AGP Executive Report

Nuclear Justice: The UN rights office urged the U.S. to provide full and effective reparations for Marshall Islands nuclear test victims, warning that the legacy still lives in “bodies and families,” with the Cactus test site threatened by cracks and rising seas. Climate Adaptation & Finance Access: Marshall Islands climate envoy Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and others stressed that 1.5°C is already showing up as washed-away coastlines, and that frontline countries struggle to access climate funds due to complex processes and high costs. Pacific Climate Push: Island leaders renewed calls to hold the line on 1.5°C ahead of COP31, warning overshoot risks to health, food, water, ecosystems, and low-lying communities. Ocean & Wildlife Protection: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid failed again at the International Whaling Commission, falling short of the vote threshold despite broad support for whale protection. Regional Resilience: Pacific weather services described uneven progress but a shared push for locally run forecasting and warnings to help communities prepare for drought, storms, and disasters. Health Security: WHO and partners launched a Western Pacific Pandemic Fund multi-country project to strengthen surveillance, labs, and emergency response. Aviation Safety Risk: FAA funding is being weighed for major repairs at Midway Atoll’s Henderson Field, critical for emergency diversions across thousands of Pacific flights.

Nuclear Justice & Reparations: The UN rights office urged the U.S. to provide full, effective reparations for Marshall Islands nuclear test victims, saying the harm continues in bodies, families, poisoned lands, and a “nuclear ticking bomb” threat as sea levels rise. Climate Adaptation & Finance Access: Marshall Islands climate envoy Kristina Stege and others warned that 1.5°C is already showing up in washed-over docks, while Pacific leaders push for climate finance that frontline communities can actually access. Pacific Climate Negotiations: RMI climate envoy Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and other PSIDS negotiators renewed their push to hold the 1.5°C line ahead of COP31, citing the Limiting Overshoot report’s warning that risks intensify fast above 1.5°C. Ocean & Wildlife Protection: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid failed again at the International Whaling Commission, with the Marshall Islands among countries voting against. Regional Resilience & Health: WHO said climate change must be treated as a health emergency, calling for climate-resilient health facilities and aligned climate-health financing. Aviation Safety Risk: FAA funding for Midway Atoll’s deteriorating emergency airport infrastructure could face a $100M+ repair gap, raising the risk of longer, costlier flight routes.

Climate & Health: WHO’s Pacific director says climate change must be treated as a health emergency, urging climate and health financing to move together and health facilities to be made climate-resilient. 1.5°C Pressure: Marshall Islands climate envoy Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and scientists warn that 1.5°C is already showing up in rising seas and damaged coasts, while PSIDS negotiators push hard to hold the line ahead of COP31. Ocean Governance & Seabed Mining: President Hilda Heine warns the UN against seabed mining without science-led safeguards, stressing “no do overs,” and calls for stronger ocean governance. Nuclear Justice: The UN human rights office urges the US to provide full reparations for Marshall Islands nuclear test impacts, as survivors and descendants mark 80 years of ongoing demands for truth and accountability. Regional Climate Finance Access: Pacific envoys say the real gap is whether frontline communities can access climate funds, not just whether money exists. Weather Services Funding: Pacific weather services face a funding gap as the region plans a decade-long overhaul to improve local forecasting and warnings. Aviation Safety & Atoll Infrastructure: FAA weighs a $100M+ repair plan for Midway Atoll’s Henderson Field, warning flight diversions could be lost if seawalls and runways fail.

Nuclear Justice Push: The UN human rights office urged the US to deliver full reparations for Marshall Islands nuclear test victims, warning the “Cactus” site dome is cracking and threatened by sea-level rise. Accountability Pressure: Iran’s deputy foreign minister also condemned the US over the “human and environmental consequences” of 67 tests, calling for compensation and transparency. Ocean Governance at UNGA: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine warned against seabed mining, urging science-based safeguards and calling for a UN apology for nuclear harms. 1.5°C as Survival: Marshall Islands climate envoy Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and scientists stressed that 1.5°C is already affecting homes, with rising seas making some islets uninhabitable. Climate-Health Link: WHO’s Pacific director said climate change must be treated as a health emergency, with resilient facilities and aligned climate and health financing. Ocean Economy & Fisheries: Pacific nations urged stronger international support at a fisheries summit, backing youth-led and value-adding ocean solutions.

Climate Adaptation & Finance: Marshall Islands climate envoy Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and others say 1.5°C is already “personal,” with rising seas making islets uninhabitable and inundating graveyards and ball fields, while Pacific leaders warn frontline countries can’t access climate money fast enough. UN Climate Push: At UNGA, Pacific leaders demanded stronger action and financing, framing climate as an existential issue and calling for health-focused climate policy. Ocean Governance: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine urged a science-based approach and a moratorium on seabed mining, warning “there are no do overs,” and also called for UN acknowledgment of nuclear harms. Nuclear Justice: Survivors and descendants marked 80 years since US nuclear testing began, with a UN Human Rights report saying nuclear justice remains incomplete and communities still seek truth and remedies. Regional Solutions: Island leaders highlighted practical climate and ocean responses, including circular-economy training and aquaponics efforts, but stressed the need for stronger partnerships and support. Fisheries & Youth: Pacific nations called at FAO for stronger international backing for fisheries that build youth opportunities and tackle illegal fishing. Veterans Care Gap: A GAO review found Marshall Islands and other Compact of Free Association veterans face major barriers to US VA care, often needing costly travel.

Nuclear justice: Survivors and descendants in the Marshall Islands marked 80 years since U.S. nuclear testing began, renewing calls for truth, accountability, and remedies as a UN Human Rights report says nuclear justice is still incomplete. Ocean protection: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine warned at the UN against seabed mining “guesswork,” urging science-based safeguards and backing a moratorium, while also calling for a UN apology for nuclear test harm. Sea-level rise law: Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo welcomed the UN’s new Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, saying it protects statehood and maritime rights even as islands face inundation. Climate as health: WHO’s Pacific director told UNGA that climate change must be treated as a health emergency, with financing and climate-resilient health services aligned across the region. Fisheries push: Pacific nations at FAO’s fisheries summit urged stronger international support for ocean livelihoods, youth jobs, and action against illegal fishing. Veterans’ access: A watchdog report found Marshall Islands, FSM, and Palau veterans face major barriers to U.S. VA care, often needing costly travel and lacking telehealth and mental health services.

UN Climate & Health: WHO’s Pacific chief says climate change must be treated as a health emergency, urging climate and health financing to be aligned and Pacific health facilities made climate-resilient. UNGA Climate Push: Pacific leaders at UN General Assembly demanded faster, fairer action, warning that the world doing the least damage is left facing the worst impacts. Sea-Level Rise & Statehood: Tuvalu’s PM backed a UN declaration recognizing continuity of statehood and permanent maritime boundaries as seas rise. Marshall Islands Ocean Governance: President Hilda Heine warned against seabed mining without science-based safeguards and called for a UN apology acknowledging harm from nuclear weapons testing. Bikini Atoll Nuclear Legacy: New reporting revisits how 23 US nuclear tests displaced Bikini residents, while later marine surveys found thriving corals and fish in the crater—raising questions about resilience. Fisheries Summit: Pacific nations urged stronger international support at a fisheries meeting, stressing youth opportunities and tackling illegal fishing alongside climate impacts. Veterans’ Access to Care: A watchdog report flags major barriers for Marshall Islands, FSM and Palau veterans to reach US VA healthcare, including costly travel and limited services.

Climate & Health: WHO’s Pacific chief said climate change must be treated as a health emergency, urging climate and health financing to be aligned and health facilities made climate-resilient. UNGA Climate Push: Pacific leaders at UN General Assembly demanded faster action, warning the world is still not moving fast enough on the 1.5°C survival goal. Fisheries & Oceans: Pacific nations called for stronger international support at a fisheries summit, stressing regional solutions and tackling illegal fishing. Sea-Level Rise & Statehood: Tuvalu’s PM welcomed a UN endorsement of a sea-level rise declaration that protects continuity of statehood and maritime boundaries, while other leaders warned rising seas are already destroying livelihoods and culture. Marshall Islands Ocean Governance: President Hilda Heine warned against seabed mining without science-based safeguards and urged the UN to acknowledge harm from nuclear weapons testing. Bikini Atoll Legacy: New reporting revisited how 23 US nuclear tests displaced Bikini residents—yet decades later, scientists found thriving corals and marine life in the crater. Veterans Access: A watchdog report flagged major gaps in care for Marshall Islands, FSM, and Palau veterans, including costly travel and limited mental health services.

Nuclear legacy, living reefs: New research revisits Bikini Atoll, where 23 U.S. nuclear tests displaced residents, yet decades later scientists report thriving corals, fish and sharks in the lagoon—raising fresh questions about how marine life persisted after radiation. 1.5°C survival message: At New York Climate Week, Marshall Islands envoy Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and scientists warned that rising seas and disappearing islets are already “baked in,” with Marshall teams documenting inundated graveyards and underwater ball fields. Ocean governance at UNGA: President Hilda Heine urged a science-led approach to seabed mining and called on the UN to apologize for harm from 1946–1958 nuclear tests. Statehood protected from rising seas: UN leaders backed a declaration affirming continued statehood and maritime rights even as land is lost to sea-level rise. Veterans’ care gaps: A watchdog report says Marshall Islands, FSM and Palau veterans face major barriers to U.S. VA health care, often requiring costly travel and lacking telehealth—especially for mental health.

UN Sea-Level Declaration: The UN General Assembly unanimously approved a Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, affirming a “presumption in favour of continued statehood” and protecting maritime boundaries under UNCLOS even as land is lost to rising seas. Marshall Islands & Ocean Governance: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine warned against seabed mining, urging science-based safeguards and backing a moratorium, while also calling for the UN to acknowledge harm from 1946–1958 nuclear tests. Pacific Climate Push at UNGA: Pacific leaders used UNGA to stress climate change as a present security and economic crisis, with Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo welcoming the sea-level statehood recognition. West Papua Rights at UN: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Cooper Wale brought West Papua human rights concerns to the UN, renewing calls for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights access for independent assessment. Deep-Sea Mining Debate in the Region: Fiji reiterated concerns about a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, echoing island communities’ fears for sacred ocean ecosystems.

Seabed Mining & Nuclear Legacy: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine warned the UN against seabed mining without science-based safeguards, saying “there are no do overs,” and urged the UN to apologize for harm from 67 nuclear tests carried out in the Marshall Islands (1946–1958). Sea-Level Rise Statehood: At the UN General Assembly, Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo welcomed a landmark UN declaration affirming continuity of statehood and permanent maritime boundaries even as seas rise. Climate Justice at UNGA: Pacific leaders pushed that climate change is already a present security and economic crisis, calling for grants at the scale needed for loss and damage and warning that climate finance must be justice, not charity. UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise: The UN adopted a political declaration backing a “presumption in favour of continued statehood,” plus stronger early warning, accessible funding, and protection of coastal livelihoods and culture. Marshall Islands Coastal Protection: An Australian-led team helped build a 1.81km sea wall on Ebeye Island to protect homes and roads from coastal flooding and waves. Regional Climate Law Momentum: A Pacific writeshop is underway for submissions to the ICJ on climate change, with legal teams from 16 Pacific countries and territories including the Republic of Marshall Islands.

Seabed mining warning: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine told the UN General Assembly that ocean decisions must be science-led with real safeguards, warning “there are no do overs,” and backed a moratorium as Micronesian voices push back on seabed mining. She also urged the UN to apologize for harm from 67 Marshall Islands nuclear tests (1946–1958). Rising seas, statehood protected: The UN adopted a Declaration on Sea Level Rise affirming a “presumption in favour of continued statehood” and support for countries losing land to encroaching oceans, with leaders stressing climate finance, culture, and international law. Pacific climate push at UNGA: Island leaders said climate change is already a security and economic crisis, calling for faster, grant-based funding and stronger early warning and resilience. Local adaptation in focus: A new sea wall in the Marshall Islands’ Ebeye aims to protect homes and roads from coastal flooding and waves as sea levels rise. Nuclear legacy and marine life: A report revisited Bikini Atoll’s nuclear test scars, noting later findings of thriving corals, sharks, and tuna in the crater—raising fresh questions about long-term impacts.

Rising Seas, Real Losses: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. told the UN that climate change has already swallowed most of Helen Island, including burial grounds—small island states say they’re being “drowned out” in global politics. UN Sea-Level Declaration: The UN General Assembly unanimously approved a declaration backing action on sea level rise and affirming a “presumption in favour of continued statehood,” so countries can keep borders, sovereign rights, and UN membership even if land is lost. Climate Finance as Justice: Pacific leaders at UNGA pushed for grants and faster support for adaptation and “loss and damage,” warning that sea-level rise is a present security and economic crisis, not a distant threat. Marshall Islands Coastal Protection: An Australian-led team helped build a 1.81km sea wall for Ebeye Island to protect homes and roads from flooding and waves. Pacific Legal Push: Fiji’s attorney general opened a regional writeshop for Pacific submissions to the ICJ on climate change, urging climate justice across the region.

UN Climate Push for Small Islands: At UNGA, Pacific leaders said sea-level rise is already here, calling for faster climate action and fair funding. Sea Level Rise Declaration: The UN unanimously approved a declaration backing the “presumption in favour of continued statehood” for countries losing land to rising seas. Marshall Islands Coastal Protection: Aussie workers helped build a 1.81km sea wall on Ebeye Island to protect homes and roads from flooding and waves. Regional Legal Action: Fiji’s attorney general opened a Pacific writeshop for submissions to the ICJ on climate change, with legal teams from 16 Pacific countries including the Republic of Marshall Islands. Pacific Voices at UNGA81: Palau’s president warned small states can get “drowned out,” while leaders urged the world to stop carbon pollution before cultures and communities vanish. India-Pacific Cooperation: Foreign ministers under FIPIC met in New York to discuss renewable energy, climate action, disaster resilience, healthcare, and capacity building with Pacific partners including the Marshall Islands.

UN Climate Diplomacy: Pacific leaders told the UN General Assembly that climate change is already damaging economies, water and food security, and community safety—urging faster, accessible climate finance and warning that “climate finance is not charity.” Sea-Level Statehood: The UN unanimously approved a Declaration on Sea Level Rise, backing a presumption in favor of continued statehood and UN membership even if land is lost to rising seas. Marshall Islands Adaptation: An Australian-led team helped build a 1.81km sea wall on Ebeye Island in the Marshall Islands to protect homes and roads from coastal flooding and waves. Regional Legal Push: Fiji’s attorney general opened a Pacific writeshop for submissions to the International Court of Justice on climate change, with participation from 16 Pacific countries and territories including the Republic of Marshall Islands. Pacific-India Cooperation: Foreign ministers under the India-Pacific Islands Forum (FIPIC) framework met in New York to focus on renewable energy, climate action, disaster resilience, education, healthcare, and capacity building.

UN Sea-Level Declaration: UNGA unanimously approved a new Declaration on Sea Level Rise, affirming a “presumption in favour of continued statehood” for climate-vulnerable island nations even if land is lost, and calling for science, early warning, predictable climate finance, and protection of coastal livelihoods and culture. Marshall Islands & Tuvalu at UNGA81: Pacific leaders told the UN climate crisis is already here—Tuvalu’s PM said sea-level rise is “present reality” and urged grants for loss and damage, while the Marshall Islands’ representatives pushed for urgent action as sovereignty and future viability hang on rising seas. Climate Justice in the Pacific: Pacific nations backed faster emissions cuts and stronger support, including legal pathways—16 Pacific countries and territories joined a writeshop for ICJ climate submissions. Regional Partnerships: India-Pacific cooperation advanced at UNGA sidelines, with FIPIC foreign ministers focusing on renewable energy, climate action, disaster resilience, healthcare, and capacity building. Coastal Protection in the Region: Australia-led crews helped build a 1.81km sea wall for Ebeye Island in the Marshall Islands to guard homes and roads from coastal flooding.