AGP Executive Report

Earthquake Alert: A 6.0-magnitude quake struck the Vanuatu Islands at 21:37 GMT, with the epicentre about 10 km deep, according to Germany’s GFZ. Commonwealth Games Spotlight: Pacific teams are turning heads at Glasgow 2026, with Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati and PNG scoring early wins in sports like lawn bowls and boxing. MSG Leadership Row: Vanuatu civil society backs Dr Anna Naupa’s merit-based appointment as MSG DG, while the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs has apologised for misleading claims and also issued an ultimatum demanding her revocation by 30 July. Climate Justice, One Year On: A year after the ICJ climate ruling, Pacific children are still waiting for real change, with campaigners urging governments to turn legal promises into action. Vanuatu in the Spotlight: Vanuatu’s Children’s Day is marked today, as the country continues to push regional leadership on climate and solidarity.

MSG Leadership Row: Vanuatu’s government has hit back hard at the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs over calls to revoke Dr Anna Naupa’s appointment as MSG Director-General, saying the stance is discriminatory and “regressive, divisive, and an embarrassment,” while Malvatumauri later apologised over claims it opposed the appointment. Civil Society Support: VANGO and member groups say Naupa’s selection was merit-based through an independent MSG process, backing her leadership and rejecting gender-based barriers. Climate Justice One-Year On: A year after the ICJ climate ruling, Pacific children are still waiting for real change, with Save the Children New Zealand stressing the legal duty is clear but daily impacts continue. Vanuatu’s Climate Story: Vanuatu-led student action that helped drive the ICJ advisory opinion is being marked as a major diplomatic win—now the push is to turn climate finance and promises into action. Commonwealth Games Glasgow: The Games are underway with Pacific nations, including Vanuatu, taking part as athletes chase medals in a pared-back but high-energy opening ceremony. Pacific Connectivity Reality Check: Satellite internet is spreading, but power remains the missing link for remote communities, with efforts pairing Starlink with solar to keep schools and health services running. Vanuatu Security & Safety: VMF and partners safely identified and catalogued World War II-era munitions in Port Vila as part of Operation Render Safe.

Climate Justice Follow-Through: One year after the ICJ’s unanimous climate ruling—driven by Vanuatu’s youth-led push—Pacific leaders are calling for action that goes beyond legal statements, with the hard work of funding and rebuilding still missing for communities facing storms, landslides and saltwater damage. Regional Security Deals: Australia’s Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu is now signed, but questions remain about the price and sovereignty impacts as the region locks in more defence cooperation amid rising strategic competition. MSG Leadership Row: Vanuatu’s government has condemned Malvatumauri’s demand to revoke the appointment of Dr Anna Naupa as MSG DG, calling it discriminatory and urging a public apology, while chiefs threaten customary action if no change is made by 30 July. Connectivity Bottleneck: Satellite internet is spreading across the Pacific, but power is the real gap—schools and health services still need reliable electricity, with solar-plus-Starlink solutions being trialled. Commonwealth Games Spotlight: Vanuatu is among 11 Pacific nations heading to Glasgow 2026, with teams also using the Games as a stepping stone for future medals. Drought Alert in Vanuatu: Vanuatu has declared a first-stage drought alert as dry conditions intensify.

MSG Leadership Row: Vanuatu’s government has hit back at Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs after it criticised the appointment of Dr Anna Naupa as Director-General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, calling the stance discriminatory and demanding a public apology. Customs Ultimatum: Malvatumauri has also issued a deadline, demanding the Prime Minister revoke the appointment by 30 July 2026, warning chiefs will take customary action if it isn’t reversed. Regional Security: New Zealand and Papua New Guinea signed a 2026–2029 defence cooperation deal in Port Moresby, expanding security dialogue, training, exercises and personnel exchanges as strategic competition grows in the Pacific. Fisheries Policy: Forum Deputy Secretary General Esala Nayasi urged Pacific countries to discourage subsidies that back fishing of stocks already declared overfished, linking the push to tackling IUU fishing and protecting ocean resources. Climate Justice Anniversary: One year after the ICJ’s landmark climate advisory opinion, Pacific youth and Vanuatu-backed efforts are being credited with keeping climate obligations on the global legal agenda. Sports Spotlight: Fiji and New Zealand set up the OFC U16 final after Fiji beat Solomon Islands on penalties and New Zealand defeated Papua New Guinea 3-0, with a Commonwealth Games team list also confirming Vanuatu among Pacific nations heading to Glasgow.

Vanuatu–Customs Clash: Vanuatu’s government has hit back at the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs after reports the chiefs demanded the immediate revocation of Dr Anna Naupa’s appointment as the first woman to lead the MSG Secretariat, warning of “customary actions” if the government doesn’t act by 30 July. Pacific Security Push: New Zealand and Papua New Guinea signed a defence co-operation deal for 2026–2029, expanding training, exercises and personnel exchanges as Pacific powers tighten security ties amid growing strategic competition. Drought Alert in Vanuatu: Vanuatu has declared a first-stage drought for parts of the country, urging communities to conserve water as dry conditions and El Niño-linked patterns threaten rainfall and water supplies. Volcano Disruptions: Ash and explosive activity reports across the region include impacts from Ambae-related conditions, with flight disruptions noted for Vanuatu. Commonwealth Games Line-Up: Vanuatu is among 11 Pacific nations heading to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, with teams arriving as athletes chase medals and momentum. Tourism Recognition: A Vanuatu-linked youth exchange is highlighted through a New Zealand tourism leader’s award finalist role, showing Pacific cultural ties and leadership pathways. Biosecurity on Cruises: Vanuatu’s biosecurity rules are cited in cruise incidents, including restrictions tied to the risk of transporting coconut beetles between islands.

Drought Watch: Vanuatu has declared a first-stage drought for parts of Torba, and areas of Sanma, Penama and Malampa after rainfall stayed well below average for months, urging water conservation and close monitoring of rainwater tanks and crops as El Niño raises the risk of worse conditions. Volcano Disruption: Ash from Ambae’s Manaro Voui eruption is affecting flights, with Vanuatu Tourism advising travellers to check with airlines and operators before heading to airports. Health Security: The Ministry of Health, with WHO support, ran a national measles simulation in Port Vila to test readiness for an imported case spreading to outer islands, focusing on surveillance, lab coordination, vaccination response, and emergency logistics. Climate Accountability: One year after the ICJ’s climate advisory opinion, Save the Children is calling for more child-focused climate adaptation funding, pointing to Vanuatu’s role in a UN resolution endorsing states’ legal duties to protect the climate system. Renewables Pipeline: Meridian Energy CEO Mike Roan has been confirmed as a keynote for the Oceania Renewable Power Summit in Auckland on 7–8 October, with Vanuatu’s UNELCO ENGIE chief also listed among speakers. Visa Rules: Vanuatu has published an official 2026 list of 23 countries whose citizens can enter without a visitor visa. Pacific Security: Solomon Islands says it will sign a US Coast Guard “ship rider” deal next week, bringing local police aboard for joint maritime enforcement.

Climate & Children: Save the Children marks one year since the ICJ advisory opinion on climate duties, urging more child-focused adaptation funding as Vanuatu and the Pacific feel the heat. Disaster Risk Reduction: UNITAR is calling for applications for a Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction programme for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026, with a 21 August deadline. Drought Watch (Vanuatu): Vanuatu has declared a first-stage meteorological drought for parts of Torba, and areas of Sanma, Penama and Malampa, urging water conservation and early preparation as El Niño persists. Volcano Disruption: Ash from Ambae’s Manaro Voui eruption is affecting flights, with travellers told to check updates before heading to airports. Health Security: Vanuatu is strengthening measles outbreak readiness after a national simulation exercise tested response plans for an imported case spreading to outer islands. Renewables: Vanuatu’s UNELCO-ENGIE chief Frederic Petit is among speakers confirmed for the Oceania Renewable Power Summit in Auckland in October. Tourism & Travel: Vanuatu has published the official 2026 list of 23 visa-exempt countries for visitor entry. Community & Faith: Remote Pacific Latter-day Saints are using simplified, solar-powered meetinghouses with satellite internet to reach isolated communities. Sports (Regional): Solomon Islands booked OFC U-16 semis with a win over Tahiti, setting up a clash with Fiji.

Drought Alert for Vanuatu: Vanuatu’s meteorology service has declared a first-stage drought for Torba, and parts of Sanma, Penama and Malampa, urging water conservation and careful monitoring of rainwater tanks as El Niño conditions persist. Volcano Disruptions: Ash from Ambae’s Manaro Voui eruption is affecting flights nationwide, with Vanuatu Tourism advising travellers to check transit plans directly and follow official updates. Measles Response Boost: The Ministry of Health, with WHO support, ran a national simulation in Port Vila to prepare for an imported measles case spreading to outer islands, focusing on surveillance, lab coordination, vaccination response and logistics. Visa Rules for 2026: Vanuatu has published the official list of 23 countries whose citizens can enter without a visitor visa in 2026, including the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and others. Cyclone Recovery Funding: The UN’s CERF has approved US$1.7m for Vanuatu’s cyclone recovery, targeting food security, WASH and emergency shelter for the most affected. Biosecurity Hits Cruise Plans: Carnival Adventure passengers missed a Vanuatu port after Mystery Island was cancelled overnight due to biosecurity rules linked to an invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. Pacific Security Move: Solomon Islands says it will sign a ship-rider deal with the US Coast Guard next week, with local police aboard to strengthen maritime enforcement against illegal fishing and trafficking.

Volcano & Travel Disruption: Ash from Ambae’s Manaro Voui eruption is grounding or disrupting flights, with Vanuatu Tourism urging travellers to confirm plans before heading to airports. Drought Watch: Vanuatu’s weather service has declared a first-stage meteorological drought for Torba, and parts of Sanma, Penama and Malampa, warning rainfall deficits may worsen if dry conditions continue. Health Preparedness: Vanuatu strengthened its measles outbreak defences with a national simulation in Port Vila, testing surveillance, lab coordination, vaccination response and outer-island readiness. Immigration Update: Vanuatu has published the official 2026 list of 23 countries whose citizens can enter without a visitor visa. Environment & Tourism: Cruise passengers on Carnival Adventure missed a Vanuatu port after Mystery Island was cancelled overnight due to biosecurity rules linked to an invasive coconut beetle. Community & Culture: New simplified meetinghouses with solar power and satellite internet are helping remote Pacific congregations gather and learn. Climate Voices: Ni-Vanuatu women met ahead of the Pacific Innovation Forum to push ministers to include women’s priorities in climate and environment planning. International Legal Move: Vanuatu says it will take its decades-long sovereignty dispute with France over Matthew and Hunter islands to an international court after talks failed.

Health Security: Vanuatu has run a national measles simulation in Port Vila to test how the country would respond if an imported case sparked wider transmission, with focus on surveillance, lab coordination, vaccination response, risk communication and logistics. Cyclone Recovery: The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund has approved US$1.7m for Vanuatu after twin Category-4 cyclones Judy and Kevin, targeting food security, WASH and emergency shelter for the most affected. Local Politics: Vanuatu Opposition leader Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau is demanding a government apology over the Matthew and Hunter Islands negotiations with France, saying the public was misled and questioning who led the talks. Disputed Islands: Vanuatu says it will pursue international legal action after talks with France failed over sovereignty of Matthew and Hunter islands, which could also affect rights to surrounding waters and resources. Tourism & Environment: Carnival Adventure passengers missed a Mystery Island port call after biosecurity rules linked to an invasive coconut beetle forced the ship to skip the stop. Women’s Voices: Ni-Vanuatu women met ahead of the Pacific Innovation Forum to push ministers to include their priorities on climate and environment, warning against tokenism.

Cyclone Recovery: The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund approved US$1.7m for Vanuatu after twin Category-4 cyclones Judy and Kevin, targeting food security, WASH, and emergency shelter for the most affected. Vanuatu-France Dispute: Vanuatu says it will pursue international legal action over the decades-old sovereignty fight with France over Matthew and Hunter islands, after failed negotiations. Opposition Pressure: Vanuatu’s Opposition is demanding a government apology over the handling of the Matthew and Hunter talks, questioning whether the public was misled. Tourism Disruption: Carnival Adventure passengers missed a Vanuatu port call at Mystery Island after the stop was cancelled overnight due to biosecurity rules linked to an invasive coconut beetle. Regional Sport: In the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Solomon Islands beat Vanuatu 2-1 in a comeback, keeping Pacific youth football tightly contested. Pacific Environment & Security: Pacific nations have moved to create a Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR), a major transboundary marine protection plan spanning territorial waters.

Cyclone recovery funding: The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund has approved US$1.7m for Vanuatu after twin Category-4 cyclones Judy and Kevin, targeting food security, WASH, and emergency shelter for the most affected and vulnerable. Biosecurity cruise disruption: Thousands on the Carnival Adventure missed a Mystery Island port call after the ship was delayed and rules prevent travel to another island after dark due to an invasive coconut beetle risk. Pacific diplomacy and security: A report says PNG ordered Taiwan’s representative trade office in Port Moresby to close immediately, with the US calling it intimidation, amid wider Pacific security tensions. Vanuatu-France island dispute: Vanuatu says it will pursue international legal action over sovereignty of Matthew and Hunter islands after talks with France failed. Regional sport: Solomon Islands staged a 2-1 comeback over Vanuatu at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, setting up semi-finals with Fiji, PNG and New Zealand. Climate-health warning: A Lancet Countdown report says climate change is driving a worsening health crisis in small island states, including Vanuatu.

Vanuatu-France Dispute: Vanuatu says it will pursue international legal action against France over sovereignty of Matthew and Hunter islands after talks failed, arguing control of the tiny outcrops also decides rights to surrounding waters and resources. Local Politics: Vanuatu’s Opposition leader Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau is demanding a government apology over the “mishandling” of the negotiations, questioning whether the public was misled about a resolution. Regional Sport: At the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in PNG, Solomon Islands stunned Vanuatu 2-1 to reach the semi-finals, while Fiji and hosts PNG also booked last-four spots. Inclusive Sport: Tonga hosted the first Oceania Para Archery coaching course and Para Archery League, with coaches and para-athletes from Tonga, Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Health & Climate: A Lancet Countdown report warns climate change is worsening health crises across small island states, hitting infants, elderly people and vulnerable communities hardest.

Vanuatu–France Dispute: Vanuatu says it will pursue international legal action after talks with France over Matthew and Hunter islands stalled, arguing sovereignty also controls surrounding waters and resources. Opposition Pushback: Vanuatu’s Opposition leader demands a government apology over the “mishandling” of the negotiations, questioning whether the public was misled. Inclusive Sport: Tonga hosted the first Oceania Para Archery coaching course and Para Archery League, with coaches and para-athletes from Tonga, Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu; Fiji’s Leslie won gold, Solomon Islands’ Rose silver, and Vanuatu’s Jeffery bronze. Regional Football: Solomon Islands completed a comeback to beat Vanuatu 2-1 in the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, keeping their semi-final hopes alive. Tourism & Local Food: Vanuatu’s tourism and agriculture ministries met operators to strengthen local produce supply chains, with businesses flagging unreliable access to items like vegetables and eggs. Health Coverage Gap: A WHO-UNICEF report says most Pacific countries, including Vanuatu, are missing the 90% child vaccination target for many vaccine types.

Matthew & Hunter Islands: Vanuatu says it will take its decades-old sovereignty dispute with France over the uninhabited Matthew and Hunter islands to an international court after talks failed, arguing control of the islands also decides rights to surrounding waters and resources. Opposition Pressure: Vanuatu’s opposition leader Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau demands a government apology, saying the public was misled about the negotiations’ outcome and questioning the role of the deputy PM. Ocean Protection: Melanesian nations move toward a major transboundary marine protected area, with Solomon Islands joining a corridor announced by PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji—though details on enforcement and community consultation remain thin. Tourism & Local Food: Vanuatu’s tourism and agriculture ministries meet hospitality operators in Port Vila to tackle weak, unreliable supply of local produce like vegetables and eggs. Sport (OFC U-16): Solomon Islands beat Vanuatu 2-1 to reach the semi-finals, setting up a last-four line-up with Fiji, PNG and New Zealand. Health (Vaccines): A WHO-UNICEF report finds most Pacific countries, including Vanuatu, are missing key 90% child vaccination targets. Security (Tuvalu): Tuvalu detains a Chinese fishing vessel over alleged illegal fishing and expired authorisation, while also continuing efforts to reduce WWII-era unexploded ordnance risks.

Tuvalu vs Illegal Fishing: Tuvalu detained a Chinese longliner after police alleged it fished at night without navigation lights, showed AIS signals inconsistent with its position, and had expired fishing authorisation—sharks were also reportedly discarded without logbook records. Vanuatu-France Dispute: Vanuatu says it will take its decades-old sovereignty fight over Matthew and Hunter islands to an international court after talks with France stalled, arguing the islands’ status also decides rights to surrounding waters and resources. OFC U-16 Football: Solomon Islands booked the last four with a 2-1 comeback win over Vanuatu, setting up semi-finals alongside Fiji, PNG and New Zealand. Local Politics: Vanuatu’s Opposition is demanding a government apology over the failed Matthew and Hunter negotiations, questioning whether the public was misled. Tourism & Food Supply: Tourism and hospitality operators met government on strengthening local produce supply chains, with businesses flagging unreliable access to items like vegetables and eggs. Community & Culture: A Katikati fun run raised over $1,100 for the local foodbank, with an RSE Vanuatu string band bringing kastom and community spirit to the event. Digital Access: A new report highlights how community-run internet networks can help remote islands stay connected, including projects in Vanuatu.