El Niño & disaster risk: Tonga Meteorological Services has declared El Niño underway and warns of widespread rainfall deficits, higher drought risk, more tropical cyclones in the 2026–27 season (with a chance of severe storms), and marine heat waves that could trigger coral bleaching. Climate resilience funding: Tonga received a third drought preparedness payout from PCRIC—US$33,978—to support anticipatory action in Ha’apai and Tongatapu. Water security: A risk-informed water tank project in Fualu, Tongatapu, is improving drinking-water reliability for 21 households, using climate-risk design and upgrades to distribution and pumping. Community preparedness: UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready workshops helped Tonga’s tsunami warning and emergency teams strengthen community resilience and progress the programme’s rollout. Pacific climate leadership: Take The Lead Tonga joined the Blue Planet Alliance to boost Pacific voices in global climate talks and expand renewable-energy opportunities for young leaders. Regional climate coordination: Pacific Climate Ministers met in Sydney, with Tonga represented, to push a united agenda ahead of Pre-COP31 and COP31. Ocean governance debate: A UN deep-sea mining regulator (ISA) again extended a controversial exploration contract while still failing to finalise commercial mining rules—keeping pressure on “do no harm” safeguards. Tonga’s rural adaptation: TRIP III launched with US$19.36m to back climate-smart farming, sustainable land management, food security, and disaster recovery for rural communities. Sailing safety: Polynesian Voyaging Society added one year to the Moananuiākea Voyage after updated NOAA-linked El Niño risks raised the likelihood of dangerous weather and typhoons.