UN Decolonisation Watch: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation opened its 2026 session with renewed pressure to speed up self-determination for New Caledonia and French Polynesia, with petitioners warning the UN risks “managing delay” and urging scrutiny of the electoral environment ahead of New Caledonia’s 28 June provincial vote. Regional Peace Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders issued a global appeal for peace, urging world leaders to uphold the UN Charter and choose dialogue as tensions rise. U.S. Maritime Enforcement: The U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation Blue Pacific to deter drug and people smuggling and illegal fishing, expanding patrols that include French Polynesia and other Pacific territories, while saying it welcomes cooperation with China where legal and local actors are involved. French Polynesia Conservation: The government announced full protection for a new marine area of 200,000 square miles—about twice Arizona—adding artisanal fishing zones and pushing total protected ocean territory to roughly 540,500 square miles. Whale Rights Lawmaking: A Moananui Sanctuary Trust initiative released two model legislative frameworks for public consultation on whale protection and ocean guardianship, blending Pacific traditions with modern legal rights concepts. Pacific Air Links: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare to let travelers book one ticket for international-to-inter-island connections via Tahiti. Ocean Security & Politics: A week of coverage also highlighted Pacific defence cooperation expectations around New Zealand’s upcoming elections and the growing need for the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting to prove its relevance.