Pacific Climate Summit: Vanuatu joined California, Fiji, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Kiribati and Weno in an inaugural Pacific Climate Summit, ending with a joint commitment to boost adaptation and resilience—drawing on indigenous ecological wisdom to protect coastlines, watersheds and communities. Tourism & Culture: Vanuatu unveiled its Tourism Marketing Strategy 2026–2028 in Port Vila, aiming for sustainable growth through resilience, regenerative development and stronger regional connectivity—positioning the country as a premium Pacific destination. Nature-Based Resilience: Vanuatu also launched new policy tools under the PPIN project, helping weave forests, mangroves, reefs and seagrass into national adaptation planning and coastal resilience—framing healthy ecosystems as “infrastructure” for culture and livelihoods. Sovereignty & Spiritual Ties: Negotiations continue as Vanuatu presses France to hand back the remote Matthew and Hunter Islands, where local beliefs and cultural links are tied to the islands’ volcanic landscapes and long-running sovereignty dispute. Youth Wellbeing & Rights: A Pacific youth guide, Pleasurenesia, argues sexuality and wellbeing conversations must be shaped by Pacific people, pointing to high rates of teenage pregnancy, rising HIV among youth, and persistent gender-based violence— including in Vanuatu. Education & Teachers: Education unions across the Pacific, including Vanuatu, plan collective action to defend educators’ wellbeing and fair conditions amid teacher shortages, workload pressures and underfunding. Human-Animal Bonds: New cross-cultural research includes Vanuatu, finding dogs and people cooperate and communicate in remarkably similar ways across very different societies—highlighting local dog-keeping and training traditions.