Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: The 55th PIF leaders meeting is underway in Koror, with climate resilience, ocean stewardship and energy security on the agenda—but unity is strained as a third of leaders may be missing, including Kiribati’s President Taneti Maamau and Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale, while Naoero (formerly Nauru) President David Adeang’s attendance remains uncertain. Geopolitics spilling into climate talks: Multiple reports link pullouts and diplomatic friction to outside pressure, with Taiwan-China tensions and recent missile-test fallout shadowing discussions that Pacific leaders say should stay focused on real-world climate and human security. Deep-sea mining pressure on the region: Nauru’s deep-sea mining strategy is back in the spotlight as Washington moves ahead with seabed auctions, while Pacific groups warn that investor-state dispute rules could let companies sue governments over stronger environmental protections—raising the risk of a “chilling effect” on regulation. Phosphate mining warning: Namibia’s proposed Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project faces renewed opposition, with critics pointing to pollution and long-term damage in phosphate-linked cases including Nauru. Biosecurity standards move forward: Guam’s biosecurity push is accelerating after it secured a regional role to help finish long-delayed invasive species planning—an effort that also includes Nauru in the Micronesia representation. Food and climate resilience in practice: Fiji’s first pilot shipment of fresh produce to Naoero under a regional “Fresh AirLink” initiative shows how Pacific agriculture and supply chains are being tested as part of broader food security work.