AGP Executive Report

New Caledonia Competition Law: The Congress has passed a new competition bill aimed at cracking down on abusive business practices, including excessive pricing and late payments, with tougher merger controls and a controversial shift that allows deferred producer–distributor discounts again to help ease high costs. Regulator Power Row: The government pulled 10 articles that would have expanded the Competition Authority’s powers, citing a review ahead of its 10th anniversary—though employers’ group FEINC has pushed hard for the authority to be scaled back. US Travel Update: The US has downgraded its New Caledonia travel advisory to Level 2, saying the territory is generally safe again after the 2024 unrest, while still warning about petty crime and limited emergency help outside Nouméa. Regional Watch: Fiji has been chosen to host the Pacific’s top tourism trade event, SPTE 2027, in Nadi.

Energy Expansion: TVA’s board backed a major long-term buildout, with 3,770MW of new generation capacity under construction across the region—enough for more than 2.1 million homes—highlighting projects including a 500MW site in New Caledonia. Travel Update: The U.S. has lowered its New Caledonia travel advisory from “Reconsider Travel” to “Exercise Increased Caution,” easing concerns more than a year after the 2024 unrest, while still warning about petty crime and limited emergency help outside Nouméa. Ocean Governance: The Pacific Tuna Initiative is expanding to Palau, building on work already underway in Fiji, Samoa and New Caledonia to push sustainable tuna management and fairer ocean governance. Elections Watch: France has moved to expand New Caledonia’s provincial voting rolls for June elections, a politically sensitive step that follows earlier attempts and remains tied to legal review.

Rolex Sydney Hobart: Entries for the 2026 “Great Race South” open today, with the CYCA and Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania gearing up for the 81st running of the 628-nautical-mile offshore classic. Pacific Tuna Initiative: Conservation International expands its tuna sustainability push to Palau, building on reforms already underway in Fiji, Samoa and New Caledonia, with a regional meeting in Apia. Health Watch: The Cook Islands has declared dengue-free after 26 days without a case, but Tonga reports new hospitalisations and other Pacific areas—including New Caledonia and Samoa—still see cases. New Caledonia Politics: France has expanded New Caledonia’s electoral rolls for June provincial elections, adding about 10,569 “native” voters while a bid to include spouses was rejected. US Travel Update: The US State Department downgraded its New Caledonia advisory from Level 3 to Level 2, citing restored stability after the 2024 unrest. Diplomacy: PNG PM James Marape announces a new embassy in Paris during talks with President Macron.

US travel update: The U.S. State Department has downgraded its New Caledonia advisory from Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) to Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), saying the territory is generally safe for tourism again after the deadly 2024 unrest—while still warning visitors about petty crime outside Nouméa and the limited help the U.S. can provide. French Pacific focus: France used the Melanesian Ocean Summit in Port Moresby to reaffirm a major Pacific push, tying investment to ocean protection, fisheries and the “blue economy.” Elections on the horizon: In Paris, the National Assembly backed a partial “unfreezing” of New Caledonia’s electoral roll for the June 28 provincial vote, expanding eligibility for about 10,500 “native” voters—without adding spouses/partners—pending a Constitutional Council ruling. Solidarity week: May 25-31 marks the UN’s International Week of Solidarity with non-self-governing territories, with New Caledonia among those listed.

US Travel Update: The U.S. State Department has downgraded its New Caledonia travel advisory from Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) to Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), citing the territory’s return to general safety after the 2024 unrest, while still warning visitors about petty crime outside Nouméa and the limited ability to provide emergency help beyond the capital. French Pacific Push: France used the Melanesian Ocean Summit in Port Moresby to reaffirm a long-term €5 billion Pacific commitment, linking ocean protection, fisheries and the “blue economy” to the UNOC3 “Nice Ocean Action Plan.” Elections Watch: In the run-up to June provincial elections, France’s National Assembly has voted to expand New Caledonia’s electoral rolls for “native” voters, but a bid to include spouses/partners was rejected, keeping legal and political tensions very much alive. Regional Context: The same week also brought fresh Pacific security focus, with Fiji and the AFP launching a transnational crime summit to tackle illicit drug trafficking.

French Pacific Diplomacy: Overseas Minister Manuel Valls has begun his first official visit to French Polynesia, with the trip coming after a New Caledonia political deal that has sparked debate across the territory—though New Caledonia is not listed on his agenda. Elections in New Caledonia: France’s National Assembly has approved expanding the electoral rolls for June provincial elections, adding about 10,569 “native” voters, but a bid to include their spouses was rejected, leaving the change subject to France’s Constitutional Council. U-17 World Cup (Africa): CAF confirmed Africa’s 10 qualifiers for Qatar 2026 after Uganda beat Ghana on penalties, completing the continent’s line-up for the expanded 48-team tournament. Travel Advisory: The U.S. has removed its “Reconsider Travel” advisory for New Caledonia, downgrading it to Level 2 with caution mainly for crime outside Nouméa at night.

Travel Update: The U.S. State Department has dropped New Caledonia from its “Reconsider Travel” warning, lowering it to Level 2 and saying the territory is generally safe again, with extra caution urged for crime—especially outside Nouméa at night. Elections & Voting Rights: In France, lawmakers have moved to expand New Caledonia’s electoral rolls for the June 28 provincial elections, adding about 10,569 “locally born” voters—while a push to include their spouses was rejected, keeping tensions high after the 2024 unrest. Sport Spotlight: New Caledonia’s U-17 men’s World Cup debut is set after the FIFA draw placed them in Group B alongside Korea Republic and Ecuador. Regional Security: Fiji and the AFP launched a Pacific transnational crime summit targeting illicit drug trafficking, with Pacific police ministers meeting in the same push.

FIFA U-17 World Cup Draw: Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba now know their groups after Thursday’s FIFA draw in Zurich, with the Caribbean facing a tough road in the expanded 48-team Qatar 2026 tournament. Jamaica were placed in Group E with Italy, Côte d’Ivoire and Uzbekistan—an unforgiving mix of tactics, athletic power and upset-ready danger—while Haiti land in Group D with France, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, and Cuba join Senegal, Croatia and Tajikistan in Group F. New Caledonia Elections: In the home stretch before June 28 provincial polls, France has pushed through a partial “unfreezing” of New Caledonia’s electoral roll, expanding voting access for around 10,569 locally born people, but a bid to include their spouses was rejected by a single vote—keeping the electoral fight highly charged. Pacific Watch: Fiji is also moving on security, launching a regional push against illicit drugs as Pacific police leaders meet in Fiji.

Electoral Roll Shockwave: France’s National Assembly has voted to expand New Caledonia’s provincial voting rolls for the June 28 elections, adding about 10,569 “locally born” voters—yet a bid to include their spouses was rejected by a single vote (164–163), leaving the change still headed for the Constitutional Council. Political Tension: The electoral roll fight is still radioactive after the 2024 violence, and the debate is reopening just weeks into the campaign. Regional Context: While New Caledonia’s vote rules dominate local headlines, the wider Pacific is also moving—Fiji and the AFP launched a Pacific transnational crime summit in Fiji, citing 17 tonnes of illicit drugs seized since January. Sport Spotlight: FIFA confirmed the expanded U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 groups, with New Caledonia drawn in Group B alongside Korea Republic and Ecuador. Culture & Curiosity: A new profile revisits George Forster’s 1770s voyage, including his encounter with men in New Caledonia wearing penis sheaths.

Electoral Roll Shockwave in New Caledonia: France’s National Assembly has voted to expand New Caledonia’s electoral rolls for the June 28 provincial elections, adding about 10,569 locally born voters—while a bid to also include their spouses and partners was rejected by just one vote (164–163). The move is meant to “unfreeze” part of the post-1998 Nouméa Accord restrictions, but it’s still headed for the French Constitutional Council, keeping tensions high after the 2024 violence tied to earlier attempts. U-17 World Cup Draw: Qatar 2026 groups are set, with New Caledonia landing in Group B alongside Korea Republic, CAF 1 and Ecuador. Pacific Capacity Building: James Cook University helped deliver Vanuatu’s inaugural graduation for a bilingual Bachelor of Environmental Science program, with 14 students honoured. Regional Security Push: Fiji and the AFP launched a Pacific Transnational Crime Summit targeting illicit drug trafficking, with New Caledonia and Vanuatu represented.

New Caledonia Voting Roll: France’s National Assembly has voted to expand New Caledonia’s electoral rolls for the June 28 provincial elections, adding about 10,569 locally born voters—while a bid to include their spouses and partners was rejected by just one vote, leaving the reform still under legal scrutiny. Political Tension: The move reopens one of the territory’s most explosive disputes, after earlier attempts helped spark the 2024 violence. Regional Watch: Elsewhere in the Pacific, Fiji has deferred local government elections until after its next general election, citing cost pressure and “voter burnout” risk. Sports Spotlight: New Caledonia’s U-20 women’s team has been drawn into Group F of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, facing Spain, Nigeria and China. UN Decolonisation: The UN’s C-24 is holding a Caribbean regional seminar in Managua this week, with New Caledonia among the territories under its remit.

Electoral Roll Reform: New Caledonia’s Parliament has now definitively approved the expansion of the electoral roll for the June 28 provincial elections, adding about 10,500 “native” New Caledonians who were previously excluded under the post-1998 “frozen” rules. Legal Tightrope: The government says the change corrects distortions created by the Nouméa Accord freeze, but the bill still heads to the Constitutional Council for a final check on its legality. Fresh Context From Paris: Earlier this week, the French National Assembly backed the move—while again rejecting the idea of including voters’ “spouses”—showing how tightly the vote is being managed. Why It Matters: The electoral roll remains one of the territory’s most explosive issues, tied to the 2024 riots that left deaths and widespread damage.

Electoral Roll Shockwave: France’s National Assembly has voted to let “native” voters take part in next month’s provincial elections in New Caledonia, but it also refused to include their spouses—setting up a fresh fight as the bill now awaits the French Constitutional Council. The move is part of a partial “unfreezing” of the Nouméa Accord-era restrictions, aimed at correcting “distortions” as the share of people born in New Caledonia since 1998 has risen sharply. Local Politics Fallout: The Senate has already endorsed similar changes, and the electoral roll remains the explosive issue that helped spark the 2024 violence—so every step in Paris is being watched closely in Nouméa. Regional Security: In Fiji, police leaders and the AFP launched a Pacific transnational crime summit targeting illicit drug trafficking, citing huge recent seizures across the region. Football Focus: New Caledonia is also in the spotlight in women’s youth football, with the U-20 Women’s World Cup draw placing the hosts’ debutants in Group F alongside Spain, Nigeria and China.

Trump Phone T1: Shipping has started for Trump Mobile’s T1, with early hands-on photos showing a gold-finished rebrand of an HTC model, Truth Social preloaded, and “Proudly Assembled in USA” on the box. Pacific Policing: Fiji and Australia’s AFP have opened a Pacific Transnational Crime Summit in Fiji, pushing new tactics against illicit drug syndicates after 17 tonnes were seized since January. New Caledonia Politics: The French Senate has endorsed changes to New Caledonia’s “frozen” electoral roll, aiming to let more “native” voters take part in June provincial elections, while local debate remains highly charged. U-20 Women’s World Cup: Nigeria’s Falconets have been drawn in Group F with Spain, China and debutants New Caledonia, with kick-off in Poland on 7 September. Sports/Coaching: Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz are still searching for a permanent coach after another failed World Cup bid, with interim staff back in charge.

U-20 Women’s World Cup Kickoff Set: Nigeria’s Falconets will open their 2026 campaign against Spain on Monday, 7 September, at Arena Sosnowiec, then meet China three days later, before finishing the group stage against debutants New Caledonia on 13 September in Łódź. Electoral Roll Shockwaves: In New Caledonia, the French Senate has endorsed changes to the “frozen” electoral roll, easing voting access for people born in the territory since 1998—an issue that has already helped spark the 2024 violence and is set to return to the local political spotlight. Pacific Focus: The week also brought a strong Pacific sports burst, from the Oceania Athletics Championships in Cairns to standout performances across codes. Online Security Alert: Steam pulled a free game, Beyond The Dark, after reports it was secretly stealing users’ data and crypto—another reminder that “free” can come with a cost.

Pacific Sports Spotlight: The Oceania Athletics Championships kicked off in Cairns, with more than 800 athletes across the region chasing medals from track to para events, while New Caledonia’s Erwan Cassier grabbed double gold in hammer throw. Electoral Roll Shockwave: In Paris, the French Senate backed changes to New Caledonia’s “frozen” electoral roll, easing voting access for people born in the territory since 1998—aimed at next month’s local elections—after debate over whether the current rules breach universal suffrage. Political Deadline Pressure: The electoral roll issue is set to return to the Congress of New Caledonia this Monday ahead of the June 28 provincial vote, two years after the 2024 unrest that erupted when reform plans were previously pushed. Regional Geopolitics: The Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting in Palau later this year is flagged as geopolitically charged as China and the US compete for influence across the Indo-Pacific.