Plastic Crisis Push: Kiribati says it’s “downstream” in the plastic lifecycle, with limited land and treatment options, while plastic waste washes up daily—about 13% of its waste stream is plastic, adding roughly 9.7 tonnes every day—urging stronger global upstream action as talks on a legally binding marine plastic deal move into their second session (INC-2). Economic Pressure on Health: A World Bank update warns Pacific growth is losing momentum, with uncertainty and inflation keeping incomes below pre-pandemic trends—fuel costs and repeated shocks are squeezing governments and households, including in places where health services already struggle. Maternal and Child Care Link-Up: Fiji and Kiribati are coordinating on maternal health, nutrition, and social protection to cut infant deaths and improve care for pregnant mothers, building on regional partnerships. Climate Adaptation Gap: Older coverage highlights a key concern: care services for children, older people, and people with disabilities are still missing from many climate plans like NAPs and NDCs.