AGP Executive Report

Energy Security: Kiribati is set to receive a US$12.77 million grant from the Asian Development Bank as part of a US$40.1 million package for Kiribati, Tonga and Tuvalu. The assistance will help cushion the cost of imported fuel and support essential services as global fuel prices rise. Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs have endorsed the constitution of PACPOL, formalising a new regional framework for policing cooperation. Kiribati was among the countries represented at the chiefs’ conference. Accountability: Pacific journalists, including those in Kiribati, can apply for one of six US$2,500 grants to investigate corruption, abuse of power and other governance issues. Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for Pacific conservation work, including efforts to identify and protect important marine habitats in Kiribati.

Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs endorsed PACPOL on Oct. 14, establishing a regional cooperation framework; Kiribati was among the participating members. Public-Interest Reporting: A new J-PACT call offers six US$2,500 grants for Pacific journalists investigating corruption, accountability and governance. Kiribati reporters are eligible. Climate and Energy: The ADB approved US$12.77 million for Kiribati to manage fuel-price volatility and strengthen energy security. Separately, the Pacific Community reported US$129.9 million in new climate-finance approvals for regional projects, including support for tuna-dependent communities. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for conservation across five Pacific nations, including Kiribati, to help identify and protect important marine habitats. Nikumaroro Search: Researchers are using sonar and other equipment to examine the Taraia Object in Kiribati’s lagoon, a possible clue in the Amelia Earhart mystery. The team has yet to confirm what it is.

Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs, including Kiribati, endorsed the constitution establishing PACPOL, a new regional policing body. Papua New Guinea’s police commissioner was elected chair, with Tuvalu’s commissioner as deputy. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community reported US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals for 2025, including a major project to help tuna-dependent communities adapt to climate change. Sea-Level Diplomacy: Pacific nations welcomed the UN’s first sea-level rise declaration but warned it lacks sufficient protections on maritime boundaries, statehood, human rights and climate action. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank approved a US$12.77 million grant for Kiribati to help manage fuel-price volatility and its effects on essential services and households. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for conservation across five Pacific nations, including support to identify and protect important marine habitats in Kiribati.

Climate Funding: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate finance approvals in 2025, including support for tuna-dependent communities adapting to climate change. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is directing more than US$25 million to conservation work across five Pacific countries, including Kiribati, to help identify and protect important ocean habitats. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank approved US$12.77 million for Kiribati to help manage fuel-price volatility and its effects on essential services and household costs. Rising Seas: Pacific nations welcomed the UN’s sea-level rise declaration but warned it falls short on maritime boundaries, statehood, climate finance and emissions cuts. They urged stronger practical protections for vulnerable island states.

Sea-Level Diplomacy: Pacific representatives say the UN’s first sea-level rise declaration lacks strong protections for maritime boundaries, statehood and climate finance. They warned that consensus must lead to practical action. Regional Cybersecurity: The US says China-linked hackers accessed an unnamed Suva-based regional organization’s network for several days. The embassy, which covers Kiribati, notified Fiji and the organization and offered security advice. Energy Costs: The Asian Development Bank approved US$40.1 million for Kiribati, Tonga and Tuvalu to manage fuel-price volatility, including US$12.77 million for Kiribati. Climate Resilience: Australia announced US$3 million for Pacific infrastructure projects, including protection for the East Micronesia Cable landing site at Nanikaai, Tarawa. Fisheries Outlook: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna grounds and fishing activity into 2027, while bringing warmer seas and possible flooding risks for Kiribati.

Sea-Level Diplomacy: Pacific representatives welcomed the UN’s first sea-level rise declaration but warned it lacks strong protections on maritime boundaries, statehood, climate finance and emissions cuts. Cybersecurity: The US says China-linked hackers accessed an unnamed Suva-based regional organization for several days; the embassy, which covers Kiribati, notified Fiji and the organization and offered security advice. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank approved US$12.77 million for Kiribati to help manage fuel-price volatility and protect essential services and households. Climate Resilience: Australia announced funding for Pacific infrastructure, including the East Micronesia Cable landing site in Nanikaai, Tarawa.

Nikumaroro Search: A 17-member team has arrived at Kiribati’s Nikumaroro atoll to investigate a submerged shape that may be Amelia Earhart’s plane. Any wreckage recovery would require further government approval. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank has approved US$12.77 million for Kiribati to help manage fuel price volatility and protect households from rising energy costs. Climate Justice: Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing called for climate finance to be treated as reparation, not aid, and pointed to Kiribati’s KiriLEAD programme to strengthen community groups seeking funding. Infrastructure Resilience: Australia’s A$3 million regional project includes protection for the East Micronesia Cable landing site in Nanikaai, Tarawa, as climate impacts threaten critical infrastructure.

Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank has approved US$12.77 million for Kiribati, part of a US$40.1 million package for three Pacific nations to manage fuel-price shocks and protect households from rising energy and living costs. Climate Finance: At regional climate talks, Kiribati Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing said vulnerable nations should claim climate funding as reparation, and called for stronger community groups to deliver projects. Resilient Infrastructure: Australia’s US$3 million Pacific programme includes protection for the East Micronesia undersea cable landing site in Tarawa. Nikumaroro Search: A research team including Kiribati representatives has reached the remote atoll to investigate a submerged object that may be Amelia Earhart’s plane; any recovery would require further Kiribati government approval.

Football Milestone: Kiribati’s men’s team won its first international title, beating Fiji’s Seaqaqa FC 6-1 in the IDC final. Nikumaroro Search: A 17-member expedition, including Kiribati representatives, is nearing the atoll to inspect a submerged object that may be Amelia Earhart’s plane. The government approved the survey; recovering any wreckage would require further authorization. Climate Finance: Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing urged Pacific nations to claim climate funding as reparation, and said Kiribati’s KiriLEAD programme is building the capacity of community groups to deliver projects. Fisheries Outlook: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and disrupt fishing across the Pacific into 2027, with consequences for Kiribati’s fisheries and economy. Coastal Protection: Australia is investing A$3 million in Pacific infrastructure resilience, including protection for the East Micronesia Cable landing site at Nanikaai, Tarawa.

Nikumaroro Search: A Purdue-led team is due to investigate a mysterious lagoon object at Nikumaroro that may be Amelia Earhart’s plane. Kiribati approved the expedition, which plans to use sonar and other equipment to examine the site. Climate Finance: Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing urged Pacific nations to treat climate funding as reparation, not charity, and said Kiribati’s KiriLEAD programme could help community groups deliver local projects. Tuna and El Niño: A very strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and disrupt fishing across the Pacific into 2027, threatening a vital source of income for island nations. Kiribati may also face flooding and warmer seas. Coastal Infrastructure: Australia is putting A$3 million toward climate-resilient infrastructure across four Pacific countries, including protection for the East Micronesia cable landing site in Tarawa. Marine Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is backing work in Kiribati to identify priority marine habitats and strengthen oversight, as part of more than US$25 million for Pacific conservation.

Fisheries and El Niño: A very strong El Niño could disrupt tuna grounds and catches across the Pacific into 2027. Kiribati faces warmer seas and possible flooding, adding pressure on fisheries and the economy. Kiribati Expedition: A US-led team has sailed from Tarawa to search Nikumaroro for Amelia Earhart’s missing plane. The expedition’s departure had been delayed while it awaited Kiribati government approval. Climate Finance: Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing is urging a funding mechanism that reimburses island states after urgent protection works, arguing that slow finance processes cannot keep pace with coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and king tides. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund has allocated more than US$25 million to Pacific marine projects, including support for Kiribati to identify priority habitats and strengthen maritime oversight. Critical Infrastructure: Australia’s US$3 million regional resilience package includes protection for the East Micronesia Cable landing site at Nanikaai, Tarawa.

Pacific Diplomacy: China is shifting its Pacific aid from large infrastructure loans to smaller, more frequent grants, a strategy that may expand Beijing’s influence even as Australia remains the region’s biggest development-finance provider. Nikumaroro Expedition: A team of marine archaeologists has departed Tarawa aboard a Kiribati National Shipping Line vessel to investigate a lagoon object that may be Amelia Earhart’s missing plane. Kiribati government approval was needed for the expedition to proceed. Climate Finance: Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing urged Pacific leaders to seek climate funding as reparation and proposed a system that reimburses island states after urgent protection works are completed. She has highlighted losses in Kiribati, including damaged ancestral graves, food gardens and freshwater supplies. Infrastructure Resilience: Australia has allocated A$3 million for Pacific climate-resilience projects, including protection for the East Micronesia Cable landing site at Nanikaai, Tarawa.

Nikumaroro Search: A 17-member expedition sailed from Tarawa aboard a Kiribati National Shipping Line vessel to investigate a lagoon object that may be Amelia Earhart’s missing plane. Climate Finance: Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing is pressing Pacific leaders for a fund that reimburses island states after urgent protection projects are built, avoiding lengthy finance delays. She has also called for funding to recognize cultural losses, including damaged ancestral graves and gardens. Infrastructure: Australia’s $3 million Pacific resilience investment includes protection for the East Micronesia cable landing site in Nanikaai, Tarawa.

Nikumaroro Expedition: A 17-person team, including Kiribati representatives, has sailed from Tarawa aboard a Kiribati National Shipping Line vessel to investigate a possible clue to Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. The team is expected to reach the remote atoll on October 13. Climate Finance: At Pre-COP31 in Fiji, Kiribati Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing urged leaders to treat climate funding as reparation and proposed reimbursing island nations after they complete urgent protection works. She also highlighted losses beyond money, as king tides expose ancestral graves, damage food gardens and threaten cultural traditions. Infrastructure Resilience: Australia announced $3 million for Pacific climate-resilience projects, including protection for the East Micronesia undersea cable landing site in Tarawa.

Climate Loss and Damage: Kiribati Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing says climate finance must recognize losses beyond property damage, including grief, cultural identity and ancestral lands. King tides are exposing graves and destroying food gardens on Marakei. Climate Finance: Kiribati is urging Pacific leaders to back a system that reimburses island states after urgent protection work is completed, and Kwansing has argued climate funding should be treated as reparation, not aid. Infrastructure: Australia has announced $3 million for Pacific resilience projects, including protection for the East Micronesia Cable landing site at Nanikaai, Tarawa. Pacific Diplomacy: At Pre-COP31 in Fiji, leaders pressed wealthy nations to deliver more climate funding; Fiji pledged US$10 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility. Former Kiribati president Anote Tong welcomed renewed Australian focus on climate change, calling it the region’s biggest security concern.

Pacific Security: Former Kiribati president Anote Tong welcomed climate action in China’s proposed security deal with 10 Pacific nations, while Fiji’s attorney-general stressed that no country has signed it. Kiribati Infrastructure: Australia pledged A$3 million for climate-resilient infrastructure, including protection for the East Micronesia Cable landing site at Nanikaai, Tarawa. Climate Finance: Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing is urging Pacific leaders to back a fund that reimburses island nations after urgent climate-protection work is completed. At Pre-COP31, she also argued climate finance should be treated as reparation, not aid sought “cap in hand.”