Climate & Health: Kiribati President Taneti Maamau told the UN General Assembly that climate change is already harming health in communities through sea-level rise, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and extreme weather, calling for “greater ambition” and climate finance that is adequate, predictable and accessible for Small Island Developing States. Ocean Protection: He also highlighted Kiribati as an “ocean nation” where food security, culture and livelihoods depend on healthy marine resources, welcoming the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction as a step for better high-seas governance. Water Security & Gender: A Pacific women’s research brief ahead of COP31 warns that stronger El Niño conditions are pressuring water security, with disproportionate impacts for women and girls, urging more inclusive decision-making and climate justice linked to water planning. Sea-Level Rise Legal Rights: Tuvalu’s PM Feleti Teo backed the UN’s Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, stressing continuity of statehood and maritime boundaries under UNCLOS—an issue with direct knock-on effects for community stability and long-term health services. Regional Context: Separate coverage notes China’s growing regional engagement and influence across Pacific and Indian Ocean states, including references to schools and hospitals, underscoring how health systems can be shaped by international partnerships.