AGP Executive Report

Earhart Search Gets the Green Light: Purdue University’s Taraia Object Expedition is officially approved by Kiribati’s cabinet and will depart in early October to Nikumaroro, aiming to inspect the “Taraia Object” in a lagoon that some believe could be Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10-E; the team of 16 includes archaeologists, filmmakers, and a medic, and will use remote sensing before a hydroprobe and careful sediment removal. RIMPAC SINKEX in the Pacific: U.S. and partner forces carried out live-fire sinking exercises during RIMPAC 2026, sinking decommissioned USS Mobile Bay and USS Peleliu off Kauai, with helicopters and drones firing as part of multinational maritime strike training. Kiribati Education Goes Digital: Under the KITES project, Kiribati model schools are rolling out ICT devices, solar-powered connectivity, and teacher support via the Kiribati Teachers College to help students learn for a digital future. High Seas Mining Push Faces Pushback: French Polynesia says it was not consulted about an American startup’s seabed mining proposal near Kiribati and the Cook Islands, arguing it threatens protected ecosystems and raising questions about international rules. AI Governance and the Digital Divide: UN bodies stress stronger AI governance as fast-moving AI risks widening gaps in access and benefits worldwide.

Kiribati Approvals for Earhart Search: Purdue and the Archaeological Legacy Institute say Kiribati has now approved the Taraia Object Expedition to Nikumaroro, with a planned Oct. 7 departure from Tarawa and a six-day voyage to investigate a lagoon “anomaly” that some believe is Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra. Digital Education Push in Kiribati: Under the KITES project, teachers and students at model schools like TUC 1 are getting ICT devices, reliable internet, and solar-powered support, with teacher training via Kiribati Teachers College to help scale digital learning nationwide. RIMPAC SINKEX in the Pacific: U.S. and partner forces sank two decommissioned Navy ships—USS Mobile Bay and USS Peleliu—during RIMPAC 2026 live-fire sinking exercises off Kauai, showing multinational maritime strike and targeting coordination. Indo-Pacific Tech & Security Signals: New Zealand reported a helicopter-launched Penguin anti-ship missile strike that destroyed USS Peleliu during RIMPAC, highlighting distributed airborne maritime firepower. High Seas Seabed Mining Tensions: French Polynesia says it was not consulted about an American startup’s plan to explore seabed mining just beyond regional maritime borders that include Kiribati, raising legal and environmental concerns.

Kiribati Approves Earhart Search: Kiribati’s cabinet has finally given the green light for the Taraia Object Expedition, led by the Archaeological Legacy Institute and Purdue University, to depart for Nikumaroro in early October to investigate a human-made anomaly seen in lagoon imagery that some believe could be Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10-E. Pacific Education Tech Push: Teachers in Kiribati are preparing students for a digital future under the KITES project, with model schools like TUC 1 getting ICT devices, reliable internet, and solar-powered support, plus teacher training via the Kiribati Teachers College. Maritime Defence Drills in the Region: RIMPAC 2026 included live-fire SINKEX events where decommissioned ships were sunk, while New Zealand demonstrated helicopter-launched Penguin anti-ship strike capability—signals of growing Indo-Pacific maritime firepower. High Seas Mining Tensions: French Polynesia says it was not consulted over a US startup’s seabed mining proposal near Kiribati and the Cook Islands, raising fresh questions about who gets a say in critical minerals. AI Governance and the Digital Divide: UN bodies are calling for stronger AI governance as access gaps widen, with concerns that communities could fall behind without guardrails.

Kiribati ICT in Schools: Teachers at TUC 1 in Kiribati are preparing students for a digital future under the KITES project, with ICT devices, reliable internet, and solar-powered support, plus teacher training via the Kiribati Teachers College. Amelia Earhart Search (Nikumaroro): Kiribati’s government has finally approved Purdue/Archaeological Legacy Institute’s Taraia Object Expedition, clearing the way for a 16-person team to sail from Tarawa on Oct. 7 to inspect the “Taraia Object” on Nikumaroro using remote sensing and a hydroprobe. Pacific Defence Tech (RIMPAC): During RIMPAC 2026, US and partners ran SINKEX live-fire sinkings of decommissioned ships, while New Zealand demonstrated helicopter-launched Penguin anti-ship strike capability by destroying USS Peleliu. AI Governance for the Pacific: UN bodies are pushing for stronger AI rules as the digital divide widens, pointing to Pacific digital readiness work (like Tonga’s 5G and digital-first services) as a foundation for safer, more inclusive AI adoption. Education Spending Lens: A global comparison highlights how small island states, including Kiribati, invest a large share of GDP in education—useful context for local education tech planning.

Maritime Tech & Defence: New Zealand’s RNZN SH-2G(I) Seasprite fired a Penguin anti-ship missile during RIMPAC 2026, destroying the decommissioned USS Peleliu and showing stronger helicopter-launched strike integration for Indo-Pacific deterrence. Live-Fire Training: RIMPAC SINKEX operations also sank decommissioned USS Mobile Bay and USS Peleliu in deep Pacific waters, with partner forces improving targeting and coordination. Kiribati Education & ICT: Teachers at TUC 1 in Kiribati are preparing students for a digital future under the KITES project, bringing devices, reliable internet, solar power, and teacher support—plus a model-school plan meant to scale to remote islands. AI Governance for the Pacific: UN-led talks stress AI guardrails as the digital divide widens, while Pacific countries like Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu push digital readiness and language-focused AI tools for public services. Pacific Security Tensions: Reports link regional pressure to China’s missile activity and PNG’s move against Taiwan’s office, raising concerns for Pacific diplomacy and security. Seabed Mining Rules: French Polynesia says it was not consulted over a US-backed seabed mining proposal near Kiribati and Cook Islands, as the International Seabed Authority debates new frameworks.

Maritime Training: The US and partner nations carried out live-fire SINKEX during RIMPAC 2026, sinking decommissioned USS Mobile Bay and USS Peleliu off Kauai, with forces from Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain plus US services practicing surface targeting and strike coordination. Digital Education in Kiribati: Under the KITES project, teachers and students at TUC 1 (one of ten model schools) are getting ICT devices, reliable internet, and solar-powered support, alongside teacher training to bring tech into everyday lessons. Community Internet Networks: A new ITU/Internet Society report highlights how community-run internet projects—tested in places including Kiribati—can help close the digital divide, but only if local people help design, run, and maintain services. AI Governance for the Pacific: UN bodies stress stronger AI rules as the digital divide widens, while Pacific countries like Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu push digital readiness and AI tools for citizen services. Seabed Mining Tensions: French Polynesia says it will challenge an American startup’s seabed mining proposal near its protected ecosystems, as regulators and the International Seabed Authority debate high-seas rules.

RIMPAC SINKEX: U.S. and partner forces carried out live-fire sinking exercises during RIMPAC 26, sinking decommissioned USS Mobile Bay and USS Peleliu off Kauai to sharpen coalition maritime targeting and strike coordination. Education Digital Push (Kiribati): Under the KITES project, Kiribati’s model schools like TUC 1 are getting ICT devices, reliable internet, and solar-powered support, while teachers build digital skills through the Teachers College to bring tech into everyday lessons. Community Internet Networks: A new ITU/Internet Society report highlights community-run networks as a practical route to connect remote islands, stressing local involvement in design, operation, and maintenance plus real sustainability tests. AI Governance for the Pacific: UN bodies urge faster, fair AI rules as the digital divide widens, pointing to Pacific digital readiness work (including Tonga’s 5G and AI-enabled services) as groundwork for responsible adoption. High-Seas Seabed Mining Clash: French Polynesia says it wasn’t consulted over an American startup’s seabed mining plan near protected ecosystems, while regulators and the International Seabed Authority debate the rules. Education Spending Snapshot: A global comparison notes Kiribati among top education investors by GDP share, reinforcing that priorities—not just wealth—shape schooling budgets. Kiribati in Visa-Free Travel: Nigeria’s passport ranking update still leaves Kiribati among 44 visa-free/visa-on-arrival/e-visa destinations for Nigerian travelers.

Education Tech in Kiribati: The KITES project is turning TUC 1 into a model school, bringing ICT devices, reliable internet, and solar-powered learning, while training teachers through Kiribati Teachers College and using better school data to guide what scales across remote communities. Digital Divide Solutions: A new ITU/Internet Society report spotlights community-run internet networks, including a Kiribati project, arguing local residents must help design, run, and maintain services for them to last. AI Governance for the Pacific: UN bodies are pushing for stronger AI rules as the digital divide widens, with Pacific countries like Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu building digital readiness and digital-first services that can support AI in local languages. High Seas Mining Tension: French Polynesia says it was not consulted about an American startup’s seabed mining plan near Kiribati and the Cook Islands, while critics argue US permits may sidestep international law and the International Seabed Authority. Pacific Security & Influence: Australia is expanding defense deals across the Pacific to counter China’s influence, as missile tests and diplomatic moves keep the region on edge. Kiribati in Travel Lists: Nigeria’s passport ranking update still includes Kiribati among 44 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations.

Pacific Security Pivot: Australia is rapidly expanding defence ties across the Pacific, doubling mutual defence treaties and signing new cooperation deals with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu—moves seen as countering China’s influence tactics, with Beijing reportedly responding through a missile test in the region. High-Seas Mining Clash: French Polynesia says it was not consulted about an American startup’s seabed mining proposal just beyond its maritime borders, as the company seeks access to international waters surrounded by Kiribati, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia—sparking renewed claims the plan sidesteps the International Seabed Authority’s rules. AI Governance for the Pacific: UN bodies and experts stress that AI governance can’t wait as the digital divide widens, while Pacific countries are pushing digital readiness work—like Tonga’s 5G rollout and AI-enabled government services—to avoid being left behind. Community Internet Networks: A new ITU/Internet Society report highlights community-run internet projects in places including Kiribati, arguing local participation and practical services are key to keeping people online. Education Spending Snapshot: A global comparison notes Kiribati and other small island states spend high shares of GDP on education, underscoring that education investment isn’t only a wealthy-country story.

High Seas Mining Clash: French Polynesia says it was approached but not consulted over an American startup’s seabed mining push just beyond its maritime border, as the Cook Islands and Kiribati are also in the surrounding zone and critics warn the plan sidesteps international rules. Pacific Connectivity for Real Life: A new report highlights community-run internet networks as a practical way to connect remote islands like Kiribati, stressing local participation and sustainability beyond just installing equipment. AI Governance vs. the Digital Divide: UN bodies urge stronger global AI guardrails as the digital divide widens, while Pacific countries like Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu are building digital readiness and testing AI tools for citizen services. Education Spending Snapshot: A global look at education budgets shows Kiribati and other small island states investing large shares of GDP, underlining that education priorities don’t only track wealth. Coral Reef Research in Auckland: Researchers will meet in Auckland to tackle coral reef threats, with organisers saying Pacific Islander knowledge and traditions will shape reef management discussions.

High Seas Mining Clash: French Polynesia says it was approached but not consulted over an American Deep Sea Minerals plan to explore seabed mining just beyond its maritime border, as the International Seabed Authority debates rules and global outrage grows over permits in international waters. Pacific AI Governance & Digital Divide: UN-led talks warn AI is advancing faster than guardrails, while Pacific leaders push digital readiness—citing Tonga’s 5G and AI tools for local-language government services—to avoid widening gaps. Community Internet Networks: An ITU/Internet Society report highlights community-run connectivity in places like Kiribati as a practical way to reach the 2.2bn still offline, stressing local participation and sustainability funding, skills, and services. Education Spending Snapshot: A global comparison notes Kiribati and other small island states devote large shares of GDP to education, suggesting priorities matter beyond wealth. Regional Security Tensions: China-linked missile testing and PNG’s move against Taiwan’s office are framed as part of broader pressure in the Pacific, drawing US “deep concern.” Coral Reef Research: A Pacific coral reef symposium in Auckland spotlights Pacific Islander knowledge for reef management and resilience. Kiribati Tech Angle: Kiribati appears in the community network case study and in the wider debate over connectivity and access.

AI Governance: The UN says AI is moving “at runaway speed” and urges stronger global rules, transparency, and guardrails to stop communities being left behind as the digital divide widens. Digital Connectivity: An ITU/Internet Society report highlights community-run internet networks as a practical fix for remote islands and rural areas, stressing local design, operation, and maintenance plus six sustainability tests (funding, skills, regulation, and more). Kiribati Tech Angle: The connectivity report includes Kiribati as a case study, underscoring that island connectivity isn’t just infrastructure—it’s also affordability, skills, and useful services. Pacific Security & Tech Diplomacy: Coverage links China’s South Pacific submarine missile test to regional pressure, with Kiribati and nearby states mentioned in the flight path context. Education Spending: A global roundup notes Kiribati among the highest education investors by share of GDP, framing how priorities show up in budgets. Pacific Fisheries Monitoring: Observers on tuna vessels are discussed as a way to reduce unreported fishing and improve compliance and science data.

Pacific Security & Missile Politics: China’s July 6 submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the South Pacific is being linked to Papua New Guinea’s July 16 move to close Taiwan’s Port Moresby trade and economic office, with the U.S. calling it intimidation tied to Beijing’s pressure campaign. Digital Inclusion: A new ITU/Internet Society report highlights community-run internet networks as a practical way to connect remote islands like Kiribati, stressing local design, operation, and maintenance plus financial, social, regulatory, and environmental sustainability. AI Governance for the Pacific: UNDP coverage points to Pacific countries’ digital readiness work—like Tonga’s 5G rollout and digital-first government services—as a foundation for using AI in local languages while shaping global AI rules. Education Spending Snapshot: A global comparison shows small island states leading education investment by GDP share, with Kiribati at 16.4% and Tuvalu at 12.9%. Coral Reef Research: Researchers meeting in Auckland will focus on coral reef threats and solutions, explicitly inviting Pacific Islander knowledge and traditions for reef management. Fisheries Monitoring: Pacific fisheries officials warn that unreported fishing and weak catch monitoring undermine tuna sustainability, pushing for observer-based compliance checks. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: An American startup seeks to lease high seas seabed for mining just outside areas where Kiribati and neighbors hold exclusive rights, raising concerns about bypassing international oversight.

Pacific Tech & Connectivity: A new ITU/Internet Society report says community-run internet networks can bridge the digital divide, but only if locals help design, run, and maintain services—and if funding, regulation, and training hold up. AI Governance for the Pacific: UNDP highlights Pacific countries’ digital readiness work—like Tonga’s 5G rollout and digital-first government services—to help shape practical AI adoption and AI rules. Kiribati & the Digital Divide: The same connectivity report includes Kiribati among the cases showing how offline barriers, high prices, and limited useful services keep people disconnected. Regional Security Shockwaves: China’s July 6 submarine-launched missile test is linked by security experts to PNG’s July 16 move to close Taiwan’s Port Moresby office, with the US calling it intimidation. Climate & Displacement: A spotlight essay links climate-related displacement in the Pacific to higher risks of statelessness, warning the issue is still under-discussed. Coral Reef Science: A Pacific-focused coral reef symposium in Auckland is set to bring researchers and Indigenous knowledge together on reef threats and management. Ocean Monitoring & Tuna Compliance: Pacific fisheries observers are being used not just for science but also to improve compliance and tackle unreported fishing—despite the job’s danger. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure Near Kiribati: A US startup seeks approval to explore mining in high seas waters surrounded by EEZs tied to French Polynesia, Cook Islands, and Kiribati, raising fresh legal and conservation questions.

Pacific Security & Diplomacy: China’s July 6 submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the South Pacific is being linked to Papua New Guinea’s July 16 move to close Taiwan’s Port Moresby representative trade and economic office “immediately,” with the U.S. calling it part of Beijing’s intimidation campaign and warning it sends signals to Australia, New Zealand, and Washington. Digital Inclusion: A new ITU and Internet Society report highlights community-run internet networks as a practical route for remote islands like Kiribati, stressing that local people must help design, run, and maintain services—and that sustainability depends on more than ownership, including funding, regulation, and real community needs. AI Governance for the Pacific: UNDP points to Pacific countries’ digital readiness work—like Tonga’s digital-first government services and AI tools in local languages—as the region prepares to shape global AI rules through the UN’s AI governance dialogue. Climate & Displacement: A spotlight essay argues climate-related displacement in the Pacific can raise the risk of statelessness, noting WMO estimates of tens of thousands of Pacific Islanders displaced each year. El Niño Watch: Forecasts suggest this year’s El Niño could become among the strongest on record, with central Pacific ocean temperatures running exceptionally warm. Coral Reef Research: A Pacific-focused coral reef symposium in Auckland is set to bring researchers together, with organizers saying it will feature Pacific Islander knowledge and traditions for reef management.

Connectivity & Digital Inclusion: A new ITU/Internet Society report highlights how community-run internet networks can bridge the digital divide, stressing local participation and six sustainability tests (financial, social, organisational, operational, regulatory, environmental) for places like Kiribati and other remote islands. AI Governance for the Pacific: UNDP commentary points to Pacific countries’ digital readiness work—like Tonga’s 5G rollout and AI tools for local-language government services—as a foundation for shaping practical AI rules at global talks in Geneva. Fisheries Monitoring: Pacific fisheries officials say unreported fishing is a major threat to tuna sustainability, and observers on purse seiners are increasingly used not just for science data but also for compliance checks. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: An American startup seeks US approval to explore seabed mining in a high-seas area surrounded by the exclusive economic zones of French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and Kiribati—raising concerns about bypassing international oversight. Climate & Displacement: A spotlight essay links climate-related displacement in the Pacific to higher risks of statelessness, noting the issue is still under-discussed. El Niño Watch: Forecasts suggest the central Pacific could reach record-warm sea temperatures, with potential impacts across the year. Remote Community Life: World Cup final watch parties are bringing “home” comfort to isolated research stations, including Antarctica’s Rothera base.