Pacific climate pressure at Pre-COP31: Tuvalu’s climate minister Maina Talia warned COP31 can’t be “another talk shop” as leaders toured the atoll nation’s two-metre-high reality, urging real fossil-fuel phaseout steps and keeping 1.5°C within reach. Pacific leadership and adaptation finance: Fiji’s PM Sitiveni Rabuka framed Pacific impacts as “human risks” that will spread globally, while Fiji’s climate officials pushed partners to track “time to community” so adaptation money reaches people faster, not just projects on paper. Climate finance accountability: A high-level session in Fiji co-hosted by ADB, SPC and SPREP highlighted the gap between pledged adaptation funds and delivery on the ground. Energy transition tensions in the Pacific: Australia pledged more renewable support for the Pacific, but Pacific ministers raised concerns about Australia’s continued coal and gas expansion as the region seeks common ground ahead of COP31. Southeast Asia energy security: The IEA warned electricity demand is rising faster than solutions, urging power sharing and diversification as Iran-war shocks and data-center growth strain grids. ASEAN haze cooperation: Malaysia said ASEAN must strengthen collective action to prevent transboundary haze, including data sharing, enforcement cooperation and early measures. El Niño and drought risk: Legal and business coverage flagged El Niño’s growing strength as a contract and supply-chain risk, with drought and wildfire threats likely to disrupt agriculture and commodities.