AGP Executive Report

Volcanic methane chemistry: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption suggests the eruption’s own volcanic cloud helped break down some methane, tracked via satellite signals like formaldehyde—an important clue for near-term warming efforts. Marine safety and warnings: Solomon Islands is pushing for stronger marine weather and ocean services, citing rising sea deaths and calling for higher-resolution forecasts, better ocean observations, and clearer warning delivery. Tonga and the “warnings for all” push: At the Pacific Meteorological Council in Tonga, leaders stressed that early warnings only work if they reach everyone, including remote communities and people with disabilities. Hunga seafloor change: New bathymetric work shows the Hunga caldera deepened dramatically after the eruption, with huge displaced volumes—useful for improving volcanic tsunami monitoring. Disaster risk financing links: PCRIC signed MoUs with SPC and SPREP in Tonga to strengthen disaster risk financing and climate-and-disaster information sharing. Conservation win in Vava’u: VEPA reports successful rat control at Mount Talau, with Hengehenga bird calls returning as endemic habitat recovers. Waste policy with grassroots voices: Pacific recyclers are set to shape regional recycling plans in Vanuatu, with community workers from Tonga and across the Pacific bringing on-the-ground experience into policy design. Ferry disaster warning-action gap: Vanuatu’s ferry sinking is being used to highlight a gap between issuing marine warnings and stopping unsafe departures.

Volcanic hazard science: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption finds the seafloor caldera collapse dramatically reshaped the ocean floor, deepening the caldera from 150m to 850m and displacing about 8.9 cubic kilometres of material—work that could strengthen volcanic-tsunami monitoring and early warning. Disaster risk financing: In Tonga, the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) signed MoUs with SPC and SPREP to boost regional cooperation on disaster risk financing and climate-and-disaster information. Early warnings for all: Tonga’s deputy PM Viliami Latu urged “Early Warnings for All” to reach outer islands and remote communities, as Pacific leaders met for the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council and tracked progress on weather-ready services. Warning-to-action gap: Vanuatu’s ferry disaster is being blamed on a failure to turn warnings into action—meteorology can issue alerts, but lacks authority to stop vessels. Community conservation: Vava’u’s VEPA says rat eradication on Mount Talau is bringing back the endemic Hengehenga (Tongan whistler), with birdsong returning after years of consistent trapping and habitat work. Marine life and trafficking: The Aquarium of the Pacific received nearly 1,000 trafficked marine animals in major rescues, highlighting ongoing pressure on wildlife. Regional waste voices: Pacific grassroots recyclers are set to help shape recycling policy at a Vanuatu workshop, pushing for systems that reflect community realities.

Volcanic risk and oceans: New research maps how the 2022 Hunga volcano caldera collapsed, deepening the seafloor from 150m to 850m and shifting 8.9 cubic kilometres of material—work that could strengthen volcanic tsunami monitoring and early warnings. Weather-ready Pacific: At the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council in Tonga, leaders pushed “Early Warnings for All,” stressing that warnings must reach outer islands and remote communities, not just major centres. Tonga’s warning capacity: Tonga reported progress on a new Joint Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services Centre, alongside regional moves to improve observations, climate services and public communication. Fiji and El Niño impacts: Fiji’s met service warned remote islands are starting to ask for water as El Niño dries parts of the country, while urging people to take cyclone-season warnings seriously. Warnings to action gap: A Vanuatu ferry disaster is being blamed on the gap between issuing marine warnings and stopping vessels from going out, with authorities saying they can forecast and warn but lack authority to prevent departures. Marine life spotlight: Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 images highlighted both the beauty and dangers facing sea creatures, including a seahorse “farewell” photo. Community conservation: In Vava’u, VEPA says rat eradication on Mount Talau is bringing back the Hengehenga (Tongan whistler) with renewed birdsong. Waste and recycling voices: Pacific grassroots recyclers are set to help shape regional waste policy at a Vanuatu workshop, pushing for systems that reflect community realities.

Maritime safety and warnings: A Vanuatu inter-island ferry, the MV Matui, sank in rough seas after authorities say warnings weren’t heeded; 19 people have been rescued and about 30 are still missing, with officials pointing to a gap between issuing forecasts and stopping vessels from going out. Early warnings that reach people: At Tonga’s Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-8), leaders and agencies stress “early warnings for all,” with Tonga highlighting its new multi-hazard early warning centre and policy roadmap, while partners push for better communication, sustained funding, and last-mile delivery. Climate risk and sea-level reality: Pacific experts warn that global overshoot means sea-level rise is already locked in, and that even the land-elevation data used for planning can be wrong—raising the stakes for adaptation. Volcano-tsunami monitoring lessons: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption shows major ocean-floor changes and points to how submarine volcanic-tsunami warning systems can fail when signals aren’t translated into alerts. Community conservation in Tonga: Vava’u’s VEPA reports rat control on Mount Talau is helping the Hengehenga (Tongan Whistler) return, with birdsong now heard again. Waste and recycling voices: Grassroots recyclers from Tonga and across the Pacific are set to join a Vanuatu workshop to shape recycling and waste policy around community realities.

Pacific Meteorology: Tonga hosted the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-8), with leaders pushing for stronger early warnings, better regional cooperation, and sustained funding so weather, climate, water and ocean alerts reach every community—not just main towns. Tonga preparedness: Tonga reported it has built a new Joint Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services Centre and approved a national policy and roadmap for managing hazards. Last-mile warnings: Speakers stressed “Early Warnings for All,” including outer islands and people with disabilities, and warned that forecasts only help if people can understand and act on them. Vanuatu ferry lesson: A Vanuatu ferry disaster highlighted a gap between issuing marine warnings and having authority to stop vessels, raising questions about how warnings translate into action. Waste and recycling: Pacific grassroots recyclers are set to shape regional waste policy at a Vanuatu workshop, with Tonga included in the alliance bringing community experience into recycling system design. Conservation in Vava’u: VEPA says rat eradication on Mount Talau is helping the native Hengehenga (Tongan Whistler) return, with birdsong now heard again. Volcano monitoring: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption points to how rapid submarine caldera collapse can affect tsunami preparedness and monitoring.

Climate & Early Warnings: Pacific meteorological leaders meeting in Tonga (PMC-8) are pushing for stronger, better-funded early-warning systems that reach every community, with Tonga’s deputy PM stressing “no community too remote” and warnings must be understandable and actionable for farmers, fishers, schools and families. Sea-Level & Overshoot Reality Check: A UN overshoot pathway update says the 1.5°C limit will be breached soon, and for the Pacific sea-level rise is already “locked in,” making adaptation unavoidable. Tonga Biodiversity Recovery: In Vava’u, the Tongan Whistler (Hengehenga) is returning after VEPA’s long-running rat eradication and habitat work at Mount Talau, with community trapping and restoration credited for healthier birdsong. Waste & Recycling Policy: Pacific recycling groups are set to feed grassroots experience into a Vanuatu workshop on circular waste policy, with recyclers from Tonga and across the region urging dignity, safety and practical input into regional plans. Volcanic Tsunami Monitoring: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption highlights how rapid caldera collapse reshaped the seafloor and points to gaps in volcanic-tsunami preparedness and alerting. El Niño Water Stress: Fiji reports some remote islands are already asking for drinking water as El Niño dries conditions, alongside rainfall outlook warnings.

Pacific early warnings: Tonga’s Deputy PM Dr Viliami Uasike Latu and other meteorological leaders at PMC-8 stressed that weather and climate services must be judged by whether warnings reach people who can act—no community too remote, including outer islands and vulnerable groups. Media for action: A Pacific media masterclass in Tonga urged journalists to translate forecasts into clear “what to do” guidance for cyclones, drought and El Niño, warning that information only saves lives when communities trust it and use it. El Niño pressure on water: Fiji reported some remote islands are already asking for drinking water as El Niño dries parts of the country, alongside calls for preparedness. Sea-level reality check: Experts warned that some Pacific sea-level planning may rely on flawed land-elevation assumptions, while UN overshoot pathways mean higher seas are effectively locked in—adaptation is now urgent. Conservation win in Vava’u: VEPA says rat eradication on Mount Talau has helped the Hengehenga (Tongan Whistler) return, with birdsong back and fewer rats trapped each week. Volcanic hazard science: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption shows rapid caldera collapse impacts and points to gaps in volcanic-tsunami warning systems. Road safety: Tonga reported another serious crash near Halaliku, with an occupant trapped in an overturned vehicle. Wildlife photography: Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 highlighted rare seahorses in French Polynesia, underscoring marine biodiversity and conservation.

Volcanic-tsunami monitoring: New research on the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption shows the caldera collapse broadcast an underwater acoustic signal 17 minutes before the wave reached Tonga—yet no warning was issued because the signal wasn’t recognised by alert systems, highlighting a dangerous gap in how volcanic tsunami warnings are interpreted. Early warnings for all: Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Viliami Uasike Latu used the opening of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-8) to push for weather and climate services that reach every community, including outer islands and remote villages, not just major towns. El Niño and water stress: Fiji reports remote islands are already asking for drinking water as El Niño-driven dry conditions bite, with officials urging precautionary steps while the cyclone season approaches. Climate science and sea-level risk: Pacific experts warn that some sea-level rise planning may rely on flawed land-elevation data, because satellites can misread ground height in vegetated areas—an issue for communities living just metres above sea level. Media for action: Ahead of PMC-8, Tonga and regional partners trained journalists to turn weather and climate information into clear warnings people can act on, stressing that trusted communication is key during fast-onset hazards.

Volcanic-tsunami monitoring gap: New research on the 2022 Hunga eruption near Tonga shows the caldera collapse deepened the Hunga system from 150m to 850m and displaced about 8.9 cubic kilometres of material—highlighting how submarine hazards can reshape the seafloor and stressing the need for better volcanic-tsunami early-warning. Early warnings for all: At Tonga’s Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-8), leaders and officials pushed for weather, climate, water and ocean services that reach every community, including outer islands and people with disabilities—warning that tech is useless if messages don’t arrive in time. El Niño and water stress: Fiji and the Cook Islands reported emerging El Niño impacts, with some remote Fiji islands asking for drinking water and a regional “weather split” where the south is drier while the north is wetter. Sea-level planning accuracy: Pacific climate experts warned that some sea-level risk maps may be based on wrong land-elevation assumptions from satellite data, urging better ground-truthing for adaptation planning. Media role in resilience: A Pacific media masterclass in Tonga urged journalists to translate forecasts into clear, trusted actions—so warnings turn into preparedness, not just headlines.

Early Warnings for All: Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Viliami Uasike Latu urged Pacific leaders to fund and maintain weather, climate and multi-hazard warning systems so “no community” is too remote to receive actionable alerts, stressing warnings must reach farmers, fishers, schools and families in time to protect lives and livelihoods. El Niño Water Stress: Fiji says some remote islands are already asking for drinking water as El Niño-driven dry conditions bite, with an Early Action Rainfall Watch flagging very dry to seriously dry areas and prompting precautionary steps for communities reliant on boreholes and groundwater. Lasting Sea-Level Risk: Pacific climate experts warn that some rising-sea plans may be built on flawed land-elevation data, while the UN’s overshoot pathway signals sea-level rise is effectively locked in—making adaptation urgent for low-lying islands. Reef Protection: Tonga joined a new High-Level Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs commitment at the Pacific Islands Forum, alongside French Polynesia and FSM, linking reef survival to food security, coastal protection and identity amid climate change, pollution and overfishing. Media for Action: SPREP and Tonga Meteorological Services pushed Pacific journalists to turn trusted weather and climate information into clear stories that drive preparedness ahead of cyclone season.

Pacific early warnings: Tonga’s deputy PM Viliami Uasike Latu urged “Early Warnings for All” at the opening of PMC-8, saying no village is too small or remote to receive actionable alerts for cyclones, drought, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Media for last-mile action: Ahead of the tropical cyclone season, Tonga and regional partners trained Pacific journalists to turn weather and climate information into clear stories that communities can use—so warnings lead to evacuations, safer fishing and smarter farming. El Niño water stress: Fiji reported remote islands are already asking for drinking water as El Niño bites, with dry conditions flagged in parts of the country and calls for precautionary steps. Regional met capacity: Fiji is building a new Nadi training and calibration centre (with Japan/JICA support) to help Pacific services meet WMO standards and improve impact-based forecasting. Sea-level science debate: Experts warned that some Pacific sea-level risk plans may rely on flawed land-elevation data from satellites, which can misread ground under vegetation—raising concerns for coastal planning. Coral reef resilience: Tonga joined a new commitment with climate-resilient reef protection partners, linking reef survival to food security, coastline protection and community identity.

Climate Overshoot and Sea-Level Reality: UNEP says the world will exceed the 1.5°C target soon, and for the Pacific that means sea-level rise is already “locked in” for centuries—so adaptation is now unavoidable. Early Warnings for All: Tonga’s deputy PM urged Pacific leaders to keep weather and multi-hazard warning systems funded and reachable, saying no community is too remote for effective warnings. Pacific Meteorological Council in Tonga: Meteorological leaders met in Nuku’alofa to revisit the 2015 Nuku’alofa Declaration and push stronger regional cooperation on weather, climate, water and ocean services. Media as a Lifeline: A Pacific Media Mana Master Class trained journalists to turn weather and climate information into clear stories and action, so communities can prepare for cyclones, drought and El Niño. Coral Reef Protection: Tonga joined a global commitment with climate-resilient coral reef partners, citing reefs’ role in food security, coast protection and identity. El Niño Polycrisis Warning: ChildFund New Zealand warns fuel shortages plus extreme El Niño impacts could hit drinking water, food and children’s health. Satellite Reentry Pollution Watch: Scientists tracked two reentering ESA satellites near Tonga to study what happens when space debris burns up and what pollution forms. GCF Climate Finance Push: The Green Climate Fund says it will speed approvals and expand direct access for Pacific institutions to deliver resilience funding faster.

Early Warnings for All: Tonga’s Deputy PM Dr Viliami Uasike Latu urged Pacific leaders to keep weather and multi-hazard warning systems funded and reachable for every community, saying “no village” is too small or “too remote” to receive warnings people can act on. Last-mile climate communication: At Tonga’s Pacific Media Master Class, journalists were pushed to turn weather and climate information into clear stories that lead to action before cyclones, droughts, floods and El Niño impacts hit. Reef protection for a warming Pacific: Tonga joined a High-Level Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs commitment signed at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, alongside French Polynesia and the Federated States of Micronesia, linking reef survival to food security, coast protection and identity. Climate finance momentum: The Green Climate Fund signalled faster approvals and more direct access for Pacific institutions, while backing the Pacific Resilience Facility as a Pacific-led way to deliver resilience funding. Space debris and Tonga’s region: Scientists tracked two ESA satellites reentering over the southern Pacific near Tonga to study what happens when satellites burn up, including pollution from disintegration. Crime risk in prisons: Fiji’s justice minister warned that transnational organised crime could exploit under-safeguarded corrections systems across the region, including Tonga.

Weather & climate communication: Tonga Meteorological Services urged Pacific media to turn forecasts into action, saying journalists must “translate science into stories” so communities can prepare for cyclones, El Niño and floods. Last-mile resilience: SPREP’s climate director backed the push, noting MET services can’t reach remote areas alone and that trusted reporting helps protect food security, health and livelihoods. El Niño warning for Pacific neighbours: ChildFund New Zealand says El Niño is highly likely to continue through 2026, with drought risks for some islands and heavier rain for others—raising pressure on safe drinking water, food and children’s health. Coral reef protection: Tonga joined a global commitment to safeguard climate-resilient reefs, alongside FSM and French Polynesia, targeting overfishing, pollution and climate impacts. Ocean governance: Pacific leaders in Palau strengthened positions on reef protection, fisheries, deep-sea minerals and marine pollution, calling for coordinated action. Space debris & atmospheric pollution: Scientists tracked two ESA satellites reentering above the southern Pacific near Tonga to study what pollutants form when satellites burn up. Climate finance reforms: Green Climate Fund leaders said approvals should speed up and more national institutions can access funding directly, with support for the Pacific Resilience Facility.

Climate & Weather Communication: Tonga Meteorological Services urged Pacific media to turn weather and climate reporting into clear warnings and action, ahead of cyclone season and an El Niño backdrop. El Niño Risk: ChildFund New Zealand warned that a strengthening El Niño could trigger drought in some islands, heavier rain in others, and rising pressure on safe drinking water, food and children’s health. Coral Reef Protection: Tonga joined a High-Level Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs commitment at the Pacific Islands Forum, backing reef protection that also tackles pollution and overfishing. Pacific Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund says it’s speeding approvals and expanding direct access for Pacific institutions, with support for the Pacific Resilience Facility and more funding expected as demand grows. Ocean & Marine Pollution: Forum leaders reaffirmed ocean sovereignty and pushed stronger action on fisheries, deep-sea minerals and marine pollution, including preparations for the BBNJ process. Disaster Preparedness: Samoa and Australia ran Exercise Longreach with a tsunami scenario to test coordination and information sharing for a Pacific-led response. Space Debris & Atmosphere: Scientists tracked two ESA satellites’ reentries over the southern Pacific near Tonga to study what burns up and what pollutants may be released.

Pacific Islands Forum partner reform: Leaders in Palau agreed to reshape how outside partners engage the region, moving to two partnership streams from 2027 so Pacific priorities and voice stay central, with New Zealand set to host the next Leaders’ Forum. Climate finance push: The Green Climate Fund says it’s speeding approvals and expanding direct access for Pacific institutions, while backing the Pacific Resilience Facility through readiness support. Debt and resilience: A Pacific Network on Globalisation analysis warns rising debt pressures are tied to slower growth, climate disasters, fuel dependence and shrinking grants—and argues the issue can’t be reduced to “debt-trap” narratives. Coral reef protection: Tonga joined a High-Level Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs Commitment, alongside French Polynesia and FSM, targeting reefs under pressure from climate change, pollution and overfishing. El Niño warning: ChildFund New Zealand urges Pacific communities to prepare for a strong El Niño that could bring drought in some areas and heavier rain in others, stressing safe drinking water and child health. Tonga-linked regional action: UNOPS is set to address climate mobility in Tonga, and the US is strengthening Tonga’s cybersecurity infrastructure.