AGP Executive Report

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: The UN’s International Seabed Authority extended a controversial exploration contract tied to Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) and again failed to finalise seabed mining rules, drawing fresh criticism over fairness and enforcement. Tuna Governance: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO) opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead sustainable tuna fisheries and ocean resource management, with applicants needing senior tuna and commercial leadership experience. Pacific Security: China’s missile activity and wider militarisation concerns continue to strain unity in the Pacific, even as leaders try to coordinate responses to ballistic testing. Regional Diplomacy: Fiji’s foreign minister says Pacific nations are pushing to strengthen their global voice through unity, including on security and development priorities. Missile Notice Push: A group of 41 countries urged at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range ballistic missile and space rocket launches to reduce miscalculation risks. Nauru-Area Missile Tensions: North Korea fired a ballistic missile ahead of major US-South Korea drills, underscoring how quickly testing schedules can become political signals. Health Data Spotlight: A new global diabetes ranking highlights how some countries—including Pacific nations—face very high prevalence, with diabetes projected to keep rising.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: The UN’s International Seabed Authority has extended a controversial deep-sea exploration contract tied to The Metals Company, again delaying the rules for commercial seabed mining—sparking fresh criticism over governance and enforcement. Pacific Fisheries Leadership: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) has opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to steer tuna fisheries management, boost governance, and strengthen member countries’ control over ocean resources. Regional Security Signals: North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the sea ahead of major US–South Korea drills, while 41 countries are pushing for at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range missile or rocket launches to reduce miscalculation. Nauru-Linked Missile Context: China’s Pacific missile activity continues to draw backlash, with Pacific leaders struggling to keep a united front on how to respond. Health Data Spotlight: A new global diabetes ranking highlights how some countries—including Pakistan and the Marshall Islands—face extremely high prevalence, underscoring uneven health burdens across the Pacific region. Pacific Diplomacy: Fiji’s foreign minister says the Pacific must stand together to strengthen its global voice, including on security and development priorities. Local Governance & Jobs: PNA’s CEO search and the ISA’s stalled rulemaking both point to how leadership and regulation decisions shape what happens next in the region’s oceans.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: The UN’s International Seabed Authority has extended a controversial exploration deal for The Metals Company via Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., but still hasn’t finalised the rules for commercial deep-sea mining—critics warn it sets a “dangerous precedent” and delays real safeguards. Fisheries Leadership: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) has opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to steer sustainable tuna fisheries and ocean resource management, with applicants needing senior tuna and commercial experience plus strong governance and diplomacy skills. Pacific Security & Missiles: Pacific leaders are reacting to missile activity in the region, including North Korea’s latest ballistic launch ahead of major US-South Korea drills, while a wider group of countries is pushing for at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range missile or rocket launches to reduce miscalculation. Regional Unity on Missile Testing: At a Suva foreign ministers meeting, Pacific states said they’re working to strengthen their global voice, and they clarified no one blocked a unified statement on China’s ballistic missile testing—just more time is needed to finalise wording. Diabetes Snapshot: A new global look at diabetes highlights how sharply rates vary by country, with Pakistan and several Pacific nations among the highest, underscoring a growing health challenge for the region.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: The UN’s International Seabed Authority has extended a controversial exploration contract tied to The Metals Company, again without finalising the rules for commercial seabed mining—raising fresh concerns about governance and compliance in the Pacific. Fisheries Leadership: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) has opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to steer sustainable tuna fisheries and ocean resource management, with a focus on governance, commercial performance, and strengthening member countries’ sovereign rights. Pacific Missile Tensions: North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the sea ahead of major US–South Korea drills, while a wider group of countries is pushing for at least 24 hours’ notice for long-range missile and rocket launches to reduce miscalculation risk. Regional Diplomacy: Pacific foreign ministers in Suva discussed strengthening the region’s global voice, including agreement to allow more time on wording around a statement on China’s ballistic missile testing. Health Data Spotlight: A new global look at diabetes highlights how rates vary sharply by country, with Pakistan and several Pacific nations among the highest—an urgent reminder for health planning across the region.

Pacific Security & Trade: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared a lengthy phone call with US President Donald Trump, discussing Pacific security, AUKUS, and new forced-labour-linked tariffs—Albanese asked for a full exemption under the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and Trump said he would “consider” it. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN seabed regulator ISA extended a controversial deep-sea exploration contract for The Metals Company via Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., but again delayed final rules for commercial seabed mining—critics warn it sets a “dangerous precedent.” Nauru Tuna Governance: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the PNA Office, with a focus on sustainable tuna fisheries, ocean resource management, and stronger governance. Missile Notice Push: 41 countries urged at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range ballistic missile and space rocket launches, citing risks after recent Pacific testing. Regional Missile Tensions: North Korea fired a ballistic missile ahead of major Seoul-Washington drills, with the timing seen as potentially political. Corporate Update: TMC released its second-quarter 2026 update, including liquidity of about $143m and ongoing US government funding processes tied to nodule processing and refining. Pacific Unity: Pacific foreign ministers in Suva backed a stronger regional voice, including on missile testing messaging.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: The UN International Seabed Authority has extended a controversial deep-sea exploration contract tied to Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI), renewing The Metals Company’s rights while still leaving key commercial mining rules unfinished—sparking renewed criticism over a “dangerous precedent” and rule-of-law concerns. Regional Fisheries Jobs: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) has opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the PNA Office, with a focus on sustainable tuna management, stronger governance, and boosting economic returns for member states. Pacific Unity & Security: Pacific foreign ministers in Suva discussed strengthening the region’s global voice, while also noting no single country blocked a statement on China’s ballistic missile testing—showing how diplomacy is staying busy alongside security tensions. Missile Notice Push: A group of 41 countries is urging at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range ballistic missile launches to reduce miscalculation risks, after recent Pacific testing activity. Corporate Update (Critical Metals): TMC reported its second-quarter 2026 results, including liquidity of about $143m and ongoing U.S. government funding processes tied to building nodule processing and refining capacity. Nauru-Linked Governance: A brief on judicial wellbeing highlights the UN’s recognition that judges’ wellbeing supports independence and effective justice—part of a wider push to modernize courts with a human focus.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: The UN’s International Seabed Authority extended a controversial exploration contract tied to Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., while still failing to finalise rules for commercial seabed mining—sparking fresh criticism over a “dangerous precedent” and rule-of-law concerns. Fisheries Leadership: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to steer sustainable tuna management, strengthen governance, and improve commercial performance for member states. Missile Safety & Diplomacy: 41 countries urged at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range ballistic missile and space rocket launches, after recent Pacific testing raised miscalculation risks. Regional Security Tension: North Korea fired another ballistic missile toward the sea ahead of major US-South Korea drills, with timing seen as potentially political. Pacific Regional Voice: Fiji’s foreign minister said Pacific nations are aligning to strengthen their global influence, including on missile-testing statements. Climate Shipping Policy: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu pushed the IMO to treat the Net-Zero Fund as a “functional requirement,” reserving at least 51% of revenue for fair transition support.

Missile Safety Diplomacy: 41 countries, including Japan and South Korea, are urging at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range ballistic missile and space rocket launches, saying recent Pacific tests lacked proper deconfliction details. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN seabed mining regulator (ISA) has extended a controversial exploration contract for Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., while still failing to finalise rules for commercial mining—sparking renewed criticism from observers. Shipping Emissions Funding: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu say the IMO Net-Zero Fund is a “functional requirement” for mid-term shipping cuts, arguing it must be built alongside fuel and technology guidelines. Regional Tech & Growth: A Pacific-focused piece highlights how AI and Digital Public Infrastructure could help island states navigate digital transformation for more inclusive growth. Ocean Governance Jobs: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) has opened applications for a new CEO to lead tuna fisheries and ocean resource management, with a strong push on sustainability and governance. Pacific Unity on Security: Pacific foreign ministers discussed strengthening the region’s global voice, while also allowing more time to negotiate wording on China’s ballistic missile testing.

Missile safety push: 41 countries, including Japan and South Korea, are urging at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range ballistic missile or space rocket launches, saying better warning would cut the risk of miscalculation—especially after Pacific-area tests that didn’t follow common notification practices. Deep-sea mining rules stalled: The UN’s International Seabed Authority extended a controversial exploration contract tied to Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., but again failed to finalise rules for commercial seabed mining, drawing criticism over precedent and enforcement. Nauru-linked fisheries leadership: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to steer sustainable tuna management and ocean resource governance across member states. Pacific unity on security messaging: Pacific leaders say they’re working toward a unified stance on ballistic missile testing, with wording still being negotiated. Shipping climate finance: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu argue the IMO Net-Zero Fund is essential for fair mid-term shipping emissions measures, calling it the “singular guarantee” the transition won’t leave small states behind. Identity update: Nauru is moving forward with the constitutional change to use “Naoero” as its official name, with the referendum plan dropped.

Regional Security: China’s nuclear-capable missile test in the Pacific sparked backlash across the region, with Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister calling it “totally inappropriate” and China urging others not to “over-interpret” the move. Pacific Diplomacy: Pacific leaders at the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suva pushed for stronger regional unity, while saying no country blocked a unified statement on China’s ballistic missile testing—just more time was needed on wording. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN’s International Seabed Authority extended a controversial exploration contract tied to Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., but again failed to finalise commercial mining rules, drawing criticism over a “dangerous precedent.” Nauru Identity & Governance: Nauru officially became the Republic of Naoero, with the constitutional change now in effect after a planned referendum was dropped. Fisheries Leadership: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement opened applications for a new CEO to lead sustainable tuna fisheries and ocean resource management. AI & Jobs: A World Bank report warns high-income countries face the highest exposure to AI job displacement. Shipping Emissions Funding: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu urged IMO to treat the Net-Zero Fund as essential for a just transition in mid-term shipping emissions cuts.

Pacific Security: China’s nuclear-capable missile test drew fresh backlash after Fiji and Australia locked in a major defense deal, with critics saying the move undermines regional stability and unity. Fisheries Jobs: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead tuna fisheries and ocean resource management, with applicants needing senior tuna and commercial leadership experience. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: The UN seabed regulator (ISA) extended a controversial deep-sea mining exploration contract for Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., while again delaying final commercial mining rules—sparking “rule of law” concerns. Nauru Identity & Governance: Nauru officially became the Republic of Naoero, dropping a planned referendum as the name is framed as already part of national identity and constitutional arrangements. AI & Work: A World Bank report warns AI job risk is far higher in high-income countries than in lower-income economies, raising automation pressure on knowledge-heavy sectors. Pacific Climate Shipping: Six Pacific states, including Nauru, urged the IMO Net-Zero Fund as a “functional requirement” for mid-term shipping emissions cuts. Regional Diplomacy: Pacific leaders pushed for stronger regional unity at foreign ministers’ talks, including agreement to keep negotiating wording on a missile-testing statement.

Deep-sea mining rules: The UN’s International Seabed Authority has extended a controversial exploration contract for Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI), a subsidiary of Canada’s The Metals Company, but again failed to finalise the commercial mining rules—sparking fresh criticism over a “dangerous precedent” and the regulator’s ability to enforce compliance. Pacific climate finance for shipping: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are pushing the IMO’s Net-Zero Fund as a “functional requirement” for mid-term shipping emissions cuts, arguing at least 51% of revenue must support a just transition for small states. Nauru identity update: Nauru has officially become the Republic of Naoero, with the constitutional change now in effect and a planned referendum dropped—framing it as restoring an indigenous name rather than a new label. AI and jobs risk: A World Bank report finds high-income countries face more AI-driven job displacement risk than lower-income economies, with 14.2% of jobs in high-income settings highly exposed to automation. Governance and tech in anti-corruption: BRICS delegates in Hyderabad called for stronger cross-border cooperation and more technological integration to tackle corruption and fugitives. Fisheries leadership: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO) is recruiting a CEO to lead tuna management and ocean resource governance.

Pacific diplomacy: Fiji’s foreign minister says Pacific Forum members are aligning on a united push to strengthen the region’s global voice, with ministers also clarifying they did not block a common statement on China’s Pacific ballistic missile testing. Shipping climate policy: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu argue the IMO Net-Zero Fund is a “functional requirement” for mid-term shipping emissions cuts, calling it the “singular guarantee” the transition won’t leave small states behind. Deep-sea minerals debate: The Pacific conversation is shifting from a simple “for or against” stance toward “follow the science, protect the environment,” as Nauru backs commercial mining at the ISA while others press for stronger safeguards. Identity & governance tech: Nauru officially became the Republic of Naoero, updating its international code (NRU to NRO) and identity language—an example of how national policy changes can ripple into global systems. AI jobs risk: A World Bank report finds high-income countries face over triple the share of jobs highly exposed to automation compared with low- and middle-income economies.

Nauru Identity Update: Nauru has officially become the Republic of Naoero, with the international code shifting from NRU to NRO and “dei-Naoero” replacing “Nauruan,” as President David Adeang says the change reflects the island’s traditional name and pronunciation. Shipping Climate Policy: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu told the IMO the Net-Zero Fund is a “functional requirement” for mid-term shipping emissions cuts, arguing it must be built alongside fuel and technology guidelines so the transition doesn’t leave small states behind. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: The Pacific conversation is moving from simple “for or against” toward “follow the science, protect the environment,” with Nauru backing commercial deep-sea mining via the ISA while others push for stronger safeguards and a precautionary approach. AI and Jobs Risk: A World Bank report finds high-income countries face the highest exposure to automation, with 14.2% of jobs highly amenable to automation—more than triple the share in lower-income economies. Regional Tech & Governance: BRICS anti-corruption delegates in Hyderabad urged tech integration and cross-border cooperation, highlighting digital tools used for accountability and asset recovery.

Nauru identity update: Nauru has officially become the Republic of Naoero, with the international code changing from NRU to NRO and “dei-Naoero” replacing “Nauruan,” as President David Adeang says the name reflects the island’s heritage and local pronunciation. Deep-sea mining debate: The Pacific conversation is shifting from a simple “for or against” stance toward “follow the science, protect the environment,” with Nauru pushing for commercial mining via the International Seabed Authority while others stress safeguards and “do no harm.” Shipping emissions funding: Six Pacific states, including Nauru, argue the IMO Net-Zero Fund is a “functional requirement” for mid-term shipping cuts, calling for transition support for higher transport costs plus fleet and port upgrades. AI and jobs risk: A World Bank report finds high-income countries face the biggest exposure to automation, with 14.2% of jobs highly amenable to automation—over triple lower-income levels. Governance tech push: BRICS anti-corruption delegates in Hyderabad urged tech integration and cross-border cooperation, highlighting digital initiatives alongside legal and institutional reforms.

Nauru identity update: Nauru has officially become the Republic of Naoero, with the international code changing from NRU to NRO and “dei-Naoero” replacing “Nauruan,” as President David Adeang says the name reflects long-used local heritage rather than a new label. Deep-sea policy debate: Pacific states are pushing the IMO and the International Seabed Authority to match climate and environmental goals with fair transition support, while the region’s deep-sea mining conversation shifts toward “follow the science, protect the environment, do no harm.” AI and jobs risk: A new World Bank report finds high-income countries face the highest exposure to automation, with 14.2% of jobs highly amenable to automation—over triple the share in low- and middle-income economies. Shipping emissions funding: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu argue the IMO Net-Zero Fund is essential for mid-term shipping GHG cuts and a just transition. Regional governance tech push: BRICS anti-corruption delegates in Hyderabad called for stronger cross-border cooperation and more technological integration to tackle corruption and fugitives. Ocean science in the Pacific: A Kiribati-approved expedition plans to search for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane near Nikumaroro, using the Taraia Object Expedition’s anomaly investigation.