Climate Diplomacy: Tuvalu’s climate minister warned COP31 can’t be “another talk shop” as world leaders toured Funafuti to see sea-level impacts firsthand, while Pacific leaders also complained that climate finance is too slow, too small, and comes with bad terms. Solomon Islands Leadership: PM Matthew Wale used Pre-COP31 meetings in Nadi to push for stronger accountability from major emitters, research into historical emissions, and faster, fairer climate funding—plus a shift toward nature-based protection like reefs and mangroves. Nature-to-Jobs Push: Wale argued reefs and coastal ecosystems should be treated like infrastructure, citing their role in protecting hazard-exposed communities and calling for investment that creates local jobs and resilience. Cyclone Maila Recovery Funding: Government confirmed SB$75m for rebuilding about 1,300 homes is allocated but not yet spent as a Special Fund account is being set up with CBSI; officials also rejected claims of “middlemen” and said provinces can’t receive direct cash under current disaster rules. Trade & Logistics: Maersk announced a peak-season surcharge on Southeast Asia–Oceania dry-container shipments from 1 Nov 2026, including routes to Solomon Islands. Public Sector & Capacity: Solomon Islands officials completed a public affairs capacity-building seminar in China, and SINU submitted its provider registration application to SITESA.