AGP Executive Report

Climate & oceans: Polynesian voyaging leaders are adjusting the Moananuiākea route as El Niño concerns and storm activity rise, with Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia now targeting a departure from Aotearoa in the third week of August and planned stops including Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, arriving mid-October for ocean protection discussions. Volcano science: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption suggests the volcanic plume helped “clean up” some of its own methane via atmospheric chemistry, pointing to possible inspiration for future climate action. Tech resilience for islands: A new study finds subsea telecom cable faults affecting small island nations cluster near coastlines, highlighting nearshore areas as priority zones for monitoring and investment to protect internet and emergency communications. Energy shocks: UNCTAD warns rising oil prices tied to Strait of Hormuz tensions could hit vulnerable economies—including many Pacific SIDS—with an estimated US$20.4b annual increase in import bills if prices jump 50%. Health & climate policy: Tonga’s PM says the country aims to vaccinate up to 70% of the population by end of 2022, while also reiterating climate commitments through its NDC and energy efficiency plans.

Climate resilience forestry: FAO reports Samoa Forestry Division officers completed Suva training on sustainable teak and pine production, aiming to close technical and data gaps and strengthen resilience to climate shocks. El Niño and ocean safety: The Polynesian Voyaging Society says Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia will adjust the Moananuiākea voyage as forecasts point to a stronger El Niño and higher cyclone risk, with a revised departure from Aotearoa in late August and an expected mid-October arrival in Fiji for Pre-COP. Weather and climate reporting capacity: SPREP backs a Pacific media workshop in Tonga in September to boost how journalists cover weather and climate for community preparedness. Child poverty and environmental hazard links: Tonga and UNICEF find 25.3% of children face multiple deprivations, with rural children hit hardest and “environmental hazard” named as part of the hardship picture. Governance and services pressure: PM Lord Fakafanua says Tonga’s hardship support and subsidised loan programmes (TDB) face delays and weaker uptake due to stricter eligibility, heavy documentation, and affordability checks. Regional diplomacy: Pacific leaders in Samoa, including Tonga’s PM, discussed shared priorities where climate change, language and culture protection remain central.

Climate & Ocean Risk: The Polynesian Voyaging Society says Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia will adjust the Moananuiākea voyage due to a developing El Niño pattern, with forecasts pointing to wetter conditions and a higher chance of Pacific cyclones—plans now target departure from Aotearoa in late August and arrival in Fiji mid-October for Pre-COP. Weather & Resilience Media: SPREP and partners are running a Pacific media workshop (Sept 17–18) to boost how journalists report weather and climate, with selected reporters also covering PMC8 and 4PMMM in Tonga. Child Poverty & Environment Link: Tonga and UNICEF report multidimensional child poverty affects 25.3% of children, with deprivations tied to nutrition, healthcare, education, clean water, housing and vulnerability to environmental hazards—especially for rural and youngest children. Tourism Sustainability: Niue and the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, highlighting visitor preferences and spending to support more resilient, sustainable tourism planning across Pacific destinations. Governance & Access to Loans: Tonga’s PM says hardship support and subsidised loans face delays as stricter eligibility, paperwork and affordability checks slow uptake, with government urging the Tonga Development Bank to ease lending rules.

Moana Pasifika rescue talks: New Zealand has stepped in to explore “all possible options” to keep the Super Rugby franchise alive after liquidation moves, with Foreign Minister Winston Peters directing officials to begin urgent discussions with New Zealand Rugby and other stakeholders; the franchise matters to Pacific governments and Polynesian culture, including Tonga and Samoa. Pacific rugby voices: Tonga and Cook Islands rugby leaders have backed the Kanaloa consortium’s bid to take over Moana Pasifika, arguing the future of Pacific rugby should be shaped by Pacific voices, while NZ Rugby weighs proposals and demands a long-term, sustainable plan. El Niño and ocean safety: The Polynesian Voyaging Society says Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia will adjust Moananuiākea voyage plans due to a developing El Niño pattern, with routing changes aimed at safer conditions and an expected arrival in Fiji for Pre-COP. Climate-ready media: SPREP-backed support is set to train Pacific journalists to better report weather and climate impacts, including coverage linked to meetings in Tonga. Tonga child poverty and hazards: A Tonga-UNICEF report finds 25.3% of children face multiple deprivations, linking hardship to risks like poor water, health, housing and environmental hazards.

Climate & Oceans: Tonga’s 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption may have helped “clean up” methane, with a new study estimating about 900 tons of methane destroyed daily via volcanic plume chemistry. El Niño Watch: The Polynesian Voyaging Society is adjusting the Moananuiākea voyage after NOAA forecasts point to a strong El Niño pattern, with possible wetter conditions and higher cyclone risk; Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia plan to depart Aotearoa in late August and route via Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa and Fiji. Water Governance: Tonga’s Supreme Court ruled MEIDECC acted unlawfully in water tank and septic contracts, finding breaches of procurement fairness and transparency. Regional Resilience Media: NBC is hosting the Pacific Media Partnership Conference in Port Moresby on “Resilient Voices,” focusing on safer, stronger Pacific storytelling on climate and weather. Border & Security: Pacific customs leaders meet in Fiji to tackle drug trafficking, organised crime and environmental crime, with cross-border co-operation a key theme. Moana Pasifika (Indirect Environment Angle): New Zealand is exploring options to keep the rugby franchise alive, while Pacific unions back takeover bids—an example of how regional institutions are under pressure.

Climate & Oceans: Tonga’s Moananuiākea voyage by Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia is adjusting its route as a developing El Niño pattern raises the odds of wetter conditions and more Pacific cyclones, with departure from Aotearoa planned for late August and arrival in Fiji around mid-October for Pre-COP. Volcanoes & Methane: New research on Tonga’s 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption suggests volcanic chemistry may have helped destroy methane at massive scale, with satellite data showing unusually high formaldehyde linked to methane removal. Water Governance: Tonga’s Supreme Court ruled MEIDECC acted unlawfully in awarding multi-million paʻanga water tank and septic contracts under the National Water Tank Project, citing unfair limited bidding and failures around transparency. Regional Resilience: SPREP-backed training aims to boost Pacific media reporting on weather and climate ahead of key meteorology meetings in Tonga. Biodiversity/Environment Science: A study on methane impacts from Tonga’s 2022 eruption reports daily methane destruction far above normal rates. Pacific Aviation Safety: Tonga was re-elected to support PASO leadership, with PNG’s Benedict Oraka chosen as new chair for the next 12 months. Moana Pasifika (context): New Zealand is stepping in to explore options to keep the franchise alive, while Pacific rugby unions back the Kanaloa takeover—an issue that intersects with regional culture and livelihoods.

Climate & Oceans: Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia are adjusting the Moananuiākea voyage as El Niño conditions develop, with plans to depart Aotearoa in late August and route north to Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa and Fiji, arriving mid-October for Pre-COP. Weather Resilience: A Pacific media capacity workshop in Tonga (Sept 17–18) will train journalists to better report weather and climate risks, feeding into PMC8 and 4PMMM meetings. Methane & Climate Science: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption says the plume triggered chemistry that destroyed about 900 tons of methane daily, and found formaldehyde signatures showing unusually strong methane removal. Governance & Water: Tonga’s Supreme Court ruled MEIDECC acted unlawfully in multi-million paʻanga water tank and septic contracts, citing unfair limited bidding and failures around transparency. Regional Aviation Safety: Tonga’s Dr Vinolia K Salesi was re-elected as deputy chair as PASO elected PNG’s Benedict Oraka as chair, strengthening Pacific aviation safety oversight. Clean Finance: PNG banks are preparing green loan standards to support environmentally responsible projects and better manage environmental and social risks. Border Security: Pacific customs leaders meet in Fiji (June 2–4) amid rising concerns over drugs, organised crime and environmental crime. Local Economy Pressure: Tonga’s PM says $30m hardship and subsidised loans are delayed by stricter eligibility, documentation and affordability checks.

Climate & oceans: Tonga’s 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption is linked to major methane clean-up, with researchers reporting unusually high formaldehyde in the plume—suggesting natural chemistry may have destroyed about 900 tons of methane daily, offering a rare clue for slowing warming. Weather risk & resilience: The Polynesian Voyaging Society says El Niño conditions are forcing changes to the Moananuiākea voyage route, with plans to sail north to Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa and Fiji and to keep reviewing forecasts as cyclone risk shifts. Regional climate services: Pacific meteorology leaders met in Honiara to review the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy and start drafting the next plan through 2036, supported by EU funding and SPREP and other partners. Tonga governance & environment: Tonga’s Supreme Court ruled MEIDECC acted unlawfully in water tank and septic contracts, finding breaches of procurement fairness and transparency—an issue that directly affects public water and sanitation delivery. Pacific plastics: Notpla joins an eXXpedition mission through Tonga to map plastic pollution pathways, pairing ocean sampling with land-based studies to trace where plastic ends up and how it moves through ecosystems. Pacific aviation safety: PASO directors elected Papua New Guinea’s Benedict Oraka as council chair, with Tonga’s Dr Vinolia K Salesi re-elected as deputy chair—supporting safer, more sustainable regional aviation oversight.

Volcano-climate science: New research on Tonga’s 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption suggests volcanic chemistry helped destroy methane in the atmosphere, with satellites tracking a huge formaldehyde cloud linked to methane breakdown—offering a possible way to measure and improve methane-removal efforts. Digital resilience: Tonga has named and commissioned its second international undersea fibre cable, “Tu‘i Vava‘u”, funded by Australia and New Zealand, aimed at boosting internet reliability and reducing outage risk during disasters. Governance & water: Tonga’s Supreme Court ruled MEIDECC acted unlawfully in multi-million paʻanga water tank and septic contracts, citing unfair bidding and transparency failures. Social policy: Government launched national documents on child poverty, disability inclusion in disasters, and a disability welfare scheme manual. Regional climate services: Pacific meteorology leaders met in Honiara to review the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy and draft the next plan through 2036. Plastic pollution tracking: Notpla joined an eXXpedition mission sailing through Tonga to map how plastic moves through ecosystems and trace sources of ocean microplastics. Health & environment-adjacent: A study on Tonga’s high adult obesity rates highlights major health disparities that shape community resilience.

Supreme Court & Water Governance: Tonga’s Supreme Court ruled MEIDECC acted unlawfully in multi-million paʻanga water tank and septic contracts, finding limited bidding denied fair competition, contracts were effectively pre-selected, and required award publication was missed—raising alarms for transparency and procurement fairness. Climate Science & Methane: New research tied to Tonga’s 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption suggests natural atmospheric chemistry may have accelerated methane removal, with satellite data showing unusual formaldehyde linked to methane breakdown—fuel for better ways to measure and potentially speed methane cuts. Digital Resilience: Tonga named and commissioned its second international undersea cable, Tuʻi Vava‘u, to boost internet reliability and reduce outage risk after past disruptions from the 2019 cable break and the 2022 eruption/tsunami. Plastic Pollution Tracking: Notpla joins an eXXpedition mission sailing through Tonga to map plastic pollution pathways, pairing ocean microplastics work with coastal litter and local waste system studies. Regional Weather/Climate Planning: Pacific meteorology directors met in Honiara to review the PIMS 2017–2026 strategy and draft the next plan to guide weather, climate, water and ocean services through 2036. Community & Social Policy: Tonga launched national policy documents on child poverty, disability inclusion in disasters, and a disability welfare scheme—aimed at more equitable support.

Digital Resilience for Tonga: Tonga has officially named and commissioned its second international undersea fibre optic cable, “Tu‘i Vava‘u,” a second link meant to cut outage risk and boost internet reliability after past disruptions. Ocean & Climate Science: New research using the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption plume suggests chemical reactions may have helped break down methane, offering a way to judge future methane-removal ideas. Plastic Pollution Tracking: Notpla’s chief innovation officer joined an eXXpedition mission sailing through Tonga to trace how plastic moves through ecosystems, pairing ocean microplastic work with coastal litter and waste-management studies. Weather/Climate Planning: Pacific meteorology directors met in Honiara to review the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy and start drafting the next plan through 2036, with support from SPREP, WMO and UNDRR. Social Protection in Tonga: Government launched national documents on child poverty, disability inclusion in disasters, and a disability welfare scheme—aimed at more equitable support. Health & Food Environment: Tonga’s obesity rate is reported among the world’s highest, with the gap between Tonga and low-obesity countries highlighted as a major public health concern. Sport & Pathways (youth): A new American football programme in Tonga High School is building a structured pathway for young athletes toward education and opportunities in the United States.

Colourism in Tonga: ABC reports young Tongans are still buying skin-whitening and brightening products, linking the trend to colonial legacies and ongoing discrimination based on skin tone. Plastic pollution tracking: Notpla’s exec joins an eXXpedition mission sailing through Tonga to trace how plastic moves through ocean and coastal ecosystems, aiming to map pollution pathways and improve materials that don’t create the problem. Digital resilience for Tonga: Tonga officially names and commissions its second international undersea cable, Tu‘i Vava‘u, to boost internet reliability and reduce outage risks during disasters. Undersea cable security in the Pacific: A separate report highlights how undersea cables are increasingly targeted in grey-zone interference across the region, raising stakes for Pacific digital infrastructure protection. Fisheries enforcement: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of Pacific-led surveillance to deter illegal fishing and other maritime crimes, with Tonga among participating countries. Tonga social resilience: Government launches national policy documents on child poverty, disability inclusion and welfare reform, including disaster-focused guidance for inclusive response planning.

Digital resilience for Tonga: Tonga has named and commissioned its second international undersea fibre optic cable, “Tu‘i Vava‘u,” a 405-kilometre link funded by Australia and New Zealand to boost internet reliability and reduce outage risks during disasters. Plastic pollution tracking: Notpla executives join an eXXpedition mission sailing through Tonga (2–11 June) to map how plastic moves through ocean and land ecosystems, including microplastics and coastal litter. Marine protection and enforcement: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up as Pacific nations coordinated fisheries surveillance across multiple EEZs, with Tonga among participating countries, targeting illegal fishing and other maritime crimes. Community resilience and housing: Habitat for Humanity and partners are pushing a community-led housing and disaster recovery approach in Tonga, drawing on lessons from the 2022 eruption and tsunami to support long-term planning. Social policy with climate-disaster links: Tonga launched national documents on child poverty, disability inclusion in emergencies, and a disability welfare scheme—aimed at making social protection more inclusive and disaster-ready.

Plastic Pollution Tracking: Notpla’s chief innovation officer joins an eXXpedition voyage through Tonga (2–11 June) to trace how plastic moves through ocean and land ecosystems, including microplastics and coastal litter. Tonga Connectivity & Disaster Resilience: Tonga officially names and commissions its second international undersea fibre optic cable, Tu‘i Vava‘u, to boost capacity and reduce outage risks from natural disasters and faults. Climate Science From Hunga Tonga: New research links chemistry in the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption plume to methane breakdown, offering a way to judge future methane-removal ideas. Marine Life Mystery: A viral humpback “gaping” behaviour is still unexplained, keeping whale-watching science in the spotlight. Fisheries Protection: Australia’s ADF supports Pacific-led Operation Tui Moana with patrols and surveillance alongside Tonga and Cook Islands partners to deter illegal fishing. Community Housing Resilience: Tonga is strengthening community-led, participatory housing recovery after 2022 impacts, with skills and long-term planning led alongside local partners. Sports With a Light Environmental Lens: A Tonga table tennis festival and a US pathway for Tongan youth show growing community momentum, while the environment beat stays focused on oceans, waste, and resilience.

Pacific Fisheries Security: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of coordinated surveillance across Pacific waters, with Tonga among participating countries, aiming to deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and other maritime crimes. Illegal Fishing Crackdown (ADF): Australia’s ADF backed the effort under Operation Solania, deploying air surveillance to support detection and deterrence in Tonga and the Cook Islands. Tonga Connectivity Resilience: Tonga officially named and commissioned its second international undersea fibre optic cable, Tu‘i Vava‘u, to boost capacity and reduce outage risk during disasters and technical faults. Climate Science From Hunga Tonga: New research links chemistry inside the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption plume to methane breakdown, offering a way to better judge future methane-removal ideas. Community Housing Recovery: Tonga is strengthening a community-led, climate-resilient housing approach, drawing on lessons from the 2022 eruption and tsunami and supporting local rebuilding skills. Disaster Preparedness (Samoa–US): Samoa launched a Tsunami Ready Recognition Program with U.S. support, focusing on evacuation planning, warning systems, drills and coastal community response. Green Finance (PNG): Papua New Guinea’s Green Finance Summit pushed sustainable investment, highlighting green finance policies and plans to attract private capital. Biodiversity Curiosity: A viral humpback “gaping” behaviour is still a mystery, with researchers trying to understand why whales open their mouths when no prey is nearby.

Undersea connectivity for resilience: Tonga has commissioned its second international undersea fibre optic cable, now named Tu‘i Vava‘u, designed to boost capacity and reduce outage risk from faults and disasters that have previously disrupted communications. Regional fisheries protection: Pacific nations wrapped up Operation Tui Moana 2026, a three-week surveillance push across multiple Exclusive Economic Zones, with Tonga among participating countries as patrols and inspections targeted illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Community disaster readiness: Samoa’s Tsunami Ready Recognition Program was launched during National Environment Week 2026, focusing on evacuation planning, warning systems, drills and community response—an approach Tonga and the wider Pacific can learn from. Climate accountability: The UN General Assembly backed a landmark ICJ climate ruling, strengthening global pressure for countries to cut emissions and address harm. Tonga housing resilience: Habitat for Humanity and partners are strengthening community-led housing resilience in Tonga, using participatory planning and skills training drawn from recovery after the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption and tsunami.