Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Climate and development are set to dominate the 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, with host Palau expected to press Australia on coal and gas while major powers compete over security and ocean resources. Taiwan returns to PIF events: The US has backed Taiwan’s continued participation, and Taiwan’s foreign minister is set to attend Palau events after last year’s Solomon Islands-hosted meeting barred outside partners. Marovo Kavachi Seascape Park: Wildlife Conservation Society consultations in Western Province show strong community support for a proposed Kavachi Seascape National Park, aiming to curb overfishing and harmful activities while enabling research and sustainable livelihoods. Solomon Islands carbon policy push: The RISE forest carbon policy project launched to strengthen safeguards and community leadership in the emerging carbon market. Education and skills funding: Government plans a fully funded initiative for 1,000 students to study in China, with the first 200 expected to travel later this year. Payments upgrade: CBSI launched Instant Funds Transfer (IFT) to speed up transfers between participating banks, with an initial SBD5,000 limit. Disaster resilience coordination: Pacific nations met in Honiara to improve multi-hazard early warning and strengthen seismic and tsunami monitoring for 2026–2030. Health and culture at SINU: Solomon Islands National University Open Day 2026 recognised FEH and SEWA for education and cultural contributions. Governance and procurement ruling: The High Court ruled the NHA acted unlawfully in 2023 Pacific Games spending by bypassing public procurement safeguards.