrawn $30.5m from an Australian-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee arrangement, including $19.8m to pay down a loan for expanding its national airline fleet—raising fresh questions about transparency and how resettlement costs may reach $2.5b over 30 years. Pacific Tuna Sustainability: A new Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency report says regional cooperation is keeping major tuna stocks healthy, with the Pacific now taking 54% of the world’s tuna catch and generating hundreds of millions annually. Regional Forestry for Resilience: FAO and Fiji helped Samoa train forestry officers in sustainable teak and pine production to close technical gaps and better handle climate and ecosystem pressures. Climate Mobility & Statelessness: A new analysis highlights how climate-driven migration is already happening in the Pacific, but warns that risks like loss of nationality and statelessness still need urgent government action.

Climate Accountability at the UN: Vanuatu-backed UN resolution won big (141-8) affirming countries’ legal duty to tackle global warming, citing the July 2025 ICJ advisory opinion—while the U.S. voted against it, setting up fresh pressure for climate action across the Pacific. Nauru Deportation Deal Funds: Nauru has withdrawn $30.5m from an Australia-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee arrangement, including $19.8m to pay off a loan expanding its national airline fleet—raising questions in Australia’s Senate about how the money is being used. Regional Forestry for Resilience: FAO and Fiji’s forestry ministry trained Samoa forestry officers in sustainable teak and pine production, aiming to close technical gaps and strengthen climate resilience. Pacific Tuna Sustainability: A new FFA report highlights two decades of regional cooperation keeping key tuna stocks healthy and sustainably fished—an example of science-led ocean management that supports livelihoods. Connectivity for Sustainable Tourism: The Pacific Tourism Organisation urged tighter links between tourism, airlines, and airports to boost resilient, sustainable travel growth. Nauru Detention Protest: A man deported to Nauru from Western Australia has begun a hunger strike, alleging he’s trapped in harsh conditions.

Nauru Deportation Detention: An Australian man, Tony Kellisar, has started a hunger strike at a detention centre in Nauru after being deported from Western Australia, calling it a “hellhole prison camp” and saying he can’t leave his room. Nauru Funding Under the NZYQ Deal: Nauru has withdrawn $30.5 million from an Australian-linked trust tied to the NZYQ deportee arrangement, including $19.8 million to pay off a loan used to expand the national airline fleet to seven Boeing aircraft—while critics question how the money is being used. Climate Mobility & Statelessness: A new analysis highlights how climate-driven migration in the Asia-Pacific is already happening, and argues governments must urgently address risks of loss of nationality and statelessness. Pacific Forestry for Resilience: FAO reports Samoa forestry officers completed training in sustainable teak and pine production in Suva, aiming to close technical and data gaps and strengthen climate resilience. Tuna Sustainability in the Pacific: The FFA released a major report on two decades of regional tuna management, saying key stocks remain healthy and sustainably fished—showing how science and cooperation can protect livelihoods. Quad Infrastructure in Fiji: Separate from Nauru-specific items, the Quad’s New Delhi meeting announced Fiji’s inclusion in a new port infrastructure project, underscoring how big-power deals can shape Pacific autonomy.

Climate resilience via forestry training: FAO reports Samoa Forestry officers completed hands-on training in Suva, Fiji on sustainable teak and pine production, aiming to close seed and harvesting gaps and boost resilience to extreme weather and ecosystem pressure. Sustainable tuna governance: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency highlights two decades of regional cooperation through the Oceanic Fisheries Management Project, saying key tuna stocks remain healthy and sustainably fished, with the Pacific now driving a large share of global tuna catch. Weather-and-climate reporting capacity: SPREP and partners are set to run a Pacific media workshop in September to help journalists better cover weather and climate for community preparedness, including coverage tied to upcoming Pacific meteorology meetings in Tonga. Nauru deportation deal funding scrutiny: ABC reports Nauru has withdrawn $30.5m from an Australian-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee arrangement, including $19.8m to pay a loan for expanding its national airline fleet, with questions raised about spending details. Nauru–China ties: Nauruan President David Adeang tells Xinhua that cooperation since diplomatic relations resumed in Jan 2024 is exceeding expectations and creating major economic opportunities. Ocean governance debate: A feature on global ocean governance argues decision-making is too uneven, with small-scale fishers and climate impacts often sidelined compared with industrial fleets.

Fisheries & Oceans: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency says tuna stocks in the Western and Central Pacific remain healthy after two decades of regional cooperation, with science-led management helping the basin become a global model for sustainable tuna governance. Climate Media Resilience: SPREP is backing a Pacific media workshop to help journalists better report weather and climate impacts, aiming to strengthen community preparedness for floods, cyclones and droughts. Nauru Deportation & Detention: A man deported to Nauru after detention in Perth has started a hunger strike, calling the facility a “hellhole prison camp,” spotlighting ongoing human rights concerns around Nauru’s immigration detention system. Nauru Deportee Deal Funding: Nauru has withdrawn $30.5m from an Australia-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee arrangement, including major spending tied to expanding the national airline fleet—details now revealed to Senate estimates. Climate Accountability at the UN: Vanuatu’s push for a UN resolution affirming states’ legal duty to tackle climate change passed overwhelmingly, but the U.S. voted no, underscoring pressure on fossil-fuel policy. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN seabed mining regulator says Pacific countries are shaping future rules as interest grows in deep-sea minerals—while environmental risks remain a live concern. Pacific Development Partnerships: Nauru’s president says cooperation with China has exceeded expectations, and Nauru also points to Vietnam as a model partner for goods, tuna cooperation and infrastructure.

Fisheries & Food Security: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) released a major report on two decades of tuna management, saying regional science and cooperation helped keep key stocks healthy and sustainably fished—making the Western and Central Pacific a global model and supporting major licensing income for Pacific governments. Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution affirming states’ legal duty to tackle climate change, after the International Court of Justice advisory opinion—while the U.S. voted against it, a move that could shape future climate litigation. Nauru Deportation Fallout: A man deported to Nauru from Perth has begun a hunger strike at a detention centre, calling it a “hellhole prison camp,” raising fresh scrutiny of Nauru’s detention conditions. Nauru Resettlement Deal Costs: Nauru withdrew $30.5m from an Australia-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee deal, including $19.8m to pay off a loan expanding the national airline fleet—details that spotlight how climate-vulnerable island budgets are tied to offshore policy. Ocean Governance: A new piece argues global ocean rules are too unequal and fragmented, calling for more inclusive decision-making that accounts for both environmental harm and who benefits. Diplomacy & Climate Partnerships: Nauru’s president says cooperation with China is exceeding expectations, while Nauru also points to Vietnam as a development model—both framed around climate action, environmental protection, and food security. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN seabed mining regulator says Pacific countries are shaping future international rules as interest grows in deep-sea minerals, with environmental risks still unclear.

Critical Minerals & Power Plays: A new wave of “critical minerals” investment is turning resources into trade weapons, with producer countries pushing to finally capture more value—while warning about extractive legacies and uneven benefits. Nauru’s Climate Accountability in the Spotlight: The UN General Assembly backed a legal duty for states to curb fossil fuels, after Vanuatu’s resolution—while the US voted no—adding fuel to climate litigation pressure across the Pacific. Deep-Sea Mining Rules vs a New Rush: The UN seabed regulator says Pacific states must not get swept into renewed deep-sea mining permits, after the US signaled it could issue authorisations that bypass the International Seabed Authority’s code—while Nauru’s Metals Company joint venture has applied. Nauru–China Development Ties: Nauruan President David Adeang says cooperation since diplomatic relations resumed in 2024 is exceeding expectations and is an “immense opportunity” for Nauru’s economy. Nauru NZYQ Deal Funds Revealed: Senate estimates heard Nauru withdrew $30.5m from an Australian-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee deal, including $19.8m to pay down a loan expanding its airline fleet. Pacific Resilience Media: SPREP is backing a regional media workshop to help journalists report weather and climate for community preparedness. Tourism Connectivity: Pacific tourism leaders stress that better aviation and airport coordination is key to sustainable, resilient tourism growth.

Pacific Media & Climate Resilience: SPREP is backing a regional media workshop (Sept, Tonga) to train Pacific journalists to report on weather and climate, including coverage of PMC8 and ministers’ meetings. Climate Mobility & Statelessness: A new analysis warns that climate-driven migration in the Asia-Pacific is already happening, but risks of loss of nationality and statelessness are still being overlooked in adaptation planning. Nauru’s NZYQ Deal Funds: Nauru has withdrawn $30.5m from an Australian-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee arrangement, including $19.8m to pay a loan expanding its airline fleet—while Australia has kept key resettlement details private. Deep-Sea Mining Rules Under Pressure: The UN seabed regulator says Pacific states must not be pulled into a renewed race; the U.S. is moving ahead with permits, and Nauru’s Metals Company-linked bid is raising concerns about environmental standards. UN Climate Accountability Vote: The UN General Assembly backed a legal-duty resolution on climate action after an ICJ advisory opinion, but the U.S. voted no—amid growing pressure for fossil-fuel curbs. Nauru–China Cooperation: Nauruan President David Adeang says ties with China have exceeded expectations, with development opportunities expanding. Food Security & Sustainable Seafood: Nauru highlights Vietnam as a model partner, citing shared climate vulnerability and interest in sustainable seafood and aquaculture cooperation.

Climate Media Capacity: SPREP is backing a Pacific media workshop (17–18 Sept) to help journalists report on weather and climate, with selected reporters also covering Tonga’s Pacific Meteorological Council meeting and ministers’ gathering—because better information helps communities prepare for floods, cyclones and droughts. Climate Mobility & Statelessness: A new analysis links climate-driven displacement in the Asia-Pacific to overlooked risks like loss of nationality and statelessness, arguing governments need faster action to protect people on the move. Nauru Resettlement Deal Funds: Nauru has withdrawn $30.5m from an Australia-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee deal, including $19.8m to pay down a loan expanding its airline fleet—while Australia has kept details of third-country resettlement largely private. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN’s seabed mining regulator warns Pacific states not to get swept into a renewed rush; the ISA says the US permit path is unlawful, as Nauru’s government-linked venture seeks permits while the ISA works on environmental standards. Nauru-China/Taiwan Tensions: Taiwan’s trade office rejects Nauru’s “province of China” framing after Nauru issued guidance to officials to follow the One-China principle. Pacific Climate Accountability at the UN: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution affirming states’ legal duty to tackle climate change, introduced by Vanuatu, but the US voted against it. Regional Development Links: Nauru’s president says cooperation with China has exceeded expectations, while Nauru also points to Vietnam as a model partner—especially on climate-vulnerable food security and sustainable seafood.

Climate Reporting Capacity: SPREP is backing a regional media workshop (Sept 17–18) to help Pacific journalists report on weather and climate, with selected reporters also covering Tonga’s Pacific Meteorological Council meeting and ministers’ gathering. Climate Mobility & Rights: A new analysis links climate change-driven displacement with statelessness risks in the Asia-Pacific, arguing governments need faster action to identify and address nationality and protection gaps. UN Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution affirming states’ legal duty to tackle climate change, but the US voted no—raising fresh stakes for climate litigation and fossil-fuel policy fights. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN seabed regulator warns Pacific countries not to get swept into a renewed race to mine the ocean floor; it says US permits outside the International Seabed Authority process are unlawful, while ISA code talks aim to finish key environmental standards by year-end. Nauru Deal Transparency: Nauru withdrew $30.5m from an Australian-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee deal, including major spending tied to expanding its national airline fleet—details that drew scrutiny over how the funds are used. Nauru-China & Development: Nauruan President David Adeang says cooperation since restoring ties with China is exceeding expectations, framing it as an economic opportunity. Pacific Visa Revenue Pressure: New Zealand’s reduced visa fees and longer default visas for Pacific travellers could cut revenue by about $1–2m a year, with officials warning about pressure on immigration funding.

Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN’s seabed-mining regulator warned Pacific countries not to get swept into a renewed rush, as the U.S. moves to issue permits and a Nauru-government venture seeks to bypass the International Seabed Authority—raising fresh alarms about environmental harm and legal process. Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly backed an ICJ advisory opinion saying states have a legal duty to tackle global warming, while the U.S. voted no—fueling new momentum for climate action and court-based pressure. Nauru–China Ties: Nauruan President David Adeang says cooperation with China has exceeded expectations since diplomatic relations resumed in 2024, calling it an “immense opportunity” for Nauru’s economy. Nauru Trust Deal Details: Senate estimates heard Nauru withdrew $30.5m from an Australian-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee deal, including a large payment to clear a loan tied to expanding the national airline fleet. Food Security & Sustainable Seafood: Nauru’s high commissioner says Vietnam is a model partner, with shared focus on climate-vulnerable island needs, plus hopes for more trade and sustainable seafood cooperation. Regional Climate Risk Context: Nauru’s vulnerability to sea-level rise is highlighted as it seeks stronger climate action coordination in multilateral forums.

UN Climate Accountability Vote: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution supporting an ICJ advisory opinion that says states must act under international law to curb fossil fuels and tackle global warming, while the US voted no—an issue Vanuatu helped drive. Deep-Sea Mining Rules in the Pacific: The UN’s seabed regulator warns Pacific countries not to be swept up by a renewed mining rush; the ISA says the US permit path is unlawful and stresses environmental standards as the global mining code nears completion. Nauru–Australia NZYQ Trust Details: Nauru withdrew $30.5m from an Australia-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee deal, including $19.8m to pay down a loan expanding its airline fleet—raising questions about spending transparency. Nauru–China Cooperation: Nauruan President David Adeang says ties with China since diplomatic restoration in 2024 are exceeding expectations, framing cooperation as a major economic opportunity. Pacific Development & Food Security: Nauru’s High Commissioner says Vietnam is a model partner for essential goods, tuna cooperation, and sustainable seafood and aquaculture—key for Nauru’s imported food reliance. Regional Security & Infrastructure: Quad foreign ministers (US, India, Japan, Australia) announced new port, energy security, maritime surveillance, and undersea cable resilience work, including a Fiji port project. Visa Fee Cuts Risk Revenue: New Zealand’s reduced Pacific visa fees and longer default visas could cut revenue by $1–2m a year, potentially straining immigration funding.

Nauru–Australia NZYQ trust details: Nauru has withdrawn $30.5m from an Australian-backed trust tied to the NZYQ deportee deal, including $19.8m to pay off a loan expanding the national airline fleet to seven Boeing aircraft, plus $1.9m for business travel and equipment for the department supporting President David Adeang. UN climate accountability push: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution supporting an ICJ advisory opinion that states have legal duties to curb fossil fuels and address global warming, while the US voted against it. Deep-sea mining rules under pressure: The UN’s seabed mining regulator warns Pacific countries not to get swept up as the US moves to issue permits outside the International Seabed Authority process; ISA chief Leticia Carvalho says the mining code is close, with environmental standards still being worked through. Pacific development and climate-linked food security: Nauru’s president says cooperation with China is exceeding expectations, and Nauru’s high commissioner to Australia points to Vietnam as a model partner—highlighting shared climate vulnerability, sea-level rise concerns, and a push for sustainable seafood and aquaculture. Regional policy ripple effects: New Zealand’s reduced Pacific visa fees and longer default visas could cut revenue by $1–2m a year, raising questions about how immigration costs are funded.

UN climate accountability vote: The UN General Assembly backed an International Court of Justice advisory opinion, saying states have a legal duty to act on the climate crisis; the resolution calls for national plans to keep warming below 1.5°C and to phase out fossil-fuel exploration and exploitation subsidies, with the US among the opponents. Deep-sea mining rules under pressure: The UN’s seabed mining regulator warned Pacific countries not to be swept up by a renewed rush; the ISA says the US permit approach is unlawful, while a Nauru–industry joint venture has applied for US permits. Nauru–Australia NZYQ trust spending revealed: Nauru withdrew $30.5m from an Australian-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee deal, including $19.8m to pay down a loan expanding its airline fleet and smaller amounts for travel and equipment. Nauru–China ties: Nauruan President David Adeang says cooperation since diplomatic relations resumed in 2024 is exceeding expectations and is an “immense opportunity” for the economy. Pacific fuel relief: The ADB says it can fund hundreds of millions to help Pacific governments through the fuel crisis, with Fiji already receiving major support. Taiwan diplomacy row: Taiwan’s trade office rejected Nauru’s “province of China” framing after Nauru issued One-China guidance to officials.

Climate Justice at the UN: The UN General Assembly backed an ICJ-linked resolution saying states have a legal duty to act on climate change, with the vote 141-8 (US among key opponents) and calls for stronger national plans, fossil-fuel subsidy phase-outs, and “full reparation” for harm. Deep-Sea Mining Rules Under Pressure: The UN seabed mining regulator warned Pacific countries not to be swept up as the US moves toward permits outside the International Seabed Authority, while the ISA says Pacific states are shaping the mining code—especially on environmental standards. Nauru’s NZYQ Trust Details: Nauru withdrew $30.5m from an Australia-linked trust under the NZYQ deportee deal; reporting shows major spending tied to paying down a loan for expanding Nauru’s airline fleet, raising questions about how funds are used. Nauru–China Cooperation: Nauruan President David Adeang told Xinhua that ties with China have exceeded expectations for development, framed around the one-China principle. Pacific Fuel Relief & Costs: ADB says it can fund fuel crisis support across Pacific countries (from $10m to $100m per request), as higher fuel prices ripple through prices and livelihoods. Regional Diplomacy: Taiwan’s trade office in Fiji rejected Nauru’s “province of China” framing after Nauru issued One-China guidance to officials.

UN Climate Justice Push: The UN General Assembly backed the International Court of Justice climate ruling, voting 141-8 (with 28 abstentions) to endorse stronger state duties to cut emissions, end fossil-fuel subsidies, and seek “full reparation” for climate damage—despite opposition from the US and other major oil producers. Deep-Sea Mining Rules Under Pressure: The UN’s seabed regulator warned Pacific countries not to get swept into a renewed race to mine the ocean floor, as the US moves ahead with permits that bypass the International Seabed Authority’s code; ISA chief Leticia Carvalho says environmental standards are still being finalized. Nauru’s Diplomatic Pivot: Nauru’s president says cooperation with China is exceeding expectations, while Nauru also points to Vietnam as a development model—highlighting shared climate vulnerability and interest in sustainable seafood and food security. One-China Policy Clash: Taiwan’s trade office rejected Nauru’s “province of China” framing, after Nauru directed officials to avoid Taiwan-related terminology and arrangements. Pacific Travel Costs: New Zealand visa fee cuts and longer default visas for Pacific travellers could reduce revenue by about $1–2 million a year, with officials saying funding will be managed through budget transfers. Oceans & Equity Lens: A new ocean governance discussion argues decision-making is too state-centered, calling for fairer access to finance and technology while holding actors accountable for social and environmental impacts.