Pre-COP31 Climate Push: Vanuatu’s Environment and Climate Change Permanent Secretary Dr Sivendra Michael says the Fiji/Tuvalu pre-COP must not end with ministers returning home unchanged, warning Pacific negotiators would rather walk away than accept a weak outcome and stressing that any “just transition” must be tied to finance. Integrity at COP31: Transparency International is urging Pacific governments to press for stronger integrity rules at COP31, including an independent ethics adviser/committee, clear conflict-of-interest standards, and disclosure of fossil-fuel ties during the Fiji pre-COP. Pacific Climate Diplomacy Pressure: A Reuters report says Australia’s push to make the pre-COP a major global moment is falling short, with few confirmed leaders from outside the Pacific bloc—prompting Vanuatu’s climate minister Ralph Regenvanu to call it a lack of priority for the region’s biggest threat. Maritime Security: Australia says it joined a multinational Pacific fisheries and maritime security operation in September, including Vanuatu, to detect and deter illegal fishing and improve regional coordination. Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m+ in new grants for ocean conservation across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to protect large marine areas by 2030. Vanuatu in Regional Football Finals: Fiji’s men’s team beat Vanuatu 1-0 to win the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, while Vanuatu’s women claimed a historic MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title over PNG via a 1-1 draw and 6-4 penalties.