AGP Executive Report

COP31 Prep in the Pacific: World powers are sending delegates to Fiji and Tuvalu for Oct 5–8 talks to set the agenda for COP31 in Turkey, with Pacific leaders pushing for the 1.5°C target, better climate finance, and stronger ocean focus. Tuvalu’s Climate Sovereignty Message: In his Independence address, Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo said sea-level rise threatens livelihoods and sovereignty, but UN consensus on a sea-level rise declaration affirms continuity of statehood and maritime boundaries. Tuvalu Connectivity Boost: Tuvalu announced subsidised Fiji airfares (capped at $600 return) and upgrades to maritime links, aiming to make travel and essential services more affordable. Health Meets Climate: WHO’s Western Pacific director urged treating climate change as a health emergency, calling for climate and health financing to move together. Pandemic Preparedness Funding: WHO and partners unveiled a $35.99m Pandemic Fund-backed multi-country project for 12 Western Pacific states to strengthen surveillance and response. Historic Leadership Change: Tuvalu inaugurated its first woman Governor-General, Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma, as the country marks 48 years of independence.

Tuvalu–Fiji Connectivity: Tuvalu will cut the cost of travel and boost services, reserving eight seats on every Funafuti–Fiji flight for Tuvaluans at a capped subsidised fare of $600 return, with improved maritime links via the Niutao Boat Harbour and the MV Manu Sina. Pre-COP31 Focus: Pacific leaders are meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu ahead of COP31 to keep 1.5°C within reach, with Fiji stressing the region must be at the centre of climate decisions and communities represented in the process. Climate Diplomacy Pressure: A Reuters report says the pre-COP leaders’ gathering is struggling to attract many high-profile non-Pacific attendees, underlining concerns about global attention and priority. Tuvalu Governance Milestone: Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma was sworn in as Tuvalu’s first woman Governor-General, pledging a focus on empowering women. Sea-Level Legal Protection: Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo welcomed a UN Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise that affirms continuity of statehood and maritime rights under UNCLOS. Climate Justice Push: Pacific civil society issued the “Funafuti Call for Climate Justice,” demanding an end to new coal, oil and gas expansion and stronger loss-and-damage action. Climate Meets Health: WHO’s Pacific director urged treating climate change as a health emergency, calling for aligned climate and health financing.

Tuvalu Leadership Milestone: Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma was sworn in as Tuvalu’s first woman Governor-General, beginning a four-year term on the eve of Independence, with Prime Minister Feleti Teo calling it a historic moment and Hauma pledging a focus on empowering women. Sea-Level Rise & Sovereignty: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu’s PM pushed for decisive action as the UN endorsed a Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, reinforcing continuity of statehood and permanence of maritime boundaries; he also highlighted Funafuti’s coastal adaptation gains, reclaiming 15.3 hectares with another 10 hectares underway. Climate Finance Push: Pacific leaders and civil society backed faster, fairer climate funding ahead of Pre-COP31, including calls for climate and health to be treated together and for grants at the scale needed for loss and damage. Pre-COP31 Media & Diplomacy: A regional media push will broadcast Pacific climate stories across 30 TV channels, while Tuvalu and Fiji/Australia prepare for ministerial and leaders’ events in early October. Climate Justice Messaging: Pacific civil society issued the “Funafuti Call for Climate Justice,” demanding an end to new coal, oil and gas expansion and stronger Pacific control over climate decisions.

Tuvalu leadership milestone: Tuvalu has appointed its first woman Governor-General, Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma, sworn in on the eve of Independence and set to begin a four-year term, with Prime Minister Feleti Teo calling it a historic step and Hauma pledging a focus on empowering women. Sea-level rise and sovereignty: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo backed the new UN Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, stressing continuity of statehood and maritime rights, while also highlighting practical adaptation—15.3 hectares reclaimed on Funafuti so far, with more underway. Climate justice push: Pacific civil society groups in Tuvalu issued “The Funafuti Call for Climate Justice,” demanding an end to new coal, oil and gas expansion and stronger loss-and-damage action ahead of Pre-COP31 and COP31. Pacific finance pressure: Pacific leaders met UN chief António Guterres to press for climate finance scale-up, including the Pacific Resilience Facility target of US$500 million by end-2026. Climate-health link: WHO’s Pacific regional director urged treating climate change as a health emergency, calling for aligned climate and health financing and more resilient facilities. Film and storytelling: A Tuvalu blackbirding history documentary, “The Stolen Laevans of Tuvalu,” is set for international festival screenings, connecting past displacement to today’s climate risks.

Tuvalu at UNGA: Prime Minister Feleti Teo told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is “a present reality” and highlighted Tuvalu’s coastal adaptation work, reclaiming 15.3 hectares of elevated, flood-free land on Funafuti with another 10 hectares in progress, while welcoming a new UN Political Declaration that protects continuity of statehood and maritime boundaries. Climate justice push: Pacific civil society groups, including Tuvalu-linked voices, issued “The Funafuti Call for Climate Justice” ahead of Pre-COP31 and COP31, demanding an end to new coal, oil and gas expansion, stronger loss-and-damage action, and Pacific control over climate decisions. Health and climate link: WHO’s Pacific director said climate change must be treated as a health emergency, calling for aligned climate and health financing and climate-resilient health services. Women in water decisions: Pacific advocates warned that excluding women from decision-making is driving gendered climate and water impacts, urging women’s voices in water governance before COP31. Fossil-fuel transition planning: Tuvalu and Ireland set out a shared vision for a 2027 conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, framing it as energy security, economic resilience and sovereignty. Tuvalu leadership milestone: Tuvalu swore in its first woman Governor-General, Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma, on the eve of Independence.

Film & Heritage: A new documentary, The Stolen Laevans of Tuvalu, tracing Nukulaelae’s 1863 blackbirding raid, is set for international film festivals after an emotional premiere—linking forced displacement to today’s climate-driven risks. Climate Media Push: Pasifika TV, with SPREP, will broadcast Pacific Climate Change Week across 30 TV channels, then cover pre-COP31 events in Fiji and Tuvalu, aiming to amplify local solutions and voices. Health Meets Climate: WHO’s Pacific director says climate change must be treated as a health emergency, calling for climate and health financing to be aligned and health facilities made climate-resilient. Sea-Level Rise & Statehood: Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo welcomed a UN Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, stressing continuity of statehood and maritime rights; Tuvalu is also reclaiming 15.3 hectares on Funafuti with more underway. Fossil-Fuel Transition: Tuvalu and Ireland outlined a 2027 “pathways to delivery” vision for transitioning away from fossil fuels, framing it as energy security and economic resilience. Climate Finance Pressure: Pacific leaders pressed UN chief António Guterres to turn climate promises into action, including the Pacific Resilience Facility push toward US$500m by end-2026. Gender & Water Decisions: Research highlights women’s exclusion from water decision-making as a root cause of wider climate impacts, urging stronger inclusion ahead of COP31. Labour Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme confirmed eligible countries for work placements, including Tuvalu—opening a legal route for Pacific workers into Australian jobs.

Sea-Level Rise Legal Win: The UN General Assembly approved a Declaration on Sea Level Rise, affirming the “presumption in favour of continued statehood” and protecting maritime zones and UN membership even if land becomes uninhabitable. Tuvalu Adaptation & Sovereignty: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the UN the country is already reclaiming elevated land—15.3 hectares on Funafuti, with 10 more underway—and welcomed the declaration as a safeguard for nationhood and maritime rights. Climate Finance Push: Pacific leaders met UN chief António Guterres to press for climate adaptation funding, including the Pacific Resilience Facility target of US$500m by end-2026. Fossil-Fuel Transition Planning: Tuvalu and Ireland outlined a 2027 co-hosted conference vision to move from “pathways to delivery,” framing the shift as energy security, economic resilience and sovereignty. Water, Food & Gender: Pacific advocates urged women’s full voice in water decisions ahead of COP31, while a UNGA-side push highlighted water-secure agriculture as a resilience and food-security priority. Pacific Media Accountability: Editors adopted a Savusavu Loss and Damage declaration calling for better access to loss-and-damage information and stronger reporting on non-economic harms. Labour Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme confirmed 10 eligible Pacific countries, including Tuvalu, for legal work placements.

West Papua at the UN: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to be allowed into West Papua for independent verification, calling it a transparency test while respecting Indonesia’s sovereignty. Sea-level rise protections: The UN General Assembly adopted a Declaration on Sea Level Rise, backing the “presumption in favour of continued statehood” and preserving maritime zones even if land becomes uninhabitable—an issue Tuvalu and other island states have pushed hard. Tuvalu’s adaptation and sovereignty: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the UN that sea-level rise is already “a present reality,” citing 15.3 hectares reclaimed on Funafuti and welcoming the UN declaration as a legal safeguard for nationhood and maritime rights. Fossil-fuel transition planning: Tuvalu and Ireland set out a 2027 vision for a conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, framing it as energy security, economic resilience, and sovereignty—not just emissions cuts. Climate finance push: Pacific leaders met UN chief António Guterres to press for climate finance scale-up, including the Pacific Resilience Facility target of US$500m by end-2026. Water, gender and climate justice: Pacific advocates say women’s exclusion from water decisions drives wider climate impacts; research calls for stronger gender justice in water and climate planning. Media accountability on loss and damage: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding better access to loss-and-damage information and stronger public-interest scrutiny.

Climate Policy & Finance: Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo urged decisive global action at the UN General Assembly, welcoming a new UN Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise that affirms continuity of statehood and maritime rights, while Tuvalu also reported reclaiming 15.3 hectares of flood-free land on Funafuti and pushing digital tools to safeguard sovereignty. Energy Transition: Tuvalu and Ireland outlined a “From Pathways to Delivery” vision for a 2027 conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, framing it as energy security, economic resilience and sovereignty—not just emissions cuts. Water, Food & Resilience: Pacific leaders and partners are pushing water-secure agriculture and implementation-focused planning, as climate pressures intensify and El Niño strains water security. Media & Accountability: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, calling for better access to loss-and-damage information and stronger reporting on economic and non-economic harms. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed PALM eligibility for 10 Pacific countries including Tuvalu, opening legal work placements to address labour shortages. Regional Diplomacy: Pacific leaders pressed the UN on climate finance targets and the Pacific Resilience Facility, while Tonga warned the Pacific must not become a staging ground for major-power rivalry.

UN Sea-Level Declaration: World leaders unanimously approved a UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise, backing a “presumption in favour of continued statehood” and continuity of maritime rights even if coastlines become uninhabitable, after UN warnings that sea levels rose 6mm in 2024 and could rise half a metre by 2100. Tuvalu at UNGA: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the UN the Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise is “monumental,” while stressing Tuvalu is acting now—reclaiming 15.3 hectares of flood-free land on Funafuti with another 10 hectares underway. Climate finance push: Pacific leaders pressed UN chief António Guterres for faster delivery on the Pacific Resilience Facility, targeting US$500m by end-2026, and called for grants at scale rather than loans. Media accountability: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding timely access to loss-and-damage information and stronger support for journalists. COP31 setup: COP31 in Antalya will be led by Türkiye with Australia overseeing negotiations, with Fiji hosting a pre-COP in October (Oct 5–8) to shape what gets negotiated. Energy transition planning: Tuvalu and Ireland outlined a 2027 “Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels” conference vision focused on pathways to delivery for small island energy security.

Sea-Level Rise Statehood Declaration: World leaders unanimously approved a UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise, affirming countries should not automatically lose statehood, sovereignty, or UN membership when rising seas make territory uninhabitable, and that maritime zones should remain stable. Tuvalu’s Climate Push: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the UN that sea-level rise is a “present reality,” citing coastal land reclamation on Funafuti and calling for climate finance as grants at scale for unavoidable impacts and loss and damage. Pacific Media on Loss & Damage: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, pledging stronger, more accurate reporting on economic, cultural, and social harms already affecting communities. Fossil Fuel Transition Planning: Ireland and Tuvalu agreed to co-host a 2027 international “Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels” conference, aiming to turn pathways into practical, time-lined action. Labour Mobility Update: Australia confirmed the 10 PALM scheme eligible countries, including Tuvalu, opening legal work placements to address labour shortages. Regional Diplomacy: Tonga used UNGA to call for UN and financial-system reform, stronger Pacific climate action, and ocean protection, warning the Pacific must not become a staging ground for major-power rivalry.

Climate Finance & Reform: Tonga’s PM Lord Fakafanua used UNGA to push reform of the UN and the global financial system, calling for faster, accessible funding and technology for Small Island Developing States, with climate and ocean protection at the core. Sea-Level Rise Legal Shield: World leaders unanimously backed a UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise, affirming countries can keep statehood, sovereignty, UN membership and maritime zones even if land becomes uninhabitable. Tuvalu’s Adaptation Push: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told UNGA sea-level rise is “present reality,” citing coastal adaptation that reclaimed 15.3 hectares on Funafuti and urging climate finance as scaled grants to address loss and damage. Pacific Security & Geopolitics: Fakafanua warned the Pacific must not become a staging ground for military escalation or major-power rivalry, while regional leaders also urged stronger reporting on climate loss and damage. Work & Mobility: Australia confirmed the 10 countries eligible for its PALM labour mobility scheme, including Tuvalu, supporting legal work placements amid regional labour needs.

Sea-Level Sovereignty: UN members unanimously adopted a new Declaration on Sea Level Rise, affirming that countries should not automatically lose statehood, sovereignty, or UN membership when rising seas make territory uninhabitable, and that maritime zones should remain stable as coastlines change. Tuvalu at UNGA: Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo told the UN that sea-level rise is “a present reality,” citing Funafuti coastal adaptation that has reclaimed 15.3 hectares of elevated land, and urged climate finance as grants at scale. Climate Finance Push: Pacific leaders used UNGA to argue climate funding is about justice, not charity, and called for accessible, predictable, grant-based support rather than loans. Just Transition Planning: Tuvalu and Ireland formalised plans for a 2027 conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, aiming to turn “pathways” into delivery. Water & Food Resilience: UAE climate officials convened a UNGA-side ministerial dialogue linking water security to agricultural production and food security. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed PALM eligibility for 10 Pacific countries including Tuvalu, opening legal work placement pathways. Regional Media Commitments: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Declaration, pledging stronger reporting on economic and non-economic harms already affecting communities.

Sea-Level Sovereignty Push: World leaders unanimously approved a UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise, backing the “presumption in favour of continued statehood” and protecting maritime rights even if coastlines change—an issue Tuvalu and other low-lying states have been pressing hard at UNGA81. Tuvalu at UNGA81: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo told the Assembly sea-level rise is “present reality,” citing Funafuti coastal adaptation that has reclaimed 15.3 hectares and calling for climate finance as grants at scale to cover loss and damage. Climate Finance & Media Accountability: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, urging stronger reporting on economic, cultural and social harms beyond just financial losses. Fossil Fuel Transition Planning: Tuvalu and Ireland outlined plans for a 2027 fossil fuel transition conference, framing the shift as energy security and economic resilience. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed PALM eligibility for 10 countries including Tuvalu, opening legal work placements to help address labour shortages.

Sea-Level Diplomacy: World leaders at UNGA81 approved a UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise, backing the “presumption in favour of continued statehood” for countries losing territory and urging support for affected communities. Tuvalu in the Spotlight: Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas met France’s Emmanuel Macron at the Rising Nations Gala in New York, as the Rising Nations Institute pushes commitments toward practical action on rising seas. Climate Finance Push: Fiji was selected to pilot COP31’s Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE), aimed at turning climate plans into finance-ready projects; meanwhile, Pacific leaders including Tuvalu’s Matthew Cooper Wale called for more accessible, predictable, grant-based funding. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed the 10 PALM eligible countries for work placements, including Tuvalu, with legal pathways to address Australian labour shortages. Regional Partnerships: India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired FIPIC talks with Tuvalu and other Pacific ministers, focusing on renewable energy, climate action, disaster resilience, healthcare and capacity building. Digital & AI Concerns: A Pacific-focused discussion highlighted protecting Indigenous knowledge as AI connectivity grows.

COP31 Project Pipeline: Fiji has been picked as one of five pilot countries for the COP31 “Climate Implementation Bridge” (BRIDGE), aimed at turning climate plans into finance-ready projects, with UNDP support and a focus on building capacity ahead of Pre-COP in Fiji and Tuvalu. Sea-Level Sovereignty: The UN General Assembly adopted a declaration backing the “presumption in favour of continued statehood” for countries losing territory to rising seas, protecting UN membership and sovereign rights while urging support for affected communities. Tuvalu in the Climate Spotlight: Fiji’s “Ocean of Peace” push for stronger sea-level-rise action and climate finance is set to be taken to the UNGA, with Tuvalu and Australia hosting Pre-COP31 leaders’ events in early October. Pacific Finance Pressure: Pacific leaders, including Solomon Islands’ Matthew Wale, are calling for more accessible, predictable, grant-based climate funding as impacts mount. Regional Diplomacy & Energy: India-Pacific talks under FIPIC in New York reaffirmed cooperation on renewables, climate action, disaster resilience, healthcare and capacity building, while Pacific envoys carried priorities to UNGA and New York Climate Week. Labour Mobility: Australia released the full PALM eligibility list, including Tuvalu, reinforcing skills, income and remittances for Pacific workers. Identity Update: Naoero (formerly Nauru) officially changed its name at the UN, reclaiming traditional pronunciation and identity.