ICJ Standoff: Vanuatu has filed an application at the International Court of Justice against France over sovereignty of the Matthew and Hunter islands and a related maritime boundary with New Caledonia, but the case can’t move forward unless France consents to the court’s jurisdiction—France meanwhile reiterates its sovereignty. Kanaky & West Papua Push: Civil society and the Melanesian Spearhead Group are urging Pacific Islands Forum leaders to keep decolonisation, human rights and self-determination high on the agenda, including renewed attention to Kanaky and West Papua. Forum Reform Agenda: Palau’s Forum chair says leaders backed major regional reforms, stronger collective security, stepped-up climate action and funding for the Pacific Resilience Facility, as unity is framed as the region’s main response to mounting geopolitical and climate pressures. Security Architecture Debate: A new report calls for a pause and deeper scrutiny of proposals to integrate police, military and intelligence agencies into a broader Pacific security structure. Deep-Sea Mining Backlash: American Samoa community leaders and activists confronted a NOAA research ship over concerns about mapping and quantifying deep-sea minerals, as opposition grows to commercial deep-sea mining plans. Trade Opportunity: Fiji may open a new cocoa export market after a New Caledonian company expressed interest in buying locally produced cocoa, though plantation rehabilitation and processing investment are flagged as long-term needs.