AGP Executive Report

Ocean Protection: A southwest Indian Ocean study warns that climate change could shrink sperm whale habitat, including waters around Mauritius. Researchers identify lasting core habitat near Mauritius and the Seychelles, and say protection must adapt as suitable areas shift. Regional Cooperation: Tanzania is urging stronger implementation, cooperation and sustainable funding for the Nairobi Convention, which addresses climate change, marine pollution, biodiversity loss and coastal degradation across the Western Indian Ocean. Climate Diplomacy: Mauritius has called for greater unity among small island states as the gap between climate pledges and action widens.

Western Indian Ocean: Tanzania has urged stronger cooperation, financing and follow-through under the Nairobi Convention, citing climate change, marine pollution, biodiversity loss and coastal degradation as growing regional threats. Whale Habitat: A study finds climate change could shrink sperm whale habitat in the southwest Indian Ocean, but identifies long-term core areas near Mauritius and Seychelles. Researchers say protection must adapt as suitable habitat shifts. Island Climate Action: Mauritius has called for greater unity among small island states as the climate implementation gap widens. Regional training on Indian Ocean environmental management plans also brought together 21 participants from 12 nations.

Western Indian Ocean: Tanzania is urging stronger cooperation and sustainable financing under the Nairobi Convention to tackle climate change, marine pollution, biodiversity loss and coastal degradation across a region that includes Mauritius. Whale Protection: Research finds climate change could shrink sperm whale habitat in the southwest Indian Ocean, but waters off Mauritius and Seychelles may remain important refuges. Scientists say protection must adapt as suitable habitat shifts. Climate Action: Mauritius has called for unity among small island states as the gap between climate promises and implementation widens. Ocean Planning: An Indian Ocean training programme has equipped 21 participants from 12 countries to develop environmental management plans.

Climate Diplomacy: Mauritius has urged small-island states to unite as the gap between climate commitments and action widens, keeping delivery and resilience in focus. Indian Ocean Stewardship: An environmental management programme trained 21 participants from 12 countries, supporting stronger regional capacity to manage marine activities. Community Resilience: A recent commentary on Mauritius highlights trust as a foundation for building resilient communities in the face of climate challenges.

Climate Action: Mauritius President Dharam Gokhool urged small island states to press for stronger climate action, warning that rising seas are eroding land and threatening livelihoods, food security and housing. He said emissions are rising while the gap between climate promises and delivery remains wide. Ocean Protection: An International Seabed Authority training programme brought 21 participants from 12 countries together to develop expertise in marine environmental management plans, including plans for the Indian Ocean. The plans aim to protect biodiversity and ocean ecosystems. Climate Finance: Pacific leaders warned that COP31 must deliver practical action and funding, not another round of talks, as Tuvalu faces rising seas and works on land reclamation to protect its future.

Island Climate Leadership: Mauritius’s H.E. Milan Jaya Nyamrajsingh Meetarbhan was elected to the SIDS DOCK Executive Council, which is focused on climate resilience and energy transformation for small island states. Climate Action: President Dharam Gokhool urged SIDS to unite and press for stronger climate action, warning that rising seas are eroding Mauritius’s limited land and threatening livelihoods, food security and housing. Ocean Protection: The International Seabed Authority trained participants from 12 nations in marine environmental management planning, including work on plans for the Indian Ocean. South Korea and the Indian Ocean Commission also agreed to cooperate on climate response, fisheries and food security.

Climate Action: Mauritius President Dharam Gokhool urged small island states to unite as rising seas threaten land, livelihoods and food security, warning that climate negotiations are failing to deliver fast enough. Indian Ocean Cooperation: South Korea and the Indian Ocean Commission, which includes Mauritius, agreed to pursue projects on climate response, fisheries and food security. Climate Finance: Pacific leaders at the pre-COP summit called for faster, more accessible funding to protect vulnerable islands, including Tuvalu, where land reclamation and sea barriers are being built against rising seas. They warned COP31 must deliver action, not just more talks.

Climate Action: Mauritius President Dharam Gokhool urged small island states to unite as emissions rise and climate commitments lag. He warned that sea-level rise is eroding limited land and threatening livelihoods, food security and housing. Climate Finance: A Mauritius study argues resilience depends on public trust, transparency and community involvement, warning that climate funding can fail when people cannot see how it is spent or have a say in decisions. Indian Ocean Cooperation: South Korea and the Indian Ocean Commission agreed to cooperate on climate response, fisheries, food security and maritime security, with Mauritius among the commission’s member states.

Climate Diplomacy in the Indian Ocean: Mauritius is urging Small Island Developing States to unite and push harder on climate action, warning that the “implementation gap” is widening as sea-level rise, extreme weather and food insecurity hit island livelihoods. Pre-COP31 Reality Check: In Tuvalu, leaders are being shown coastal adaptation work and land reclamation efforts as officials warn COP31 can’t become “another talk shop” and must deliver decisive action. Maritime Cooperation: Korea and the Indian Ocean Commission signed an MOU to boost maritime security, fisheries and food security, with Mauritius among the IOC island members. Blue Economy & Resilience: A regional maritime search-and-rescue training in Madagascar included Mauritius and other Indian Ocean professionals, strengthening cooperation and practical response skills. Local Climate Governance Lesson: A Mauritius-focused piece argues that resilience depends on “trust” in how climate finance is allocated, calling for transparency and integrity.

Climate Action Pressure: Tuvalu’s climate minister warned COP31 must not become “another talk shop” as leaders toured the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project and saw land reclaimed from the ocean, with sea levels rising about 15cm since 1993. Climate Finance Frustration: Pacific leaders also complained that global climate finance is too slow, too small, and comes with poor terms, even as storms and drought intensify. Mauritius in the Spotlight: Mauritius’ prime minister Navin Ramgoolam is among the few non-Pacific leaders attending the pre-COP leaders’ push, alongside Timor-Leste’s president, as organisers try to keep attention on the Pacific’s survival stakes. Blue Economy & Indian Ocean Links: India and the US plan deeper strategic cooperation in the Indian Ocean, including ports, telecommunications and maritime security—explicitly naming Mauritius. Local Environment Governance: Mauritius Meteorological Services set out a five-year strategic plan, while regional ocean conservation efforts continue to gain momentum.

Climate Action Watch (Tuvalu/Pre-COP31): Tuvalu’s climate minister Maina Talia warned that COP31 must not become “another talk shop” as world leaders visit Funafuti to see sea-level threats firsthand, including a land-reclamation push using dredged sand and donor-funded sea defences. Regional Diplomacy (Mauritius link): Australia’s pre-COP turnout is low for non-Pacific leaders, with Mauritius’ Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam among the few travelling beyond the region; Mauritius’ environment chief also urged negotiators to avoid weak outcomes. Blue Economy & Ocean Security (Indian Ocean): Tanzania is set to host COP12 to the Nairobi Convention in Dar es Salaam, aiming to tackle marine pollution, illegal fishing and coastal ecosystem damage, while India and the US plan joint port, telecom and maritime security cooperation involving Mauritius. Local Governance/Finance (Mauritius): Mauritius is hosting the Africa Annual Conference on Credit Ratings and the launch of the African Credit Rating Agency in Port Louis, pushing stronger credit systems to unlock investment. Environment & Risk (Tuvalu adaptation): Reuters reports Tuvalu’s reclamation covers six hectares and supports wider protection works as sea levels rise faster than the global average.

Climate Diplomacy: Tuvalu is urging leaders at Pre-COP31 to turn climate promises into action, saying only major polluters can decide its fate, with briefings and resilience visits meant to push stronger outcomes. Mauritius Finance & Environment Link: In Port Louis, Africa’s credit-rating push is set to deepen capital-market access for sustainable development, with AfCRA launching on Oct 7 after a Mauritius conference on credit ratings and investment. Indian Ocean Security & Infrastructure: India and the US plan wider cooperation across the Indian Ocean, focusing on ports, telecommunications, maritime security and governance, including countering illegal fishing and trafficking—key themes for Mauritius and neighbours. Blue Economy & Ocean Cooperation: Regional maritime search-and-rescue training in Madagascar brought together professionals from eight countries including Mauritius, strengthening coordination for safer seas. Regional Climate Risks: The South-West Indian Ocean outlook warns of multiple hazards from Oct–Mar, with drought and heat risks in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and island states needing flexible plans for extreme heat, heavy rain and marine impacts. Tourism & Resilience Signals: Namibia’s tourism development ranking fell, while Mauritius remains the top African economy in the WEF index—an indicator of where sustainable tourism conditions are strengthening.

Ecocide Law Push: A first-ever “ecocide” model law for Latin America would criminalise severe, widespread or long-term environmental harm and could hold senior decision-makers personally liable, as the region continues to face major forest loss and biodiversity decline. Pre-COP Climate Tensions in the Pacific: Australia’s Pre-COP31 in Fiji is drawing only two non-Pacific leaders beyond the region, with Mauritius’ Navin Ramgoolam among them, as Pacific states warn they will not accept a weak deal and insist climate finance must move together with the “just transition.” Blue Economy & Climate Cooperation: Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool met Türkiye’s new ambassador, prioritising expanded cooperation on the blue economy, climate change mitigation, disaster management, trade and tourism links. Marine Conservation Focus: Tanzania is set to host COP12 to the Nairobi Convention in Dar es Salaam, aiming to tackle marine pollution, illegal fishing and coastal ecosystem degradation across the Western Indian Ocean. Local Resilience Planning: Mauritius Meteorological Services validated its 2027–2031 strategic plan to strengthen weather, climate, ocean and multi-hazard early warning systems, with support from CREWS SWIO and the Indian Ocean Commission. Regional Climate Hazards Outlook: The South-West Indian Ocean climate outlook urges multi-hazard preparedness for drought and flooding, extreme heat, heavy rainfall, marine impacts and cyclone risk affecting agriculture, water and fisheries.

Climate & Disaster Preparedness: The South-West Indian Ocean Climate Outlook Forum warns Mauritius and neighbours to plan for multiple hazards in Oct–Dec 2026 and Jan–Mar 2027, with drought and water-stress risks in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and island states needing flexible responses to extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and cyclone risk. Local Resilience Planning: Mauritius Meteorological Services has validated its 2027–2031 strategic plan to modernise weather, climate, ocean and multi-hazard early warning systems, with support from CREWS SWIO, TA IOC and the World Meteorological Organization. Regional Climate Diplomacy: Pre-COP31 in the Pacific is urged not to settle for a weak deal; Mauritius’ Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change says negotiators must link just transition to real finance, with leaders meeting in Nadi and Tuvalu this week. Blue Economy & Cooperation: Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool met Türkiye’s new ambassador in Port Louis, prioritising the blue economy, climate/disaster management, and cultural exchange, including expanded Turkish scholarships. Environment-linked Policy Note: Mauritius also reaffirmed its “non-negotiable” sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago at the UN, calling for full implementation of the 2025 agreement with the UK.

Climate Risk for the Indian Ocean: The South-West Indian Ocean Climate Outlook warns Mauritius and neighbours to plan for multiple hazards from Oct–Dec 2026 and Jan–Mar 2027, with drought and water stress in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and island states facing extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and cyclone risk. Local Resilience Planning: Mauritius Meteorological Services has validated its 2027–2031 strategic plan to modernise weather, climate, ocean and multi-hazard early warning systems, with support from CREWS SWIO, IOC and the WMO. Blue Economy & Diplomacy: Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool met Türkiye’s new ambassador in Port Louis, prioritising the blue economy, climate change mitigation and disaster management, plus culture and film links. UN Climate Negotiations: Mauritius’ environment chief says Pre-COP31 in Nadi and Tuvalu must not end with a weak deal, stressing that just transition needs finance and that no decision is better than a weak one. Land & Food Security Debate: A commentary revisits how land access and community food gardens can support school feeding, amid wider concerns about illegal occupation and corruption in food schemes. Global Shipping & Climate: Two reports highlight how warming is making Arctic routes more viable and how the green transition in shipping is moving unevenly, with fuel and infrastructure lagging behind vessel changes.

Mauritius Climate Readiness: Mauritius Meteorological Services has validated its 2027–2031 strategic plan, aiming to modernise and digitise weather, climate, ocean and hydrological services, and strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems with support from CREWS SWIO, the Indian Ocean Commission and the World Meteorological Organization. Regional Climate Risks: The South-West Indian Ocean Climate Outlook Forum warns October 2026–March 2027 could bring multiple hazards: drought and water stress in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and for island states a flexible response to extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and cyclone risk. Blue Economy Diplomacy: Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool met Türkiye’s new ambassador in Port Louis, prioritising blue economy, climate change mitigation and disaster management, plus culture and film, alongside trade and investment links. Local Innovation & AI: Mauritius Telecom hosted a “Growth & Innovation” series with founders and AI practitioners, focusing on building an enabling environment for AI entrepreneurship and turning experiments into real impact. Land & Food Security Debate: A commentary on land access and community food gardens highlights how land permission and governance can shape school feeding and local resilience. Global Shipping & Climate: Two analyses flag how warming is making Arctic routes more viable and how the green transition in shipping is uneven—raising questions for Mauritius and the wider Indian Ocean on resilience and cleaner maritime fuels.