Deep-Sea Mining Push Meets Backlash in CNMI: Advocacy groups urged CNMI Gov. David Apatang to formally recommend the U.S. halt or suspend Marianas seabed mineral leasing, warning the ocean is not a “sacrifice zone” as a Dec. 16 auction looms. Regional Fisheries Signal: At the Micronesian Islands Forum, CNMI said it won backing for sustainable commercial fisheries and asked for more scientific data before moving ahead on deep-sea mining. Ocean Policy at the Pacific Islands Forum: Leaders in Palau tightened their stance on ocean sovereignty, fisheries, deep-sea minerals and marine pollution, setting up coordinated work for upcoming ocean biodiversity talks. Coral Restoration Investment: Palau launched the Pacific’s first Reef Seeding Hub to scale climate-resilient coral restoration, aiming to share tools across Micronesia. Tourism and Geopolitics: Palau accused China of “weaponising tourism” after a China travel advisory; Australia also doubled peak-season flights to boost visitor resilience. Education for Climate Disasters: EU and UNICEF unveiled a €17m Pacific program to make schools safer and keep them operating during floods, cyclones and sea-level impacts. Guam Tourism Trade Boost: Guam’s MegaFAM brought 200+ travel partners and influencers to help local hotels and businesses sell the destination. Community Food Security: Guam’s Tower for Humanity 9/11 Twin Towers project is also funding weekend meal packs for children through “Cans for Humanity.” Traditional Navigation Recognition: Pacific voyaging leaders pushed for traditional navigation to be treated as living heritage in regional policy. Pacific Youth Climate Demands: Youth adopted a unified statement calling for 1.5°C action, a precautionary moratorium on deep-sea mining, and real youth decision power ahead of COP31.