Deep-Sea Mining & UNCLOS: Mining firms backed by Nauru and Tonga have filed UNCLOS claims against the International Seabed Authority after being flagged as possibly non-compliant with deep-sea exploration contracts, keeping Pacific seabed minerals at the center of legal and commercial risk. Ocean Energy & Industry: A new look at Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) highlights how tropical temperature differences could deliver steady, base-load renewable power—plus potential freshwater benefits—relevant for island energy planning. Regional Ports & Geopolitics: A report questions whether QUAD’s port development push for Fiji is truly “development assistance,” noting China’s recent port work across the Pacific including Nauru, and framing the competition as strategic influence. Fuel Costs Hit Operations: Pacific fuel prices keep climbing; Samoa moved to an “amber alert” with power shedding and remote learning, while Fiji raised diesel caps and Nauru increased diesel and petrol price caps again. EU Seafood Compliance: EU rules on freezer vessel temperatures are set to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels, with Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu training to meet the new -18°C brine requirement. Agribusiness Innovation: Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition finale, supported by EU/FAO’s STODAS project, showcased agrifood MSMEs and agribusiness entrepreneurship. Sports Infrastructure: Kiribati won the bid to host the 2030 Micronesian Games, with plans for new facilities and a Games Village tied to longer-term sports investment.