AGP Executive Report

Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia expanded fully protected waters to about 30% of its EEZ, adding 520,000 sq km where industrial fishing and seabed mining are limited, building on the Tainui Atea marine protected area. Regional Climate Readiness: SPREP urged Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño after WMO’s Pacific climate centre declared the event underway, warning impacts will vary but preparation is key. Pacific Security Cooperation: U.S. officials said a White House summit with a dozen Pacific leaders was “collaborative” and focused on listening, with new infrastructure and climate funding promises. Our Ocean Conference Results: In Mombasa, the 2026 Our Ocean Conference delivered 320 commitments worth $6.4B, including French Polynesia strengthening Tainui Atea protections with 27,000+ sq km of new regulated fishing and coastal/seamount zones. Local Safety at Teahupo’o: An American surfer reportedly died after wiping out at Teahupo’o, hitting the reef and suffering fatal neck injuries. Sports: Kyle Tran won silver at the Tahiti Open (60kg), boosting his world ranking.

Surf Tragedy in Teahupo’o: An American surfer, 56, died after wiping out at Teahupo’o and hitting the reef, suffering fatal neck injuries; the mayor said he was taken from Taravao Hospital to CHPF before passing away on June 19. Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia expanded “no-extraction” marine protections, bringing fully protected waters to about 30% of its EEZ by adding 520,000 sq km near the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands, limiting industrial fishing and seabed mining. Big Ocean Funding: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, French Polynesia backed stronger Tainui Atea protections, while the wider push delivered 320 commitments worth $6.4B for conservation, fisheries, resilience and blue economy projects. Regional Disaster Drills: Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti showcased multinational humanitarian response planning, with the Pacific Response Group training alongside partner forces. El Niño Warning: SPREP urged Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño impacts after it was declared underway. Travel Deals: Aranui Cruises launched “Escape Beyond Tahiti,” cutting 20% on select 2026–27 voyages with onboard credit, including Austral Islands itineraries.

Ocean Funding Boost: The first African Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa wrapped up with 320 new commitments worth $6.4 billion, including plans that will reach French Polynesia. Marine Protection in Focus: French Polynesia says it will expand protections in the Tainui Atea marine protected area, adding 27,000 km² of new regulated fishing zones, coastal protection areas and seamount safeguards. Bigger No-Extraction Zone: Separately, President Moetai Brotherson announced fully protected waters now cover about 30% of French Polynesia’s EEZ, with another 520,000 km² added and limits on industrial fishing and seabed mining. Pacific Climate Alert: SPREP is urging communities to prepare for El Niño, now declared underway, warning impacts will vary by country but preparation is key. Regional Security Drills: Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti brought senior U.S., French and partner forces together, highlighting disaster-response coordination across the Pacific. U.S.-Pacific Diplomacy: U.S. officials called a White House summit with Pacific leaders “collaborative,” stressing Washington is listening and backing infrastructure, climate funding and anti–illegal fishing efforts.

Disaster Response Drills: Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti brought together French Armed Forces leaders, U.S. 3rd Fleet and U.S. Army Pacific, plus partners from across the Pacific to rehearse multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response, with visitors touring the Joint Force HQ and seeing medical and operational capabilities. Marine Protection Push: French Polynesia says fully protected waters now cover about 30% of its EEZ, adding 520,000 sq km to the Tainui Atea marine protected area and tightening limits on industrial fishing and seabed mining while keeping artisanal access. Ocean Commitments: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, global leaders announced $6.4B in new ocean action commitments, with French Polynesia highlighting expanded protections inside Tainui Atea. UN Decolonisation: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation heard renewed calls for action on New Caledonia and French Polynesia, alongside Guam and Tokelau, as it debated self-determination and UN support for remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories. U.S. Maritime Enforcement: The U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation Blue Pacific to deter illegal fishing, drug and people smuggling across Oceania, including patrols involving French Polynesia. Public Health Threat: A scientist at France’s Pasteur Institute warns that mosquito-borne diseases are a growing risk as tiger mosquitoes spread beyond traditional tropical zones, with monitoring underway.

Marine Conservation: A new study warns that abandoned drifting tuna-fishing FADs are smashing into coral reefs and threatening wildlife, even inside marine protected areas—highlighting the need for better FAD management. Local Environment Policy: French Polynesia is expanding “fully protected” ocean zones to about 30% of its waters, adding 520,000 sq km where industrial fishing and seabed mining are restricted, while keeping artisanal fishing access. Public Health & Climate: A Tahiti-born scientist at France’s Pasteur Institute says mosquito risks are rising as tiger mosquitoes spread, with traps monitoring threats like dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever. UN & Decolonisation: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation renewed calls for action involving New Caledonia and French Polynesia, alongside Guam and Tokelau, as it debated self-determination and UN support. Regional Disaster Readiness: Pacific Response Group personnel trained in French Polynesia during Exercise MARARA 26, boosting coordination for future humanitarian and disaster relief. Sports: Kyle Tran won silver at the Tahiti Open (60kg), and judoka Xavion Johnson took gold at the Tahiti Oceania Open (73kg).

Mosquito Threat in the Pacific: A Tahiti-born entomologist at France’s Pasteur Institute warns that tiger mosquitoes are spreading beyond the tropics, raising fears of outbreaks of yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and Zika as climate change expands their range. Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia is expanding full ocean protections to about 30% of its waters, adding 520,000 sq km of no-extraction zones around the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands, while keeping access for artisanal fishing. UN Decolonisation Pressure: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation renewed calls for action on New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guam and Tokelau, with debates focused on self-determination and UN support. Regional Disaster Readiness: Pacific Response Group personnel trained in French Polynesia during Exercise MARARA 26, rehearsing coordinated humanitarian response across logistics, medical support and communications. Pacific Leaders Call for Peace: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a renewed global appeal for peace, urging dialogue and respect for the UN Charter amid rising tensions. Tahiti Sports Spotlight: Local judo and surfing results highlight ongoing talent in French Polynesia, including a Tahiti Open silver medal for Kyle Tran and a Tahiti win for World Surf League qualifier Jackson Bunch.

Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia says it’s expanding full protections to about 30% of its waters, adding roughly 520,000 sq km where industrial fishing and seabed mining are barred, while keeping access for artisanal fishers—an effort tied to the Tainui Atea marine protected area. Global Ocean Funding: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, leaders announced $6.4B in ocean commitments, with French Polynesia highlighting new safeguards inside Tainui Atea. UN Decolonisation Pressure: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation renewed calls for action on New Caledonia and French Polynesia (plus Guam and Tokelau), with petitioners urging clearer steps toward self-determination. Disaster Response Training: Pacific Response Group personnel trained in French Polynesia during Exercise MARARA 26, strengthening regional coordination for humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Regional Security & Peace: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a renewed global appeal for peace, urging respect for the UN Charter amid rising tensions. Local Sports: Tahiti Open judo saw Kyle Tran take silver in the 60kg category, while Bahamian judoka Xavion Johnson won gold in the -73kg class.

Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia says it will fully protect about 30% of its waters, adding roughly 520,000 sq km of no-extraction zones and bringing strict protections to around 1.4 million sq km, while keeping artisanal fishing access for local communities. Global Ocean Funding: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, leaders and partners announced $6.4 billion in new ocean commitments, with French Polynesia highlighting expanded protections inside the Tainui Atea marine protected area. UN Decolonisation Watch: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation renewed calls for action on New Caledonia and French Polynesia, alongside Guam and Tokelau, with draft resolutions focused on stronger UN support and visiting missions. Disaster Response Training: Exercise MARARA 26 in French Polynesia brought Pacific partners together, including the Pacific Response Group, to rehearse logistics, medical support and communications for humanitarian relief. Local Culture Spotlight: Tahiti is seeing a revival of tapa (barkcloth) making, as teachers and makers bring back a craft that nearly disappeared. Regional Security & Cooperation: The Pacific Islands Forum renewed its appeal for global peace, while the US Coast Guard launched Operation Blue Pacific to target illegal maritime activity across Oceania.

Disaster Response Training: The French-led Exercise MARARA 26 in French Polynesia is putting the Pacific Response Group (PRG) through its paces, with nearly 1,000 personnel training across Tahiti, Hao and Makemo on logistics, medical support, communications and damage assessments. UN Decolonisation Pressure: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation renewed calls for action on Kanaky New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guam and Tokelau, with Pacific petitioners pushing for clearer self-determination steps. Ocean Protection Boost (French Polynesia): President Moetai Brotherson announced expanded no-extraction protections, bringing fully protected waters to about 30% of French Polynesia’s EEZ—adding 520,000 km² and limiting industrial fishing and seabed mining. Global Ocean Funding: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, leaders announced $6.4B in new ocean commitments, including French Polynesia plans to strengthen protections inside Tainui Atea. Regional Security & Peace: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a renewed global appeal for peace, urging dialogue and respect for the UN Charter amid rising tensions. Climate Watch: Scientists warn a “warm” El Niño phase has begun, with a chance it could become very strong by winter.

Ocean Funding & Diplomacy: Over 100 governments and partners pledged $6.4 billion for ocean action at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, with French Polynesia highlighting new steps to protect the Tainui Atea marine area. Marine Protection Push: President Moetai Brotherson announced fully protected waters covering 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. Regional Disaster Readiness: Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, Hao and Makemo is boosting Pacific Response Group coordination for humanitarian aid and disaster response, focusing on logistics, medical support, communications and interoperability. Pacific Security & Illicit Trade: The U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation Blue Pacific to deter illegal fishing, drug and people smuggling across Oceania, including patrols involving French Polynesia. Climate Watch: Scientists say El Niño has entered its warm phase, with a chance it could become “very strong” by winter—raising stakes for weather and ocean impacts across the Pacific. Sports Spotlight: Bahamian judoka Xavion Johnson won gold at the Tahiti Oceanian Open 2026 in the -73kg class.

Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson announced a major expansion of “fully protected” waters, bringing no-extraction rules for industrial fishing and seabed mining to about 30% of the territory’s EEZ—an added 520,000 km² near the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands, on top of the 2025 Tainui Atea protections. Humanitarian Readiness: Exercise MARARA 26 is underway across Tahiti, Hao and Makemo, with the Pacific Response Group rehearsing coordinated disaster response and logistics with partner nations. Maritime Security: The U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation Blue Pacific to deter illegal fishing, drug and people smuggling, including patrols that cover French Polynesia. Travel Connectivity: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare, letting travelers book one ticket from Europe, Japan, the U.S. and New Zealand to Tahiti and then onward to inter-island destinations like Bora Bora. Local Sport Spotlight: Bahamian judoka Xavion Johnson won gold at the Tahiti Oceanian Open 2026 in Pīra’e, while Tahiti’s surfing scene also saw strong results from regional talent.

Disaster Response Readiness: Exercise MARARA 26 is underway in French Polynesia, with the Pacific Response Group rehearsing coordinated humanitarian and disaster relief across Tahiti, Hao and Makemo, boosting logistics, medical support, communications and regional interoperability. Space Safety for the Pacific: Look Up will use Skynopy’s ground station network to automate low-Earth-orbit collision avoidance, integrating sites with Europe’s ATLAS² service after radar-detected threats. Sports Spotlight (Tahiti): Bahamian judoka Xavion Johnson won gold at the Tahiti Oceanian Open 2026 in the men’s 73kg class, beating French Polynesia’s Tamatoa Luciani Renaud de la Faverie in the final. Marine Protection (French Polynesia): The government says it will fully protect 200,000 square miles of ocean in the Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area, adding artisanal fishing zones while safeguarding biodiversity. Travel Connectivity: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare, letting passengers book one ticket for international flights into Tahiti and onward inter-island hops to Bora Bora and Rarotonga. UN Decolonisation Pressure: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation heard renewed calls to act on New Caledonia and French Polynesia, with petitioners urging clearer benchmarks and a decolonisation timetable. Ocean Conservation Research: FIU research in Science Advances finds dead plant and animal remains can help ecosystems recover after extreme events, including coral reefs around Moorea.

UN Decolonisation Watch: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation opened its 2026 session with renewed pressure to speed self-determination for New Caledonia and French Polynesia, as petitioners warned the UN risks “managing delay” without benchmarks or a decolonisation timetable, and urged scrutiny of the electoral environment ahead of a 28 June vote. Ocean Protection Push: French Polynesia says it will fully protect 200,000 square miles of ocean—twice Arizona—adding to earlier protections and artisanal fishing zones, with the Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area covering waters near the Austral, Marquesas and Western Society islands. Pacific Peace Appeal: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a global call for peace grounded in the “Ocean of Peace” declaration, urging the UN Charter, dialogue over conflict, and warning smaller states are hit hardest by rising tensions and costs. Maritime Security: The US Coast Guard launched Operation Blue Pacific to target drug and people smuggling and illegal fishing, with patrols including French Polynesia and other Oceania partners. Travel Connectivity: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare, letting passengers book one ticket for international flights into Faa’a and onward inter-island connections to places like Bora Bora and Rarotonga.

Marine Protection: French Polynesia will fully protect a new Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area covering 200,000 square miles—about twice Arizona—bringing total protected ocean to roughly 540,500 square miles, with added artisanal fishing zones and limits on small-scale pole-and-line catches. Whale Rights: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust has released two model whale-protection law frameworks for public consultation, drawing on Pacific traditions that treat whales as kin and inviting a Pacific-wide legal dialogue. Air Travel Links: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti have activated a codeshare from June 3, letting passengers book one ticket from Europe, Japan, the U.S. and New Zealand to Tahiti and then connect to inter-island flights like Bora Bora and Rarotonga. Regional Security & Illicit Trade: The U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation Blue Pacific to deter drug and people smuggling and illegal fishing, expanding patrols that include French Polynesia. Tourism & Sustainability: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete received Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered observation platform. Sports: Cook Islands paddler Reuben Dearlove won the Masters Men 50 division at Te Aito 2026 in Tahiti.

Marine Protection: French Polynesia says it will fully protect a new Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area covering 200,000 square miles—about twice Arizona—adding artisanal fishing zones while limiting catches to traditional pole-and-line methods. Regional Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a renewed global appeal for peace, urging world leaders to uphold the UN Charter and settle disputes through dialogue as tensions rise. Security & Patrols: The U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation Blue Pacific to deter drug and people smuggling and illegal fishing, with patrols planned across Oceania including French Polynesia. Travel Links: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare from June 3, letting travelers book one ticket from Europe/Japan/US/New Zealand to Tahiti and then connect to inter-island flights like Bora Bora and Rarotonga. Tourism & Sustainability: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete received Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and an autonomous solar-powered marine observation platform. Sports: Tahiti Futures success continues to draw attention, with Jackson Bunch winning back-to-back World Surf League Qualifying Series events in Tahiti after a last-minute equipment scramble.

Marine Protection Push: French Polynesia says it will fully protect 200,000 square miles of additional ocean, doubling down on conservation with the Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area and expanding artisanal fishing zones around the Austral and Marquesas. Global Peace Call: Pacific Islands Forum leaders, including French Polynesia, issued a renewed appeal for peace, urging UN Charter principles and dialogue as tensions rise worldwide. Whale Rights Draft Laws: A Pacific sanctuary trust released model legal frameworks for public consultation on whale protection and “rights of nature,” drawing on Pacific traditions that treat whales as kin. Tourism & Travel Links: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare to make one-ticket connections easier to Bora Bora and Rarotonga, while Norwegian Cruise Line announced new South Pacific sailings including select June/September 2027 departures from Papeete. Sustainability in Hotels: Hilton Hotel Tahiti received Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered marine observation platform. Science for Resilience: New FIU research, using ecosystems including Moorea, finds dead plant and animal remains can help ecosystems recover after extreme events.