Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Leaders are arriving in Koror for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (about 2,000 people expected Aug 30–Sept 4), with health-relevant priorities including climate resilience, food security, energy security and ocean stewardship—though some heads of state, including Kiribati President Taneti Maamau, will be absent and represented by senior officials. Drug crime and regional security: The summit agenda includes tackling transnational drug crime, with leaders warning that geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan could distract from urgent public health and safety needs. Taiwan health cooperation: Taiwan’s foreign minister is attending related events and says its support includes “smart medicine” and healthcare, including a Palau hospital AI system project. Fuel crisis and health risk for Kiribati: A regional fuel crisis is expected to keep food, transport and essential services costly and delayed—ChildFund New Zealand highlights how Kiribati’s remote outer islands can lose access to safe water, food and healthcare when supply disruptions hit. Nutrition and climate as one health problem: Pacific health leaders are urged to treat climate change, undernutrition and obesity as a single “syndemic,” since climate impacts are already disrupting child nutrition while diet shifts are driving non-communicable diseases. Spinal pain research: A new Asia-Pacific analysis underscores spinal pain (low back and neck pain) as a major disability driver, reinforcing the need for effective rehabilitation and prevention.