AGP Executive Report

Nickel and Resource Sovereignty: Pacific civil society groups condemned the EU–New Caledonia nickel agreement, saying Kanak people were excluded from decisions over ancestral lands and resources. They called for transparency, meaningful Indigenous participation and a fair share of industry benefits. Cruise Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas is offering seven South Pacific itineraries that call at Nouméa as part of its 21-cruise Sydney season. Sustainable Agriculture: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific nations and territories at a Fiji workshop on sustaining climate solutions and rural livelihoods through agriculture, forestry and conservation.

Nickel and Resource Sovereignty: Pacific civil society groups have condemned the EU–New Caledonia nickel agreement, saying Kanak people were excluded from decisions over ancestral lands and resources. They are calling for transparency, meaningful participation and fairer sharing of industry benefits. Climate-Smart Agriculture: New Caledonian representatives joined a Pacific exchange in Fiji on sustaining climate initiatives and building rural livelihoods through organic farming, forestry and conservation. Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s Sydney season includes South Pacific cruises calling at Nouméa, adding New Caledonia to a 21-sailing programme. Telecommunications Resilience: Pacific leaders say increasingly frequent and severe disasters are exposing the vulnerability of telecom infrastructure and strengthening the case for investment in more resilient networks.

Climate-Smart Agriculture: New Caledonia joined Pacific representatives from six other countries and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on sustaining climate adaptation and creating rural income through organic farming, forestry and conservation. Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s 21-cruise Sydney season includes South Pacific trips calling at Nouméa, alongside Vanuatu ports. Telecommunications: Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says more frequent and severe disasters are driving calls to build greater resilience into the region’s telecom infrastructure. Cultural Exports: Papua New Guinea reggae artist Anslom says recent performances in Nouméa and Vanuatu show his music is finding audiences beyond PNG.

Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s Sydney season includes South Pacific cruises calling at Nouméa, bringing New Caledonia into a 21-voyage programme that ranges from short breaks to longer regional trips. Climate-smart farming: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji exchange on sustaining climate adaptation through organic agriculture, forestry and conservation. Telecommunications: Pacific leaders say increasingly severe natural disasters are putting pressure on telecom networks, renewing calls for more resilient infrastructure and investment across the region.

Cruise Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas is back in Sydney for a 21-cruise season, with seven South Pacific trips calling at Nouméa. Sustainable Agriculture: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji farm exchange on climate adaptation, organic farming and ways to sustain rural livelihoods. Climate Risks: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño may bring drier conditions across parts of the region from November, with impacts likely to continue into 2027. Telecom Resilience: Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna says more frequent, intense disasters are driving a rethink of how the region finances and builds resilient telecommunications infrastructure.

Cruise Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas is back in Sydney for a 21-cruise season, with seven South Pacific sailings calling at Nouméa. Climate-smart Agriculture: New Caledonia joined six Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji exchange on sustaining climate adaptation through organic farming, forestry and conservation. Telecommunications: Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says increasingly frequent and intense disasters are driving the need for more resilient telecom infrastructure across the region.

Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas is back in Sydney for 21 cruises, including South Pacific itineraries calling at Nouméa — a fresh opportunity for local visitor businesses. Climate-smart farming: New Caledonia joined six Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji workshop on sustaining community-led climate projects through organic agriculture, forestry and conservation. Telecom resilience: Pacific leaders are urging stronger protection for communications networks as disasters grow more frequent and severe, highlighting the need for investment in resilient infrastructure. Climate outlook: Forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño may bring drier-than-usual conditions across parts of the southwest Pacific from November, raising risks for farming and rural livelihoods.

Climate-smart Agriculture: New Caledonia joined representatives from six other Pacific countries and territories at a Fiji exchange on organic farming, conservation and ways to sustain climate projects while creating rural incomes. Cruise Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas is back in Sydney for 21 cruises, including seven South Pacific sailings that call at Nouméa. Air Links: Qantas has put more than 18,000 discounted seats on sale across its Pacific network, including New Caledonia, with return fares from AU$579 and travel dates through September 2027. Climate Outlook: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño is likely in early 2027, with drier-than-normal conditions expected across parts of the southwest Pacific—raising planning risks for agriculture and water supplies.

Maritime Security: Australia will gift Fiji an unspecified number of Bluebottle uncrewed vessels under its A$600 million Waqa Moana initiative. Fiji says they will help monitor busy waters and track suspicious vessels. Climate-smart Agriculture: New Caledonia joined six other Pacific countries and territories at a farm exchange in Fiji, sharing ways to sustain climate adaptation and create rural income through organic agriculture, forestry and conservation. Cruise Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s returning Anthem of the Seas will call at Nouméa on seven South Pacific itineraries this summer; Princess also features New Caledonia on selected sailings. Telecom Resilience: Pacific leaders say worsening disasters are increasing risks to telecommunications networks, renewing calls for investment in stronger infrastructure. Climate Outlook: Forecasters warn a strong El Niño could bring drier-than-normal conditions to parts of the southwest Pacific from November, adding pressure on water and farm planning. Air Links: Qantas has launched a Pacific fare sale that includes New Caledonia, with return economy fares from A$579 and travel dates through September 2027.

Climate-Smart Agriculture: New Caledonia practitioners joined a Pacific exchange at Fiji’s Mudrenicagi Organic Learning Farm, sharing ways to sustain climate adaptation through agriculture, forestry and conservation while creating rural incomes. Climate Risks: Pacific forecasters warn El Niño could become the strongest since 1950, bringing prolonged dry spells and heightened cyclone activity into 2027, with risks to water, agriculture, transport and other services. Digital Resilience: Regional telecom leaders say more frequent, severe disasters are exposing the fragility of networks and underscoring the need for stronger infrastructure and investment. Tourism Links: Princess’s expanded regional cruise programme includes New Caledonia, while Qantas has included the territory in a Pacific sale covering eight island destinations.

Telecom Resilience: Rising disaster frequency and intensity is putting pressure on Pacific communications networks, prompting calls for stronger infrastructure and better disaster readiness. Climate and Agriculture: A potentially record-strength El Niño could bring prolonged dry conditions, water and livelihood risks, and increased cyclone activity across parts of the Pacific through early 2027. New Caledonian practitioners joined a Fiji exchange on making organic farming and nature-based solutions part of lasting community practice. Travel Links: Qantas is offering discounted Pacific fares, including New Caledonia, with return Economy tickets from A$579 and travel dates through September 2027. Princess Cruises’ upcoming South Pacific itineraries also include New Caledonia among their destinations.

Critical Minerals: The EU and New Caledonia have signed a non-binding partnership to develop sustainable raw-material supply chains, including nickel. It opens the door to exploring investment and projects, but guarantees no funding or purchases. Pro-independence Congress leaders boycotted the signing, citing a lack of local consultation. Climate Risk: Pacific forecasters warn a very strong El Niño may persist into early 2027, bringing drier-than-normal conditions across parts of the southwest Pacific and risks to farming, water supplies, transport and infrastructure. Agriculture: A new cocoa-processing facility in Fiji could give northern farmers another buyer, with demand from a chocolate factory in New Caledonia adding a potential export market.**

Climate & Agriculture: A strong El Niño could bring prolonged dry spells and more extreme weather across the Pacific into 2027, putting pressure on water supplies and farming. Tourism: Princess Cruises’ new season includes South Pacific itineraries calling at New Caledonia, while Qantas is offering discounted fares to the territory and other Pacific destinations. Critical Minerals: The EU and New Caledonia signed a non-binding partnership to develop sustainable raw-material supply chains, including nickel processing, investment and workforce development. Pro-independence Congress leaders boycotted the signing, citing a lack of local consultation; the deal does not guarantee funding or new facilities. Agriculture: A new cocoa processing facility in Fiji is opening market options for farmers, including potential sales to a chocolate factory in New Caledonia.

Climate Outlook: A strong to very strong El Niño could persist into 2027, bringing hotter conditions, uneven rainfall and increased cyclone activity across the Pacific. Water supplies, agriculture, transport and tourism may face added pressure. Critical Minerals: The EU and New Caledonia have signed a partnership to develop sustainable raw-material supply chains, including nickel processing, investment and workforce development. It is a cooperation framework, not a financing or purchase commitment. Pro-independence Congress leaders boycotted the signing, citing a lack of local consultation. Tourism Links: Qantas is offering discounted fares to New Caledonia among eight Pacific destinations, a potential boost for regional travel demand.

Critical Minerals: The EU and New Caledonia signed a framework to develop sustainable raw-material supply chains, including nickel processing, investment and workforce development. The deal is not a funding or purchase commitment, and pro-independence leaders boycotted the signing over a lack of local consultation. Tourism: Qantas included New Caledonia among eight Pacific destinations in a sale of more than 18,000 discounted seats, with travel dates extending to September 2027. Agriculture: A new cocoa-processing facility in Fiji could open another market for farmers, with demand from a New Caledonian chocolate factory adding to hopes of reviving production.

Nickel and Critical Minerals: The EU and New Caledonia have agreed a framework to develop sustainable raw-material supply chains, including investment, infrastructure, skills and research. But it guarantees neither financing nor nickel purchases. Pro-independence Congress leaders boycotted the signing, citing a lack of local consultation, as the territory seeks new markets for its struggling nickel sector. Agriculture: New Caledonian practitioners joined a Pacific learning exchange in Fiji on making nature-based approaches part of farming and conservation. Tourism: Qantas is offering discounted fares to New Caledonia among eight Pacific destinations, with travel available through September 2027.