AGP Executive Report

Climate & Mobility: A NZ-backed Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme (NZ$17.9m) was launched in Suva to help islands plan people-centred responses to climate-driven migration, displacement and planned relocation. Labour Rights: A Port Vila workshop on PALM and RSE schemes heard Pacific workers’ complaints about restrictive accommodation rules and what happens after serious grievances, pushing for stronger protections and accountability. Women & Sport: Vanuatu’s women’s beach volleyball team trained in Bangkok at a high-performance centre before heading to China for AVC and FIVB events, bringing home a story of access, discipline and community support. Digital Safety Activism: Vanuatu Australia Awards WLI alumni are turning concern into action against digital violence, building school-based awareness and response pathways for young people. Culture, Place & Risk: A flood-risk project for Te Pokohiwi o Kupe (Wairau Bar) blends flood modelling with mātauranga Māori to map how flooding could affect culture, identity and connection to place. Regional Resilience: Vanuatu joined Pacific partners in Honiara to strengthen earthquake, tsunami and geohazard monitoring and early warning for 2026–2030. Media Freedom: Samoa’s senior journalist Lagi Keresoma faces criminal libel charges, with IFJ Asia Pacific calling for the case to be dropped as a threat to public-interest reporting.

Sport & Opportunity: Vanuatu’s women’s beach volleyball team trained at a high-performance centre in Bangkok before heading to China, using daily sand sessions plus strength, recovery, massage and nutrition support—an access boost they say is hard to find at home. Regional Disaster Readiness: Pacific partners met in Honiara to strengthen earthquake, tsunami and landslide monitoring and early warning, with Vanuatu among the countries pushing for better coverage and real-time data access. Labour Rights: A Port Vila workshop heard Pacific workers’ complaints about sexual harassment, restrictive accommodation rules and what happens after serious complaints under Australia’s PALM and New Zealand’s RSE schemes. Climate, Food & Culture: Vanuatu’s food security is under pressure as heat, drought and floods hit key growing areas, while wider Pacific health leaders warn of a “global syndemic” linking climate change with undernutrition and obesity. Women in Leadership: Vanuatu’s only female MP, Marie Louise Milne, urged fair and accurate media coverage for women leaders, saying reporting should focus on policy, not gender. Education & Prevention: Vanuatu women Australia Awards WLI alumni are turning concern into action on digital violence, building school workshops and pathways for young people to understand and respond. Humanitarian Law: The ICRC called for the Arms Trade Treaty to be translated into real action as armed conflicts and sexual and gender-based violence continue to rise.

Deep-Sea Mining & Climate: Canadian groups are urging PM Mark Carney to publicly censure The Metals Company over alleged moves to bypass UNCLOS and push deep-sea mining in the central Pacific, despite calls for a moratorium. Disaster Preparedness: Pacific states met in Honiara to strengthen earthquake, tsunami and geohazard monitoring, warning systems and resilience for 2026–2030, including gaps in coverage and real-time data access. Labour Rights & Women: In Port Vila, Pacific workers raised concerns about sexual harassment, restrictive accommodation rules and what happens after complaints under Australia’s PALM and New Zealand’s RSE schemes. Vanuatu Education & Culture: Ni-Vanuatu students heading to China received pre-departure guidance on language, culture and adapting to a new education system. Digital Activism: Vanuatu women Australia Awards WLI alumni turned a school workshop into a movement tackling digital violence and helping young people respond safely. Food Security: Vanuatu’s food security is under pressure as heat, drought and floods hit key growing areas. Renewables Push: A new UNSW report says Pacific nations could save nearly $1b a year by replacing fossil fuel imports with renewables. Gender in Politics: Vanuatu’s MP Marie Louise Milne shared her path into politics and called for fair, accurate media coverage of women leaders.

Disaster Preparedness: Pacific leaders and technical partners met in Honiara to strengthen earthquake, tsunami, volcano and landslide monitoring, early warning and resilience for 2026–2030, with Vanuatu among the countries pushing for better data access and equipment support. Humanitarian Law: ICRC’s vice president urged action on the Arms Trade Treaty, warning that rising arms transfers and armed conflicts are driving more civilian harm, including sexual and gender-based violence. Workers’ Rights: In Port Vila, Pacific workers and unions raised concerns about sexual harassment, restrictive living conditions and what happens after complaints under Australia’s PALM and New Zealand’s RSE schemes. Culture & Education: A Vanuatu women’s digital-violence push is highlighted through Australia Awards WLI alumni work, turning awareness into action for young people. Climate & Food Security: Vanuatu’s food security is under pressure as heat, drought and floods hit key growing areas. Regional Mobility & Safety: Pacific civil society called for stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, rejecting deep-sea mining and warning against militarisation and external pressure. Learning Abroad: Ni-Vanuatu students preparing for university in China received pre-departure guidance on language, education systems and adapting to culture.

Outer-Island Transport: A Vanuatu academic says recent boat tragedies should push leaders to improve safer, more regular sea and air links for TAFEA communities—because transport gaps hit health care, education, markets and even cultural connection. Digital Violence Activism: Vanuatu women Australia Awards WLI alumni are turning concern into action, building youth awareness and response pathways to prevent digital violence. Women in Politics & Media: Marie Louise Milne shares her political journey and urges fair, accurate, professional media coverage for women leaders so debate stays on policy. Flood Risk + Culture: A flood model finalist in NZ Science Awards blends advanced science with mātauranga Māori, mapping how sea-level rise could threaten land and cultural identity. Pacific Food & Energy Pressure: Reports highlight climate-driven food security strain and the cost of fossil fuel dependence—renewables could free money for schools and hospitals. Ocean Stewardship: Pacific civil society calls for stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, rejecting deep-sea mining and rising militarisation.

Digital Rights & Women’s Safety: Vanuatu women Australia Awards WLI alumni turned a school workshop into a wider push to help young people understand and respond to digital violence, after seeing fear and shame spread through phones and social media. Labour Mobility & Worker Protection: Trade union reps across the Pacific are in Vanuatu for a week-long workshop on challenges under New Zealand seasonal work and Australia’s PALM schemes, with workers sharing problems and asking for stronger reintegration support. Climate & Health (Syndemic): Pacific health leaders are urged to tackle the “global syndemic” where climate change worsens undernutrition while diets shift toward ultra-processed foods, driving obesity and non-communicable diseases. Outer-Island Transport: Calls are growing for safer, more regular sea and air services for TAFEA outer islands, after incidents highlighted how unreliable transport blocks access to health care, education, markets and cultural life. Education & Culture Exchange: Ni-Vanuatu students heading to universities in China received pre-departure guidance on language, adapting to a new education system, and living in a different culture. Governance & Gender in Media: Vanuatu’s only female MP, Marie Louise Milne, shared her political journey and urged fair, accurate, professional media coverage of women leaders. Ocean Stewardship: Pacific civil society and leaders in Suva backed stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, rejecting deep-sea mining and warning against rising militarisation and external pressure.

Digital Violence & Women’s Leadership: Vanuatu Australia Awards WLI alumni are turning a workshop into a movement to help young people name, prevent, and respond to digital violence, with support from UNFPA and the Vanuatu Police Family Protection Unit. Education & Scholarships: Delinson “Delly” Tari, fresh from six years in China, urged 14 Ni-Vanuatu students to embrace language, culture, and a new education system as they prepare for university study across China. Climate & Energy Costs: A new UNSW report says Pacific nations—including Vanuatu—could save nearly $1b a year by replacing diesel with renewables, freeing money for schools and hospitals. Outer-Island Transport: A call is growing for safer, more regular sea and air services for TAFEA outer islands, after recent boat incidents highlighted how transport limits access to health, education, markets, and cultural life. Gender & Media in Politics: MP Marie Louise Milne shared her political journey and pushed for fair, accurate, professional media coverage of women leaders. Regional Ocean Stewardship: Pacific civil society and leaders in Suva urged stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, rejecting deep-sea mining and rising militarisation. Labour Mobility Workshop: Trade union reps across the Pacific met in Vanuatu to tackle workers’ challenges under New Zealand seasonal work and Australia’s PALM schemes, including reintegration support.

Church & Culture: Fiji’s Methodist Church leaders are urging ministers to use yaqona (kava) with more discipline, warning excessive consumption is harming leadership and pushing some members away—an issue that matters across the Pacific, including Vanuatu. Gender & Media: Vanuatu’s only female MP, Marie Louise Milne, shared her political journey and called for fair, accurate, professional media coverage of women leaders so debate stays on policy, not personality. Health & Food Systems: A Pacific “global syndemic” lens highlights how climate change, undernutrition and obesity are colliding—while Pacific leaders meet to reshape health priorities for children and communities. Climate Adaptation (Blue Pacific): The Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE project launched in Fiji to back nature-based solutions in Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati, with women, youth and people with disabilities leading ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods. Outer-Island Life: A Vanuatu academic is calling for safer, more regular transport for TAFEA’s outer islands after recent boat incidents threaten access to health care, education, markets and cultural connection. Mobility & Visas: The U.S. Visa Bond Programme is set to keep Vanuatu included, with the U.S. embassy saying it targets overstays and improves screening.

Global Health & Food Security: Pacific leaders are urged to treat climate change, undernutrition and obesity as one “global syndemic,” as health ministers meet in the Cook Islands to tackle stunting, wasting and rising overweight linked to imported ultra-processed foods. Women in Politics & Media: Vanuatu’s only female MP, Marie Louise Milne, shares her political journey and calls for fair, accurate, professional media coverage of women leaders so debate stays on policies, not gender. Outer-Island Transport: A Vanuatu academic warns that recent boat incidents in TAFEA should push government to improve safer, more regular and reliable air and sea links—because transport affects health care, schooling, markets and cultural life. Climate Adaptation (Regional): Fiji is leading a $11.8m Pacific project, Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE, putting women, youth and people with disabilities at the centre of nature-based solutions across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati. Ocean Governance: Pacific civil society and leaders call for stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, rejecting deep-sea mining and warning against militarisation and external pressure. Sports (Kids’ Athletics): A regional kids’ athletics training push is underway, with Vanuatu among participants learning grassroots methods to get children moving early. US Visa Bonds (Vanuatu): The US Embassy in Port Moresby defends permanently including Vanuatu in the US Visa Bond Programme, saying it targets overstays and document screening gaps.

Vanuatu Citizenship & Tax Talk: A new investor-focused piece highlights Vanuatu’s “no tax” approach on worldwide income, capital gains, inheritance and wealth, alongside a streamlined citizenship-by-investment pathway that still requires due diligence, proof of lawful funds, an oath and in-person biometrics. US Visa Bonds & Overstay Pressure: The US Embassy for Vanuatu says visa bonds are meant to enforce immigration rules and cut overstays, with the bond cap reaching US$20,000; the move follows reporting that Vanuatu is permanently included in the programme. Women in Politics & Media: MP Marie Louise Milne shares her political journey and urges fair, accurate, professional media coverage for women leaders, arguing reporting should focus on policy, not gender. Presidential Pardons Explained: Former President Pastor Tallis Obed Moses discusses how Vanuatu’s pardon process worked in his term, stressing Correctional Services screening, committee review and the seriousness of crimes like rape and murder. Outer-Island Transport Reality: A call to improve safer, more regular maritime and air services for TAFEA’s outer islands links transport gaps to access for health care, education, markets and cultural life. Pacific Ocean Protection Push: Civil society and leaders in Suva back stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, rejecting deep-sea mining and warning against militarisation and external pressure. Climate Action, With Inclusion: Fiji’s Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE project launches across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati, putting women, youth and people with disabilities at the centre of nature-based adaptation. Culture & Travel Glimpses: A travel/culture roundup includes a spotlight on Yakel life in Tanna, plus cruise and expedition tourism updates across the South Pacific.

US Visa Bonds: Vanuatu is among Pacific countries permanently hit by the US Visa Bond Programme, with bonds that can reach US$20,000 for B1/B2 applicants—aimed at cutting overstays, and raising fresh anxiety for travellers. Women in Politics & Media: Vanuatu’s only female MP, Marie Louise Milne, shared her political journey and urged fair, accurate, professional media coverage for women leaders. Presidential Pardons: Former President Tallis Obed Moses explained how Vanuatu’s pardon process worked—starting with Correctional Services, then screening committees, Parliament and churches—plus why he treated serious sexual offences as too grave for release. Outer-Island Transport: A call is growing for safer, more regular sea and air services for TAFEA’s outer islands, after recent boat tragedies highlighted how transport affects health, education, markets and cultural ties. Climate & Inclusion: The Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE project launched in Fiji with a regional push across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati, putting women, youth and people with disabilities at the centre of nature-based climate adaptation. Pacific Heritage & Learning: Kids’ athletics training is spreading through the region, with Vanuatu among participants in grassroots coaching aimed at getting children moving early. Culture on Screen: A new film spotlights Tanna’s Yakel tribe—traditional life, culture and social rules—bringing a rarely seen Vanuatu world to viewers.

Immigration & Fraud: A U.S. Justice Department case alleges a decade-long sham marriage network arranging 1,000+ fake weddings to help foreign nationals—linked to Vanuatu among other places—gain immigration status, with 11 charged. Local Governance & Gender: Vanuatu’s MP Marie Louise Milne shares her political journey and urges fair, accurate media coverage for women leaders, saying reporting should focus on policy, not gender. Citizenship & Identity: A guide breaks down how Vanuatu citizenship-by-investment works, from eligibility checks and due diligence to the oath and in-person biometrics. Outer-Island Life: A call to improve safer, more regular transport for TAFEA’s outer islands highlights how boat and air gaps hit health care, education, markets, and cultural connection. Culture & Travel: Luxury cruise operator Silversea sets sail on its 77-day Grand South Pacific Expedition 2026, with stops across the region including the South Pacific. Regional Ocean Stewardship: Pacific civil society and leaders push for stronger Pacific control of ocean decisions, rejecting deep-sea mining and warning against militarisation. Climate & Inclusion: Fiji leads a $11.8m Pacific climate resilience push (Kiwa CIRCLE) putting women, youth, and people with disabilities at the centre of nature-based adaptation across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Kiribati.

Presidential Pardon Debate: Former Vanuatu President Pastor Tallis Obed Moses explains how the pardon process worked in his term—starting with Correctional Services, then an advisory committee, Parliament and church roles—plus why he treated crimes like rape, murder and serious sexual offences as too serious for pardon. Women in Politics & Media: MP Marie Louise Milne shares her political journey and urges fair, accurate, professional media coverage for women leaders, so public debate stays focused on policies. Love Scam Crackdown: A major online love-scam syndicate bust in Malaysia led to 21 arrests, including foreign nationals, highlighting how scam networks operate across borders. Citizenship by Investment: A guide breaks down Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment pathway, from due diligence and lawful funds checks to the oath and in-person biometrics. Outer-Island Transport: A call for safer, more regular sea and air services in TAFEA’s outer islands links transport reliability to access for health, education, markets and cultural life. Ocean Protection Push: Pacific civil society and leaders demand stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, rejecting deep-sea mining and warning against militarisation and external pressure. Climate Inclusion in the Pacific: The Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE project launches in Fiji with nature-based solutions led by women, youth and people with disabilities across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati. Education Access: Parents criticise census gaps for not listing home education, arguing it’s a growing, legitimate option.

Citizenship & Compliance: Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment route is marketed as fast and direct, but the process still hinges on eligibility checks, proof of lawful funds, due diligence, an oath, and in-person biometrics—so applicants are urged to prepare documents early to avoid delays. Outer-Island Life: A Vanuatu academic says recent boat incidents in TAFEA should push government to improve safer, more regular transport for places like Aniwa, Futuna and Erromango—because unreliable travel blocks health care, education, markets and cultural ties. Labour Mobility: Pacific trade unions are running a week-long Vanuatu workshop on workers’ experiences under New Zealand seasonal work and Australia’s PALM schemes, focusing on reintegration support and fixing problems faced at workplaces. Climate & Inclusion: Fiji is leading a $11.8m Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE project across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati, putting women, youth and people with disabilities at the centre of nature-based adaptation like mangrove restoration and resilient livelihoods. Health Lifestyle: A Fiji cardiologist warns cardiovascular disease is a major NCD killer, blaming modern diet and lifestyle shifts—like more canned and fried foods—on rising cases. Sport Foundations: Kids’ athletics training is spreading across the Pacific, with Vanuatu among participants learning grassroots methods to get children moving early.

Health & Lifestyle: A Fiji cardiologist says cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer linked to non-communicable disease, warning that people are shifting from traditional diets to more canned, preserved and fried foods. Labour & Migration: Trade unions across the Pacific are running a week-long Vanuatu workshop on workers’ experiences under New Zealand seasonal work and Australia’s PALM schemes, with a focus on reintegration support. Ocean Rights: Pacific civil society and leaders in Suva are calling for stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, pushing back on deep-sea mining and rising militarisation. Climate Adaptation (Vanuatu-linked): The Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE project launched in Fiji, with nature-based solutions and inclusive leadership for women, youth and people with disabilities across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati. Outer-Island Life: A Vanuatu academic says recent transport tragedies in TAFEA’s outer islands should drive safer, more regular sea and air services for access to health, education and culture. Culture & Sport: Solomon Islands is training teachers and coaches for kids’ athletics through World Athletics’ Kids’ program, with Vanuatu among participating countries. Travel & Identity: A Bangladeshi woman marks 185 countries visited, including Vanuatu in 2024, highlighting culture and heritage storytelling through travel. Immigration Scrutiny: US actions and raids this week include cases involving Vanuatu-linked nationals, from visa bond policy debates to fraud prosecutions tied to immigration status.

Ocean Stewardship: Pacific civil society and leaders meeting in Suva urged stronger Pacific control over ocean decisions, pushing back on deep-sea mining and rising militarisation, and framing the sea as central to identity, spirituality, culture and livelihoods. Labour Rights & Migration: A week-long Pacific workshop in Vanuatu brought trade unions together to tackle workers’ challenges under New Zealand seasonal work and Australia’s PALM schemes, with workers sharing frustrations and asking for better reintegration support. Outer-Island Transport: A call for safer, more regular sea and air services for TAFEA’s outer islands followed recent boat incidents, warning that unreliable transport blocks access to health care, education, markets and cultural links. Climate Inclusion: The Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE project launched in Fiji with women, youth and people with disabilities leading nature-based climate adaptation across Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati. Community Sport: Solomon Islands is training teachers and coaches through World Athletics Kids’ Athletics, with Vanuatu among the participants, to build grassroots athletics from early childhood. Visa Scrutiny: US and Pakistani enforcement actions this week highlighted visa and fraud crackdowns, including cases involving Vanuatu nationals and alleged sham marriages.