Biodiversity & Science Diplomacy: Pacific negotiators are in Nairobi pushing for stronger implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework ahead of CBD COP17, with focus areas ranging from monitoring and protected areas to marine and coastal biodiversity and even synthetic biology. Climate Resilience Funding: The GEF has approved NZ$24.2m for Fiji, FSM, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to plan climate-resilient infrastructure and early warning work before construction—aimed at floods, sea-level rise, cyclones and coastal erosion. Digital Capacity: India’s foreign minister, S Jaishankar, highlighted its Centre of Excellence in IT in Vanuatu, now operational for two years, as part of deeper “Act East” partnership support. Ocean Protection: Vanuatu is among Pacific states backing the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR), a transboundary marine protected area initiative that now includes Solomon Islands too—though observers warn enforcement must avoid “paper parks.” Payments Tech: BSP Cook Islands has upgraded EFTPoS terminals to faster 4G Verifone units, and says similar upgrades are continuing across the Pacific including Vanuatu. Stablecoins Regulation: Vanuatu has appointed a Stablecoin Commissioner under its 2025 Stablecoins Bill, setting up the supervisory commission and licensing framework. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: A Vanuatu science submission is set to be heard at the International Seabed Authority assembly in Kingston as calls for a global deep-sea mining moratorium grow.