AGP Executive Report

Ocean Peace & Fuel Costs: Pacific Islands Forum leaders renewed calls for global peace under the Ocean of Peace Declaration, stressing UN Charter principles and warning that rising fuel and freight costs hit small, end-of-supply-chain states hardest. Energy Crisis Support: The World Bank approved an extra $9 million in budget support for the Marshall Islands, bringing total aid to $30 million to help families and public services facing sharply higher energy costs. Deep-Sea Conservation in Majuro: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine joined National Geographic Pristine Seas for a dive off Ajokla, highlighting ongoing work to protect deep-sea ecosystems and feed findings into the Reimaanlok framework. Deep Seabed Governance: SBMA representatives attended a regional deep seabed workshop in Suva focused on state responsibilities, environmental governance, data management, and future capacity-building. Climate Law for Vanishing Land: Tuvalu’s push for a UN sea-level rise declaration argues rising seas must not erase statehood or legal identity. Tuna Shifts & Early Warning: Pacific nations advanced a climate warning system to track tuna moving beyond EEZs, aiming to protect fisheries, food security, and livelihoods. Nuclear Legacy & Decolonisation: Pacific advocates reiterated that unresolved nuclear testing legacies and colonial control still shape communities, self-determination, and environmental harm across the region.

World Bank Energy Relief for RMI: The World Bank approved an extra $9 million in budget support for the Marshall Islands, bringing total backing under an existing energy-crisis operation to $30 million, aimed at easing sharply higher fuel costs and protecting essential services. Ocean Conservation Spotlight: RMI President Hilda Heine joined National Geographic’s Pristine Seas dive off Majuro to help map deep-sea ecosystems, with findings set to feed into the Reimaanlok framework. Pacific Peace & Security Call: Pacific Islands Forum leaders renewed support for the Ocean of Peace Declaration, warning that small island states at the end of supply chains are hit hard by global shocks like rising freight and fuel prices. Climate Law for Disappearing Land: Tuvalu’s push for a UN sea-level rise declaration highlights the fight to protect statehood and maritime rights as islands face inundation. Nuclear Legacy & Decolonisation: Regional advocates renewed calls to address unresolved nuclear testing impacts and colonial legacies across the Pacific. Deep-Sea Mining Governance: SBMA took part in regional deep seabed talks in Suva focused on environmental governance, data management, and capacity building. Tuna Shifts & Early Warning: Pacific countries advanced a climate warning system to track tuna moving beyond national waters, supporting fisheries planning and food security.

Energy & Climate Finance: The World Bank approved an extra $9 million in budget support for the Marshall Islands, bringing total aid under an existing energy-crisis operation to $30 million, as fuel costs strain households and public services. Ocean Conservation: President Hilda Heine took a National Geographic Pristine Seas submersible dive off Majuro, helping feed findings into the Reimaanlok framework and local stewardship of deep-sea and reef ecosystems. Fossil-Fuel Roadmap at UN Talks: European governments and the Marshall Islands urged that a COP30-era global roadmap to cut fossil fuels become an ongoing part of UN climate negotiations, not a one-off report. Nuclear Legacy & Decolonisation: Pacific leaders renewed calls that decolonisation remains unfinished decades after nuclear testing, linking environmental contamination and self-determination to unresolved regional grievances. Deep-Seabed Governance: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority joined regional deep-sea “blue growth” workshops in Suva, focusing on state responsibilities, environmental governance, and data management. Food Safety for Fisheries: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu trained in new EU food safety rules for freezer vessels, aimed at protecting access to EU seafood markets.

Fossil-Fuel Roadmap at UN Talks: European governments and the Marshall Islands urged that Brazil’s COP30 fossil-fuel transition roadmap be folded into official UN climate negotiations, not treated as a one-off report—while some fossil-fuel-dependent states resist. Energy Crisis Relief: The World Bank approved an extra $9 million in budget support for the Marshall Islands, bringing total backing to $30 million to help families and public services facing sharply higher fuel costs. Ocean Conservation Spotlight: President Hilda Heine took a National Geographic Pristine Seas submersible dive off Majuro, highlighting deep-sea ecosystem research that will feed into the Reimaanlok framework for local stewardship. Deep-Sea Governance: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (with Marshall Islands representation) attended an ISA-backed workshop in Fiji on regional environmental rules, data management, and capacity building for deep seabed “blue growth.” Marine Recovery in the West: National Geographic Pristine Seas reported signs of thriving biodiversity at Ujelang Atoll, including sharks, turtles, and groupers, after decades without permanent settlement. Nuclear Legacy & Decolonisation: Pacific leaders renewed calls for unresolved nuclear-era harms and decolonisation to be addressed, tying environmental contamination to self-determination.

Ocean Conservation & Research: President Hilda C. Heine took a rare deep-sea dive off Majuro in a National Geographic Pristine Seas submersible, part of a March–June expedition surveying coral reefs, pelagic predators, seabirds, marine mammals and deep habitats to 6,000 meters—findings meant to feed the Reimaanlok framework and local stewardship. Energy Costs & Resilience: The World Bank approved an extra $9 million in budget support for the Marshall Islands, bringing total backing under an existing energy-crisis operation to $30 million, as fuel costs strain households and public services. Nuclear Legacy & Decolonisation: Pacific leaders and advocates renewed calls to address unresolved nuclear testing harms and colonial legacies, pointing to environmental contamination and self-determination issues still shaping the region. Regional Ocean Diplomacy: Marshall Islands and Taiwan diplomats met to stress climate resilience, ocean conservation and sustainable development, highlighting SIDS vulnerability to extreme weather, sea-level rise and environmental degradation. Deep Seabed Governance: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) attended an ISA-backed regional workshop in Fiji on deep-seabed sustainable blue growth, focusing on state responsibilities, environmental governance and data management.

World Bank Energy Relief for RMI: The World Bank approved an extra $9 million in budget support for the Marshall Islands, bringing total aid under an existing program to $30 million to cushion families and services from sharply higher fuel costs. Ocean Conservation Dive: On World Oceans Day, President Hilda Heine joined a National Geographic Pristine Seas submersible expedition off Majuro, with scientists surveying reefs, seabirds, marine mammals and deep-sea habitats to feed the Reimaanlok framework. Nuclear Legacy & Decolonisation: Pacific leaders and advocates renewed calls to finish decolonisation and address unresolved nuclear-era harms, linking environmental contamination to self-determination. Nuclear Testing Ban Push: NGO statements ahead of the NPT Review Conference urged universal compliance with the CTBT’s zero-yield nuclear test prohibition, citing ongoing health and environmental damage from past tests. Climate Statehood at Sea: Tuvalu’s UN talks highlight how sea-level rise threatens not just land, but sovereignty and maritime rights, as a UN declaration on sea-level rise nears adoption. Regional Tuna Adaptation: Pacific countries advanced a climate warning system to track shifting tuna stocks beyond national waters, supporting fisheries planning and livelihoods. EU Seafood Rule Watch: EU food-safety changes for freezer vessels could affect 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels, raising compliance pressure for exporters.

World Bank Support: The World Bank approved an extra $9 million in budget support for the Marshall Islands, bringing total aid to $30 million to help families and services cope with sharply higher fuel costs and an ongoing energy crisis. Energy & Governance: The funding is routed through an existing development policy operation and includes $12 million in contingent financing, as the government tightens spending under an emergency electricity savings policy. Ocean Conservation: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine returned from the Tokyo Island States Ocean Summit and, on World Oceans Day, joined a National Geographic Pristine Seas dive to survey marine life and habitats that will feed into the Reimaanlok framework. Nuclear Legacy & Decolonisation: Pacific leaders renewed calls to finish decolonisation decades after nuclear testing, linking unresolved contamination and self-determination struggles across the region—including the Marshall Islands. Regional Climate Planning: Pacific nations advanced climate relocation planning with new regional guidance, emphasizing community rights and cultural protection as sea-level rise forces difficult long-term decisions. Marine Recovery: Scientists reported strong signs of recovery at Ujelang Atoll in the western Marshall Islands after decades of no permanent settlement, with diverse marine life observed.

World Bank Support for Energy Crisis: The World Bank approved an extra US$9 million in budget support for the Marshall Islands, bringing total aid to US$30 million to help families and public services cope with sharply higher fuel costs, with President Hilda Heine’s emergency electricity savings policy cutting office hours. Ocean Conservation & Research: President Heine joined a National Geographic Pristine Seas dive off Majuro, as scientists and local experts surveyed multiple sites to feed findings into the Reimaanlok ocean stewardship framework. US-RMI Cleanup Cooperation: The U.S. Coast Guard and the RMI Environmental Protection Authority are working to survey and address contamination risks at now-closed LORAN stations, including potential PCB pollution. Regional Climate-Fish Warning: Pacific nations advanced a Green Climate Fund-backed tuna climate warning system, warning that skipjack may shift beyond national waters as oceans warm. Pacific Shipping Decarbonisation Push: Transport ministers meeting in Majuro plan to launch the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to pursue Green Climate Fund support for low-carbon vessels and cut diesel dependence. Nuclear Legacy & Decolonisation: Pacific leaders renewed calls to finish decolonisation work tied to nuclear testing, including unresolved environmental harm and disputes over resource benefits.

Ocean Conservation & Research: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine marked World Oceans Day by diving off Majuro in a National Geographic Pristine Seas submersible, with scientists and local experts surveying seabirds, marine mammals, coral reefs and deep-sea habitats to feed findings into the Reimaanlok framework. Nuclear Legacy & Climate Risk: Scientists report Ujelang Atoll in the western Marshall Islands is showing strong marine recovery after decades of nuclear exile, with early signs of thriving biodiversity despite minor climate stress. Energy Crisis Support: The World Bank approved an extra US$9 million for the Marshall Islands to cushion sharply higher energy costs, bringing total support under the operation to US$30 million and highlighting fuel-import dependence. Pollution Cleanup: The U.S. Coast Guard and the RMI Environmental Protection Authority are working to survey and clean up now-closed LORAN stations, including potential PCB contamination, under the Compact of Free Association. Fisheries & Climate Adaptation: Pacific nations are rolling out a Green Climate Fund-backed Advanced Warning System to track climate-driven tuna shifts beyond national waters, supporting food security and livelihoods. Regional Ocean Governance: Pacific transport ministers in Majuro are set to launch the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to mobilize climate finance for low-carbon vessels and cut diesel dependence.

World Oceans Day & RMI marine science: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine joined a National Geographic Pristine Seas dive off Majuro, with scientists and local experts surveying seabirds, marine mammals, coral reefs and deep-sea habitats to feed findings into the Reimaanlok framework. Energy crisis support: The World Bank approved an extra US$9 million for the Marshall Islands to cushion sharply higher fuel costs, bringing total support under the program to US$30 million. Shipping decarbonisation push: Pacific transport ministers meeting in Majuro plan to launch the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to pull in climate finance for low-carbon vessels. Ocean recovery after nuclear exile: Scientists report Ujelang Atoll shows strong signs of marine recovery after decades without permanent settlement, with sharks, turtles and diverse reef life seen during dives. Regional climate fisheries response: Pacific nations advanced a Green Climate Fund-backed tuna warning system to help governments prepare as skipjack tuna shifts beyond national waters. Clean-up of legacy navigation sites: The US Coast Guard and RMI EPA are working to survey and remediate now-closed LORAN stations, including potential PCB contamination. Ocean governance & illegal fishing: A global treaty update highlights how the UN Port State Measures Agreement has helped cut harm from IUU fishing.

Energy Crisis Support: The World Bank approved an extra US$9 million for the Marshall Islands to cushion sharply higher energy costs, bringing total support under a 2024 development policy operation to US$30 million. Ocean Conservation & Science: President Hilda Heine marked World Oceans Day by diving off Majuro in a National Geographic Pristine Seas submersible, as scientists and local experts surveyed multiple sites feeding into the Reimaanlok framework. Marine Recovery at Ujelang: New findings from Ujelang Atoll in the western Marshall Islands point to strong recovery after decades of isolation, with researchers reporting diverse marine life including sharks, turtles, and reef fish. Diplomacy on Climate & Oceans: Marshall Islands and Taiwan diplomats met to stress SIDS vulnerability, pushing for ocean conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Safer Seas Cleanup: The U.S. Coast Guard and the RMI Environmental Protection Authority are working on cleanup of now-closed LORAN stations, including potential PCB contamination remediation. Shipping Decarbonisation Push: Pacific transport ministers in Majuro are set to launch the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to access climate finance for low-carbon vessels and cut diesel dependence.

Maritime Cleanup in the Marshalls: The U.S. Coast Guard and the RMI Environmental Protection Authority are teaming up to survey and clean up now-closed LORAN stations, with attention on possible PCB contamination left behind in Majuro and Ebeye/Kwajalein—an effort framed as part of the U.S. environmental obligations under the Compact of Free Association. Ocean Governance & Funding: Marshall Islands President Dr. Hilda Heine told an ocean summit in Tokyo that island states need better access to finance, technology, scientific data, and capacity-building to protect oceans amid climate change, biodiversity loss, and marine pollution. Climate Relocation Rules: Pacific governments adopted the Pacific Regional Guidance on Planned Relocation (PAC-GIPR), stressing relocation as a last resort when communities can’t safely adapt—while protecting human rights, Indigenous rights, and cultural identity. Marine Recovery at Ujelang Atoll: Scientists report signs of strong recovery at Ujelang Atoll in the western Marshalls after decades of nuclear exile, with diverse marine life including sharks, turtles, and groupers. EU Seafood Compliance: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu trained on new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules that could affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Pacific Shipping Decarbonisation: Transport ministers in Majuro are set to launch the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to use climate finance to support low-carbon vessels and cut diesel dependence.

Maritime Decarbonisation in the Marshall Islands: Pacific transport ministers are meeting in Majuro to launch the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to help countries access climate finance, build low-carbon vessels, and cut diesel dependence, with a proposed $300 million Green Climate Fund bid for a demonstration fleet. Ocean Life Recovery in the RMI: Scientists on a National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition report Ujelang Atoll is showing strong marine recovery after decades of nuclear exile, with sharks, turtles, and diverse reef life seen despite minor climate stress. RMI Pollution Cleanup: The U.S. Coast Guard and the RMI Environmental Protection Authority are working to survey and clean up now-closed LORAN stations, including potential PCB contamination, as part of environmental obligations under the Compact of Free Association. Pacific Climate Mobility: Pacific nations adopted first regional guidance on planned climate relocation, stressing community participation, Indigenous rights, and cultural preservation when adaptation is no longer possible. Ocean Governance & Finance: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine told a Tokyo summit that island states need more access to finance, technology, and scientific data to protect oceans amid climate change, biodiversity loss, and marine pollution. Food Safety for EU Seafood: EU rules on freezer vessel temperatures are set to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels, with regional training in Suva to help authorities meet the new requirements. Deep-Sea Mining Race: A new report highlights how seabed minerals are becoming tied to Pacific geopolitics as major powers pursue leases and deals for clean-energy and military-linked materials. Local Energy Costs: A Marshall Islands commentary warns rising electricity and fuel prices are squeezing island households and businesses, pushing debate on work hours and survival costs.

Climate Finance & Nuclear Legacy: At COP27, the Marshall Islands warned that rising seas are not only submerging homes but also radioactive waste from nuclear testing, urging urgent Loss and Damage funding and stronger action since mitigation promises have lagged. Climate Mobility: Pacific nations adopted a first regional Climate Relocation framework, setting rules for planned moves when communities can no longer adapt in place. Ocean Recovery in the Marshalls: Scientists report Marine Biodiversity signs of recovery at Ujelang Atoll after decades of nuclear exile, with sharks, turtles, and diverse fish seen across dives. Maritime Pollution Cleanup: The RMI EPA and U.S. Coast Guard are coordinating to survey and clean up now-closed PCB-linked LORAN sites, citing shared responsibilities under the Compact of Free Association. Regional Shipping Decarbonisation: Pacific transport ministers meeting in Majuro are pushing the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership to pursue climate finance for low-carbon vessels and cut diesel dependence. Pacific Diplomacy: Taiwan and Pacific allies, including the Marshall Islands, highlighted cooperation and maritime rescue ties at a cultural gala.

Marine Recovery in the Marshalls: Scientists on a National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition say Ujelang Atoll in the western Marshall Islands is bouncing back after decades of nuclear exile, with divers reporting sharks, turtles, large groupers and thriving fish schools despite minor climate stress. Ocean Governance & Finance: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine told a Tokyo ocean summit that island states need better access to finance, technology, scientific data and capacity-building to protect oceans amid climate change, biodiversity loss and marine pollution. Shipping Decarbonisation Push: Pacific transport ministers meeting in Majuro are set to launch the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to coordinate low-carbon vessel plans and seek $300 million from the Green Climate Fund. RMI Environmental Cleanup: The US Coast Guard and the RMI Environmental Protection Authority are working to survey and clean up now-closed LORAN stations, including potential PCB contamination, to protect community health and the environment. Fisheries Market Pressure: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained in Suva on new EU freezer-vessel food safety rules that could affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Climate Relocation Framework: Pacific governments adopted regional guidance for planned climate relocation, stressing community participation, Indigenous rights and cultural preservation as a last resort when adaptation is no longer possible.

Marine Recovery in the Marshalls: Scientists on a National Geographic Pristine Seas mission say Ujelang Atoll in the western Marshall Islands is bouncing back after decades of nuclear exile, with divers reporting sharks, turtles, large groupers and diverse fish despite minor climate stress. Ocean Governance & Funding: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine told a Tokyo ocean summit that island states need better access to finance, technology, scientific data and capacity-building to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and marine pollution. Shipping Decarbonisation Push: Pacific transport ministers meeting in Majuro are set to launch the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, aiming to coordinate low-carbon shipping and seek Green Climate Fund support for a demonstration fleet. RMI Environmental Cleanup: The U.S. Coast Guard and the RMI Environmental Protection Authority are working on surveys and cleanup of now-closed LORAN stations, including potential PCB contamination, to protect community health and the environment. Food Safety Rules for Pacific Seafood: EU training in Suva for Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu prepares authorities for new EU freezer-vessel requirements that could affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU.