Renewable Energy Finance: Solar Pacific Pristine Power’s augmentation and financing for Palau’s solar-plus-BESS project is being advised by Gilbert + Tobin and Ashurst Perkins Coie, with funding via the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific through Export Finance Australia and DFAT—another step in scaling Palau’s power capacity. Regional Security & Infrastructure: U.S. military construction planning across Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia is being pushed for faster readiness amid geopolitical risk, with contractors urged to align timelines for rapid response. Fisheries Funding: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency says the US-Pacific Tuna Treaty delivered a US$50.42m second 2026 distribution, supporting member offshore tuna management. Maritime Risk & Trade: The ICC-IMB reports global piracy and armed robbery incidents fell to 38 in H1 2026, but warns of uneven, high-impact hotspots—relevant for shipping and regional commerce. Palau Under Superpower Pressure: Reporting ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum highlights Palau’s concerns over expanding U.S. military facilities under the Compact of Free Association, with residents citing environmental and community impacts. Climate Diplomacy: Australia may loosen its push for only presidents and prime ministers to attend a pre-COP climate meeting in Tuvalu, as leaders weigh travel demands—an issue for Pacific visibility and funding momentum. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: A Pacific-wide shift is underway from simple “for or against” positions toward “follow the science” and “do no harm,” as governments weigh environmental safeguards and governance.