Marshall Islands Climate & Security: Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine urged stronger national security, climate adaptation and public-sector reform as parliament resumed, citing geopolitical tensions, extreme weather and rising living costs; she also flagged maritime surveillance, resilient infrastructure, healthcare and renewed efforts to document the legacy of U.S. nuclear testing, alongside preparations for changing El Niño conditions. Pacific Climate Diplomacy: Forum foreign ministers backed a stronger regional climate push ahead of COP31, endorsing Pre-COP31 meetings in the Pacific and the COP31 Pacific Partnership pillars—keeping 1.5°C within reach, boosting climate finance, elevating the ocean-climate link, and amplifying Pacific voices. Ocean Conservation in the Region: Pristine Seas’ National Geographic expedition began in Samoa to survey biodiversity across new marine protected areas, using deep-sea cameras, submersible dives and environmental DNA to build baselines for protecting 30% of Samoa’s ocean. Maritime Safety for the Marshall Islands Fleet: The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of 22 crew from the Marshall Islands-flagged vehicle carrier Min Jiang Kou after an engine-room fire south of Costa Rica; the crew was safely transferred to Akita, Japan. Pacific Militarisation Watch: A China submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the Pacific and a lack of a unified condemnation at the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ meeting highlighted widening divisions over growing militarisation.