Pacific Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect over 625,000 sq miles of ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to sustainably manage waters and protect at least 30% by 2030. Tourism & Business: The Cook Islands was named Oceania’s Leading Island Destination for a fourth straight year at the 2026 World Travel Awards, with tourism still a major driver of the economy. Trade & Compliance: The Cook Islands’ shift from paper to ePhytos under the IPPC ePhyto Solution is cutting border delays and costs and helping exporters access new markets. Governance & Data: Government agreed next steps under the UN-IGIF geospatial framework to strengthen decision-making for infrastructure, climate resilience and ocean governance. Mental Health: Te Marae Ora and police reiterated that suicide prevention is year-round, with seven suicide-related callouts since 2025 and five recorded deaths to date. Environment & Jobs Debate: Cook Islands deep-sea mining remains a live economic and cultural flashpoint, with protests and calls for caution as exploration and potential mining timelines move forward. Media & Accountability: Pacific media leaders pushed for better access to loss and damage information and stronger government transparency.