AGP Executive Report

Savai‘i Connectivity: A new project brings internet to four primary schools and the hospital, Justice Ministry and police in Tuasivi, benefiting more than 1,000 students and 30 teachers. Climate Services: Apia-based SPREP has partnered with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology to strengthen weather, climate and water services across both regions. Affordable Solar: Greenology and the Market Development Facility are piloting flexible payments to help Samoan households, churches and small businesses install rooftop solar without paying the full cost upfront. Research and Resilience: A Pacific study found the Samoan taro variety Tausala ni Samoa lost 41% of its biomass under drought stress, highlighting the need to identify crops better suited to drier conditions. Digital Cooperation: India’s newly accredited High Commissioner says cooperation with Samoa could grow in digital technology and renewable energy, building on existing support for technology training and kidney-care equipment.

Solar Access: Greenology Samoa and the Market Development Facility are piloting flexible payments for rooftop solar, aiming to help households, churches and small businesses cut power bills without paying the full cost upfront. India–Samoa Links: India’s newly accredited High Commissioner says cooperation could grow in renewable energy, digital technology and healthcare, building on Indian support for Samoa’s kidney services and technology training. Marine Research: Underwater cameras off Apolima Island recorded an endangered leopard shark, the first verified sighting in Samoan waters and a useful addition to knowledge of the species’ range. Climate and Crops: Pacific leaders are pressing for action to keep warming near 1.5°C as research reports severe coral loss in Tuvalu. A Fiji drought study also found sharply different responses among taro varieties, with the Samoan-named Tausala ni Samoa losing 41% of its biomass.

Climate and Ocean Science: Pacific leaders are using Pre-COP31 talks in Fiji and Tuvalu to press for stronger climate action, as scientists report a 2024 marine heatwave killed an estimated 99.9% of the coral that built Tuvalu’s atolls. Samoan Marine Research: Baited underwater cameras off Apolima recorded an endangered leopard shark—the first confirmed sighting in Samoan waters, adding to knowledge of the species’ range. Resilient Crops: A Fiji trial found drought affected seven taro varieties differently; the Samoan-named Tausala ni Samoa lost 41% of its biomass, while Tarova Damu had the smallest decline, at 5%.

Climate Frontline: Pacific leaders are using Pre-COP31 talks in Fiji and Tuvalu to press for climate finance and stronger action to keep warming near 1.5°C. Scientists warn a 2024 marine heatwave killed an estimated 99.9% of the coral that built Tuvalu’s atolls, underscoring the threat to island communities. Samoan Marine Research: Baited cameras off Apolima recorded an endangered leopard shark — the first verified sighting in Samoan waters — showing how simple survey technology can reveal wildlife rarely seen by people. Climate-Resilient Crops: A Fiji study found drought affected seven taro varieties differently; Tausala ni Samoa lost 41% of its biomass, while other varieties showed more balanced responses, offering leads for future crop research. Research Leadership: Samoa is among seven Pacific countries represented in a new fellowship supporting 21 women working in agricultural research, fisheries and food systems.

Pay Equity in Focus: Former NZ Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo says Pacific women in care and support have waited long enough for fair pay, arguing governments should value women’s work beyond “cost” talk. Climate Diplomacy (Pre-COP31): Samoa’s PM Mark Brown joins Tuvalu for Pre-COP31, as Pacific leaders push for climate finance and adaptation support ahead of COP31 in Türkiye. Sea-Level Reality Check: Tuvalu’s coral atolls face catastrophic damage after a 2024 marine heatwave wiped out about 99.9% of coral, with rising seas already swamping islands. 1.5°C Push: Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu urge keeping warming as close to 1.5°C as possible, citing UNEP warnings that there’s no safe future above that line. Samoa Governance & Services: Samoa’s MFSA welcomes three new ACEOs as it transitions into a stronger family and social affairs structure. Education Shake-Up: Samoa’s caretaker Education Minister Loau Keneti Sio resigns after a post-election challenge, triggering a by-election. Wildlife Research: Researchers using underwater cameras off Apolima Island captured the first verifiable leopard shark record in Samoan waters. Measles Response: Samoa’s measles outbreak update reports 314 suspected cases, pending lab results, and three suspected measles-related deaths, prompting preschool and daycare closures.

Climate & Oceans: Pacific leaders are pushing ahead of COP31 with a clear message: keep warming as close to 1.5°C as possible, warning that even small increases lock in sea-level rise and higher adaptation costs. Tuvalu on the frontline: A Fiji-hosted pre-COP visit will spotlight how a 2024 marine heatwave wiped out about 99.9% of Tuvalu’s coral, with rising seas already swamping atolls and threatening habitability. Wildlife research in Samoa: Researchers using baited underwater cameras off Apolima Island captured the first verifiable leopard shark record in Samoan waters, showing how one deployment can reveal rare species. Samoa health alert: Samoa’s measles outbreak has led to closures of preschools and child day-care centres, with 314 suspected cases and three suspected measles-related deaths reported. Local governance & services: Samoa’s MFSA has appointed three new ACEOs as the ministry transitions, while the caretaker Education Minister resigned after a post-election challenge. Food & farming resilience: Fiji taro trials found big drought-response differences across varieties, including Tausala ni Samoa and Matadrala suffering the biggest biomass losses.

Climate Frontline (Tuvalu): Ahead of COP31, leaders visiting Tuvalu will see what a 2024 marine heatwave did to the reefs—scientists estimate about 99.9% of the coral that built the islands died, with rising seas already swamping atolls and fears of unlivable conditions by century’s end. Pacific Climate Push (1.5°C): Pacific leaders meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu are urging governments to keep warming as close as possible to 1.5°C, citing UNEP warnings that there’s no “safe” future above that line. Samoa Politics & Governance: Samoa’s prime minister apologised after leaked footage showed him making a Nazi “Heil Hitler” salute during a 2007 family gathering. Samoa Health: After 16 days of a declared measles epidemic, Samoa’s health ministry says suspected cases have climbed to 314, with closures of preschools and child day-care centres to slow spread. Biodiversity & Research (Samoa): Underwater camera surveys off Apolima Island recorded an endangered leopard shark in Samoan waters for the first time on verifiable footage. Agriculture Research (Fiji): A study of seven Fijian taro varieties found big differences in drought response, pointing to varieties that may better handle water stress. MFSA Leadership (Samoa): Samoa’s Ministry of Family and Social Affairs has welcomed three new ACEOs as it continues its institutional transition.

Climate Policy: A first-ever “ecocide” model law is gaining traction in Latin America, aiming to criminalise the worst environmental harm and hold senior decision-makers personally liable. Pacific Climate Push: Pacific leaders are in Fiji and Tuvalu ahead of COP31, urging the world to keep 1.5°C within reach and to treat sea-level rise as a present reality. On-the-Ground Science: In Tuvalu, scientists say a 2024 marine heatwave wiped out about 99.9% of the coral that built the islands—leaders will visit the damaged atolls to show the damage firsthand. Samoa Tech & Research: Researchers using baited underwater cameras off Apolima Island captured the first verifiable footage of an endangered leopard shark in Samoan waters. Public Health: Samoa is stepping up HIV preparedness after Fiji declared a national emergency, increasing surveillance and readiness for testing and treatment. Governance & Society: Samoa’s PM apologised after leaked footage showed a Nazi “Heil Hitler” salute; meanwhile, Samoa’s caretaker Education Minister resigned after a post-election challenge.

COP31 Climate Push: Pacific leaders meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu are urging governments to keep 1.5°C within reach, warning there are “no safe futures” above it as sea-level rise and adaptation costs accelerate. Tuvalu Coral Collapse: Ahead of COP31, Tuvalu’s leaders are set to show the damage from a 2024 marine heatwave that killed about 99.9% of the coral building its atolls, with rising seas already swamping parts of the islands. Samoa Wildlife Tech: Researchers using baited underwater cameras off Apolima Island captured the first verifiable footage of an endangered leopard (zebra) shark in Samoan waters, highlighting how camera surveys can reveal rare species. Samoa Health Preparedness: Samoa is stepping up HIV readiness after Fiji’s national emergency over rising infections, increasing surveillance and testing readiness while stressing it’s precautionary. Samoa Measles Response: With suspected cases rising and preschool/day-care closures ordered, Samoa’s Ministry of Health reports 314 suspected cases and three deaths suspected to be measles-related. Agriculture Research: Fiji taro trials found big drought-response differences across varieties, including Tausala ni Samoa and Matadrala showing the biggest biomass losses. Culture & Research: A University of Auckland doctoral scholar traces her Siva Samoa research to childhood in Suva, linking dance, family ocean life, and ancestral knowledge.

Climate Science in the Pacific: Scientists say a 2024 marine heatwave wiped out about 99.9% of Tuvalu’s reef-building coral, leaving “skeleton after skeleton” and raising fears the islands could become unliveable this century. COP31 Prep: Pacific leaders are meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu ahead of COP31 in Turkey, pushing for keeping warming near 1.5°C and faster adaptation support. Samoa Biodiversity Tech: National Geographic Pristine Seas camera surveys off Apolima Island recorded an endangered leopard (zebra) shark for the first time in Samoan waters, showing how underwater cameras can quickly expand species knowledge. Samoa Health Response: Samoa is stepping up HIV preparedness after Fiji declared a national emergency, increasing surveillance and readiness for testing, prevention, treatment and care. Samoa Governance & Services: Samoa’s MFSA has appointed three new ACEOs as it transitions into a new ministry structure, while the caretaker Education Minister resigns after a post-election challenge. Public Health Alert (Older reference): A measles outbreak update reported preschool and daycare closures, hundreds of suspected cases, and suspected deaths.

Climate Reality Check (Tuvalu): Ahead of COP31, leaders visiting Tuvalu will see the fallout of a 2024 marine heatwave that scientists say wiped out about 99.9% of the coral on one of its atolls, with sea-level rise already threatening the archipelago’s future. Pacific Climate Diplomacy: Nepal pushed its “Sagarmatha to the Sea” message at the UN, linking glacier melt to sea-level impacts for island states including Samoa. Ocean Life in Samoa: Researchers using baited underwater cameras off Apolima Island recorded an endangered leopard (zebra) shark for the first time in Samoan waters, showing how simple field deployments can expand local marine knowledge. Food & Farming Science (Fiji taro): A Pacific Community study found big differences in drought tolerance across seven Fijian taro varieties, pointing to candidates that hold up better under water stress. Health Watch (Samoa measles): Samoa’s measles outbreak response has led to preschool and daycare closures, with 314 suspected cases and three suspected deaths reported as testing continues. HIV Preparedness (Samoa): Samoa is stepping up HIV surveillance and readiness after Fiji’s national HIV emergency, citing precautionary planning tied to frequent flights between the countries. Governance & People (MFSA): Samoa’s Ministry of Family and Social Affairs welcomed three new ACEOs as it continues its institutional transition. Tech & Skills for Resilience: Pacific leaders highlighted practical “green growth” approaches like circular-economy training, makerspaces, and aquaponics as climate adaptation moves from talk to systems.

Climate Diplomacy: Nepal brought its “Sagarmatha to the Sea” message to the UN, linking Himalayan glacier melt to sea-level risk for island nations including Samoa. Marine Research: National Geographic Pristine Seas camera surveys off Apolima Island recorded an endangered leopard (zebra) shark for the first time in Samoan waters. Health Response: Samoa’s measles outbreak update shows 314 suspected cases, pending lab results for 146 samples, and three suspected measles-related deaths, prompting closures of preschools and child day-care. Regional Climate Push: Pacific leaders met ahead of COP31 to keep 1.5°C within reach, citing UNEP findings that there’s no “safe” future above that threshold. Agriculture & Resilience: A Fiji taro study found big drought-response differences across seven varieties, including strong losses for some and more balanced performance for others—useful for climate-proofing crops. Leadership & Policy: Samoa’s MFSA welcomed three new ACEOs as it builds capacity during its transition. HIV Preparedness: Samoa is stepping up HIV readiness after Fiji’s emergency declaration, increasing surveillance and testing readiness.

Wildlife Tech in Samoa: Researchers using baited underwater cameras off Apolima Island recorded an endangered leopard (zebra) shark—reportedly the first verifiable sighting in Samoan waters—showing how low-impact camera surveys can quickly expand local marine knowledge. Climate Diplomacy for COP31: Pacific leaders met in Fiji and Tuvalu ahead of COP31, pushing to keep warming near 1.5°C and warning that atoll futures hinge on every fraction of a degree. Agriculture Research: A Pacific Community study of seven Fijian taro varieties found big differences in drought response, with some types (including Tausala ni Samoa) losing far more biomass than others—useful for breeding more resilient crops. Samoa Health Response: Samoa moved to close pre-schools and child day-care as suspected measles cases rose, with deaths suspected to be measles-related while lab results were pending. Samoa Institutional Updates: The Ministry of Family and Social Affairs welcomed three new ACEOs as it continues its transition, including roles for women/men inclusion, community engagement, and research/policy. Regional Tech & Skills: ACIAR’s Meryl Williams Fellowship started a new nine-month cohort of 21 Pacific women leaders, including a Samoa fisheries officer, to strengthen agriculture and food-systems leadership. HIV Preparedness: Samoa increased HIV surveillance and readiness after Fiji declared a national emergency, citing precautionary steps linked to frequent flights between the countries. Women’s Economic Power: The M4C Fiji Pacific Women Makete connected artisans across Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, highlighting how exchanges can turn craft skills into new business opportunities.

Marine Research in Samoa: National Geographic Pristine Seas teams using baited underwater cameras off Apolima Island captured the first verifiable footage of an endangered leopard (zebra) shark in Samoan waters, showing how one deployment can quickly expand what we know about local marine life. Climate Diplomacy for COP31: Pacific leaders met ahead of COP31 to push keeping warming near 1.5°C, citing UNEP findings that there’s no “safe” future above that level for atoll nations. Agriculture Under Drought: New research on seven Fijian taro varieties found big differences in drought response, with some varieties like Matadrala and Tausala ni Samoa losing far more biomass than others—useful for breeding more resilient crops. Samoa Health Response: Samoa’s measles outbreak update reports 314 suspected cases, pending lab results for 146 samples, and three suspected measles-related deaths, prompting closures of preschools and child day-care centers. Regional Leadership in Food Systems: ACIAR’s Meryl Williams Fellowship is backing 21 emerging women leaders across the Pacific, including Samoa, to strengthen leadership in agriculture and fisheries research. MFSA Leadership Setup: Samoa’s Ministry of Family and Social Affairs welcomed three new ACEOs to support its transition and improve service delivery. HIV Preparedness: Samoa is stepping up HIV readiness after Fiji declared a national emergency, increasing surveillance and testing readiness linked to regular flights between the countries.

COP31 Push: Pacific leaders are meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu to press the world to keep 1.5°C within reach, citing UNEP findings that warming is on track to cross that line within five years and that there’s no “safe” future above it. Ocean & Wildlife Tech: Researchers using baited underwater cameras off Samoa’s Apolima Island recorded an endangered leopard shark for the first time in Samoan waters, showing how one deployment can quickly expand what we know. Food Resilience Research: A Pacific Community study of seven Fijian taro varieties found big differences in drought response, with some varieties (including Tausala ni Samoa) losing far more biomass than others under water stress—useful for breeding tougher crops. Health Preparedness: Samoa is stepping up HIV readiness after Fiji declared a national emergency, boosting surveillance, lab readiness, prevention, treatment pathways, and community engagement. Measles Alert: Samoa’s measles outbreak response is escalating, with suspected cases rising and pre-schools and child day-care centers being closed to slow spread. Regional Climate Finance: Pacific leaders at the UN urged partners to turn climate promises into action, targeting the Pacific Resilience Facility’s funding goals for disaster and climate preparedness.

Measles Alert: Samoa’s measles outbreak is worsening fast, with the Ministry of Health closing pre-schools and child day-care centres as it tracks 314 suspected cases, pending lab results for 146 samples, and three deaths now suspected to be measles-related. HIV Preparedness: Samoa is stepping up HIV readiness after Fiji declared a national emergency, boosting surveillance, lab readiness, prevention, treatment pathways, and community engagement—while stressing it’s precautionary and not claiming Samoa has the same situation. MFSA Leadership Shake-up: The Ministry of Family and Social Affairs has welcomed three new ACEOs—Women, Men and Social Inclusion; Sector Coordination and Community Engagement; and Research, Policy and Planning—supporting its broader institutional transition. Education Politics: Samoa’s caretaker Education Minister Loau Keneti Sio has agreed to resign after a post-election challenge, triggering a by-election and shifting parliamentary numbers. Climate & Ocean Diplomacy: Pacific leaders pushed climate adaptation, ocean governance and climate finance at UN-linked talks, including support for the Pacific Resilience Facility. Regional Trade & Skills: Pacific Women Makete 2026 in Fiji is connecting artisans across Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu with new business opportunities.