AGP Executive Report

Ocean Conservation & Fishing Rules: French Polynesia is tightening marine protections, with President Moetai Brotherson announcing fully protected waters now cover about 30% of the territory’s EEZ—adding 520,000 km² and limiting industrial fishing and seabed mining while keeping artisanal fishing access. Blue Economy Commitments: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, 320 new commitments worth USD 6.4 billion were announced, including French Polynesia plans to strengthen the Tainui Atea Marine Protected Area with 27,000 km² of new regulated fishing areas, coastal protection zones, and seamount protections. Regional Diplomacy & Infrastructure: Senior U.S. officials say a White House Pacific Islands summit was “collaborative,” with Biden pledging new infrastructure investment (including subsea cables) and an extra USD 200 million for climate, growth, illegal fishing, and public health projects. Climate Risk for Businesses & Communities: SPREP urged Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño after it was declared underway, warning impacts will vary by country and stressing early, practical readiness.

Ocean Commitments: The 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa delivered USD 6.4 billion in 320 new commitments for ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and blue-economy projects, with French Polynesia among the key partners. French Polynesia Marine Policy: President Moetai Brotherson announced protections that now fully safeguard about 30% of French Polynesia’s waters, expanding the Tainui Atea Marine Protected Area by 520,000 km² and adding 27,000 km² of new regulated fishing zones, coastal protection areas and seamount protections—while keeping artisanal fishing access for local communities. Pacific Diplomacy & Funding: A White House summit with Pacific leaders was described as “collaborative,” with Biden pledging new infrastructure investment (including subsea cables), US$200 million more for climate and growth projects, and efforts targeting illegal fishing. Climate Risk Alert: SPREP urged Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño after the WMO’s Pacific climate centre declared the event underway, stressing early action to reduce impacts on families and livelihoods. Marine Sustainability Warning: New research highlights how abandoned tuna fishing gear—especially drifting fish aggregating devices—can smash into coral reefs and harm wildlife, even inside marine protected areas.

Ocean Finance & Conservation: The 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa delivered USD 6.4 billion in new commitments across ocean protection, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and “blue economy” projects, with French Polynesia among the key partners. French Polynesia Marine Policy: President Moetai Brotherson says fully protected waters now cover about 30% of French Polynesia’s EEZ, adding 520,000 sq km and bringing the total to roughly 1.4 million sq km, limiting industrial fishing and seabed mining while keeping artisanal fishing access. Blue Economy Deals: The conference also highlighted a World Bank plan to invest USD 1 billion over two years to help developing countries build resilient blue economies, plus Canada’s USD 682 million small craft harbor program and Kenya’s USD 200 million push for electronic monitoring of industrial fishing. Regional Risk Management: SPREP urged Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño now underway, stressing early action to reduce impacts on families and local economies. Geopolitics & Infrastructure: A U.S. Pacific summit was described as “collaborative” and focused on listening, with Biden pledging more infrastructure support, including subsea cables, and additional climate funding.

U.S.-Pacific Summit: Senior White House officials say Biden’s recent summit with 14 Pacific leaders—including French Polynesia—was “collaborative” and focused on listening, with pledges for new infrastructure (including subsea cables), extra climate funding, and steps to curb illegal fishing. Climate Risk Prep: SPREP is urging Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño now that it’s officially underway, stressing early action to protect families and reduce disruption. Ocean Protection & Blue Economy: French Polynesia is expanding full ocean protections to about 30% of its waters, adding 520,000 sq km where industrial fishing and seabed mining are limited, while keeping artisanal fishing access—an approach highlighted among major commitments at the Our Ocean Conference. Tourism & Connectivity: Qantas plans non-stop Sydney–London flights from 2027, a move that could reshape long-haul travel demand across the region. Marine Impact Warning: Research flags abandoned tuna fishing gear (FADs) as a threat to coral reefs and wildlife, including inside marine protected areas.

Marine Protection Expansion: French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson announced a major upgrade to ocean safeguards, pushing fully protected waters to about 30% of the territory’s EEZ by adding roughly 520,000 sq km of no-extraction areas, limiting industrial fishing and seabed mining while keeping artisanal fishing access for local communities. Blue Economy Commitments: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, leaders and partners backed ocean action with $6.4B in new commitments; French Polynesia highlighted plans to strengthen protections inside Tainui Atea, including new regulated fishing areas, coastal protection zones and seamount protections. Sustainability Risk for Tuna Supply Chains: New research warns that abandoned drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) can smash into coral reefs and harm wildlife, even inside marine protected areas, raising pressure for better FAD management in tuna fisheries. Climate Outlook: Scientists say a “warm” El Niño phase has begun, with forecasts pointing to a possible very strong “super El Niño” later in 2026—raising stakes for weather, health and agriculture across the Pacific.

Marine Conservation & Fisheries: French Polynesia expanded fully protected waters to about 30% of its EEZ, adding roughly 520,000 sq km where industrial fishing and seabed mining are limited, building on the 2025 Tainui Atea marine protected area and keeping a seabed-mining moratorium in place since 2022. Blue Economy Finance: At the 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, French Polynesia’s protection plan was highlighted alongside global commitments totaling $6.4bn, including World Bank Group plans to invest $1bn over two years to support sustainable, resilient blue economies. Tourism & Climate Risk: With a “warm” El Niño already underway and forecasts pointing to a possible “very strong” event by winter, businesses across the Pacific—including tourism operators in French Polynesia—may face knock-on impacts from shifting weather patterns. Regional Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders, including French Polynesia, issued a renewed global appeal for peace, urging adherence to the UN Charter and dialogue over conflict as geopolitical tensions rise.

Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia is expanding fully protected waters to about 30% of its EEZ, adding roughly 520,000 sq km to the Tainui Atea network and limiting industrial fishing and seabed mining near the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands—while keeping artisanal fishing access for local communities. Global Ocean Funding: At the 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, over 100 governments and partners announced 320 commitments worth $6.4bn; French Polynesia highlighted new regulated fishing and coastal protection zones inside Tainui Atea. Pacific Peace Call: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a renewed appeal for global peace, urging UN Charter principles and dialogue as rising tensions and higher fuel and freight costs squeeze small economies. Climate Watch: Scientists warn a “super El Niño” could strengthen by winter, with knock-on risks for weather, health, agriculture and infrastructure across the Pacific.

Ocean Conservation Funding: At the 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, global leaders and partners announced $6.4B in new commitments, with French Polynesia singled out for expanding protections inside Tainui Atea. Marine Protection Expansion: President Moetai Brotherson said fully protected waters will rise to about 30% of French Polynesia’s EEZ, adding roughly 520,000 sq km and limiting industrial fishing and seabed mining while keeping artisanal fishing access for local communities. Blue Economy Push: The conference also highlighted major blue-economy moves, including a World Bank plan to invest $1B over two years and funding aimed at sustainable fisheries and coastal resilience. Regional Peace Appeal: Pacific Islands Forum leaders, including French Polynesia, issued a renewed call for global peace and dialogue, warning that conflict and insecurity can hit small economies hardest through higher costs and supply disruptions. Climate Watch: Scientists warn a “super El Niño” could develop by late 2026, with potential knock-on effects for weather, agriculture, and infrastructure across the Pacific.

Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia says it will fully protect about 30% of its waters by expanding no-extraction rules by 520,000 sq km, adding new regulated fishing areas, coastal protection zones and seamount protections around the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands—on top of the Tainui Atea network created in 2025. Global Ocean Funding & Commitments: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, leaders and partners announced 320 new commitments worth $6.4bn, with French Polynesia highlighted for strengthening protections inside Tainui Atea. Tourism Sustainability: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete received Green Globe certification, citing its partnership with OceanIA and an autonomous solar-powered marine observation platform. Regional Peace Call: Pacific Islands Forum leaders renewed a global appeal for peace, urging UN Charter principles and dialogue as tensions rise. Governance & Self-Determination: The UN Decolonisation Committee heard renewed calls for action involving French Polynesia and other territories, as petitioners pressed for clearer progress on self-determination. Climate Risk Watch: Scientists warn a “warm” El Niño phase has begun, with a chance it could intensify into a very strong “super El Niño” by winter.

Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia is expanding full protections to about 30% of its waters, adding roughly 520,000 sq km of no-extraction areas around the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands, bringing the total fully protected ocean to around 1.4 million sq km; artisanal fishing zones remain for local livelihoods while industrial fishing and seabed mining face tighter limits. Global Ocean Funding & Commitments: At the 2026 Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, leaders, businesses and civil society announced $6.4B in new commitments, with French Polynesia highlighting plans to strengthen protections inside the Tainui Atea marine protected area through new regulated fishing, coastal protection and seamount protections. Tourism Sustainability: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete received its inaugural Green Globe certification, citing its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered observation platform aimed at marine conservation. Regional Peace Agenda: Pacific Islands Forum leaders, including French Polynesia, renewed a call for global peace and dialogue amid rising tensions, linking security concerns to economic vulnerability from shocks and higher freight costs.

Marine Conservation Push: French Polynesia says it has expanded fully protected waters to about 30% of its exclusive economic zone, adding roughly 520,000 sq km near the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands and bringing the no-extraction total to around 1.4 million sq km; industrial fishing and seabed mining are limited in the new areas, while artisanal fishing zones remain for local livelihoods. Tourism & Sustainability: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has achieved its inaugural Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered observation platform aimed at marine conservation and education. Regional Politics & Sovereignty: The UN Decolonisation Committee heard renewed calls for action on New Caledonia and French Polynesia, with petitioners pressing for clearer benchmarks and timelines for self-determination. Pacific Peace Appeal: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a renewed global call for peace, urging respect for the UN Charter and warning that insecurity and conflict raise costs for small economies already hit by climate and supply-chain shocks. Climate Context: Scientists warn a “super El Niño” could develop by late 2026, with potential knock-on effects for weather, health, agriculture and infrastructure across the region.

Marine Protection Expansion: French Polynesia is extending a seabed-mining and industrial-fishing ban to fully protect 30% of its waters, adding 520,000 km² near the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands to bring the total to about 1.4 million km². Local Fisheries Rules: The protected network still includes artisanal fishing zones, with local catches limited to pole-and-line from boats under 12 meters. Conservation Backdrop: The move builds on the Tainui Atea marine protected area created last year and follows a moratorium on seabed mining reaffirmed since 2022. Tourism Sustainability Signal: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has achieved Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered observation platform for marine conservation. Regional Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders renewed a global appeal for peace, urging adherence to the UN Charter as climate and supply-chain shocks strain island economies.

Marine Conservation & Tourism: French Polynesia says it will fully protect 200,000 square miles of ocean under the Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area, pushing total protected waters to about 540,500 square miles, with added artisanal fishing zones and limits on small-scale pole-and-line fishing. Green Hospitality: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has earned Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered observation platform. Pacific Governance & Security: UN Decolonisation Committee members renewed pressure on New Caledonia and French Polynesia over the pace of self-determination, while Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a global appeal for peace amid rising tensions and supply-chain stress. Travel & Connectivity (Regional Business Impact): Qantas plans non-stop Sydney–London flights from October 2027 under Project Sunrise, a move that could reshape long-haul demand across the Pacific travel market. Ocean Economy Debate: A wider Pacific push is growing around seabed mining, with Indigenous groups arguing for sovereignty and stronger protection of deep-sea ecosystems.

Marine Protection Push: French Polynesia says it will fully protect 200,000 square miles of ocean around the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society—doubling the nation’s conserved waters to about 540,500 square miles—and add new artisanal fishing zones with limited pole-and-line rules. Sustainability in Hospitality: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has achieved its inaugural Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and an autonomous solar-powered observation platform. Regional Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders renewed a global appeal for peace, urging UN Charter principles and dialogue as tensions rise and fuel and freight costs hit small island economies. Travel & Tourism Business: Pan Am’s new owners are relaunching luxury “Pan Am Journeys” with multiday private-jet trips, starting with a 19-day Africa itinerary in partnership with SafariScapes. Energy/Tech Aviation: Electra unveiled a next-generation hybrid-electric airliner concept under NASA’s AACES 2050 program, targeting efficiency gains for 100+ passenger aircraft. Geopolitics & Security: New Zealand’s election timeline is expected to shape Pacific defense cooperation via the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting as climate risks and rivalry grow.

Marine Protection: French Polynesia will fully protect 200,000 sq miles of ocean under the Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area, doubling the nation’s conserved waters to about 540,500 sq miles, with added artisanal fishing zones and limits to traditional pole-and-line catches. Tourism & Sustainability: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has achieved its inaugural Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and an autonomous solar-powered observation platform. Regional Peace Push: Pacific Islands Forum leaders, including French Polynesia, issued a global appeal for peace, urging UN Charter principles, dialogue over conflict, and warning that rising tensions also hit Pacific economies via fuel and freight costs. Defense Cooperation: New Zealand’s election calendar is expected to keep spotlight on Pacific security cooperation, including the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting, as climate risks and geostrategic rivalry raise pressure to prove its relevance. Indigenous Rights vs Seabed Mining: Indigenous communities across the Pacific are gaining influence in the seabed mining debate, with New Caledonia’s 50-year commercial seabed mining ban cited as a major win. Pacific Security Funding: Australia plans AUD$46m for police deployments in Solomon Islands, framing it as support for regional resilience amid China’s growing security footprint.

Marine Protection: French Polynesia will fully protect 200,000 square miles of ocean under the Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area, doubling conserved waters to about 540,500 square miles, with expanded artisanal fishing zones and limits on traditional pole-and-line catches. Tourism & Sustainability: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has earned Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered marine observation platform. Regional Security & Governance: New Zealand’s upcoming elections are expected to keep Wellington focused on strengthening Pacific cooperation through the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting as climate risks and geopolitical rivalry grow. Pacific Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a renewed global appeal for peace, urging UN Charter principles and dialogue as fuel and freight costs rise and supply-chain shocks threaten small economies. Travel Industry Trend: “Hushpitality” is gaining traction, with more travelers prioritizing rest and quiet—an angle that matters for French Polynesia’s hospitality positioning. Public Safety & Budget Pressure: A US evacuation of one American during a hantavirus outbreak reportedly cost $750,000, adding strain to emergency funding—an example of how health crises can hit public budgets fast.