Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Leaders are gathering in Koror for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum, with the theme “BELAU – Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity,” putting jobs, infrastructure, health care and housing on the agenda. Taiwan participation and pressure: Palau is allowing Taiwan to join PIF-related events after last year’s exclusion in the Solomon Islands, despite Beijing’s pushback; Taiwan’s foreign minister is set to attend dialogues and a “Pacific Prosperity Exhibit” featuring projects in smart healthcare, agriculture and digital resilience. Climate and ocean health: Fiji is urging COP31 to put the ocean at the centre of climate action, linking warming seas and reef decline directly to community health and fisheries; Tuvalu and Fiji are jointly hosting a Pacific pre-COP. Energy costs and health budgets: A new UNSW report says fossil fuel imports cost Pacific countries 10–25% of GDP and argues renewables could free up money for hospitals and schools. Tuvalu conservation with health links: Tuvalu removed invasive rats from six islets, with residents now seeing birds and coconut crabs return—supporting safer, more resilient local ecosystems. Tuvalu PROPER safeguards: Tuvalu released its Labour Management Procedure and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan for the Tuvalu PROPER oceanscape program, covering worker health and safety, community health and safety, biodiversity, and grievance mechanisms.