AGP Executive Report

Cruise Tourism: Carnival will withdraw Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure from Australia after their final departures in March 2028, reducing the line’s Australian fleet from four ships to two and potentially reshaping cruise options across the region. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals in 2025, including support for tuna-dependent communities, climate-related health resilience and local climate innovation. Destination Profile: New Caledonia features on Lonely Planet’s 2027 Best in Travel list, giving the territory a fresh boost in international tourism visibility.

Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate funding approvals in 2025 for Pacific resilience, including support for tuna-dependent communities, climate-related health risks in Micronesia and adaptation innovation. The programme also helped seven Pacific countries and territories update their climate plans. Tourism: New Caledonia is among Lonely Planet’s 50 recommended destinations for 2027, putting the territory on a prominent international travel list.

Tourism: New Caledonia is among Lonely Planet’s 50 Best in Travel destinations for 2027, putting the territory on a prominent global list for next year’s visitors. Regional Aviation: French aircraft from New Caledonia supported rescue efforts for 73 people stranded aboard a disabled ferry near the Solomon Islands. Business Climate: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing economic and social pressures after the deadly 2024 unrest.

Regional Shipping: French aircraft from New Caledonia helped support the rescue of 73 passengers and crew stranded off the Solomon Islands after a ferry engine failure, highlighting the territory’s role in Pacific aviation and emergency response. Political and Economic Outlook: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing uncertainty and social and economic pressures following the 2024 unrest. Tourism: New Caledonia features on Lonely Planet’s 2027 destinations list, offering a potential boost to the territory’s profile with international travelers.

Political Outlook: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and continuing social and economic pressures after the May 2024 unrest. Connectivity: Easterra says recent network deployments include New Caledonia as it expands across Asia-Pacific; its connectivity orders in the region during the first half of 2026 exceeded the whole of 2025. Tourism: New Caledonia features on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list, giving the destination a prominent spot in its 50-place guide. EU Relations: European Parliament development lawmakers called for more funding and local consultation on critical raw materials decisions for overseas territories, including New Caledonia.

Tourism: New Caledonia made Lonely Planet’s 2027 Best in Travel list, putting the territory among 50 destinations highlighted for travellers. Political and Economic Outlook: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to assess conditions after the 2024 unrest, citing ongoing social and economic pressures and the need for a lasting political settlement. Digital Connectivity: Easterra says its Asia-Pacific connectivity orders in the first half of 2026 exceeded its full-year 2025 total by 56%; its recent network deployments include New Caledonia.

Regional Shipping: More than 70 people were stranded aboard a disabled ferry near the Solomon Islands, with French aircraft from New Caledonia and Australia providing air support. The incident highlights the challenge of keeping remote Pacific routes connected. Tourism: New Caledonia made Lonely Planet’s 2027 Best in Travel list, putting the territory among 50 destinations selected for the year ahead. Connectivity: Easterra says its Asia-Pacific orders surged in the first half of 2026 and lists New Caledonia among recent network deployments, as the provider expands services in hard-to-reach markets. Overseas Territories: EU lawmakers are seeking more funding and stronger local consultation on critical-minerals decisions—issues relevant to New Caledonia as a French overseas territory and major nickel producer. Political Outlook: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing continuing economic and social pressures and the need for progress toward a lasting political settlement.

Regional Shipping: More than 70 people were stranded off the Solomon Islands after a ferry engine failed; French aircraft from New Caledonia and Australia provided air support, while a cargo ship delivered supplies. Tourism: New Caledonia made Lonely Planet’s 50 Best in Travel destinations for 2027, a boost for its profile with international visitors. Political Outlook: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to assess conditions in New Caledonia amid ongoing political uncertainty and economic hardship. Connectivity: Easterra says its Asia-Pacific orders surged in the first half of 2026 and lists New Caledonia among recent network deployments. Overseas Territories: EU lawmakers are seeking more funding and local consultation on decisions involving critical raw materials, with implications for the bloc’s overseas territories.

Shipping: More than 70 people were stranded aboard the MV Awka off the Solomon Islands after engine failure. French aircraft from New Caledonia and Australia provided air support, while a cargo ship delivered supplies; a Solomon Islands patrol boat was expected to assist. Telecoms: Connectivity provider Easterra says its Asia-Pacific orders in the first half of 2026 were 56% higher than in all of 2025. Its recent network deployments include New Caledonia, as the company expands services across hard-to-reach markets. Tourism: New Caledonia is among Lonely Planet’s 50 recommended destinations for 2027, raising its profile with international travelers.

Tourism: New Caledonia is among Lonely Planet’s 50 recommended destinations for 2027, a boost in visibility for the territory’s visitor economy. Connectivity: Easterra says its Asia-Pacific orders surged in the first half of 2026 and lists New Caledonia among recent deployments as it expands services in hard-to-reach markets. EU Funding: European Parliament development MEPs are seeking more support for overseas territories, stronger local oversight and community consultation on critical raw-material decisions. Regional Affairs: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing continuing economic and social pressures after the 2024 unrest.

Tourism: New Caledonia has made Lonely Planet’s 2027 Best in Travel list, putting the territory before a global audience and offering a boost to its visitor economy. Connectivity: Provider Easterra says Asia-Pacific orders in the first half of 2026 exceeded its full-year 2025 total by 56%. Its network serves New Caledonia, part of a wider expansion across hard-to-reach markets. Fishing and Maritime Security: A French-led Pacific operation coordinated from Nouméa brought regional partners together to detect illegal fishing and improve information sharing. Overseas Territories: European Parliament lawmakers are seeking more funding and local consultation on critical-raw-material decisions for EU overseas territories—issues relevant to New Caledonia’s development.

Critical Materials: The EU selected 46 new strategic raw-materials projects across 16 member states, with a strong emphasis on recycling and supply-chain resilience. The push matters to New Caledonia’s resource economy, though no local project was identified. Overseas Territories: European Parliament development MEPs called for more funding for overseas territories and stronger local consultation on critical-materials decisions. Maritime Security: A French-led Pacific operation coordinated from Noumea brought together regional partners to deter illegal fishing and strengthen fisheries protection and information-sharing. Connectivity: Provider Easterra says its Asia-Pacific orders surged in the first half of 2026 and lists New Caledonia among recent deployment locations, as it expands service in hard-to-reach markets.

Critical Minerals: The EU selected 46 new strategic projects across 16 member states, including nickel, cobalt and lithium ventures, with more than €2 billion in public funding available. The push to strengthen supply chains is relevant to New Caledonia’s mining sector, though no local project was named. Connectivity: Easterra rebranded amid sharp Asia-Pacific growth: its APAC connectivity orders in the first half of 2026 were 56% higher than in all of 2025. The provider says its network now reaches New Caledonia and 173 other countries. Overseas Territories: European Parliament development lawmakers called for more EU funding and for local communities to be consulted on critical-raw-material decisions affecting overseas territories. Fisheries: A French-led Pacific patrol operation coordinated from Noumea brought together regional partners to detect illegal fishing and strengthen maritime information-sharing.

Political and Economic Outlook: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and continuing social and economic pressures. Connectivity: Easterra says its Asia-Pacific orders surged in the first half of 2026 and notes recent network deployments in New Caledonia, as it expands services in hard-to-reach markets. Fisheries and Maritime Security: French forces in New Caledonia led Operation Nasse, bringing Pacific partners together to detect illegal fishing and strengthen regional coordination. Critical Resources: EU lawmakers are seeking more support and local community consultation on critical raw materials in overseas territories.

Connectivity: Easterra says its Asia-Pacific orders surged in the first half of 2026 and lists New Caledonia among recent deployment locations, as it expands services in hard-to-reach markets. Maritime Security: A Pacific fisheries patrol led by French forces in New Caledonia brought together regional partners to deter illegal fishing and improve information-sharing. Critical Minerals: European Parliament development lawmakers called for more support for overseas territories and for local communities to be consulted on decisions involving critical raw materials. Political Outlook: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing political uncertainty and social and economic pressures.

Industrial Pollution: A Minamata survivor is urging countries to join the mercury convention, recalling how factory wastewater poisoned seafood and devastated families—a stark reminder of the lasting costs of industrial pollution. New Caledonia’s Economy: Pacific countries are renewing calls for a UN visiting mission to assess the territory’s political uncertainty and socio-economic hardship after the 2024 unrest. Connectivity: Easterra says its Asia-Pacific orders surged in the first half of 2026 and lists New Caledonia among recent deployment markets as it expands services in hard-to-reach locations. Fisheries and Maritime Security: A French-led Pacific patrol involving New Caledonia coordinated partners to detect illegal fishing, monitoring more than 262,000 square kilometres. Critical Raw Materials: European Parliament development lawmakers are calling for more support for overseas territories and consultation with local communities on decisions involving critical raw materials.