New Caledonia Congress Leadership: Virginie Ruffenach, leader of the pro-France Rassemblement, was elected president of the New Caledonia Congress after forming a coalition with Eveil Océanien, setting up a legislature split between loyalist and pro-independence blocs and a fresh push to rebuild trust, social cohesion, and economic capacity. Pacific Sovereignty Pressure: Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev renewed calls for independence for New Caledonia and other French overseas territories, escalating a diplomatic offensive against Paris and reigniting debate over France’s Pacific status. Vanuatu-France Legal Escalation: Vanuatu’s opposition is demanding an apology over the government’s handling of negotiations with France on the Matthew and Hunter islands, as Vanuatu prepares to take the dispute to international legal bodies after talks failed. French Pacific Security: The French Pacific Commander said France had advance notice of China’s SLBM launch and framed it as a test of nuclear deterrence, underscoring France’s view of itself as a permanent Pacific power. Regional Environment Cooperation: Melanesian nations moved toward a major transboundary marine protected area corridor, with Solomon Islands joining a network announced by PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji. Indigenous Rights & Peacebuilding: Indigenous leaders warned governments against “tokenism” ahead of COP31, while broader reporting questioned whether the Pacific’s “Ocean of Peace” concept is being reshaped by new security alliances.