Pacific diplomacy & tech geopolitics: China warned there will be “consequences” over Taiwan’s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, as leaders’ attendance gaps and Taiwan’s return to forum events keep tensions high. Climate & nature-based solutions: On World Environment Day, the Pacific Community (SPC) pushed Nature-based Solutions to protect Pacific biodiversity as reefs and amphibians face mounting pressure. Sports tech & youth access: Solomon Islands Chess Federation president Simon Chottu joined a Melbourne roundtable on innovation and digital transformation in sport, exploring ways to expand chess in schools. Fisheries inclusion training: Solomon Islands’ MFMR ran Gender, Disability and Social Inclusion training for staff, linking it to the 2026 Solomon Islands gender and fisheries fact sheet. Honiara land data upgrade: CAUSE II held a valuation workshop to lay the groundwork for Honiara City’s property revaluation using improved technology and stronger property data. Community-led conservation: Consultations are complete for the proposed Kavachi Seascape National Park in Marovo Lagoon, with communities backing protection from overfishing and harmful activities. Carbon market safeguards: The RISE forest carbon policy project launched in Solomon Islands to strengthen rights, safeguards and fair benefit-sharing for community-owned projects. Education pipeline: Government plans a fully funded initiative sending up to 1,000 students to study in China, starting with 200 later this year. Food & local supply chain: Firetree’s 100% cocoa Solomon Islands bar has entered UK retailer Tesco, highlighting cocoa sourced from Solomon Islands farms.