AGP Executive Report

El Niño Risks: A strengthening El Niño could bring hotter conditions to New Caledonia and drier weather elsewhere in the western Pacific from November to January. The WMO warns that communities already facing water shortages may see worsening pressure, while marine heatwaves threaten coral reefs and cyclone risks persist into 2027. Ocean Health: Pacific scientists are joining forces to track ocean acidification, building a clearer picture of how changing seawater chemistry could affect marine life and coastal communities. Nickel and Kanak Rights: Pacific groups have condemned the EU’s nickel agreement with New Caledonia’s government, arguing that Kanak people and customary landowners need a meaningful say in decisions over resources and who benefits. Community Conservation: Pacific delegates at global biodiversity talks pressed for Indigenous territories and community-managed areas to count toward conservation targets, recognising the role of traditional stewardship. Ocean Monitoring: Sensors on commercial fishing gear are also helping fill gaps in Pacific ocean data, improving climate forecasts and supporting fisheries management.

El Niño Risks: A strengthening El Niño could bring unusually dry conditions to parts of the western Pacific through January, while above-normal temperatures are forecast from Papua New Guinea towards New Caledonia. The outlook also warns of coral bleaching and marine heatwaves elsewhere in the region. Nickel and Kanak Consent: Pacific civil society groups say the EU’s nickel agreement with New Caledonia’s government risks sidelining Kanak people in decisions over ancestral lands and resources, and could deepen unequal sharing of industry revenues. Ocean Monitoring: Pacific scientists are sharing research to track changing ocean chemistry and its effects on marine life. A regional network is also using sensors on fishing vessels to gather data that can strengthen climate forecasts and fisheries management. Indigenous Conservation: Pacific negotiators at a biodiversity summit pushed for global conservation targets to recognise Indigenous territories and community-managed areas, alongside formally protected sites.

El Niño Watch: A strengthening El Niño could bring unusually high temperatures to New Caledonia through early 2027, alongside drier conditions in parts of the western and southern Pacific. The WMO warns of growing water-supply and farming pressures across the region, while marine heatwaves raise risks for reefs. Ocean Health: Pacific scientists are pooling research and monitoring to track ocean acidification and its effects on marine ecosystems and communities. Nickel and Kanak Rights: Pacific civil society groups condemn the EU’s nickel agreement with New Caledonia’s government, saying Kanak people were excluded from decisions over ancestral lands and resources. They call for transparency, meaningful participation and fair sharing of benefits. Community Climate Action: New Caledonian representatives joined Pacific groups in Fiji to share approaches to sustaining climate adaptation through organic farming, forestry and conservation.

Climate Outlook: El Niño is expected to bring above-normal temperatures to New Caledonia and much of the western and central Pacific. The forecast also warns of water shortages in several Pacific countries and marine heatwaves that threaten reefs in Kiribati. Ocean Health: Pacific scientists are sharing data and expertise to track ocean acidification and understand its effects on marine ecosystems and communities. Nickel and Kanak Rights: Pacific civil society groups oppose the EU–New Caledonia nickel deal, saying Kanak people were excluded from decisions over ancestral lands and resources. They warn the agreement could deepen existing inequalities. Community Adaptation: New Caledonia joined a Pacific workshop on sustaining climate action through funding transitions, with practical examples in sustainable farming, forestry and conservation.

Ocean Health: Pacific scientists are pooling data and expertise to track ocean acidification, building a clearer picture of risks to marine life and communities across the region. Kanaky Nickel: Pacific civil society groups say the EU’s nickel deal with New Caledonia’s government lacks meaningful Kanak consent and could deepen unequal control over ancestral lands and resource wealth. Indigenous Conservation: Pacific delegates at biodiversity talks pushed to recognise Indigenous territories and community-managed areas in global conservation targets, while respecting customary ownership. Climate Action: Pacific communities are calling for direct climate funding, and a regional exchange in Fiji brought New Caledonia together with six other Pacific countries and territories to share community-led climate and farming solutions.

Ocean Health: Pacific scientists are pooling research on ocean acidification to track changes in seawater chemistry and the risks to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Nickel and Kanak Rights: Pacific civil society groups say the EU’s nickel agreement with New Caledonia’s government was made without meaningful Kanak consent, raising concerns over control of ancestral lands, resource sovereignty and who benefits from mining. Biodiversity: Pacific negotiators have pressed for Indigenous territories and community-managed areas to count toward global conservation targets, recognising the role of customary landowners in protecting nature. Climate Solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific nations and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on sustaining community-led climate adaptation through organic farming, forestry and conservation.

Ocean Health: Pacific scientists are joining forces to track ocean acidification and understand what changing seawater chemistry means for marine life and island communities. Kanak Rights and Nickel: Pacific groups say the EU’s nickel agreement with New Caledonia risks sidelining Kanak people in decisions about ancestral lands and resources, and call for meaningful consent and fair benefits. Biodiversity: Pacific negotiators at COP17 pushed to recognise Indigenous territories and community-managed areas in global conservation targets, while respecting Indigenous rights. Climate Action: A regional learning exchange in Fiji brought New Caledonian representatives together with Pacific practitioners to share ways to sustain community-led adaptation, conservation and agroecological farming. Climate Outlook: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño may develop early in 2027, with drier-than-normal conditions expected across parts of the region.

Nickel and Kanak Rights: Pacific groups say the EU’s new critical-minerals deal risks reinforcing colonial extraction by excluding Kanak people from decisions over ancestral lands and nickel revenues. They are calling for transparency, meaningful participation and fair benefits. Indigenous Conservation: Pacific negotiators at the biodiversity summit secured proposed recognition of Indigenous territories and community-managed areas in global conservation targets; formal adoption is still pending. Climate Solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on nature-based climate action, sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods. El Niño Alert: A strong to very strong El Niño is likely in early 2027, bringing heightened risks of unusual rainfall, heat and cyclones across the Pacific.

Nickel and Kanak Rights: Pacific groups condemned the EU’s nickel agreement with New Caledonia’s government, warning that excluding Kanak people from decisions over ancestral lands risks deepening unequal control of the territory’s resources and benefits. Indigenous Conservation: Pacific delegates at global biodiversity talks pushed to recognise Indigenous territories and community-managed areas as part of the 2030 conservation goal; formal adoption is still pending. Climate Solutions: New Caledonian representatives joined a Pacific exchange at an organic farm in Fiji, sharing approaches to climate adaptation, sustainable livelihoods and nature-based conservation. Regional Climate Outlook: Forecasters warn a strong El Niño could bring unusually hot conditions and worsen drought in parts of the Pacific into 2027.

Nickel and Kanak Rights: Pacific groups say the EU’s nickel deal with New Caledonia’s government risks excluding Kanak people from decisions over ancestral lands and resources, and could deepen unequal sharing of industry benefits. Biodiversity: Pacific delegates are pushing for Indigenous territories and community-managed areas to count toward the global goal of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030; formal adoption is still pending. Climate Outlook: A strong to very strong El Niño is forecast for early 2027, bringing hotter conditions and a heightened risk of drought in parts of the Pacific. Community Solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on climate adaptation, conservation and sustainable rural livelihoods.

Climate Finance: Pacific communities are demanding direct access to climate funding, putting locally led adaptation at the center of the region’s climate response. El Niño Alert: A strong to very strong El Niño is forecast for early 2027, with drier-than-usual conditions likely across parts of the southwest Pacific and drought risks heightened by warmer temperatures. Local Solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on climate adaptation, conservation and sustainable rural livelihoods. Tourism and Nature: On the Isle of Pines, discussions continue over whether cruise ships should return, with residents weighing tourism against the island’s environment and culture.

Climate outlook: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño is likely in early 2027, with unusually high temperatures and worsening drought where rainfall is low. Parts of the southwest Pacific may be drier than normal in the coming months. Nature-based solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on climate adaptation, conservation and sustainable rural livelihoods. Tourism pressure: On the Isle of Pines, debate continues over whether cruise ships should return. Residents and visitors face a clear trade-off: tourism income versus protecting the island’s environment and culture.

Climate Solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji workshop on keeping climate adaptation going beyond project funding. Participants explored sustainable farming, forestry and conservation to support rural livelihoods. El Niño Watch: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño could persist into early 2027, bringing warmer temperatures and drier-than-normal conditions across parts of the region, including the southwest Pacific. Tourism and Nature: On the Isle of Pines, discussions continue over whether cruise ships should return. The challenge is balancing tourism with the island’s environment and culture. Snorkellers can still find tropical fish close to shore.

Climate Solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on climate adaptation, organic farming and conservation. The gathering focused on sustaining community projects while creating rural livelihoods. El Niño Alert: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño may bring drier-than-usual conditions to parts of the region from November to January, with higher temperatures and drought risks extending into 2027. Disaster Readiness: Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says increasingly frequent and severe disasters are exposing the vulnerability of regional telecom networks and underscoring the need for stronger infrastructure. Tourism and Nature: On the Isle of Pines, debate continues over whether cruise ships should return after the pandemic pause, with residents weighing tourism income against pressure on the island’s lagoon and culture.

Climate Solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a climate exchange in Bua, Fiji. Participants shared practical ways to sustain community adaptation and support rural livelihoods through sustainable farming, forestry and conservation. El Niño Alert: A strong to very strong El Niño is likely in early 2027, with warmer temperatures and drier-than-normal conditions forecast across parts of the Pacific. The outlook raises concern about worsening drought where rainfall is already low. Tourism and Nature: On the Isle of Pines, discussions continue over whether cruise ships should return, with the island’s fragile environment and culture central to the debate. Disaster Readiness: Pacific leaders say increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters are putting pressure on telecom networks, underscoring the need for more resilient infrastructure.

Climate Solutions: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on climate adaptation, conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Participants explored how organic farming and other nature-based approaches can continue beyond project funding. El Niño Outlook: Forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño may develop in early 2027, bringing hotter conditions and a risk of drought. Much of the southwest Pacific, from Papua New Guinea southeast to southern French Polynesia, is forecast to be drier than usual from November to January. Isle of Pines: Cruise visits remain on hold as discussions continue over whether they should resume. The key question is how to balance tourism with protecting the island’s environment and culture.