Pacific Security & Aid: Australia’s Labor government is earmarking AUD$46m for police deployments in Solomon Islands, framing it as a way to reduce “vacuum” risks as China expands influence and as Australia deepens regional defense cooperation. Decolonisation Push: A former Pacific Islands Forum leader, Dame Meg Taylor, urged leaders to stop dodging sovereignty and self-determination debates, warning security agendas are crowding out core islander priorities. UN Decolonisation Pressure: The British Virgin Islands and Virgin Islands called on the UN C24 committee to use “good offices” and visiting missions to advance decolonisation for the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories. French Polynesia Governance: The Court of Auditors says UNESCO World Heritage management for Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands falls short on monitoring and visitor information accuracy. Ocean Policy in Tahiti: French Polynesia plans to expand its fully protected “no-take” marine zones inside the Tainui Atea marine protected area, adding new areas near the Marquesas and Austral Islands. Regional Emergency Watch: After a 7.8 quake off Mindanao, tsunami advisories covered many Pacific coasts including French Polynesia, while New Zealand reported no threat. Cyber Cooperation: U.S. Army Pacific and partners joined France-led Exercise Marara 26 in French Polynesia, adding a cyber challenge to boost readiness and interoperability. Regional Connectivity: Fiji Airways will restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from 22 September, supporting travel links between the French Pacific and Fiji.