Pacific Development Deal: Papua New Guinea and Niue signed a framework agreement in Palau to deepen development and technical cooperation, with cooperation areas spanning trade, education and skills, health, agriculture and food security, climate resilience, and infrastructure and digital development. Climate Finance in Action: The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) is taking 14 community projects to pre-COP events and COP31, with each member allocated up to US$20,000 for community impact demonstrations covering water security, food production, coastal restoration, sanitation, renewable energy, and resilience. Ports & Logistics: The US announced a US$60m deep-sea port at Penrhyn in the Cook Islands, with New Zealand managing the build and contributing US$10m, a move framed as a major Pacific connectivity and strategic logistics step. Forum Watch (Niue in the mix): Ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, leaders including Niue’s Dalton Tagelagi are meeting in Auckland with New Zealand and Realm partners, with the agenda shaped by geopolitics, transnational crime, regional unity, and energy security. Realm Ties: New Zealand says its connections with Realm countries remain strong and stable after the first “family reunion” meeting, highlighting the shared population links and ongoing coordination ahead of Palau. Local Heritage: Tokelau is mourning respected NZ diplomat Neil Walter, who helped build Tokelau’s public service and oversaw a UN-facilitated referendum on Tokelau’s future political status.