AGP Executive Report

Regional Sport: Nauru is among the teams heading to the Oceania Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship in the Cook Islands, running October 13–16. Climate Action: At Pacific Pre-COP31 talks in Fiji, President David Adeang urged world leaders to turn climate promises into finance, emissions cuts and practical support, warning that rising seas, drought and disasters are already affecting Nauru and its neighbours. Parliamentary Diplomacy: Nauru joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union, bringing its membership to 184 parliaments and strengthening the Pacific islands’ voice. Its admission followed the country’s withdrawal of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Child Health: UNICEF figures cited in a global report put obesity at 33% among Nauruan children and adolescents aged 5–19, highlighting a serious public health challenge.

Climate Action: Naoero President David Adeang challenged world leaders at Pacific Pre-COP31 talks to turn climate pledges into funding, emissions cuts and practical support, warning that rising seas, drought and disasters are already hitting Pacific communities. Global Voice: Naoero joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Tanzania, becoming its 184th member and adding a Pacific island voice to the parliamentary forum. Children’s Health: A global study puts obesity among Nauruan children and adolescents aged 5–19 at 33%, highlighting a major health challenge. Regional Affairs: Nauru was the sole Pacific Islands Forum member to dissent from a statement on China’s missile test, underscoring debate over how the region handles security issues.

Climate Action: Naoero President David Adeang urged world leaders at the Pacific Pre-COP31 talks to turn climate pledges into funding, emissions cuts and practical support, warning that rising seas, drought and disasters are already affecting Pacific communities. Global Engagement: Naoero has joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union, bringing its membership to 184 parliaments. Speaker Marcus Stephen said the move was significant after the country withdrew recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and established ties with Georgia. Regional Diplomacy: Naoero was the only Pacific Islands Forum member to dissent from a statement on China’s intercontinental ballistic missile test, highlighting divisions over regional positions. Child Health: A global report puts obesity prevalence among Nauru’s children and teenagers at 33%, among the highest rates cited in the Pacific.

Climate Action: Naoero President David Adeang urged world leaders to turn climate pledges into finance, emissions cuts and practical support, saying Nauru and its Pacific neighbours are already facing rising seas, drought and disasters. Regional Voice: Nauru has joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union, bringing its 184-member parliament network another Pacific voice. The move follows Nauru’s decision to end recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and establish diplomatic relations with Georgia. Child Health: A global health report puts obesity among Nauru’s children and teenagers at 33%, underscoring the scale of the challenge across the Pacific. Ocean Protection: Nauru was among the countries opposing a proposed South Atlantic whale sanctuary at the International Whaling Commission meeting in Hobart.

Climate Action: President David Adeang urged world leaders to turn climate pledges into emissions cuts, funding and practical support, saying Nauru and other Pacific nations are already facing rising seas, drought and disasters. Parliamentary Ties: Nauru joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union, whose members said the country would strengthen the voice of small island states. Public Health: A global report puts obesity at 33% among Nauruan children and adolescents aged 5–19, underscoring the scale of the health challenge. Regional Affairs: Nauru was the sole Pacific Islands Forum member to reject a statement on China’s intercontinental ballistic missile test, highlighting strains over regional unity. Ocean Protection: Nauru also voted against a proposed South Atlantic whale sanctuary, which failed to win the required majority.

Climate Action: President David Adeang challenged world leaders at the Pacific Pre-COP31 talks to turn promises into emissions cuts, climate finance and practical support, saying Nauru and its neighbours already face rising seas, drought and disasters. Diplomacy: Nauru has joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union, strengthening Pacific representation. Its July decision to withdraw recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and establish ties with Georgia helped clear the way for membership. Ocean Governance: Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., linked to deep-sea mining firm The Metals Company, is involved in a legal dispute over the international seabed rules—an issue with major stakes for Pacific waters. Migration: Renewed interest in Australia-style offshore asylum processing has put Nauru’s role in the controversial system back in focus, as Europe and the United States consider similar approaches.

Climate Action: Nauru President David Adeang urged world leaders at the Pacific Pre-COP31 meeting to turn climate pledges into funding, emissions cuts and practical support. He said rising seas, drought and disasters are already threatening Pacific communities. Regional Security: A new analysis highlights a divide: Pacific nations see climate change as their greatest security threat, while Australia’s strategy focuses more on China’s influence. Parliamentary Diplomacy: Nauru has joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union, strengthening the voice of small island states. Its membership follows the country’s decision to withdraw recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and establish diplomatic ties with Georgia. Ocean Conservation: Nauru voted against a proposed South Atlantic whale sanctuary at the International Whaling Commission, which failed to win the required majority.

Climate Action: President David Adeang urged world leaders at Pre-COP31 to turn climate promises into finance, emissions cuts and practical support, saying Pacific communities are already facing rising seas, drought and disasters. Global Engagement: Nauru has joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union, strengthening the voice of small island states; its membership followed the country’s decision to revoke recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and establish diplomatic ties with Georgia. Ocean Protection: Nauru was among the countries that voted against a proposed South Atlantic whale sanctuary, which failed to win the required support. Offshore Processing: A review of Australia’s offshore asylum system—run with Nauru’s involvement—warns that similar schemes can bring high costs and human-rights concerns as other governments consider adopting the model.

Pacific climate diplomacy under scrutiny: Australia’s Pre-COP31 push in Fiji is drawing political heat after reports that only two leaders outside the Pacific attended, leaving the Albanese government to justify a $20m-plus bill while trying to keep focus on COP31. Blue economy & jobs: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale told leaders the Pacific’s oceans, reefs and forests can be turned into investment and livelihoods, pointing to the PNA Vessel Day Scheme and new ideas like a sovereign wealth fund and climate resilience financing. Nauru in global governance: Nauru (now Naoero) joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union after revoking recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, opening a path for parliamentary engagement. Labour & mobility: Japan says its worker shortages—especially in agriculture—could create opportunities for skilled Pacific workers, while stressing immigration remains politically sensitive. Regional ocean protection debate: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr urged balancing marine conservation with economic development as Pacific nations face rising seas and pressure on resources. Gaza diplomatic fallout: Israel faces growing diplomatic pressure over Gaza, including walkouts at the UN General Assembly by delegates from several Asian countries.

Pacific Climate Diplomacy in Fiji: Only two non-Pacific leaders are attending Australia–Fiji–Tuvalu’s PACT Pre-COP31 in Nadi, as Australia faces pressure over the event’s $20m+ cost and whether it can keep focus on climate risks ahead of COP31. Natural Capital for Jobs: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale told leaders the Pacific’s oceans, forests, reefs and fisheries can drive jobs and resilience, pointing to the PNA Vessel Day Scheme and pushing climate finance reform and new investment funds. Ocean Protection vs Livelihoods: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. says countries must invest in both conservation and “production,” citing Palau’s High Seas Treaty ratification and marine sanctuary approach. Nauru in International Legal Crosswinds: Naoero (formerly Nauru) withdrew from the ICC, with the US praising the move as sovereignty-focused. Deep-Sea Mining Rules Fight: A Nauru-linked seabed dispute highlights how companies are racing to shape seabed-mining rules as Pacific states weigh economic opportunity against environmental risk. Regional Security Talk: Pacific defence ministers met in Fiji, with critics warning the agenda is about strengthening alliances amid wider great-power tensions.

Pacific climate push in Fiji: Leaders and delegates from Australia, Germany, Nepal and Pacific nations have started pre-COP31 talks in Fiji, with Australia’s PM Albanese and Climate Minister Chris Bowen backing renewables funding and a possible Pacific declaration on fair climate governance and guaranteed finance. Jobs from “natural capital”: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale told the PACT Pre-COP31 event that Pacific oceans, forests, reefs and fisheries can be turned into jobs and resilience, pointing to the PNA Vessel Day Scheme and new ideas like climate resilience and sovereign wealth funds. Only two non-Pacific leaders at the table: Australia’s Bowen says the Fiji meeting is a key diplomatic focus, despite criticism over the cost and concerns it could distract from domestic cost-of-living pressures. Ocean protection vs livelihoods: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. argues the region must balance conservation with production, citing Palau’s marine sanctuary and traditional “bul” stewardship. Deep-sea mining debate: Cook Islands youth are weighing whether deep-sea mining can deliver real economic gains without damaging cultural and environmental interests. Nauru in the spotlight: A separate report notes Nauru’s role in Australia’s offshore processing “Pacific Solution,” while another story highlights Nauru-linked legal action in seabed mining disputes. ICC pressure spreads: The US has welcomed Naoero’s withdrawal from the ICC, as the court faces mounting US sanctions and contract changes.

Pacific Climate Push: Nauru’s region is in the spotlight at Fiji’s PACT Pre-COP31 talks, where PM Matthew Wale is urging leaders to turn the Pacific’s oceans, forests, reefs and fisheries into jobs and resilience, pointing to PNA’s Vessel Day Scheme as a model for Pacific-led resource management. Fiji Meeting Pressure: Only two leaders from outside the Pacific are attending, as Australia defends the high cost of the summit and stresses it’s vital for keeping global attention on Pacific climate needs ahead of COP31. Climate-to-Health Message: Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga says the world should look to Pacific solutions, not just vulnerability, linking climate action to health equity and urging closer regional collaboration. Ocean Rules vs Mining Rush: A new debate is heating up over deep-sea minerals, with warnings that companies are racing to secure access and bypass local courts as Pacific states seek better safeguards and climate finance reform. ICC Fallout Touches Nauru: The US has praised Naoero (formerly Nauru) after it announced withdrawal from the ICC, as Washington escalates pressure on the court.

Pacific Climate & Health: University of Auckland’s Prof. Sir Collin Tukuitonga says pre-COP31 talks in Fiji should spotlight Pacific solutions, not just vulnerability, linking climate action to health gains and regional collaboration. Climate Displacement: ABC reports Nabavatu in Fiji remains unrebuilt after cyclones made it unsafe, leaving residents living in ballooning tent shelters while communities wait for recovery. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: A commentary argues the race for seabed minerals is really a fight over who writes the rules, with Nauru-linked legal moves against the International Seabed Authority and pressure for national permits. Ocean Conservation vs Jobs: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. urges Pacific leaders to protect oceans while investing in production so communities benefit. Regional Security: Defence ministers in Fiji met to coordinate responses to “shared challenges,” amid concerns about strengthening alliances in a China-focused security climate. ICC Fallout (Nauru): The US praised Naoero’s withdrawal from the ICC, as Washington escalates pressure on the court.

Climate Displacement in Nauru: ABC reports Nabavatu residents in Nauru (now Naoero) are still living in 37 temporary tents in Savadrua after the area was declared unsafe in 2021 following cyclones, with families describing the harsh conditions and the slow wait for rebuilding. Deep-Sea Mining Rules: A new analysis argues the race for Pacific seabed minerals is really a fight over who gets to set the rules, pointing to Nauru-linked legal action at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea involving the International Seabed Authority. ICC Pressure on Pacific States: The US congratulated Naoero after it announced withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, as Washington escalates criticism of the Hague-based court and sanctions loom. Ocean Protection vs Jobs: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. says Pacific nations must balance marine conservation with economic development, citing conservation measures alongside the need for “production” that benefits communities. Whale Sanctuary Vote Fails: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid again fell short at the International Whaling Commission, with Nauru among the countries voting against.

ICC & Naoero: Naoero (formerly Nauru) formally announced it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court at the UN, depositing its withdrawal documents with the Rome Statute repository, after US President Trump urged countries to quit the ICC; the US has since praised Naoero for “standing up for sovereignty,” while the ICC faces broader US pressure including contract changes. Ocean governance & seabed mining rules: A key fight over who sets the rules for deep-sea minerals is heating up, with Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. involved in International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea proceedings tied to the International Seabed Authority and the push to secure commercial permits. Whales in the South Atlantic: A second attempt to create a South Atlantic whale sanctuary failed at the International Whaling Commission, with Nauru among the countries voting against. Pacific climate finance pressure: Pacific leaders are urging COP31-era reforms so climate-vulnerable states aren’t forced into deeper debt for disaster recovery. Regional security talk: South Pacific defence ministers met in Fiji, with critics warning the agenda is about strengthening alliances amid wider great-power tensions.

Nauru identity & sovereignty: Nauru has formally returned to its traditional name, Naoero, at the UN General Assembly, with President David Adeang saying the change reconnects the country to its language and heritage; the move also comes as Naoero announced its withdrawal from the ICC, and the US has publicly congratulated the decision as standing up to “illegitimate overreach.” Pacific climate finance: Climate-vulnerable island leaders at the UN pushed back against being forced into deeper debt for disaster recovery, arguing for grants and faster access to climate money. Ocean policy debate: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. says the Pacific must balance marine conservation with economic development, while deep-sea mining remains a live flashpoint across the region. Regional security: Pacific defence ministers met in Fiji to prepare for suppressing civil unrest, as broader alliance-building continues. Local relevance: Fiji’s Graham Leung was elected president of the Fiji Law Society, pledging an apolitical, rule-of-law focus amid elections and constitutional review.