Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: The 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting opened with major absences, as several prime ministers pulled out citing domestic politics, health, and travel—while tensions around US-China rivalry and missile testing hang over the agenda. Health workforce & fisheries priorities: Smaller island states leaders used the start of the week to push for reliable air/sea transport, stronger fisheries development, and better regional health workforce support and procurement, alongside improved access to climate finance. Fuel security and health costs: The US is expected to announce a US$60m fuel security deal, as Pacific energy dependence on imported diesel continues to strain budgets and threaten services. Climate-ocean link: Fiji is urging COP31 to put the ocean at the centre of climate action, stressing that warming seas, sea-level rise, and reef decline directly hit community health and fisheries. Tuvalu-relevant disaster and food security: In Vanuatu, heat, drought, cyclones, and El Niño-linked rainfall shifts are already damaging crops and disrupting market access—raising food security and livelihood concerns across the region. Taiwan diplomacy and healthcare tech: Taiwan’s return to PIF events after last year’s exclusion is also tied to cooperation projects, including smart healthcare and work connected to Palau’s Belau National Hospital AI system.