AGP Executive Report

Women in Research: Two Papua New Guinea researchers strengthened their leadership skills at an eight-day Brisbane fellowship, alongside women from Kiribati and five other Pacific nations. Pacific Heritage: Researchers warn that migration from Tuvalu could put traditional buildings and community spaces at risk; the historic Lotolelei Church, built with timber from what is now Kiribati, remains a link to the region’s past. Women in Sport: Kiribati is among nine Pacific nations represented in the Wāhine Toa Oceania programme, which will help former elite athletes move into leadership and create more opportunities for women and girls. Nuclear Justice: Pacific representatives in Fiji are calling for survivor-led action on the health, environmental, cultural and social harms of nuclear testing, including in Kiribati. Regional Voice: Former Kiribati president Anote Tong says the Pacific Islands Forum’s partnership with Israel conflicts with the region’s commitments to human rights and self-determination.

Regional Diplomacy: Former Kiribati president Anote Tong says the Pacific Islands Forum’s new partnership with Israel conflicts with regional commitments to human rights and self-determination. Women in Sport: Kiribati is represented in a new 19-member Pacific leadership programme helping retired female athletes move into leadership and create more opportunities for women and girls. Nuclear Legacy: Pacific advocates, including representatives from Kiribati, are pressing for support for survivors and environmental repair after decades of nuclear testing. Migration: Australia has introduced a A$25 registration fee for its permanent-residency ballot, which is open to Kiribati citizens and other Pacific nationals. Climate and Health: A strong El Niño could shape Pacific weather into 2027, with wetter-than-normal conditions possible from Nauru to eastern Kiribati; meanwhile, regional health aid is forecast to fall, with Kiribati facing a 17% reduction.

Women in Sport: Kiribati is among nine Pacific countries represented in the new Wāhine Toa Oceania leadership programme. The 19 former elite athletes will build leadership skills and develop opportunities for women and girls in sport. Nuclear Justice: Pacific representatives meeting in Fiji are pressing for support for survivors and environmental repair after decades of nuclear testing, whose health, cultural and social impacts also affect Kiribati. Regional Rights: Former Kiribati president Anote Tong says the Pacific Islands Forum’s partnership with Israel is not morally defensible, citing concerns over human rights and self-determination. Health and Climate: A regional aid report forecasts a 17% drop in health assistance to Kiribati; meanwhile, forecasters say El Niño may bring wetter-than-usual conditions to eastern Kiribati in the coming months. Pacific Stories: Kiribati was among the places hosting the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which used films and community discussions to explore rights, women’s voices and younger generations.

Women in Sport: Kiribati is represented among 19 Pacific women selected for the Wāhine Toa Oceania leadership programme, which will help former athletes move into leadership and expand opportunities for women and girls. Regional Voice: Former Kiribati president Anote Tong has criticised the Pacific Islands Forum’s partnership with Israel, saying it conflicts with the region’s commitments to human rights and self-determination. Nuclear Justice: A Fiji dialogue on the legacy of Pacific nuclear tests included Kiribati among affected communities, with calls for survivors’ knowledge and priorities to guide health, environmental and cultural responses. Culture on Screen: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival brought screenings and discussions to Kiribati, highlighting women-led films, motherhood and younger generations. Health and Climate: Regional health aid is forecast to fall 17% for Kiribati, while a strengthening El Niño could bring unusually wet conditions to eastern Kiribati.

Women in Sport: Kiribati is among nine Pacific nations represented in the new Wāhine Toa Oceania cohort of 19 former elite athletes. The year-long programme will help women move into sports leadership and create opportunities for girls. Nuclear Justice: Pacific representatives meeting in Suva are calling for support for communities affected by decades of nuclear testing. Kiribati is among the places still facing health, environmental, cultural and social impacts. Regional Voice: Former Kiribati president Anote Tong says the Pacific Islands Forum’s partnership with Israel is not morally defensible, citing concerns over human rights and international law. Culture & Rights: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival reached audiences in Kiribati, with films exploring women’s stories, motherhood and younger generations. Climate & Health: A strong El Niño could bring unusual rainfall patterns across the region, while health aid to Kiribati is forecast to fall 17% by 2026–27.

Regional Voice: Former Kiribati president Anote Tong says the Pacific Islands Forum’s partnership with Israel cannot be justified by religious ties, arguing it conflicts with Pacific commitments to human rights and self-determination. Women in Sport: Kiribati is among nine nations represented in the new Wāhine Toa Oceania programme, which will help 19 former elite athletes build leadership skills and create more opportunities for women and girls in sport. Nuclear Justice: A regional dialogue in Fiji is pressing for support for survivors and environmental repair after decades of testing; organisers say affected communities in Kiribati and across the Pacific must guide the response. Climate and Health: A strong El Niño could bring major shifts in Pacific rainfall and temperatures, with wetter-than-usual conditions forecast from Nauru to eastern Kiribati. Separately, OECD estimates point to a 17% drop in health aid to Kiribati between 2024 and 2026. Film and Rights: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, with screenings in Kiribati featuring films and discussions on human rights, women and younger generations.

Women in Sport: Kiribati is represented in a new 19-member Pacific leadership programme for former elite women athletes. The year-long initiative will build leadership skills and support opportunities for women and girls in sport. Nuclear Justice: A regional dialogue in Fiji is pressing for help for survivors and communities affected by decades of nuclear testing, including in Kiribati, with health, environmental and cultural impacts still felt across generations. Kiribati Voice: Former president Anote Tong has challenged the Pacific Islands Forum’s partnership with Israel, saying religious ties do not justify a move he believes conflicts with human rights and international law. Migration: Australia has set a A$25 registration fee for its permanent-residence visa ballot, open to eligible Kiribati citizens among nationals of 12 Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. Culture: More than 2,500 people joined the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included screenings in Kiribati and featured Pacific-made films and women-led stories. Climate Watch: Pacific forecasters expect wetter-than-normal conditions in Kiribati from November to January as a strong El Niño develops.

Women in Sport: Kiribati is among nine Pacific nations represented in the new Wāhine Toa Oceania leadership programme. The 19 former elite athletes will receive mentoring and training to help them move into sports leadership and create opportunities for women and girls. Nuclear Justice: A regional dialogue in Fiji is pressing for support for survivors and environmental repair after decades of nuclear testing. Organisers say communities in Kiribati and across the Pacific still live with its health, cultural and social impacts. Regional Debate: Former Kiribati President Anote Tong says religious ties do not justify the Pacific Islands Forum’s partnership with Israel, arguing it conflicts with regional commitments to human rights and international law. Pacific Engagement Visa: Australia has introduced a registration fee for its permanent-residency ballot, open to eligible Kiribati citizens and other Pacific nationals. Film and Rights: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, with screenings in Kiribati and films spotlighting women, motherhood and younger generations.

Nuclear Justice: Pacific representatives are meeting in Fiji to push for support for survivors and environmental repair after decades of nuclear testing, with Kiribati among the communities still affected. Kiribati-China Ties: House Speaker Tangariki Reete met China’s top legislator in Beijing; talks included cooperation in education, culture, youth, health and tourism. Migration: Australia has set a A$25 registration fee for its permanent-residency ballot, open to eligible I-Kiribati and other Pacific nationals; selection is random, and applicants must meet further conditions to apply. Climate Outlook: A strong El Niño may persist into 2027 and could be the region’s strongest since 1950. Forecasts point to wetter-than-normal conditions around Nauru and eastern Kiribati from November to January. Pacific Culture: Kiribati was among the countries taking part in the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which used films and discussions to explore human rights, women’s stories and younger generations.

Nuclear Justice: Pacific representatives meeting in Fiji are calling for support for survivors and environmental repair after decades of nuclear testing. Kiribati is among the communities still affected, with organisers urging responses guided by local knowledge and priorities. Kiribati–China Ties: House Speaker Tangariki Reete met China’s top legislator in Beijing. Talks included possible cooperation in education, culture, youth, health and tourism. Australia Visa Pathway: Kiribati citizens can enter the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot for a chance at permanent residence in Australia. Registration costs A$25; applicants must meet further requirements if selected. Climate Outlook: A strong El Niño may bring unusual rainfall patterns across the region through early 2027. Forecasts point to wetter-than-normal conditions from Nauru to eastern Kiribati, while other Pacific areas face drier weather. Pacific Stories on Screen: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people, with free screenings in Kiribati and across the region. Its programme featured women-led films and stories about motherhood and younger generations.

Climate Outlook: Pacific forecasters warn a strong El Niño may persist into early 2027, bringing varied impacts; Nauru through eastern Kiribati is forecast to be wetter than usual from November to January. Australia Pathway: The Pacific Engagement Visa offers eligible Pacific nationals a ballot-based route to permanent residence, with up to 3,000 places a year; applicants face age, passport and other requirements. Regional Support: ADB’s new five-year Pacific strategy includes Kiribati, targeting jobs, essential services and climate-resilient infrastructure. Arts & Rights: Kiribati was among the places hosting free screenings in the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, whose programme highlighted women filmmakers, motherhood and younger generations. Community Resilience: A new Pacific programme on ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods includes the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific Kiribati as a partner. Heritage & History: An expedition on Nikumaroro found the suspected Amelia Earhart wreckage was likely washed-up trees, not aircraft debris. Cultural Welcome: Kiribati elders greeted China’s new ambassador in Tarawa with a garland and coconut water, following traditional etiquette.

Pacific Roots: New scholarship highlights Taiwan’s deep links with Oceania, tracing Austronesian ancestry and long-running exchanges across the Pacific. Kiribati in Focus: The Asian Development Bank’s new five-year Pacific plan includes Kiribati, with priorities spanning jobs, essential services and climate-resilient infrastructure. Film and Rights: More than 2,500 people joined the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included screenings in Kiribati and spotlighted women filmmakers, motherhood and younger generations. Climate and Livelihoods: Kiribati’s Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific is among partners in a new regional programme supporting ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods. Traditional Welcome: Kiribati elders greeted China’s newly appointed ambassador in Tarawa with a garland and coconut water, following local custom.

Pacific Roots: New scholarship traces Austronesian peoples’ movement from Taiwan into the Pacific, highlighting the region’s deep cultural links and Taiwan’s place in Pacific history. Film and Rights: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival reached more than 2,500 people, with free screenings in Kiribati and other island communities. This year’s programme spotlighted women filmmakers, motherhood and younger generations. Climate Watch: A strong El Niño may bring wetter-than-usual conditions to Kiribati, while forecasters warn of increased cyclone activity across parts of the Pacific through April 2027. Nikumaroro Search: An expedition found no proof that a suspected object on the Kiribati atoll was Amelia Earhart’s plane; researchers say it was likely washed-up trees. Community Resilience: A new Pacific programme will support nature restoration and resilient livelihoods, with Kiribati’s Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific among its partners.

Regional Development: ADB’s new five-year Pacific strategy includes Kiribati, with priorities spanning jobs, health and education services, and climate-resilient infrastructure tailored to island communities. Film & Rights: More than 2,500 people across the Pacific have joined the Human Rights Film Festival, which includes screenings in Kiribati and highlights women filmmakers, motherhood and younger generations. Climate Watch: Forecasters say a powerful El Niño could bring wetter-than-normal conditions to Kiribati, while raising wider regional risks to livelihoods and ecosystems. Community Resilience: A new Pacific programme involving the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific Kiribati will support ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods.

Pacific Film: More than 2,500 people joined the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, with screenings in Kiribati and across the region. This year’s films spotlighted women, motherhood and younger generations. Island Services: ADB’s new five-year Pacific strategy includes Kiribati, with plans to improve essential services, expand economic opportunities and build climate-resilient infrastructure. Climate Watch: Forecasters say 2026 could bring the strongest El Niño since 1950. Kiribati is expected to have wetter-than-normal conditions, while former President Anote Tong is urging urgent adaptation to rising seas. Community Resilience: A new Pacific programme will support nature restoration and resilient livelihoods, with Kiribati’s Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific among its partners. Kiribati History: An expedition on Nikumaroro found no conclusive sign of Amelia Earhart’s plane; the suspected wreckage was likely trees washed onto the shore.

Pacific Film Festival: More than 2,500 people across the region joined the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, with screenings in Kiribati among events using film and talanoa to spark discussion. This year’s programme highlighted women filmmakers, motherhood and younger generations. Community Resilience: A new Pacific programme will support ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihoods, including work by the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific Kiribati. Climate Watch: A powerful El Niño is expected to persist into 2027. Kiribati is forecast to have wetter-than-normal conditions, while parts of the Pacific face heightened cyclone risks. Online Safety: A regional study including Kiribati warns that children need stronger digital safety skills as internet access expands and risks such as cyberbullying and harmful content grow. Nikumaroro Search: An expedition found no conclusive sign of Amelia Earhart’s plane; the suspected wreckage was likely washed-up trees. Kiribati Welcome: Elders greeted newly arrived Chinese Ambassador Yao Fei with a garland and coconut water, following local tradition.