Critical Minerals & Supply Chains: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly says Cook Islands seabed minerals are now a top priority (ranked 1A/1B), aiming to diversify away from China-dominated supply chains and support defence and clean-energy industries—while warning Pacific states about risks tied to China’s growing influence. Fisheries & Regional Industry: The 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting wrapped in Wellington, with Niue’s outgoing chair Mona Ainu’u praised and New Zealand’s Shane Jones taking over for 2026–2027, as ministers set priorities for future Pacific fisheries cooperation. Tourism Data Skills: The Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) ends a major capacity-building push, training tourism research and statistics officers from Niue and other Pacific nations to strengthen visitor surveys and data-driven planning. Tourism & Local Operators: South Pacific Pocket Guide launched VanuatuPocketGuide.com after field research, aiming to help independent travellers and support tourism operators—an example of how Pacific travel services are digitising. Regional Security Governance: Pacific Elders urged that regional security must stay under Pacific leaders, stressing sovereignty, transparency, and equal decision-making as external competition reshapes the region. Health & Public Action: Nauru’s health chief urged residents to act against dengue, highlighting how public health can quickly become an economic and services issue for small islands.