AGP Executive Report

School Water: Solar-powered systems will bring drinking water to 4,585 students in South Tarawa. The 21 reverse-osmosis units were installed by a local engineering company, with school representatives trained to maintain them. Coastal Risk: The Asian Development Bank warns that rising seas and flooding could cause up to $739 billion in annual losses across Asia and the Pacific by 2100. Sea levels in parts of the western tropical Pacific are rising about six millimetres a year, increasing risks of flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion. Climate-Resilient Health: The WHO says climate change and funding gaps are straining Pacific health systems. Kiribati and Fiji are receiving support to strengthen health services against climate risks.

Kiribati Research: A team used sonar and a magnetometer to investigate the Taraia Object off Nikumaroro, but found no plane wreckage. The satellite-image anomaly was likely washed-up trees with a mineral coating, leaving Amelia Earhart’s disappearance unresolved. Climate and Health: WHO says Pacific health systems face growing climate risks, staff shortages and funding pressure. Fiji and Kiribati are receiving support to strengthen health facilities and prepare for climate emergencies. Deep-Sea Mining: Companies have sought U.S. exploration and mining rights across a Pacific seabed area about half the size of areas already designated by the international regulator, raising concerns about oversight and marine impacts. Island Shipping: Pacific officials say funding, infrastructure and technical skills gaps are slowing efforts to cut shipping emissions without making vital transport more costly.

Climate and Health: WHO says Pacific health systems face mounting climate, workforce and funding pressures. Seven Pacific countries have yet to include health in national climate plans; Kiribati and Fiji are receiving support to strengthen climate resilience. Deep-Sea Mining: Companies have sought US mining rights across Pacific international waters covering an area about half the size of seabed zones designated by the International Seabed Authority. Commercial-scale mining has not begun, but the expansion raises concerns over ocean protection and who benefits. Kiribati Research: A Purdue-led expedition to Nikumaroro found the suspected Amelia Earhart wreckage was likely washed-up trees coated in coral minerals, leaving the aviation mystery unsolved. Cleaner Shipping: Pacific officials say funding shortages, aging vessels and limited technical expertise are slowing efforts to cut shipping emissions without making vital island transport less affordable.

Nikumaroro Search: Researchers examining a satellite-image anomaly on Kiribati’s Nikumaroro atoll found it was washed-up trees, not Amelia Earhart’s plane. The expedition found no conclusive aircraft evidence, though it recovered items for further study. Student Visa: Kiribati citizens can qualify for Australia’s reduced student visa application fee. Applicants must use a valid Kiribati passport when applying online; eligible family members also receive the concession. Pacific Seabed: Companies have sought U.S. rights to explore or mine areas of the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone roughly half the size of areas already designated by the international seabed regulator, raising concerns about marine impacts and oversight. Climate Adaptation: Former Kiribati president Anote Tong warned that a 50-centimetre sea-level rise could overtop most of the country’s land. He called for urgent funding and engineering expertise to develop adaptation measures.

Nikumaroro Search: A research team’s latest search found no plane wreckage on Kiribati’s Nikumaroro atoll. The suspected satellite-image anomaly was likely storm-washed trees with a coral-sand coating. Digital Safety: A regional study including Kiribati warns that as internet access expands, children need better skills and support to handle risks such as cyberbullying and harmful content. Climate Adaptation: Former president Anote Tong says Kiribati needs urgent engineering solutions and funding to face rising seas, warning that a 50-centimetre rise could overtop much of the country. Fisheries Monitoring: Pacific agencies used satellite surveillance in their largest fisheries operation of 2026, monitoring 30.5 million square kilometres and recording more than 27,000 satellite detections. Cleaner Shipping: Pacific specialists say financing, infrastructure and technical skills are holding back cleaner ships, while stressing that lower emissions must not make essential transport less affordable.

Deep-Sea Mining: U.S.-backed companies have applied for or received rights to Pacific seabed areas equal to about half the expanse already designated for mining by the international regulator. Overlapping claims raise concerns about oversight and marine impacts. Climate Science: Governments again failed to agree on a timeline for the IPCC’s next major reports, leaving the panel facing a funding crisis and putting timely assessments for the 2028 global climate review at risk. Nikumaroro Search: Researchers found the suspected “Taraia Object” on Kiribati’s Nikumaroro atoll was likely washed-up trees, not Amelia Earhart’s plane. The decades-old mystery remains unsolved. Cleaner Shipping: Pacific officials say financing, infrastructure and skills shortages are slowing efforts to replace aging, fuel-dependent vessels without making essential island transport less affordable. Fisheries Technology: The Pacific fisheries agency’s latest surveillance operation used satellite monitoring and remote sensing to record more than 27,000 detections, helping identify vessels of interest and support inspections across the region.

Nikumaroro Search: A Kiribati expedition has ruled out the Taraia Object as Amelia Earhart’s plane, identifying it as washed-up trees with a coral-sand coating. Researchers also collected artifacts for further study, but Earhart’s fate remains unknown. Climate Resilience: Former President Anote Tong is urging urgent engineering work and funding to protect Kiribati from rising seas, warning that a 50-centimetre rise could overtop much of the country. Cleaner Shipping: Pacific specialists say financing, infrastructure and technical skills are holding back efforts to replace aging, diesel-powered ships without making island transport less affordable. Digital Safety: A regional study including Kiribati warns that children need stronger online-safety education as faster internet access expands.

Nikumaroro Search: Researchers from Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute found that the suspected Amelia Earhart plane wreckage on Kiribati’s Nikumaroro atoll was likely washed-up trees. A shiny coating that looked metallic came from coral sand; the 1937 disappearance remains unresolved. Climate Adaptation: Former President Anote Tong is urging urgent engineering solutions to protect Kiribati from rising seas, warning that a 50-centimetre rise could overtop much of the country’s land. Online Safety: A Pacific study involving children in Kiribati says expanding internet access must come with stronger safety education and protection from cyberbullying, hacking and harmful content. Ocean Surveillance: A regional fisheries operation used satellite monitoring and remote-sensing tools to track activity across 30.5 million square kilometres, logging more than 27,000 satellite detections and one vessel apprehension.

Nikumaroro Search: Researchers have ruled out the Taraia Object as Amelia Earhart’s plane, identifying it as washed-up trees with a coral coating that looked metallic. The team used sonar and a magnetometer and recovered artifacts, including a steel pipe, for further study. Online Safety: A regional study involving Kiribati warns that children face risks such as cyberbullying and harmful content as internet access expands, and calls for stronger online safety education and protection. Pacific Surveillance Technology: The Fisheries Agency’s largest surveillance operation of 2026 used satellite monitoring and remote-sensing tools across about 30.5 million square kilometres, recording more than 27,000 satellite detections.

Earhart Search: Researchers on Kiribati’s Nikumaroro atoll have concluded the suspected “Taraia Object” is likely debris from trees, not Amelia Earhart’s plane. The team used underwater surveys to test the theory. Online Safety: A regional study including Kiribati warns that children face risks such as cyberbullying, hacking and harmful content as internet access expands, and calls for stronger education and protections. Fisheries Technology: The Pacific’s largest fisheries surveillance operation of 2026 used satellite monitoring and remote sensing across 30.5 million square kilometres, recording 27,000-plus detections and one vessel apprehension. Climate Science: El Niño is driving unusually warm Pacific waters and worsening pressures on communities, while research suggests reaching net zero sooner could limit the frequency of extreme El Niño events.

Earhart Search: Researchers have resumed work at Nikumaroro after rough seas kept them aboard their vessel for three days. The team is investigating an underwater object with sonar and other survey tools, hoping to determine whether it could be part of Amelia Earhart’s plane. Fisheries Surveillance: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency says its largest surveillance operation of 2026 covered 30.5 million square kilometres, using satellite monitoring to record more than 27,000 detections and identify 13 vessels of interest. El Niño Research: New research finds that reaching net zero sooner could limit the frequency of extreme El Niño events. The climate pattern has brought severe rainfall to Kiritimati in the past, affecting seabird colonies.

Nikumaroro Archive: New Zealand’s Air Force Museum has released 47 high-resolution aerial photographs of Nikumaroro, taken in 1938, giving researchers and the public new material to examine for clues to Amelia Earhart’s disappearance. Earhart Search: A Purdue-led team has begun surveying the lagoon’s Taraia Object with sonar and a magnetometer, but rough seas have repeatedly prevented shore work. The team says it needs at least two more days of field operations before identifying the object. Climate Research: New research finds that reaching net zero sooner could limit the frequency of extreme El Niño events, which can bring damaging rainfall to Kiribati. Meanwhile, the Pacific Community reports US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including support to help tuna-dependent communities adapt.

Earhart Search: Rough seas have kept researchers from shore work at Nikumaroro for a third straight day, delaying their investigation of the Taraia Object, a lagoon anomaly that may be Amelia Earhart’s plane. The team has used sonar and a magnetometer, but says it needs at least two more days of fieldwork before identifying the object. Newly released 1938 aerial photos of the atoll may also help the search. Climate Science: Research suggests extreme El Niño events could become more common if fossil-fuel use continues; reaching net zero sooner may limit their frequency. A past El Niño brought heavy rain to Kiritimati, flooding seabird nests and wiping out colonies. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect elevated cyclone risk in parts of Kiribati during the coming season, with seven to 11 named storms possible across the Southwest Pacific.

Climate Science: New research finds that reaching net zero sooner could limit how often extreme El Niño events occur. The 1982 event brought heavy rain to Kiritimati, flooding seabird nests and wiping out colonies. Earhart Search: Rough seas have halted shore work at Nikumaroro for a third straight day. Researchers are examining the Taraia Object with sonar and a magnetometer, but need at least two more days of fieldwork before they can identify it. Historical Records: New Zealand’s Air Force Museum has released 47 high-resolution aerial photos of Nikumaroro taken in 1938, which may offer fresh clues about the island’s history. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect an active 2026–27 Southwest Pacific season, with elevated risk in parts of Kiribati. Seven to 11 named cyclones could form across the region.

Nikumaroro Search: Researchers from Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute have begun an underwater survey near Kiribati’s Nikumaroro atoll, investigating the Taraia Object, which may be linked to Amelia Earhart’s missing plane. Sonar and a magnetometer are helping map what lies beneath the lagoon floor; rough seas have delayed some fieldwork. An AI analysis reportedly selected the same site, but that is not proof of what the object is. Cyclone Outlook: Earth Sciences New Zealand forecasts seven to 11 named cyclones across the Southwest Pacific this season, with elevated risk in parts of Kiribati. The outlook warns the season could start early and urges communities to prepare. Historical Records: New high-resolution scans of 47 aerial photographs taken in 1938 offer researchers fresh material to examine for clues about Nikumaroro and the Earhart search.

Kiribati Research: An international team has begun an underwater survey in Nikumaroro lagoon, investigating the Taraia Object, which may be part of Amelia Earhart’s missing plane. Researchers are using sonar and a magnetometer; rough seas halted shore work on Thursday, with an update expected soon. The object’s identity remains unconfirmed. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect seven to 11 named cyclones across the Southwest Pacific this season, with elevated risk in parts of Kiribati. At least four could reach Category 3 or higher, and a strong El Niño may bring an early start. Climate Funding: The Pacific Community reports US$129.9 million in new climate finance approvals for 2025, including major funding to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities adapt to climate change.