AGP Executive Report

Pacific Security: A regional security researcher says China is expanding maritime activity across the Pacific, including near French Polynesia, while describing Micronesia as on the front line. Decolonisation: A UN committee adopted a French Polynesia resolution by 159 votes to two, reaffirming the people’s right to self-determination and urging France to engage; France abstained. The reported admission of Israel as a Pacific Islands Forum partner has also drawn criticism, with opponents saying it conflicts with the Forum’s decolonisation principles. Tahiti Links: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan to launch three weekly nonstop Seattle–Papeete flights from June 2027, subject to approval. Community: A new reservoir and water-system upgrades on Taha’a are expected to improve supply for thousands of residents. Regional Youth: Young Pacific delegates meeting in Tahiti discussed shared human-rights concerns and committed to forming a regional youth committee.

Decolonisation: A UN committee adopted a resolution on French Polynesia’s self-determination with 159 votes in favour, two against and four abstentions; France abstained. The text calls for dialogue with France and a UN fact-finding visit. Polynesian Voyaging: New genetic research links Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui, suggesting voyagers who reached Easter Island from Mangareva later travelled on to Hawaii in the 1200s. Air Links: Alaska Airlines plans three weekly Seattle–Papeete flights from June 2027, pending approval, using Hawaiian Airlines aircraft. Regional Security: About 2,000 US Marines and Sailors completed a Pacific deployment that included training in French Polynesia alongside regional partners. Taha’a Water: A new reservoir and water-system upgrades are expected to improve supply for thousands of residents.

Youth Football: Teams from French Polynesia and New Caledonia are competing in the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, running through October 30. Decolonisation: A UN resolution affirming French Polynesians’ right to self-determination won 159 votes, with France abstaining; it calls for a UN visit and dialogue with France, and highlights Indigenous resource rights and the legacy of nuclear tests. Youth and Rights: Young Pacific advocates met in Tahiti to discuss issues including mental health, substance abuse and youth participation, and pledged to establish a regional youth committee. Travel: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan three weekly Seattle–Papeete flights from June 11, 2027, subject to approval. Community Water: A new reservoir and water-system upgrades on Taha’a are expected to improve supply for thousands of residents. Climate-Smart Farming: French Polynesian practitioners joined a regional exchange in Fiji on community-led nature-based solutions.

Youth Sport: French Polynesia and New Caledonia will compete in the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, through October 30. Regional Security: The U.S. has launched a Pacific anti-drug program with more than $44 million in funding and named Palau its training and operations hub. Decolonisation: A UN committee vote backed French Polynesia’s right to self-determination, with 159 countries in favour, two against and four abstaining; the resolution calls for dialogue with France and a UN fact-finding mission. Travel Links: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan three weekly Seattle–Papeete flights from June 2027, subject to approval. Community and Conservation: A new reservoir and water-system upgrades are helping thousands on Taha’a, while French Polynesian practitioners joined a regional exchange on nature-based solutions.

Decolonisation: A UN committee adopted a French Polynesia resolution by 159 votes to two, with four abstentions, including France. It backs the territory’s right to self-determination and calls for dialogue with France, a UN fact-finding visit and attention to the legacy of nuclear testing. Pacific Politics: Israel voted against UN decolonisation measures, then said Pacific leaders had accepted it as a Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue Partner, prompting questions about the region’s commitment to self-determination. Travel: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan to launch three weekly Seattle–Papeete flights on June 11, 2027, subject to approval. Local Services: A new reservoir and water-system upgrades on Taha’a are expected to improve supply for thousands of residents after years of unreliable access.

Decolonization: A UN General Assembly committee adopted a French Polynesia resolution with 159 votes in favour, two against and four abstentions; France abstained. It backs the territory’s right to self-determination and calls for dialogue with France, a UN fact-finding mission and attention to the legacy of nuclear tests. Pacific Security: Regional police chiefs have established PACPOL to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking, human smuggling and other cross-border crime. Deep-Sea Mining: Companies are seeking US permits for Pacific high-seas seabed areas amounting to about half the area already designated for exploration by the international regulator, raising concerns about environmental harm and competing claims. Air Links: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan three weekly nonstop flights from Seattle to Papeete from June 11, 2027, subject to government approval.

Air Links: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan year-round nonstop Seattle–Papeete flights three times a week from June 11, 2027, using Airbus A330s. The route still needs government approval. Deep-Sea Mining: U.S. companies are seeking rights to Pacific seabed areas equal to about half the area already designated for mining by the international regulator, raising concerns about ocean protection and who controls the high seas. Youth Voices: Young Pacific advocates met in Tahiti to discuss human rights, mental health, youth participation and other shared challenges. They committed to forming a regional youth committee to track progress. Decolonisation: Pacific churches rejected the U.S. call to end the UN decolonisation committee, saying it remains vital to French Polynesia and other Pacific territories seeking to determine their political futures. Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs have launched PACPOL to improve cooperation against cross-border crime, including drug trafficking and human smuggling.

Climate Resilience: A study of 28 atoll islands finds seabird nutrients and native forests can help reefs keep pace with rising seas through 2100 under warming of up to 2°C. Researchers say removing invasive predators and restoring native vegetation could strengthen island resilience. Youth Voices: Young Pacific delegates at a human-rights pre-conference in Tahiti discussed mental health, safety and youth participation, and committed to forming a regional committee to track progress. New Air Link: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan nonstop Seattle–Papeete flights three times a week from June 11, 2027, subject to approval. Introductory return fares start at $999. Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs have launched PACPOL to improve cooperation against drug and weapons trafficking, human smuggling and other cross-border crime. Ocean Stakes: U.S. deep-sea mining claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover an area about half the size of the zone designated by the international regulator, raising concerns over oversight and environmental harm. Decolonisation Debate: Pacific churches have rejected the U.S. call to end the UN decolonisation committee, saying French Polynesia and other listed territories must be able to determine their political futures.

Air Links: Alaska and Hawaiian will launch three weekly Seattle–Papeete flights on June 11, 2027, using Airbus A330s. Introductory round-trip fares start at $999, pending government approval. Regional Security: Pacific police chiefs have established PACPOL to coordinate action against drug trafficking, human smuggling and other cross-border crime; French Polynesia is among its members. Decolonisation: Pacific churches have rejected a U.S. call to end the UN decolonisation committee, saying its work supports the right of territories including French Polynesia to determine their political future. Ocean Protection: U.S.-backed deep-sea mining claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone are expanding, raising concerns about environmental harm and competing authority over seabed resources. Tahiti Investigation: French Polynesian police are gathering information after a serious alleged incident at a private gathering in Tahiti led surfing bodies to suspend a competitor.

Air Links: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan Seattle–Papeete nonstops three times a week from June 11, opening a new direct route to Tahiti. Pacific History: A new DNA study suggests seafarers who settled Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, later voyaged to Hawaii. Their ancestors had travelled to Rapa Nui from Mangareva in French Polynesia. Decolonisation: Pacific churches have rejected the U.S. call to end the UN decolonisation committee, saying it protects the right of territories including French Polynesia to decide their political future. Tahiti Investigation: Police are gathering information after an alleged incident at a private gathering led surfing bodies to suspend a competitor; the organisations have not named the surfer.

Decolonisation: Pacific churches have rejected a U.S. call to abolish the UN decolonisation committee, saying Pacific peoples must choose their political future. French Polynesia remains on the UN’s list of territories awaiting self-determination. Air Tahiti: The airline’s new all-business-class ATR is making its delivery journey to Tahiti, with planned stops across eight flights from France via Egypt, India, Australia and Fiji. Police: French Polynesian authorities are gathering information after a professional surfer was suspended over serious allegations linked to a private gathering in Tahiti. Climate resilience: New research suggests restoring native vegetation and seabird populations could help atoll islands adapt to rising seas.

Decolonisation Dispute: Pacific churches have rejected the U.S. call to end the UN decolonisation committee, saying Pacific peoples must decide their political future. French Polynesia is among six Pacific territories on the UN list; France has also opposed UN involvement in deciding the territory’s status. Tahiti Investigation: Police in French Polynesia are gathering information after a surfer was suspended over serious allegations involving an Australian teenager. Authorities appear to disagree over which country has jurisdiction. Air Tahiti Upgrade: The airline’s new 26-seat, all-business-class ATR is expected to begin inter-island service on November 11, connecting Tahiti with Bora Bora and Raiatea. Ocean Protection: French Polynesia’s vast marine-protection pledges are drawing scrutiny over enforcement, with conservation experts warning that protected zones need effective management to deliver lasting results.

Decolonisation: The United States called for abolishing the UN committee that monitors non-self-governing territories, including French Polynesia, and criticised its Pacific visits. Cyclone Watch: Tropical Cyclone Wati swept past the Cook Islands and tracked toward French Polynesia; forecasters also warn of an active 2026–27 cyclone season, with seven to 11 named storms expected across the Southwest Pacific. Air Tahiti: The airline has taken delivery of a 26-seat, all-business-class ATR for premium flights between Tahiti, Bora Bora and Raiatea. Tahiti Inquiry: Police are gathering information after a reported incident led surfing bodies to suspend a competitor; authorities have not publicly identified the surfer, and jurisdiction remains unclear. Polynesian Origins: A genome study links Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui through ancestral voyagers with roots in Mangareva, French Polynesia, and flags rare disease variants that may be overlooked in screening.

Tourism: French Polynesia’s Austral Islands made Frommer’s 15 Best Places to Go in 2027, putting the remote archipelago on the global travel map. Air Tahiti has also taken delivery of a 26-seat, all-business-class ATR 72-600 for premium inter-island service. Tahiti Investigation: Police are gathering information after a reported incident in Tahiti led surfing authorities to suspend a competitor. The alleged incident involved an Australian teenager; questions remain over which police service has jurisdiction. Political Future: A dispute between Paris and advocates for international oversight is sharpening at the UN, where France opposes a fact-finding mission on French Polynesia’s future status. Climate and Conservation: A new study finds restoring native vegetation and seabird populations could help atolls adapt to rising seas. Separately, shark-tour research suggests ecotourism can encourage lasting conservation action, including in French Polynesia. Cultural Exchange: New Zealand students visiting Tahiti say living with host families and sharing everyday life made their French-language exchange especially meaningful.

Tahiti Investigation: French Polynesian police are gathering information after allegations linked to a private gathering in Tahiti in August led surfing bodies to suspend an unnamed competitor. Authorities have not confirmed who has jurisdiction; the allegations have not been independently verified. Cultural Exchange: Eleven Wakatipu High students from New Zealand visited Tahiti, staying with host families and joining local school life as part of a French-language exchange. Air Tahiti: The airline has taken delivery of a 26-seat, all-business-class ATR 72-600 for its new premium service to Bora Bora and Raiatea. Political Future: Supporters of independence and autonomy are calling for international monitoring of French Polynesia’s future, while France opposes UN involvement in deciding the territory’s status. Ocean Protection: French Polynesia’s vast marine reserves are part of a wider conservation push, but experts warn that protections need enforcement and sustained management to benefit ocean life. Atoll Resilience: New research suggests restoring native vegetation and seabird populations could help low-lying Pacific islands adapt to rising seas.

Cultural Exchange: Eleven New Zealand students returned from an eight-day Tahiti visit, sharing daily life with host families and experiencing Polynesian culture. Surfing Investigation: French Polynesian police are gathering information after an alleged incident in Tahiti led surfing bodies to suspend an unnamed professional surfer; jurisdiction remains unclear. Air Tahiti: The airline’s new 26-seat, all-business-class ATR is on its delivery journey to Tahiti and is expected to begin inter-island flights in December, including to Bora Bora and Raiatea. Decolonisation Debate: France opposes a proposed UN fact-finding mission on French Polynesia’s political future, as local autonomy and independence advocates call for international monitoring and dialogue. Climate Resilience: A new study suggests restoring native vegetation and seabird populations could help atolls adapt to rising seas; a regional forecast also warns of 7–11 cyclones in the Southwest Pacific this season. Ocean Protection: French Polynesia’s vast marine reserves are drawing attention, but conservation experts warn that protection depends on sustained funding and enforcement.