AGP Executive Report

Nickel Partnership: The EU and New Caledonia signed a deal in Nouméa to develop sustainable mineral supply chains, with a focus on nickel. The territory produced 3.1% of the world’s nickel in 2024. Cooperation covers investment, infrastructure, training and research, but the agreement does not guarantee funding or purchases; a project roadmap is due within six months. Political Future: The Pacific Conference of Churches has rejected a U.S. call to end the UN decolonisation committee, saying Pacific peoples must retain a say in their future. New Caledonia is one of six Pacific territories on the UN list. Travel: Qantas has launched a week-long Pacific sale, including Brisbane–Nouméa return fares from A$609 for select dates in 2027.

Nickel Partnership: The EU and New Caledonia signed a deal to develop sustainable raw-material supply chains, with nickel at its centre. New Caledonia produced 3.1% of the world’s nickel in 2024. The agreement sets a framework for investment, infrastructure and training, but guarantees no purchases or immediate funding; a project roadmap is due within six months. Travel: Qantas has put discounted Pacific fares on sale, including Brisbane–Nouméa return trips from A$609 on selected dates. Regional Security: Pacific police chiefs have launched PACPOL to improve cooperation against cross-border crime. New Caledonia is among its members. Self-determination: Pacific churches rejected the US call to abolish the UN decolonisation committee, saying it remains important while New Caledonia and five other Pacific territories remain on the UN list. Beach Soccer: New Caledonia will compete in Tahiti’s Oceania Nations Cup, where the winner qualifies for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Nickel Partnership: The EU and New Caledonia signed a deal to develop sustainable raw-material supply chains, with a focus on nickel. The agreement covers investment, infrastructure, training and research, and aims to grow local production while upholding environmental and social standards. Pacific Flights: Qantas launched a week-long sale including discounted New Caledonia fares: economy returns from Brisbane start at $609, with travel on selected dates. Decolonisation Debate: Pacific churches rejected a US call to end the UN decolonisation committee, saying it protects the right of territories including New Caledonia to determine their political future. France-Azerbaijan Tensions: France accused an Azerbaijani group of stirring dissent in New Caledonia; Baku denied interference and condemned Paris’s comments. Youth Tennis: Solomon Islands players won under-14 and under-18 doubles titles against New Caledonia at a regional tournament in Nouméa.

Decolonisation: Pacific churches have rejected the U.S. call to abolish the UN decolonisation committee, saying it remains vital while New Caledonia and five other Pacific territories are still on the UN list. The churches say UN visits give local communities a chance to speak about their political future. Nickel Partnership: The EU is poised to sign a deal with New Caledonia recognising nickel as a strategic resource. European Commission vice-president Stéphane Séjourné also offered EU support for training and infrastructure during an address to Congress. Travel: Qantas has put more than 180,000 discounted seats on sale to eight Pacific destinations, including New Caledonia. Brisbane–Nouméa return fares start at $609 for selected travel dates from January to September 2027.

Decolonisation: Pacific churches have rejected the U.S. call to abolish the UN’s decolonisation committee, saying it remains vital while New Caledonia and five other Pacific territories are still on the UN list. The U.S. says the committee has outlived its purpose and criticised its regional visits. Nouméa Dispute: France’s foreign minister accused an Azerbaijani group of stirring revolt in New Caledonia; Baku denied interference and said the claims overshadow local people’s concerns. Regional Sport: Solomon Islands players won Under-14 and Under-18 doubles titles at the Pacific Youth Tennis International in Nouméa, beating New Caledonia in both finals. Tourism: Swan Hellenic’s 2027 Pacific Islands cruise will visit New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, sailing from Auckland to Honiara in March.

Decolonisation Debate: The United States has urged the UN to abolish its decolonisation committee, calling its work wasteful. New Caledonia is one of six Pacific territories on the UN list. France–Azerbaijan Tensions: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused an Azerbaijani group of stirring revolt through conferences in Nouméa; Baku rejected the claim and said France was dismissing local concerns. Pacific Policing: Regional police chiefs endorsed a new Pacific policing body, PACPOL, with New Caledonia among its members. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect normal to lower-than-usual cyclone risk around New Caledonia this season, but warn severe storms could still affect communities across the Pacific. Tourism: Swan Hellenic plans a 2027 expedition cruise through New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, with a SETI scientist joining the voyage.

France–Azerbaijan Tensions: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused an Azerbaijani group of stirring unrest in New Caledonia and other French territories. Baku rejected the charge, calling it unfounded and accusing Paris of dismissing local concerns. Pacific Policing: New Caledonia joined 22 other members in endorsing PACPOL, a new regional policing body, at the Pacific police chiefs’ conference. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect normal to reduced cyclone activity near New Caledonia this season, but warn severe storms could occur anywhere in the Southwest Pacific. Tourism and Sport: A 2027 Swan Hellenic expedition will visit New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands; meanwhile, Solomon Islands youth tennis players won two doubles titles at a tournament in Nouméa.

Youth Tennis: Solomon Islands players won Under-14 and Under-18 doubles titles at the Pacific Youth Tennis International in Païta, beating New Caledonia in both finals. The tournament brought together young players from across Melanesia. Tourism: Swan Hellenic’s 2027 Pacific Islands cruise will call at New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, with a SETI Institute planetary scientist joining the Auckland-to-Honiara voyage. Political Tensions: France’s foreign minister accused an Azerbaijani group of holding “provocative” events in Nouméa; Baku rejected the charge as unfounded and said France was dismissing local concerns as foreign interference. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect normal to reduced cyclone risk around New Caledonia and Vanuatu this season, but warn that severe storms could occur anywhere in the Southwest Pacific. Regional Policing: New Caledonia joined Pacific police chiefs in endorsing PACPOL, a new framework for regional policing cooperation.

Nouméa in Diplomatic Spotlight: France accused an Azerbaijani-linked group of fuelling unrest in New Caledonia; Baku rejected the charge, saying Paris was dismissing local concerns. Pacific Police Cooperation: New Caledonia joined regional chiefs in endorsing PACPOL, a new framework for Pacific-led policing. Papua New Guinea’s police chief was elected chair. Youth Tennis: Solomon Islands players won Under-14 and Under-18 doubles titles, beating New Caledonia in finals at the Pacific Youth Tennis tournament in Païta. Cyclone Outlook: New Caledonia and Vanuatu face a normal-to-reduced cyclone risk this season, but forecasters warn severe storms could occur anywhere across the Southwest Pacific. Expedition Cruise: A 2027 Swan Hellenic voyage will link New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, with a SETI scientist joining the trip.

France–Azerbaijan Tensions: France’s foreign minister criticised an Azerbaijani-linked group holding conferences in Nouméa and calling for revolt in French territories. Baku rejected the accusations, saying they dismiss the concerns of local populations. Youth Tennis: Solomon Islands players won Under-14 and Under-18 doubles titles at the Pacific Youth Tennis International in Païta, beating New Caledonia in both finals. Pacific Cruises: Swan Hellenic’s 2027 itinerary from Auckland to Honiara will visit New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, with a SETI scientist joining the voyage from March 21 to April 3. Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs endorsed PACPOL, a new regional cooperation body that includes New Caledonia among its members. Cyclone Outlook: New Caledonia faces a normal-to-reduced cyclone risk this season, but forecasters say severe storms could occur anywhere in the Southwest Pacific and urge communities to stay prepared.

Tourism: Swan Hellenic’s 2027 Pacific Islands cruise will visit New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, with planetary scientist Ross Beyer joining the Auckland-to-Honiara voyage. Regional Policing: New Caledonia is among the members of PACPOL, a new Pacific-led policing body endorsed by regional police chiefs, with Papua New Guinea’s David Manning elected its first chair. France-Azerbaijan Dispute: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot criticised an Azerbaijani group holding conferences in Nouméa; Baku rejected claims of interference in New Caledonia and called the allegations unfounded. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect normal to reduced cyclone activity in the East Coral Sea, including New Caledonia, but warn that severe storms could affect communities elsewhere in the Pacific. Youth Tennis: Solomon Islands players won the Under-14 and Under-18 doubles finals against New Caledonian hosts at the Pacific Youth Tennis International in Païta. Environment: New Caledonia’s introduced rusa deer population is estimated at 250,000 to 370,000, raising concerns over the invasive animals’ impact.

France–Azerbaijan Row: France’s foreign minister accused an Azerbaijani group of stirring revolt in New Caledonia; Baku rejected the charge as unfounded and accused Paris of confrontational rhetoric. Youth Sport: Solomon Islands players won under-14 and under-18 doubles titles at the Pacific Youth Tennis International in Nouméa, beating the hosts in both finals. Regional Policing: Pacific police chiefs endorsed a new cooperation body, PACPOL, with New Caledonia among its members. Climate and Safety: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate funding approvals. A regional outlook forecasts normal to reduced cyclone risk for New Caledonia and Vanuatu, while warning severe cyclones could affect communities elsewhere. Tourism: New Caledonia features on Lonely Planet’s list of places to visit in 2027, while a Pacific sailing rally has highlighted Nouméa’s role as a stop for cruising yachts heading to Australia and New Zealand.

Youth Tennis: Solomon Islands players won Under-14 and Under-18 doubles titles at the Pacific Youth Tennis International in Païta, beating New Caledonia in both finals. The tournament runs in Nouméa through 17 October. Climate Funding: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate finance approvals in 2025 for projects including tuna-community adaptation and climate-related health resilience. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect seven to 11 named cyclones in the Southwest Pacific this season. New Caledonia and Vanuatu face normal to reduced risk, but all communities are urged to prepare for possible severe storms. Governance: France and Azerbaijan traded accusations after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot alleged Azerbaijani interference in rights movements in New Caledonia and other French territories. Baku denied the charge. Separately, supporters of different political futures in French Polynesia have joined calls for UN monitoring and open dialogue, which Paris opposes. Tourism: A Pacific sailing rally brought more than 260 yachts into the region, celebrating New Caledonia’s role as a stopover linking Australia and the Pacific. Environment: A study warns that rusa deer, descended from 12 animals brought to New Caledonia in 1870, now number an estimated 250,000 to 370,000 and threaten native plants.

France–Azerbaijan Tensions: Baku rejected French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s accusation that Azerbaijan interferes in rights campaigns in New Caledonia and other French territories, calling the claims unfounded and accusing Paris of confrontational rhetoric. Cyclone Outlook: New Caledonia faces normal-to-reduced cyclone risk this season, according to a regional forecast, but at least four severe cyclones could form anywhere in the Southwest Pacific. Decolonisation Debate: Indonesia protested after West Papua was raised during a UN hearing on New Caledonia, seeking to have the remarks ruled out of order and removed from the record. Tourism and Environment: New Caledonia made Lonely Planet’s list of top places to visit in 2027, while Pacific Rally crews celebrated the island’s role as a sailing stopover. Separately, researchers warn that invasive rusa deer—descendants of 12 animals brought from Java in 1870—threaten the territory’s native plants.

Paris–Baku Dispute: Azerbaijan rejected French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s claim that it interferes in rights campaigns in New Caledonia and other French territories, calling the accusation unfounded and urging Paris to end its “confrontational” rhetoric. Cyclone Outlook: New Caledonia faces normal-to-reduced cyclone risk this season, but forecasters warn that severe storms could hit anywhere in the Southwest Pacific and advise communities to prepare. Tourism: Lonely Planet included New Caledonia among its top places to visit in 2027. A Pacific sailing rally also celebrated the islands as a stop linking Australia-bound cruisers with local communities and marine services. Environment: Rusa deer descended from 12 animals brought to New Caledonia in 1870; estimates put the population at up to 370,000, posing a major threat to native plants. UN Debate: Indonesia protested after a speaker at a UN hearing on New Caledonia called for West Papua to be restored to the UN decolonisation list.

Cyclone Outlook: New Caledonia faces normal to reduced cyclone risk this season, but forecasters warn that severe cyclones could strike anywhere in the Southwest Pacific and urge communities to stay prepared. Regional Football: Fiji’s Under-15 team is heading to the inaugural FIFA tournament in Azerbaijan after drawing 2–2 with New Caledonia in a recent development competition. Tourism: New Caledonia is among Lonely Planet’s 50 places to visit in 2027. A Pacific sailing rally also celebrated its Nouméa stop, highlighting links with Australian marinas. Decolonisation Debate: Indonesia protested at a UN hearing on New Caledonia after a speaker raised West Papua’s status, demanding the remarks be struck from the record. Environment: Rusa deer introduced to New Caledonia in 1870 have multiplied to an estimated 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants across Grande Terre. Regional Rescue: French aircraft from New Caledonia helped deliver supplies to more than 70 people stranded aboard a disabled Solomon Islands ferry.