Pacific Health & Climate: At the 55th Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, leaders pushed for COP31 to deliver climate finance for renewables and resilience, warning that warming beyond 1.5°C could hit food and water security—Tuvalu faces rising flooding risk, and tuna shifts could cut healthy protein access. Cardiac Care Expansion: Fiji’s Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital is expanding free pediatric cardiac treatment across the Pacific, with school and community screenings (56,000+ so far) and catheter-based procedures helping children return home sooner. Health Workforce & Access: Smaller Island States leaders flagged practical gaps in health workforce support and procurement, alongside transport and fisheries, calling for better access to climate funding. Energy Shock & Health Costs: Pacific energy dependence on imported diesel is worsening household costs and budgets, raising the risk that fuel crises spill into health services. Security-to-Action Push: Forum side events stressed that security commitments must translate into safer, more resilient communities through sustained political will and coordination. Diplomacy With Health Implications: Taiwan’s participation drew China’s “consequences” warning, underscoring how geopolitical pressure can disrupt regional cooperation that communities rely on. Local Opportunity: An Australian Volunteers Program “gap year” model is sending retirees to mentor workers in the region, including Tonga—an approach that can strengthen skills transfer relevant to health and community services.