AGP Executive Report

Climate Science: Governments failed again to agree on a timeline for the IPCC’s next major climate reports, putting their release before the 2028 global stocktake in doubt and leaving the panel facing a funding crisis. Cleaner Shipping: Pacific officials say limited finance, aging fleets and a shortage of technical expertise are slowing efforts to cut shipping emissions. Vanuatu Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu warned that cleaner transport must not make essential island services less affordable. Ocean Research: A data-visualisation prize went to Solomon Islands’ “Ripple”, which charts six major cyclones affecting the country, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga from 2015 to 2024. Fisheries Science: Tuna stocks, climate impacts and protection of marine species will be on the agenda when the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meets in Port Vila from 30 November.

Cleaner Shipping: Vanuatu Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu says Pacific islands need grants, reliable data and technical expertise to cut shipping emissions without making vital transport less affordable. Climate Data: A Solomon Islands storyteller won a regional prize for a visualisation tracing six major cyclones, including storms that hit Vanuatu, from 2015 to 2024. Ocean Protection: A Bezos Earth Fund grant will help identify and protect important marine habitats in Vanuatu and other Pacific nations. Fisheries Science: Port Vila hosts a regional tuna commission meeting from 30 November, with climate impacts on fisheries and marine ecosystems on the agenda. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect normal to reduced cyclone activity near Vanuatu, but warn that severe storms could occur anywhere across the Southwest Pacific.

Security Technology: Vanuatu’s new Nakamal Agreement with Australia includes cooperation on cybersecurity, police equipment and intelligence sharing; officials say China’s time-limited police presence is expected to decline. Pacific Data Science: Solomon Islands’ James Orihao won a regional prize for Ripple, a visualisation tracing six major cyclones, including storms that hit Vanuatu, and making climate data easier to understand. Fisheries Research: A Western and Central Pacific fisheries meeting in Port Vila from 30 November will consider tuna management, climate impacts on marine ecosystems and protections for species affected by fishing. Ocean and Climate: El Niño is intensifying ocean heat and contributing to water shortages and crop losses across the Pacific, including Vanuatu. Separately, new Bezos Earth Fund grants will support efforts to identify and protect important marine habitats in Vanuatu.

Fisheries Science: A Western and Central Pacific fisheries meeting in Port Vila from 30 November will consider tuna stocks, climate impacts on marine ecosystems and protections for other species. Submissions are due 31 October. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is putting more than $25 million toward conservation across five Pacific nations, including Vanuatu, with support to identify and protect important ocean habitats. Climate and Seas: El Niño is driving unusually warm ocean conditions across parts of the Pacific, alongside drought and water shortages affecting Vanuatu and neighbouring islands. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect 7–11 named cyclones across the Southwest Pacific this season, with at least four potentially reaching Category 3 or higher. Vanuatu’s area faces normal to reduced risk, but all communities are urged to prepare. Space Science: A 2027 expedition cruise from New Caledonia through Vanuatu to the Solomon Islands will bring a SETI Institute planetary scientist aboard to share research on planetary landscapes and remote sensing.

Space Science at Sea: Planetary scientist Ross Beyer will join Swan Hellenic’s 2027 Auckland–Honiara voyage, which includes Vanuatu, sharing research in planetary science and remote sensing. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasts point to normal-to-reduced cyclone activity around Vanuatu, but warn severe storms could hit anywhere in the Southwest Pacific and the season may start early. El Niño Watch: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and fishing activity into 2027, while increasing drought risks for Vanuatu and other Pacific nations. Ocean Protection: Bezos Earth Fund grants will support efforts to identify and protect important marine habitats in Vanuatu and four other Pacific nations. Climate Science Funding: SPC reports US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals for Pacific resilience, including fisheries, climate-related health and stronger scientific and technical capacity.

Space Science at Sea: Planetary scientist Ross Beyer will join a 2027 SETI Institute cruise from Auckland to Honiara, stopping in Vanuatu and offering talks on planetary science and remote sensing. Cyclone and El Niño Outlook: Vanuatu faces a normal-to-reduced cyclone risk, but forecasters warn severe storms could occur anywhere in the Southwest Pacific. El Niño may also bring reduced rainfall and shift tuna fishing grounds, with knock-on effects for island economies. Ocean Protection: Bezos Earth Fund grants of more than US$25 million across five Pacific nations will support efforts to identify and protect important marine habitats in Vanuatu. Technology Access: Papua New Guinea’s Remington Group has become an official Xerox dealer, with plans to supply office equipment to Vanuatu and other Pacific markets.

Skills and Training: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19–22, bringing competitors from across the Pacific, Asia and Timor-Leste as it works towards joining the WorldSkills network. Events will test practical skills including electrical work and welding. Climate Science: The regional cyclone outlook flags normal-to-reduced risk for Vanuatu, but warns that severe cyclones could form anywhere in the Southwest Pacific, with El Niño also expected to shift tuna fishing patterns into 2027. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing support to identify and protect important ocean habitats in Vanuatu, as part of more than US$25 million in Pacific conservation grants. Regional Research: The Pacific Community recorded US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals for 2025, supporting resilience, fisheries, health and stronger scientific and technical capacity. Science Visit: A 2027 expedition cruise from Auckland to Honiara will include Vanuatu and feature planetary scientist Ross Beyer, who will share insights into planetary research and remote sensing.

Skills and Technology: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19–22, with entrants from across the Pacific, Asia and Timor-Leste. The event supports VIT’s goal of joining the WorldSkills network and promoting technical training. Space Science: A 2027 Pacific cruise featuring SETI Institute planetary scientist Ross Beyer will travel from Auckland to Honiara via Vanuatu, bringing passengers talks on planetary science and the search for life beyond Earth. Ocean Protection: Bezos Earth Fund grants worth more than US$25 million will support conservation across five Pacific nations, including efforts to identify and protect important ocean habitats in Vanuatu. Climate Risks: A regional outlook forecasts seven to 11 cyclones this season. Vanuatu’s East Coral Sea area faces normal-to-reduced risk, but forecasters warn that severe cyclones could occur anywhere. A strong El Niño may also reduce rainfall in Vanuatu and affect tuna fishing across the Pacific.

Space Science: A 2027 expedition cruise from Auckland to Honiara will stop in Vanuatu, with SETI planetary scientist Ross Beyer sharing insights on planetary science and the search for life beyond Earth. Ocean Research: A new four-year project will use satellite observations to map links between Vanuatu’s reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows, helping guide conservation and restoration. Skills and Technology: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19 to 22, welcoming competitors from across the Pacific, Asia and Timor-Leste as it works toward joining WorldSkills International. Climate and Fisheries: A regional climate outlook warns that a strong El Niño could shift tuna fishing grounds and bring drier conditions to Vanuatu; SPC also reports US$107 million approved to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities adapt.

Cyclone Readiness: A new outlook forecasts seven to 11 named cyclones across the Southwest Pacific. Vanuatu’s area faces normal-to-reduced risk, but at least four severe cyclones could occur anywhere in the region, and the season may start early. Climate Finance: SPC reports US$129.9 million in new climate-funding approvals, including support to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities adapt and strengthen climate-related health resilience in FSM. Ocean Science: A new research partnership will use satellite observations to map links between reefs, mangroves and seagrass, with work planned in Vanuatu to guide conservation. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for ocean conservation across five Pacific nations, including efforts to identify and protect important habitats in Vanuatu. Skills & Technology: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition on October 19–22, welcoming competitors from across the region and working toward joining WorldSkills International.

Climate Science: SPC secured US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals for Pacific resilience, fisheries and health, while its programme is helping countries strengthen the scientific and technical systems needed to respond to climate risks. Business Technology: Remington Group is now an official Xerox dealer across the Pacific, with Vanuatu among the markets set to receive its printers and document services. Cyclone Outlook: Vanuatu faces a normal-to-reduced cyclone risk this season, but forecasters warn that severe storms could occur anywhere in the region and say El Niño may bring an earlier start. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is backing conservation work in Vanuatu and four other Pacific nations, while a new regional project will use satellite observations to map links between reefs, mangroves and seagrass. Skills and Innovation: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from 19–22 October, featuring trades including electrical work and welding as it seeks links with WorldSkills International.

Climate Funding: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate finance approvals, including support for tuna communities adapting to climate change and climate-related health resilience in Micronesia. Digital and Office Technology: Remington Group’s new Xerox dealership will serve Vanuatu and other Pacific markets, bringing multifunction printers and document services to local businesses and government agencies. Cyclone Science: The Southwest Pacific could see seven to 11 named cyclones this season. Vanuatu is forecast to have normal-to-reduced risk, but forecasters say severe storms could occur anywhere and advise communities to stay prepared. Ocean Research: A new four-year research project will use satellite observations to map links between reefs, mangroves and seagrass, including in Vanuatu, to guide conservation. Skills and Training: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition, with electrical work among the trades featured as the institute pursues links with WorldSkills International.

Cyclone Outlook: Earth Sciences New Zealand forecasts 7–11 named cyclones across the Southwest Pacific this season, with at least four potentially reaching Category 3 or higher. Vanuatu’s East Coral Sea faces normal to lower risk, but forecasters warn the season could start early and urge all communities to prepare. Ocean Science: Pacific leaders are pushing to turn ocean-acidification research into action, while a new regional project will use satellite data to map links between reefs, mangroves and seagrass, including in Vanuatu. Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than $25 million for conservation across five Pacific nations, including support to identify and protect important ocean habitats in Vanuatu. Skills and Training: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19–22, bringing competitors from across the Pacific, Asia and Timor-Leste as it works towards joining WorldSkills International. Fisheries: A strong El Niño is expected to shift tuna distribution and fishing activity into 2027, with changing rainfall and warmer seas also posing challenges for Vanuatu and other Pacific nations.

Ocean Science: Pacific governments, scientists and finance institutions are pushing for stronger ocean-acidification research and policy, with the region turning science into climate action ahead of COP31. Climate Outlook: Vanuatu faces normal-to-reduced cyclone risk this season, but forecasters warn severe cyclones could occur anywhere in the region. A strong El Niño may also bring drier conditions and shift Pacific tuna fisheries into 2027. Marine Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is backing work to identify and protect important ocean habitats in Vanuatu, while a new research project will use satellite observations to map links between reefs, mangroves and seagrass. Skills and Technology: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19–22, welcoming competitors from across the Pacific, Asia and Timor-Leste as it pursues WorldSkills membership.

Cyclone Outlook: Vanuatu faces a normal-to-reduced cyclone risk this season, but forecasters warn that severe storms could occur anywhere in the Southwest Pacific and urge all communities to prepare. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than $25 million for conservation across five Pacific nations, including work to identify and protect important ocean habitats in Vanuatu. Marine Research: A four-year project will use satellite observations to map links between reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, with research spanning Vanuatu and the wider region. Pacific Skills: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19 to 22, showcasing trades including electrical work as it pursues a place in the WorldSkills network. El Niño: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna fishing grounds and disrupt rainfall across the Pacific, including Vanuatu, into 2027.

Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is putting more than $25 million toward conservation across five Pacific nations, including work to identify and protect important ocean habitats in Vanuatu. Climate and Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna fishing grounds and reduce rainfall in Vanuatu, with effects expected to continue into 2027. Skills and Training: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19–22, with participants competing in fields including electrical work and welding. Marine Research Technology: A four-year regional project will use satellite observations and environmental data to map links between reefs, mangroves and seagrass, including in Vanuatu, to guide conservation and restoration. Renewable Energy: A new Australian Pacific energy package includes support for Vanuatu’s transition to renewable power.