Blue Economy Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25M in new grants to protect 625,000+ sq miles of Pacific ocean, supporting “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” and aiming to safeguard at least 30% of waters by 2030. Drug Trafficking & Security: A new report says French Polynesia is increasingly used as a transit hub for cocaine and meth heading to Australia and New Zealand, while a local meth market is also growing—raising pressure on policing and border control. Renewables & Marine Impacts: A year-long study in Ra’iātea found floating solar panels in a lagoon sharply cut light reaching the seabed (including UVA/UVB) but showed no detectable change in lagoon water temperature. Climate Law for Maritime Rights: The UN General Assembly adopted a declaration affirming legal stability of maritime boundaries despite sea-level rise, protecting small island states’ EEZ rights. Sustainability Innovation Spotlight: The Zayed Sustainability Prize named 2027 finalists (record 10,233 entries) across health, food, energy, water and climate action, with guaranteed funding for all shortlisted teams. Local Industry & Food Systems: Breadfruit advocates across the Pacific are tackling supply-chain gaps to boost ‘ulu production and consumption, with Hawai‘i’s demand outpacing local supply highlighted. Regional Mining Debate: Cook Islands youth voices spotlight the trade-offs of proposed deep-sea mining—balancing jobs and development against environmental and cultural risks.