AGP Executive Report

Campus Safety & Health: UFSA has urged Fiji Higher Education Commission action over alleged structural cracking at UniFiji’s Samabula campus, saying students and staff— including 200 nursing students—should not keep occupying the building until independent engineers assess safety. Climate & Health: Fiji’s climate change is being framed as a direct public health threat, with officials warning disasters are disrupting water, sanitation, medicines, maternal and child health, and driving climate-sensitive diseases. Water Security & El Niño: Fiji Meteorological Service says some remote islands are already asking for drinking water as El Niño dries conditions, with dry-rainfall outlooks pushing communities—especially borehole-dependent ones—to prepare early. Regional Climate Capacity: Fiji is strengthening its role as a Pacific meteorological hub with a new Nadi training and calibration centre supported by Japan/JICA, aimed at better equipment standards and impact-based forecasting. Litter Enforcement Push: Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya says littering habits won’t change overnight after the Sept 1 $200 fixed penalty, pointing to clean-ups that were quickly undone and calling for prevention by all of society. Blue Pacific Media: Government funding of $27,000 supports the Pacific Media Summit 2026, with emphasis on digital innovation and tackling misinformation. Biodiversity Knowledge: Youth and volunteers are documenting traditional ecological knowledge around the periodic Nanai insect, including night surveys during emergence. Tourism & Environment Watch: Fiji tourism hit a record July with 105,791 arrivals, topping 100,000 for the first time—good news for jobs, but a reminder to manage environmental pressures as visitor numbers rise.

El Niño & Water Security: Fiji is bracing for very dry conditions through November as El Niño strengthens, with Fiji Meteorological Service warnings that many areas face below-normal rainfall and remote islands are already asking for drinking water. Meteorology Capacity: Fiji is also building a new Nadi training and calibration centre to boost Pacific weather forecasting, including impact-based forecasts that link conditions to community and infrastructure risks. Litter Enforcement: Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya says changing littering habits will take time after the Sept 1 $200 fixed penalty began, following a clean-up that was quickly undone by repeat dumping. Pre-COP31 Planning: Fiji’s Pacific-led Pre-COP31 summit in Nadi and Tuvalu will go ahead “with or without” major leaders, using digital links to keep Pacific voices front and centre. Climate-Health Link: A Nadi conference heard that climate change is already harming Pacific health by damaging facilities and disrupting services, calling for stronger health systems and dedicated climate funding. Marine Plastic Push: “Paddle for Hope” is touring Viti Levu to spotlight ocean conservation and single-use plastic impacts ahead of Pre-COP31.

Transnational Crime & Prisons: Fiji’s Justice Minister Siromi Turaga warned that organised criminal networks are exploiting Pacific borders, financial systems and correctional facilities, urging faster regional intelligence-sharing and stronger safeguards in prisons. Climate Extremes & Health: New climate data points to August 2026 as the hottest month on record, while a Pacific health conference heard that climate-driven disasters are already damaging facilities and disrupting care—making stronger health systems and dedicated climate funding urgent. Dry Season Watch: Fiji Meteorological Service issued an Early Action Rainfall Watch showing very dry to seriously dry conditions likely across many divisions through mid-to-late September into November, with warnings for drought-stressed communities. Community Conservation: Young people and women are leading local conservation work, including protection of floating islands, with UNDP-supported knowledge exchange aimed at practical biodiversity and resource-management solutions across the Pacific. Ocean & Plastics Action: “Paddle for Hope” stand-up paddlers continued around Viti Levu, pushing marine conservation and a message against single-use plastics ahead of Pre-COP31. HIV Response Lesson for the Pacific: An opinion piece backs Fiji’s HIV national health crisis declaration but calls for sustained action, resources and partnerships—plus honest review so other Pacific countries can learn. Adaptation Fund Bottleneck: Fiji’s UN-Habitat Adaptation Fund work in informal settlements faces delays from technical staff shortages, though new hires and support are underway to keep upgrades moving.

Accessibility & Inclusion: Nadi International Airport has earned Level 1 accreditation under the Airports Council International Accessibility Enhancement Programme, recognising disability access audits, staff training, and accessibility requirements being built into planning and procurement. Climate & Health: Fiji’s Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa says climate change is already harming Pacific health by damaging facilities and disrupting services, calling for stronger health systems and dedicated climate funding for the health-climate link. Urban Adaptation Funding: Fiji may receive up to $90m from the Adaptation Fund to protect vulnerable informal settlements, with support for 16 communities across Lami, Suva, Nadi and Lautoka and a project running to May 2027. Nuclear-Free Pacific: Fiji says Australia’s security plans won’t create nuclear submarine hubs in the Pacific, pointing to the Treaty of Rarotonga and commitments to keep the region nuclear-free. Climate Science at UN Talks: Fiji’s lead negotiator Sivendra Michael warns climate science is under attack at UN climate talks, criticising a “polluted narrative” that he says undermines agreed scientific foundations. Weather Information for Remote Communities: SPREP urges journalists to help carry trusted weather and climate warnings to far-flung communities, linking forecasts to food security, health and safety. EIA Consultation: No concerns were raised during an EIA public consultation for proposed new Assemblies of God Fiji headquarters in Suva, with an EIA report expected soon and construction estimated at 15 months.

COP31 Pre-COP in Fiji: Australia’s climate minister Chris Bowen says preparations for COP31 are “going well,” arguing the energy crisis is pushing momentum for electrification and renewables, while also defending the Fiji–Tuvalu pre-COP against claims it lacks top-level leaders. Climate finance for Fiji’s most exposed: A high-level Adaptation Fund team says Fiji could receive up to US$40m (about FJ$90m) to protect 16 vulnerable informal settlements from flooding and sea-level rise. Water stress from El Niño: Fiji is urging communities to conserve water as below-normal rainfall threatens through February 2027, with special warnings for borehole-dependent areas. Renewables push: EPC Renewables and partners sign on for a 240MWh solar-plus-storage project in Fiji, aiming to cut reliance on imported diesel. Nature protection deal: SPREP and Conservation International sign a five-year agreement to strengthen biodiversity conservation and climate resilience across the Pacific. Reef and ocean protection: Pacific leaders back urgent climate action and stronger protection for reefs that can survive the climate emergency. Waste and pollution: Fiji strengthens monitoring of waste emissions, while a separate report highlights plastic pollution hotspots elsewhere in the region.

Climate Adaptation Funding: Fiji could receive up to $90m from the Adaptation Fund to protect residents in 16 vulnerable informal settlements across Lami, Suva, Nadi and Lautoka, with support for upgrades like bridges, footpaths and evacuation centres. Water Security & El Niño Prep: Officials are urging early action as El Niño-linked dry conditions threaten water supplies; borehole-dependent communities are told to conserve, repair leaks and monitor groundwater for declining yields. Renewables Push: Energy Fiji is moving ahead with the Yaqara solar-plus-battery plan, starting with 22MW solar + 40MWh storage and scaling up to 120MW + 200MWh, aiming to cut reliance on imported diesel. Nature Conservation: SPREP and Conservation International sign a five-year partnership to strengthen biodiversity conservation and climate resilience across Pacific ecosystems. Health Watch: Fiji reports a rise in influenza-like illnesses and acute respiratory infections, with lab testing confirming higher seasonal influenza activity. Pacific Youth Climate Voice: Youth across Oceania adopt a statement demanding action to keep 1.5°C within reach, protect the ocean, and secure accessible climate finance.

COP31 Push & Climate Finance: Pacific leaders meeting in Palau backed urgent action to keep the 1.5°C survival goal alive, calling for faster access to climate finance and stronger ocean and reef protection ahead of COP31. El Niño & Water Security: Fiji is urging early preparation for possible prolonged dry conditions as El Niño threatens water supplies, with borehole-dependent communities warned to conserve and protect groundwater. Renewables for Energy Resilience: Energy Fiji and EPC Renewables (with Grupo Cobra) signed on the Yaqara solar-plus-storage project—22MW solar with 40MWh batteries first, then 120MW with 200MWh—aimed at cutting diesel reliance. Waste Emissions Monitoring: Fiji is strengthening greenhouse gas measurement in the waste sector, improving monitoring and reporting to track progress on national climate targets. Nature Conservation Partnership: SPREP and Conservation International signed a five-year deal to boost Pacific-led biodiversity conservation and climate resilience for reefs, forests and coastal wetlands. Health Watch: Fiji reported increased influenza-like illnesses and acute respiratory infections, with enhanced surveillance and lab testing underway. Youth Climate Demands: Pacific youth adopted a unified climate statement calling for protection of the 1.5°C threshold, ocean safeguards, accessible climate finance, and youth decision-making power. Reef Survival Commitment: Tonga, Micronesia and French Polynesia joined a global pledge to protect climate-resilient coral reefs using traditional practices like rāhui.

El Niño & water security: Fiji is stepping up preparations for possible prolonged dry conditions as El Niño threatens water supply, with officials urging early action and coordination with the National Disaster Management Office. Groundwater warnings: Communities that rely on boreholes and groundwater are being told to conserve water as below-normal rainfall could continue through February 2027, including steps to check leaks, monitor boreholes and prevent contamination. Climate finance push: Pacific leaders meeting in Palau reaffirmed the 1.5°C goal and demanded stronger climate finance and disaster preparedness ahead of COP31, with renewed focus on ocean-climate links and faster renewables. Reef resilience: Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia and French Polynesia signed onto a commitment to protect climate-resilient coral reefs, citing food security, coastline protection and traditional management. Waste & emissions: Fiji is strengthening monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector, improving how landfill and wastewater methane is measured under its NDC 3.0 targets. Solar-plus-storage for Fiji: EPC Renewables and Grupo Cobra signed MOUs with Energy Fiji Ltd for a major Yaqara solar and battery project, aimed at cutting diesel reliance and boosting renewable electricity. Protecting living waters: The Paddle for Hope journey around Viti Levu is promoting ocean protection and reducing single-use plastics, with community recycling and waste-management messages.

COP31 Push from Palau: Pacific leaders at the PIF summit in Koror urged COP31 to deliver climate finance, ocean action and faster clean energy rollouts, warning that costly fossil fuel imports and worsening impacts are squeezing island livelihoods. Climate Risk for Fiji: Fiji’s Public Works Minister says authorities are preparing for possible El Niño conditions, stressing early coordination to protect essential services. Reef Protection Deal: Tonga, Micronesia and French Polynesia signed onto a high-level commitment to protect climate-resilient coral reefs, linking reefs to food security, coast protection and community identity. Fiji Waste Emissions Monitoring: Fiji is strengthening how it measures greenhouse gases from the waste sector, improving monitoring and reporting to track progress under its NDC targets. El Niño Food and Water Warning: Pacific neighbours face drought in some areas and heavier rain in others, with growing pressure on drinking water, food and children’s health. Solar-Plus-Storage for Fiji: EPC Renewables and Grupo Cobra signed an MOU with Energy Fiji for the Yaqara solar and battery project, aiming to cut diesel reliance and raise renewable electricity. Paddle for Hope: A Viti Levu journey is promoting ocean protection and reducing single-use plastics, with community recycling and waste-management messages. Fiji Health Tech: PATISPlus is being rolled out to maternal and child health clinics to track high-risk pregnancies and improve follow-up, including during disasters.

Waste & Climate: Fiji is strengthening how it measures greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector, improving monitoring, reporting and verification to track progress toward NDC 3.0 targets. Mental Health & Servicewomen: Minister Sashi Kiran says Fiji must provide stronger psychological support for servicewomen, linking wellbeing to readiness and long-term recovery. Border Data & Sovereignty: Questions are rising over the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union and where sensitive government data could be stored, including whether recovery infrastructure might be housed in Australia. COP31 Push: Fiji is urging Pacific leaders to boost participation in pre-COP31 discussions, with Tuvalu highlighted as a key bridge for climate priorities. Climate Costs & Accountability: Debate continues over the price and turnout of Australia’s Bowen climate “talkfest,” with critics arguing taxpayers could have funded practical climate and health needs instead. El Niño Threat: Pacific communities are being warned to prepare for a strengthening El Niño that could disrupt water, food and children’s health amid an ongoing fuel crisis. Maternal Health Tech: PATISPlus is being introduced to connect maternal and child health records across care stages, helping clinics track high-risk pregnancies and respond during disasters. Ocean Plastics Campaign: “Paddle for Hope” continues around Viti Levu, urging communities to cut single-use plastics and improve recycling and waste disposal. Reef & Biodiversity Signal: Pacific leaders are backing stronger action to keep 1.5°C within reach and protect climate-resilient coral reefs using best available science. Tuna & Food Security: The “Tuna Bites” campaign is set to celebrate tuna’s role in Pacific diets and livelihoods through country culinary competitions. Climate Finance Boost: Canada is backing the Pacific Resilience Facility with new climate finance to support adaptation, disaster preparedness and loss and damage. Recycling Solidarity: Fiji’s recycling community held a vigil for Nepal flood victims, including missing waste-picking community members. Aquarium Species Mix-Up: A new study finds “blue-green chromis” sold in reef tanks is actually two species, raising awareness for biodiversity and trade accuracy.

Pacific climate bill hits food and fisheries: New modelling shared at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau warns a world beyond 1.5°C could cut tuna access fees by up to US$90m a year and slash coastal catches by as much as 65%, with flooding risks also worsening for islands like Tuvalu. Belau Declaration on climate urgency: Forum leaders backed a push to keep 1.5°C within reach, boost climate finance, strengthen ocean-climate action, and amplify Pacific voices ahead of COP31. Fuel crisis meets El Niño: ChildFund New Zealand warns a strengthening El Niño could bring drought in some areas, heavier rain in others, and rising pressure on drinking water, food and children’s health—on top of fuel shortages. Fiji health system upgrade: PATISPlus is being rolled out to maternal and child health clinics, helping track high-risk pregnancies and follow up vulnerable mothers and children, including during disasters. Ocean and waste action on the ground: The Paddle for Hope SUP Against SUP campaign continues around Viti Levu, urging communities to cut single-use plastics and improve recycling and waste management. Community conservation and biodiversity solutions: NatureFiji-MareqetiViti highlights community-led approaches to tackle biodiversity, climate and pollution crises. Solidarity for Nepal’s waste-pickers: Fiji’s recycling community held a vigil for Nepal flood victims, including missing members of the informal recycling community. Regional finance support: Canada backs the Pacific Resilience Facility with climate funding aimed at adaptation, disaster preparedness and loss and damage. Fiji climate mobility reality: Fiji says six communities have already been relocated, with two more underway as climate change forces difficult housing choices.

Ocean & Waste Action: The Paddle for Hope SUP Against SUP campaign keeps moving around Viti Levu, reaching Tagage Village on Day 5 and urging communities to cut single-use plastics, with the Ministry of Environment also sharing recycling and waste management messages. Health Systems & Resilience: Fiji’s maternal and child health clinics are rolling out PATISPlus, a digital patient information system trained for 18 nurses in Suva, to track high-risk pregnancies, connect care from pregnancy through postnatal follow-up, and help clinics prioritise patients during disasters and outbreaks. Community-Led Climate Solutions: NatureFiji-MareqetiViti’s Nunia Thomas-Moko says Pacific communities must lead the response to biodiversity, climate and pollution crises, with local knowledge backed by access to technical support, technology and funding. Regional Climate Push: At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, leaders backed urgent action to keep 1.5°C alive, called for faster climate finance and stronger ocean-climate work, and issued the Belau Declaration while also “registering concern” over China’s July missile test. Fiji Climate Mobility: Fiji says climate impacts have already forced six community relocations and two more are underway, with the Ministry warning climate mobility is now a reality. Reef & Biodiversity Spotlight: A new study identifies “blue-green chromis” aquarium fish as two species, highlighting how biodiversity knowledge can change what people think they’re protecting.

Climate Action at PIF: Pacific leaders meeting in Palau backed urgent global action to keep 1.5°C within reach, pushing faster fossil-fuel cuts, more climate finance, and stronger ocean-climate work ahead of COP31. Fiji Climate Reality Check: Fiji says climate impacts are already forcing movement—six communities relocated and two more underway—highlighting the need for resources to protect vulnerable families. Pacific Resilience Funding: The Green Climate Fund signalled support for the Pacific Resilience Facility, while Canada pledged US$12.3m over five years to expand community access to climate finance, adaptation, preparedness and loss-and-damage support. Oceans and Fisheries: Leaders also tightened the region’s stance on ocean sovereignty, fisheries, deep-sea minerals and marine pollution, urging coordinated Pacific action. Waste and Plastics on the Ground: “Paddle for Hope” reached Tagage Village to tackle single-use plastics, and Fiji’s recycling community held a solidarity vigil for Nepal flood victims. Coral and Biodiversity: Fiji will share community-led conservation at a major regional nature conference in New Caledonia, stressing local knowledge and practical protection. Energy Transition: Australia delivered battery storage to Palau to cut diesel use and boost renewable power reliability.

Climate Action at PIF: Pacific leaders meeting in Palau backed the Belau Declaration calling for urgent, inclusive action to keep 1.5°C within reach, faster climate finance, and stronger ocean-climate work ahead of COP31. Fiji Climate Mobility: Fiji says climate change has already forced six community relocations, with two more underway, as sea-level rise and extreme tides make staying put harder. Oceans & Marine Protection: Leaders also tightened the region’s stance on ocean sovereignty, fisheries, deep-sea minerals and marine pollution, tasking coordination for the next BBNJ steps. Pacific Resilience Funding: The Green Climate Fund signalled support for the Pacific Resilience Facility, describing it as a complementary Pacific-led financing mechanism. Waste & Recycling Accountability: Fiji’s recycling community held a solidarity vigil for Nepal flood victims, while Pacific Recycling Foundation leaders urged Fiji to fix gaps where recyclables are collected but not properly processed. Renewables in the Pacific: Australia delivered battery storage to Palau to boost solar and cut diesel use, strengthening the renewable energy transition. Community-led Conservation: Fiji will share community conservation work at a regional nature conference in New Caledonia, pushing local knowledge as the key to biodiversity protection.

Pacific Climate Push: Pacific Islands Forum leaders in Palau adopted the Belau Declaration calling climate change “the single greatest threat,” urging faster fossil-fuel cuts, more climate finance, and stronger action to keep 1.5°C within reach. Oceans & Biodiversity: Leaders also backed a renewed regional push on ocean sovereignty, fisheries, deep-sea minerals and marine pollution, and set up work for the BBNJ process ahead of 2027. Fiji Climate Reality: Fiji says climate impacts are already forcing community relocations—six moved, two more underway—highlighting sea-level rise and coastal erosion. Fiji Waste & Health: More than 1,000kg of rubbish was cleared from Vatuwaqa creek, including used syringes, as Fiji warns illegal dumping is putting clean-up workers at risk. Fiji Environment Check: Government is preparing a State of the Environment Report 2026 to pinpoint Fiji’s biggest environmental threats and where enforcement and investment must rise. Renewables Investment: The Forum chair launched a US$2b renewable blue investment prospectus to accelerate a cleaner, energy-secure Pacific. Community-Led Conservation: Fiji will share community conservation work at a regional nature conference in New Caledonia, stressing local knowledge and grassroots solutions. Schools Resilience: A new EU-UNICEF programme will help Pacific countries build climate-resilient schools with safer water, sanitation, renewable energy and better disaster readiness. Waste Accountability: The Pacific Recycling Foundation urged Fiji to improve recycling systems beyond publicity, focusing on what happens after materials are collected. Tourism Tax: Fiji introduced a 5% Tourism Services Tax from Sept 1, affecting some tourism services and raising questions about how it applies to travellers.

UN Spotlight for Fiji: UNA Fiji has been officially admitted to the World Federation of United Nations Associations, marking a major milestone for Fiji’s UN-focused civil society. Climate-Resilient Schools: A €17m EU–UNICEF programme launched in Palau will upgrade Pacific schools with safer water and sanitation, renewable energy and better connectivity, directly benefiting about 15,000 children in Fiji, FSM, Kiribati and Solomon Islands. Disaster Planning with Women: SPC is pushing for women’s full participation in disaster response and climate financing, citing Fiji examples where women were left out of relocation and rebuilding priorities. Waterway Pollution Crackdown: Over 1,000kg of rubbish—including used syringes—was cleared from Vatuwaqa creek, with Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya warning illegal dumping puts clean-up workers at risk and urging compliance with the new $200 litter fine. Ocean-to-Action Plastic Push: Paddle for Hope is taking a “SUP against SUP” message around Viti Levu to cut single-use plastics and stop waste entering waterways. Food and Farming Under El Niño: Labasa’s “salad bowl” farmers report about a 30% drop in vegetable supply due to El Niño heat, while a proposed home-grown school meals policy could boost local farm income by up to $25m. Climate Finance Speed-Up: Green Climate Fund reforms aim to cut approval and accreditation delays, targeting nine-month access to funding for Pacific projects. Waste-to-Energy Court Case: Next Generation Holdings’ appeal over a proposed Vuda Point waste-to-energy plant continues as it seeks more documents from the Department of Environment.