AGP Executive Report

Pacific Health Funding: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate-finance approvals in 2025, including US$17.89 million to strengthen climate-health resilience in the Federated States of Micronesia. Emergency Response: A French aircraft from Nouméa delivered life rafts and desalination equipment to the drifting Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka, where 73 passengers were stranded; Australian aircraft also dropped water, food, medical supplies and communications equipment.

Pacific Health Funding: The Pacific Community reported US$129.9 million in climate-funding approvals in 2025, including US$17.89 million to help the Federated States of Micronesia prepare for climate-related health risks. Regional Rescue: A French aircraft from Nouméa delivered water, life rafts and desalination equipment to the stranded Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka, supporting more than 70 passengers; Australian aircraft also dropped food, medical supplies and communications gear.

Climate and Health: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate funding approvals, including US$17.89 million to help the Federated States of Micronesia prepare for climate-related health risks. Its 2025 programme reached more than 12,600 people across the region. Regional Health Planning: A Pacific bulletin flagged gaps in health protection in New Zealand’s climate plans and efforts in Samoa to bridge climate and health research gaps. Maritime Rescue: New Caledonian aircraft joined the multinational response to the drifting Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka, delivering life rafts and desalination equipment; other aircraft dropped food, water, medical supplies and communications gear to passengers and crew.

Women’s Health and Leadership: A new Melanesian women’s programme will build connections and leadership across the Pacific and its diaspora, with a focus on education, health and wellbeing, social enterprise and climate leadership. Sista Hemi Empawa launches in Auckland on 31 October with a mentorship programme. Regional Emergency Response: New Caledonia joined the effort to assist 73 passengers stranded aboard the Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka, with aircraft delivering essentials including water, food and medical supplies as rescue operations continued. Environmental Health: A Minamata disease survivor is urging more countries to join the Minamata Convention on Mercury, warning of the devastating health toll when mercury contaminates seafood and communities’ food supply.

Ferry Rescue: More than 70 passengers stranded aboard the drifting MV Awka in Solomon Islands waters received food, water, medical supplies and communications equipment as rescue efforts continued. A French aircraft from Nouméa delivered essential supplies, with New Caledonia among the countries helping coordinate assistance. Mercury Health Risks: A Minamata disease survivor urged countries to join the Minamata Convention on Mercury, recalling how contaminated fish and shellfish caused serious illness and deaths in her family. The disaster remains a warning about the health costs of industrial pollution. Dengue Watch: Hawaii reported its eighth travel-related dengue case this year. Officials say the risk of local spread is low, but urged people to remove standing water to limit mosquito breeding.

Maritime Rescue: New Caledonia joined the international response to the MV Awka emergency, sending an aircraft from Nouméa with water, life rafts and desalination equipment for stranded passengers; supplies also included medical items. Joint Health: A regional analysis examines osteoarthritis linked to high body mass index across Western Pacific countries and territories, highlighting weight management and exercise as key measures to ease symptoms. Community Wellbeing: Pacific representatives told the UN that New Caledonia still faces health, education and employment pressures, urging a visiting mission to assess conditions as political uncertainty continues.

Ferry Rescue: More than 70 people remain stranded aboard the drifting MV Awka in Solomon Islands waters after an engine failure. New Caledonia sent an aircraft with life rafts and desalination equipment; Australian and regional teams are also delivering food, water and medical supplies. Pacific Health: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing social and economic pressures, including health challenges facing Kanak communities. Joint Health Research: A regional study examines osteoarthritis linked to high body mass index across Western Pacific countries and territories from 1990 to 2023.

Ferry Rescue: New Caledonia sent an aircraft to assist 73 passengers stranded aboard the drifting MV Awka in Solomon Islands waters, dropping life rafts, desalination equipment and essential supplies, including medicine. Joint Health: A regional analysis examines osteoarthritis linked to high body mass across Western Pacific countries and territories, with weight management and exercise among recommended ways to ease symptoms. Dengue Watch: Hawaii has reported its eighth travel-related dengue case this year; officials say local transmission risk is low and have begun mosquito-control measures. New Caledonia: Pacific representatives urged a UN mission to assess the territory’s situation, citing ongoing social and economic pressures, including health challenges facing Kanak communities.

Maritime Emergency: A ferry carrying 73 passengers drifted for days in Solomon Islands waters after an engine failure. New Caledonia sent an aircraft from Nouméa with life rafts and desalination equipment, while Australian aircraft delivered food, water and medical supplies. Joint Health Research: A new analysis examines osteoarthritis linked to high body mass index across Western Pacific countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. Health in New Caledonia: Pacific representatives urged a UN visiting mission, citing continuing pressures on Kanak communities, including in health, after the deadly unrest of May 2024.

Pacific Rescue: More than 70 people stranded aboard the drifting Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka received food, water, medical supplies and communications equipment in an international response. New Caledonia sent an aircraft with emergency supplies, while a nurse aboard said passengers were calm as they awaited rescue. Joint Health: A new analysis examines osteoarthritis linked to high body mass across Western Pacific countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. The study’s introduction highlights exercise and weight management as key ways to help control symptoms. Mercury Safety: A survivor of Japan’s Minamata poisoning disaster is urging more countries to join the global mercury convention, recalling how toxic contamination of seafood devastated her family.

Maritime Emergency: More than 70 passengers remain stranded aboard the drifting Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka after an engine failure. A French aircraft from New Caledonia dropped life rafts and desalination equipment, while Australian rescuers delivered food, water, medical supplies and communications gear. Joint Health: A new regional analysis examines osteoarthritis linked to high body mass index across Western Pacific countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. Mercury Safety: A Minamata disease survivor is urging countries to join the Minamata Convention on Mercury, warning of the lasting human cost of toxic pollution.

Sea Rescue: More than 70 passengers have been stranded aboard the drifting Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka since its engine failed. New Caledonian and Australian aircraft have delivered water, food, medical supplies and rescue equipment as vessels head to assist. Joint Health: A regional analysis examines osteoarthritis linked to high body mass across Western Pacific countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. The study’s introduction notes that exercise and weight management are key parts of care. Mercury Pollution: A Minamata disease survivor is urging countries to join the Minamata Convention, warning of the lasting harm caused when mercury enters the food chain. The 1950s and 1960s pollution disaster left thousands dead or seriously ill.

Emergency Medical Aid: A French aircraft left Nouméa with food, water and medical supplies for 73 passengers aboard the drifting MV Awka near the Solomon Islands. Australia and New Zealand also offered assistance as rough seas raised concerns for those on board. Pacific Health Research: A new regional analysis examines osteoarthritis linked to high body mass index across Western Pacific countries and territories from 1990 to 2023, highlighting a major source of pain and disability. Mercury and Health: A Minamata disease survivor urged countries to join the global mercury treaty, recalling how contaminated seafood caused deaths and severe illness in her family. New Caledonia: Pacific representatives called for a UN visiting mission amid ongoing political uncertainty and hardship, citing health, education and employment pressures on Kanak communities.

New Caledonia: Pacific representatives called for a UN visiting mission to assess the territory’s political and social situation, citing ongoing pressures on Kanak communities, including challenges in health, education and employment. Pacific Health: A Minamata disease survivor urged countries to join the Minamata Convention on Mercury, recalling how industrial pollution poisoned seafood and caused lasting illness and deaths in Japan.

Mercury and Health: A Minamata disease survivor is urging countries that have not joined the Minamata Convention to act against mercury pollution. In Japan, contaminated seafood exposed families to toxic methylmercury, killing or seriously harming more than 2,000 people. New Caledonia: Pacific representatives are calling for a UN visiting mission to assess the territory amid ongoing political uncertainty and hardship following the deadly May 2024 unrest. The Melanesian Spearhead Group highlighted continuing pressures on Kanak communities, including challenges in health, education and employment.

Mercury and Health: A Minamata disease survivor is urging countries to join the Minamata Convention on Mercury, recalling how industrial pollution poisoned seafood and devastated families in Japan. New Caledonia: Pacific representatives are calling for a UN visiting mission amid continuing hardship after the May 2024 unrest, citing pressures on Kanak communities, including in health, education and employment. They say an independent assessment could help the UN support a lasting political settlement.