Pacific Islands Forum Watch: The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is set for Palau (Aug 30–Sep 4) with a “Building Economies: Life, Action, Unity” theme, but the real draw is geopolitics: Palau’s growing strategic pull as China and the US compete, plus rising tension across Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesian blocs. Blue Economy Push: Papua New Guinea used the inaugural 2026 Melanesian Ocean Summit in Port Moresby (May 11–14) to link ocean protection with investment, renewing support for the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves and the “30 by 30” goal. Ocean Protection in Practice: The Cook Islands backed sacred-ocean governance through its Marae moana Act, pairing a huge marine park with science-based rules on seabed minerals and considering whale migration corridors with Tonga and Niue. Fisheries Governance: New Zealand opened the 142nd Forum Fisheries Committee officials meeting in Wellington, with Niue’s Poi Okesene noted for leadership as Pacific fisheries planning moves forward. Environment & Waste: Kiribati renewed focus on the plastic crisis, citing limited local treatment options and high daily waste pressure. Climate Adaptation Gap: Care services are still missing from many National Adaptation Plans and NDCs, despite climate risks hitting vulnerable groups hardest. Wildlife Impact: A California study found light pollution shifts predator-prey behavior more than noise at the urban edge.