AGP Executive Report

Fisheries Surveillance: Tuvalu’s Fisheries Authority is seeking a firm to use RADARSAT-2 satellite imagery, radio-frequency data and other tools to spot unlicensed or untracked vessels in its waters and nearby high seas. The exercise will also train local officers and support patrols. Regional Cybersecurity: The US says China-linked hackers accessed an unnamed Fiji-based regional organization’s systems for days in July and August. The breach’s impact is unclear; the US Embassy says it alerted Fiji and the group and offered cybersecurity advice. Ocean & Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates across the Pacific into 2027. Scientists warn Tuvalu may face warmer seas and flooding. Coastal Adaptation: Tuvalu’s Green Climate Fund-backed coastal works helped provide safe ground during recent high tides. Follow-on projects aim to reclaim about 20 hectares, roughly a fifth of the island’s area.

Climate Finance: UN chief António Guterres called for developed countries to triple adaptation funding to US$300 billion a year. The issue is pressing for Tuvalu, which has secured a US$36 million Green Climate Fund grant for coastal adaptation. Heritage and Migration: As rising seas reshape Tuvalu and more people consider moving to Australia, the story of a historic church on uninhabited Lakina raises questions about preserving cultural ties when communities leave. Ocean Watch: A strong El Niño could disrupt Pacific tuna fisheries into 2027. Scientists warn of warmer seas and possible flooding in parts of Tuvalu, adding pressure on fishing and coastal communities.

Coastal Adaptation: Tuvalu’s land-reclamation work is set to add about six hectares to Funafuti, with Papua New Guinea pledging 25 million kina to support the effort. But as families weigh migration to Australia, Lakina’s historic church highlights what may be lost when communities leave their islands. El Niño Watch: A strong El Niño could persist into early 2027, bringing warmer seas and possible flooding to parts of Tuvalu while shifting Pacific tuna grounds—risks with consequences for local communities and fisheries.

El Niño and Tuna: A potentially very strong El Niño could shift tuna fishing grounds and catch rates across the Pacific into 2027. Tuvalu is also among the places warned of warmer seas and possible flooding. Digital Tuvalu: A recent look at “digital nations” frames Tuvalu’s online presence as a way to preserve its identity if rising seas erase its land. Tuvalu and Ireland are set to co-host a fossil-fuel transition conference next year. Coastal Adaptation: Tuvalu’s coastal works show how engineering can help protect communities: Green Climate Fund support is backing further reclamation, with two phases planned to create about 20 hectares of land. Papua New Guinea has also pledged 25 million kina toward Tuvalu’s reclamation effort.

El Niño Watch: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates across the Pacific through 2027, threatening fisheries and island economies. Pacific scientists also warn that parts of Tuvalu may face flooding and warmer seas as the event develops. Coastal Adaptation: Papua New Guinea has committed PGK25 million over five years to Tuvalu’s land reclamation and coastal protection work; the first PGK5 million has already been transferred. The projects aim to help communities stay on their land as sea levels rise.

Pacific Climate Priorities: The Taku Pakasoa Declaration, adopted after meetings in Tuvalu and Fiji, calls for faster emissions cuts, better climate finance and stronger protection for island communities. Land Protection: Papua New Guinea has committed PGK25 million over five years to Tuvalu’s land reclamation and coastal protection, with the first PGK5 million already transferred. Adaptation Projects: Green Climate Fund support is helping expand Tuvalu’s coastal works, with two further phases planned to reclaim about 20 hectares—around a fifth of the country’s land area. The project shows how climate finance can back practical engineering to help communities remain on their land.

Tuvalu’s Climate Defences: Papua New Guinea has committed PGK25 million over five years to Tuvalu’s land reclamation and coastal protection, with the first PGK5 million already transferred. A Green Climate Fund grant of US$36 million supports adaptation work, including plans to reclaim about 20 hectares. Science and Monitoring: India offered Pacific countries expertise in ocean science, satellite-based shoreline monitoring, coastal management and early-warning systems—tools that could help Tuvalu track risks and plan protection. COP31 Priorities: Pacific leaders’ Taku Pakasoa Declaration calls for faster emissions cuts, accessible climate finance and stronger ocean protection. Australia and Türkiye also plan a COP31 decision promoting climate action, including electrification, as leaders warn that promises must translate into practical support.

Pacific Climate Priorities: The Pre-COP31 talks in Fiji and Tuvalu ended with leaders urging faster emissions cuts, stronger ocean protection and easier access to climate finance. Their Taku Pakasoa Declaration is intended to carry those priorities into November’s COP31. Coastal Engineering: Papua New Guinea pledged PGK25 million over five years to help Tuvalu reclaim land and strengthen its coastline; the first PGK5 million has been transferred. Tuvalu’s coastal adaptation programme is also moving into new phases expected to reclaim about 20 hectares. Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund says a further US$300 million for Pacific projects could go before its board this month, as regional leaders press for funding to reach vulnerable communities faster.

Pacific Climate Priorities: The Taku Pakasoa Declaration urges faster emissions cuts, more climate finance and stronger protection for island communities ahead of COP31. Tuvalu’s Coastal Defences: Papua New Guinea has pledged 25 million kina over five years for Tuvalu’s land reclamation and coastal protection, with the first 5 million already transferred. Green Climate Fund-backed work is also set to reclaim about 20 hectares in further adaptation phases. Science and Monitoring: India has offered Pacific countries expertise in ocean science, shoreline monitoring, early-warning systems and climate-risk assessment.

COP31 Action: Australia and Türkiye plan to prepare a presidency-led decision for November’s summit, including action on electrification, to speed negotiations and keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. Pacific Priorities: The Taku Pakasoa Declaration calls for faster emissions cuts, accessible climate finance and stronger ocean protection. Pre-COP talks ended with leaders urging implementation, not more promises. Tuvalu’s Coastline: Papua New Guinea committed PGK25 million over five years to Tuvalu’s land reclamation and coastal protection, with the first payment already transferred. The Green Climate Fund says further adaptation work could reclaim about 20 hectares. Climate Science: India offered Pacific countries expertise in shoreline monitoring, coastal management, early warnings and climate-risk assessment.

COP31 Action: Australia and Türkiye will prepare a draft decision for November’s summit, including a push for electrification to cut fossil-fuel use and keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. Pacific Priorities: The Taku Pakasoa Declaration calls for faster emissions cuts, better climate finance and protection for island communities, putting Pacific concerns at the centre of COP31 talks. Tuvalu’s Coastline: Papua New Guinea has pledged 25 million kina over five years for Tuvalu’s land reclamation and coastal protection, with the first payment already transferred. Green Climate Fund-backed work is also set to expand reclamation by about 20 hectares—roughly one-fifth of Funafuti’s area. Climate Tools: India offered Pacific countries support in ocean science, shoreline monitoring, early-warning systems and climate risk assessment.

COP31 Technology: Australia and Türkiye plan a pre-written summit decision that could speed negotiations on electrification, replacing fossil-fuel-burning systems with electric alternatives. Tuvalu’s Coastal Defences: A Green Climate Fund-backed project is being expanded to reclaim about 20 hectares—roughly a fifth of Funafuti’s area—and protect communities from rising seas. Papua New Guinea has pledged 25 million kina over five years for Tuvalu’s land and coastal work. Climate Tools: India offered Pacific nations expertise in satellite mapping, shoreline monitoring, coastal planning, cyclone alerts and climate-risk assessment. Regional Funding: The Green Climate Fund says another US$300 million for Pacific projects may go to its board this month; Tuvalu has also secured a US$36 million grant for coastal adaptation.

Tuvalu’s Coastal Defences: Papua New Guinea has pledged PGK25 million over five years for land reclamation and coastal protection, with the first PGK5 million already transferred. Resilient Infrastructure: Australia is backing work to protect Tuvalu’s VAKA undersea cable landing site, combining nature-based measures with coastal structures. Climate Science: NASA research cited at the Pacific pre-COP found Tuvalu’s sea levels rose about 15 centimetres in three decades—roughly twice the global average—underscoring the urgency of turning climate commitments into practical support.

Tuvalu’s Coastal Defences: Papua New Guinea has pledged PGK25 million over five years for land reclamation and coastal protection, with the first PGK5 million already transferred. Leaders visiting Funafuti saw a six-hectare reclamation project as Tuvalu confronts seas that have risen about 15 centimetres in three decades—roughly twice the global average. Resilient Infrastructure: Australia is investing A$3 million in Pacific coastal protection, including safeguards for Tuvalu’s VAKA undersea cable landing site, using a mix of nature-based measures and engineered structures. Climate Finance: At Pre-COP31, Pacific leaders urged wealthier nations to deliver faster, grant-based support; Fiji announced an extra $10 million for the Pacific Resilience Facility.

Climate Delivery Pressure: Pacific leaders at Pre-COP31 in Fiji and Tuvalu are pushing COP31 to move from promises to action, using Tuvalu’s frontline reality as the yardstick for whether the world is closing the gap between climate knowledge and climate support. Direct Finance, Not Delays: Palau’s Whipps and others demand faster, grant-based climate finance and warn that slow funding and debt are leaving communities exposed as the 1.5°C goal nears. Tuvalu on the Ground: Leaders toured Tuvalu’s coastal adaptation and land reclamation work, where rising seas are already reshaping homes and ecosystems. 1.5°C and “No More Talk”: Solomon Islands PM Wale and others say COP31 can’t be another negotiation round; ministers also reaffirm deep, rapid emissions cuts to avoid overshoot. Sovereignty and Sea-Level Law: A landmark UN sea-level rise declaration is highlighted as key for protecting statehood and maritime rights as coastlines change. Pacific Tech & Resilience Support: Australia backs resilient coastlines and riverbanks through CIRCAR, including protection for Tuvalu’s undersea cable landing site. Climate Justice Beyond Carbon: Pacific disability advocates and violence-prevention partners are also urging inclusion in climate decisions and funding, while climate advocates issue “red lines” against false solutions and fossil expansion.

Climate Diplomacy in the Pacific: Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka urged world leaders to speak “as one” and turn shared climate priorities from Funafuti into real action ahead of COP31. Tuvalu on the Frontline: Leaders toured Tuvalu’s Coastal Adaptation Project as white sand was dredged to reclaim land, with officials warning promises won’t stop rising tides. Climate Finance Frustration: A pre-COP trip to Funafuti highlighted how slow, insufficient funding and tough terms are blocking faster adaptation. Regional Push for 1.5°C: Pacific leaders and advocates set “red lines” for negotiations, including no false solutions, a fossil fuel phase-out, and protecting the living planet. Health Impacts of Extreme Heat: UN climate chief Simon Stiell flagged rising risks for pregnant women and newborns, citing a survey of health workers seeing heat-linked complications. PNG Steps Up: Papua New Guinea pledged K25 million over five years for Tuvalu coastal adaptation and land reclamation. Global Support Signals: EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra is in Fiji and Tuvalu to press clean electrification and faster implementation.