AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Hotels: Marriott’s Series by Marriott brand has officially landed in New Caledonia via a long-term partnership with SHN, adding three resorts—Le Domaine Déva (Bourail), Le Domaine Oro (Isle of Pines) and Le Domaine Nouméa—bringing 375 rooms and a “locally rooted, globally connected” guest experience. Sports (Pacific): Palau’s men’s volleyball team booked a spot at the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti after competing in the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Championship in Guam, with New Caledonia among the teams they faced. Local Environment & Culture: A new explainer on “ghosts of the forest” spotlights New Caledonia’s endangered kagu, a flightless bird found only in the island’s rainforests. Regional Governance (Football): New Zealand has withdrawn support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino and called for an independent review of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, while Oceania’s OFC says it welcomes FIFA’s review and points to progress in the region. Science & Nature: New research from Queensland’s Great Sandy Marine Park describes dolphin mothers teaching calves to “shell” for fish, suggesting tool learning may be passed down from mothers.

FIFA Governance Shake-Up in the Pacific: New Zealand Football has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprise plan and is calling for an independent review, saying FIFA leadership has lost trust; OFC Response: the Oceania Football Confederation welcomed FIFA’s withdrawal and urged a review focused on good governance, transparency and institutional process, while noting progress in Oceania under FIFA; Local Tourism & Hotels: Marriott’s Series by Marriott brand is debuting in New Caledonia with three SHN resorts—Le Domaine Déva (Bourail), Le Domaine Oro (Isle of Pines) and Le Domaine Nouméa—bringing 375 rooms to Nouméa, the Isle of Pines and Deva; Sports Spotlight: Palau’s men’s volleyball team qualified for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti after the Oceania Zonal Championship in Guam, with New Caledonia in their opening match; Regional Environment Leadership: Wallis-et-Futuna is chairing the SPREP Executive Board Meeting in Apia, aiming to keep smaller territories’ environmental priorities front and centre.

Football Governance: New Zealand Football has withdrawn support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino and called for an independent review of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, citing a loss of confidence in FIFA leadership. Regional Response: The Oceania Football Confederation says it welcomes FIFA’s decision to withdraw the FFE proposal and urges FIFA to use the review to make any needed changes, while also pointing to progress in Oceania under FIFA’s current leadership. Local Tourism & Hotels: Marriott’s Series by Marriott brand is debuting in New Caledonia with three SHN resorts—Le Domaine Déva (Bourail), Le Domaine Oro (Isle of Pines) and Le Domaine Nouméa—bringing 375 rooms across lagoon, beach and nature settings. Pacific Environment: Wallis-et-Futuna is chairing the SPREP Executive Board meeting in Apia, focusing on climate, biodiversity loss and pollution priorities for small Pacific territories. Sports (Pacific Games): Palau’s men’s volleyball team qualified for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti after the Oceania Zonal Championship in Guam.

FIFA Governance Fallout: New Zealand Football has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino and called for an independent review of FIFA’s “Forward Enterprise” plan, saying trust in FIFA leadership has broken down; the Oceania Football Confederation says it welcomes FIFA’s withdrawal of the proposal and urges a review to fix what’s needed, while Local Governance & Solidarity: New Caledonia has publicly reaffirmed its support for Infantino and praised FIFA’s governance and development approach. Tourism & Hotels: Marriott’s Series by Marriott brand is debuting in New Caledonia with three SHN resorts—Le Domaine Déva (Bourail), Le Domaine Oro (Isle of Pines) and Le Domaine Nouméa—adding 375 rooms and keeping each property’s local identity under Marriott standards. Regional Environment: Wallis-et-Futuna is chairing the SPREP Executive Board Meeting in Apia, focusing on Pacific environmental priorities and ensuring smaller territories’ concerns are heard.

FIFA Governance Fallout in Oceania: New Zealand Football has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino and called for an independent review of FIFA’s “Forward Enterprise” plan, saying trust in FIFA leadership has broken down—while the Oceania Football Confederation says it welcomes FIFA’s withdrawal and urges a review, and New Caledonia has publicly reaffirmed its backing of Infantino. Tourism & Hotels: Marriott’s Series by Marriott brand is set to debut in New Caledonia with three SHN resorts—Le Domaine Déva (Bourail), Le Domaine Oro (Isle of Pines) and Le Domaine Nouméa—adding 375 rooms to Marriott Bonvoy and positioning the properties around local culture and landscapes. Regional Politics & Decolonisation: Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat and MSG DG Dr Anna Naupa reaffirmed support for Kanak self-determination in New Caledonia and raised concerns about West Papua’s human rights situation. Environment Leadership: Wallis-et-Futuna is chairing the SPREP Executive Board meeting in Apia, focusing on Pacific environmental priorities and ensuring smaller territories’ concerns are represented.

Tourism & Hotels: Marriott’s Series by Marriott brand has officially landed in New Caledonia via a long-running partnership with Société Hôtelière de Nouméa (SHN), adding three resorts across Nouméa, the Isle of Pines and Déva—together offering 375 rooms and suites, with each property keeping its own local identity under Marriott Bonvoy and global operating standards. Regional Governance & Environment: Wallis-et-Futuna is chairing the Fifth SPREP Executive Board Meeting in Apia, aiming to ensure smaller territories’ environmental concerns are heard as Pacific leaders tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Football (Oceania): The Oceania Football Confederation says it welcomes FIFA’s withdrawal of the Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal and calls for good governance, transparency and respect for institutional processes—after New Zealand formally withdrew support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Sports (Pacific Games pathway): Palau’s men’s volleyball team has qualified for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti after competing in the Oceania Zonal Championship in Guam.

FIFA Fallout in Oceania: Gianni Infantino’s future remains in question after FIFA withdrew a plan to sell World Cup shares to private investors, with Concacaf, UEFA and the AFC condemning FIFA leadership for “deception” while some member associations—including Qatar and Lebanon—publicly back Infantino. Tourism & Hotels: Marriott’s Series by Marriott brand debuts in New Caledonia via SHN, adding three resorts across Nouméa, the Isle of Pines and Déva (375 rooms total), each keeping its local identity under Marriott standards. Air Calédonie Talks: Air Calédonie and Loyalty Islands communities restart talks after protests linked to the airline’s hub shift from Nouméa Magenta to Nouméa La Tontouta; a broader mobility plan is due within a month. Regional Environment: Wallis-et-Futuna chairs the SPREP Fifth Executive Board Meeting in Apia, focusing on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and pushing for smaller territories’ concerns to be heard. Football Governance Watch: The OFC says it will issue a statement on FIFA’s Forward Enterprise proposal after New Zealand formally withdraws support, keeping pressure on FIFA’s leadership across the region.

Tourism & Hotels: Marriott’s Series by Marriott brand officially lands in New Caledonia with three Le Domaine du Pacifique resorts in Nouméa, the Isle of Pines and Déva (375 rooms total), keeping each property’s local identity while adding Marriott Bonvoy access. Aviation & Local Mobility: Air Calédonie and Loyalty Islands communities restart talks as the airline’s hub shift from Nouméa Magenta to La Tontouta drags on, with Lifou services restored but Maré and Ouvéa still disrupted after airport protests. Environment Governance: Wallis-et-Futuna chairs SPREP’s 5th Executive Board Meeting in Apia, pushing Pacific priorities and ensuring smaller territories’ concerns are heard. Football Governance: The OFC says it welcomes FIFA’s withdrawal of the Forward Enterprise proposal and points to a review, as New Zealand and others press for change. Regional Politics: Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat and MSG DG Dr Anna Naupa reaffirm Kanak self-determination support and raise West Papua human-rights concerns. Sports: Palau men’s volleyball qualifies for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti. Business/Travel Deals: Hotels.com extends its partnership with Arsenal, betting on growing football-led travel demand.

SPREP Leadership in Samoa: Wallis-et-Futuna has taken the chair of the Fifth SPREP Executive Board Meeting in Apia, with Jean Paul Mailagi saying the goal is to keep smaller territories’ environmental concerns front and centre. Climate Push for COP31: Pacific Forum foreign ministers backed a stronger regional climate push ahead of COP31, calling for more climate finance, renewable energy investment and louder Pacific leadership at Pre-COP31 meetings. New Caledonia Air Calédonie Talks: Air Calédonie and Loyalty Islands communities have restarted talks after protests over the airline’s hub move from Nouméa Magenta to La Tontouta; Lifou, Maré and Ouvéa are drafting a broader mobility plan after airport blockages disrupted services. Kanak Self-Determination, West Papua Rights: Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat and MSG DG Dr Anna Naupa reaffirmed support for Kanak self-determination in New Caledonia and raised West Papua human rights concerns, including a pending UN visit. Maritime Search in Vanuatu: New Caledonia is coordinating aerial searches for six Vanuatuans missing at sea after a boat left Erromango for Tanna; poor weather and no signal have hampered efforts. Football OFC Champions League: Rewa bounced back with a 4-2 win over Tupapa Maraerenga, while Vanuatu’s Galaxy made an early statement with a 4-1 win over Rewa in the opening round.

Kanak self-determination & regional diplomacy: Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat and newly appointed Melanesian Spearhead Group DG Dr Anna Naupa reaffirmed MSG support for Kanak self-determination in New Caledonia, while also raising concerns over human rights in West Papua and the pending UN rights visit. Climate push for COP31: Pacific Forum foreign ministers backed a stronger regional climate push ahead of COP31, calling for more climate finance, renewable investment and Pacific-led momentum through Pre-COP31 meetings. Air Calédonie talks: Air Calédonie and Loyalty Islands communities restarted talks after protests over the airline’s hub shift from Nouméa Magenta to La Tontouta; Lifou, Maré and Ouvéa are drafting a broader mobility plan. Search at sea: New Caledonia is coordinating aerial searches for six Vanuatuans missing after a boat left Erromango for Tanna; poor weather has hampered efforts. OFC Champions League (local angle): AS Tiga Sport (New Caledonia) and other regional clubs begin the OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji, with Rewa and Galaxy also in the mix.

Air Calédonie Talks: New Caledonia’s new government has restarted talks with Loyalty Islands communities after protests over the airline’s hub move from Nouméa Magenta to La Tontouta, with President Milakulo Tukumuli asking for a broader mobility plan and proposals due in about a month. Regional Climate Push: Pacific Forum foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, calling for more climate finance, renewable investment and Pacific-led momentum through Pre-COP31 meetings. Kanak Self-Determination: Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat and MSG DG Dr Anna Naupa reaffirmed support for Kanak self-determination in New Caledonia and raised concerns over human rights in West Papua. Maritime Search: New Caledonia is coordinating aerial searches for six Vanuatuans missing at sea after a boat left Erromango for Tanna, with poor weather hampering efforts. OFC Champions League (Local Interest): AS Tiga Sport (New Caledonia) is set to play Auckland City in the OFC Men’s Champions League, with the tournament streamed free on DAZN.

Air Calédonie Talks: New Caledonia’s new government has restarted talks with Loyalty Islands communities after protests over the airline’s hub move from Nouméa Magenta to La Tontouta, with a broader mobility plan due in about a month. Search and Rescue: New Caledonia is coordinating aerial searches for six Vanuatuans missing at sea after a boat left Erromango for Tanna, with poor weather hampering efforts. Regional Diplomacy: Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat and MSG DG Dr Anna Naupa reaffirmed support for Kanak self-determination in New Caledonia and raised concerns over human rights in West Papua. Climate Push: Pacific Forum foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, including more climate finance and renewable investment. Sport (OFC Champions League): Rewa bounced back in the OFC Men’s Champions League with a 4-2 win over Tupapa Maraerenga, setting up a key next round. Indigenous Rights: The MSG marked International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples by highlighting Indigenous languages, cultures and customary stewardship across Melanesia.

Search-and-Rescue: New Caledonia is coordinating aerial searches for six Vanuatuans missing at sea after leaving Erromango Island on Aug 7, with French Navy and Air Force aircraft covering a wide area but no trace found so far as weather complicates the operation. Indigenous Rights: The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Indigenous rights, languages, cultures and traditional knowledge across Melanesia ahead of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Local Politics & Governance: New Caledonia is racing to avert a shutdown as a new government takes office, with the new president unveiling cabinet portfolios. Regional Security Diplomacy: Ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting on Aug 30, foreign ministers have been discussing security issues tied to major-power competition, including responses to recent ballistic missile activity. Sport (OFC Champions League): New Caledonia’s AS Tiga Sport is set to face Venus in the OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji, with the tournament streamed free on DAZN. Football (FIFA Fallout): A former PNG player says FIFA’s flawed funding system helps explain why smaller federations have stayed quiet during the FIFA civil war.

Search-and-rescue: New Caledonia is mobilising air resources to find six Vanuatuans missing at sea after leaving Erromango Island on Aug 7, with French Navy and Air Force aircraft also flying over a vast area as weather hampers the hunt. Regional security: The Pacific Islands Forum is gearing up for its leaders’ meeting, with foreign ministers’ talks in Suva and renewed focus on security pressures and great-power competition in the Pacific. Indigenous rights: The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Indigenous rights, languages and cultures across Melanesia ahead of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Aug 9. Sports (OFC): Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC made an early statement in the OFC Men’s Champions League with a 4-1 win over Fiji’s Rewa, while New Caledonia’s AS Tiga Sport is among the teams set to compete in Fiji. Local sport (volleyball): Australia swept New Caledonia in the men’s Oceania Volleyball Championships final on Guam, while the women’s title also went to Australia.

Search and Rescue: New Caledonia is mobilising its air resources to find six Vanuatuans missing at sea after leaving Erromango Island for Tanna; French Navy and French Air Force aircraft have searched a wide area, but poor weather and no contact have stalled efforts so far. Regional Politics: France and the EU are pushing to keep New Caledonia’s nickel close to European critical raw materials plans, citing its role in global nickel value chains. Local Governance: New Caledonia’s new government is racing to avert shutdown risks as portfolios are unveiled and the administration settles in. Sport (OFC Champions League): Rewa targets a comeback after a 4-1 opening loss to Vanuatu’s Galaxy in the OFC Men’s Champions League, with New Caledonia’s AS Tiga Sport also in the group mix. Science & Nature: Dolphins have been observed using seashell tools to hunt, with researchers suggesting they may learn the behaviour from their mothers—while New Caledonia’s own crows are noted for tool-making. Tourism & Business: The Solomon Islands is keeping the region in the spotlight at Australia’s Treasures of the South Pacific roadshow, with New Caledonia among the participating destinations.

Nickel Strategy: France and the EU are keeping New Caledonia’s nickel close as Brussels pushes to plug the energy-transition and defence supply gap, arguing the territory should sit deeper in EU critical raw-material value chains. Local Politics & Security: New Caledonia’s new government leadership is rolling out cabinet portfolios as the territory races to avert shutdown risks, while regional security cooperation remains a live issue. Pacific Diplomacy: At the Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers meeting in Suva, Australia is pushing stronger regionalism and security coordination amid intensifying US-China competition. Oceania Sport (Guam): Australia swept New Caledonia in the men’s final to take gold on Guam, while the women needed four sets to beat American Samoa; Guam also battled for medal positions in the volleyball tournament. Oceania Football: Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC made an early OFC Champions League statement with a 4-1 win over Fiji’s Rewa FC in Lautoka. Regional Defence: New Zealand has taken over leadership of the Pacific Response Group from Australia, keeping the multinational crisis-response capability on track.