Climate resilience funding: The Global Environment Facility has approved NZ$24.2 million for Fiji, FSM, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to strengthen early warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure, with more than NZ$74 million expected in co-financing; projects focus on reducing damage from floods, rising seas, cyclones and coastal erosion—an approach that matters for Niue too as meteorological services ramp up. Niue-linked climate services: Weather Ready Pacific Steering Committee chair and Niue Meteorological Services Director Rossy Mitiepo says even small Met teams are carrying growing responsibility, pushing for stronger forecasting and earlier warnings before disasters strike. Deep-sea mining debate (Pacific governance): A U.S. ambassador to Samoa said the U.S. will respect Samoa’s position on seabed mining in its EEZ, framing the issue as “seabed harvesting” and a conversation rather than an imposed policy—while a separate Pacific op-ed argues the region’s deep-sea minerals debate is shifting toward “follow the science, protect the environment, do no harm.” Sovereignty row over Shiprider Agreement: In Solomon Islands, signing a Ship Rider Agreement with the U.S. has sparked claims of “selling sovereignty,” with academics arguing critics are mixing political concerns with legal principles and pointing to regional frameworks like the Niue Treaty on fisheries surveillance. Heat-proofing homes (Niue included): Researchers in the REFLECT project are testing white, solar-reflective roof paint to cut heat absorption in extreme 45°C conditions; trials have included Niue and Fiji alongside other countries.