AGP Executive Report

Western Indian Ocean: A new call for cross-border ocean protection highlights sea turtles’ journeys through waters off Madagascar and argues that conservation funding must follow migratory species across national boundaries. Climate and Bats: African cave bats could lose 36–64% of suitable habitat by 2070; Madagascar is among the areas where future climates may remain suitable, but safe caves and movement corridors are scarce. Madagascar Wildlife: Houston Zoo has hatched four endangered Madagascar sacred ibises this year, with all three breeding pairs raising chicks for the first time at the zoo. El Niño Alert: The WMO warns the current El Niño could reach unprecedented strength late this year, raising the risk of cascading extreme weather; the warning underscores the need for early preparation.

Connected Ocean: Sea turtles migrating through the Mozambique Channel use waters off Madagascar, underscoring why countries must coordinate to protect shared habitats and fund conservation across borders. Bats at Risk: Climate-suitable areas for Africa’s cave-dwelling bats could shrink by 36% to 64% by 2070. Madagascar is among the remaining refuges, but just 2% of areas with suitable caves may also retain suitable climate and landscapes. El Niño Alert: The UN warns the current event could exceed four decades of monitoring records and peak late this year, with extreme weather impacts expected to persist. Rare Ibis Chicks: Houston Zoo has welcomed four Madagascar sacred ibis chicks, the first year all three breeding pairs there have raised young. The endangered species is estimated to number only 2,300 to 3,000 worldwide.

Wildlife: African cave-dwelling bats could lose 36% to 64% of suitable climate range by 2070, a new study finds. Madagascar is among the remaining refuges, but suitable caves and future climate overlap in only a tiny share of the landscape—making connected habitat protection vital. Climate Risk: The UN warns El Niño could reach unprecedented strength late this year, with extreme weather impacts likely to continue afterward. Agencies are seeking urgent support to protect vulnerable communities. Madagascar Conservation: Four endangered Madagascar sacred ibis chicks are being raised by their parents at Houston Zoo, a first for the zoo; only about 2,300 to 3,000 are thought to remain in the wild. Clean Energy: Malagasy journalist Nirina Lalao Claude Rakotomiarintsoa won a COMESA award for digital reporting on clean energy integration.

Investment and Climate: Madagascar’s prime minister joined leaders at the World Investment Forum in Qatar, where climate change is on the agenda. UNCTAD says investment in development-critical sectors fell by more than 25% in developing countries. El Niño Alert: The WMO warns the event could reach unprecedented strength by year’s end, raising concern over extreme weather and risks to livelihoods. Regional Wildlife: Sea turtles travelling through the Mozambique Channel and waters off Madagascar underline why protecting migratory species requires cooperation across Western Indian Ocean countries. Lemur Conservation: A US zoo has awarded two grants to support conservation education in Madagascar, including teacher training near Anja Community Reserve. Clean Energy Reporting: Malagasy journalist Nirina Lalao Claude Rakotomiarintsoa won COMESA’s digital reporting award for coverage of clean energy integration.

El Niño Preparedness: The UN has released $50 million to prepare for the looming crisis as forecasters warn the event could exceed four decades of records and peak late this year. Southern Madagascar was already showing parched, cracked ground in September, underlining the risks to communities and livelihoods. Clean Energy Reporting: Madagascar’s Nirina Lalao Claude Rakotomiarintsoa won a COMESA award for digital reporting on clean energy integration. Western Indian Ocean: Green turtles travel through waters off Madagascar on migrations that cross national borders, making regional cooperation vital to protecting their routes and habitats. Lemur Conservation: A US zoo has awarded grants to the Lemur Conservation Network for education in Madagascar, including teacher training near Anja Community Reserve.

El Niño Alert: The UN says the climate pattern could reach unprecedented strength, with effects lasting beyond its expected year-end peak. Southern Madagascar is already showing signs of drought, sharpening concerns for communities and farms. Fire off Madagascar: Firefighting continues aboard a container ship reported burning south of Lavanono. Its 24 crew members are safe, but the vessel remains offshore as teams work to extinguish the blaze. Lemur Conservation: A US zoo has awarded two grants to support conservation education in Madagascar, including World Lemur Festival activities and teacher training near Anja Community Reserve. Rice and Livelihoods: Chinese hybrid rice is taking root in Madagascar, with a new report highlighting harvest and livelihood gains.

El Niño Alert: The UN warns the weather pattern could reach unprecedented strength, with Pacific temperatures forecast to rise as much as 3.8°C above average. Southern Madagascar is already showing parched, cracked ground, raising concern about further pressure on communities and farms. Lemur Conservation: A US zoo has awarded two grants to the Lemur Conservation Network for conservation education in Madagascar, including World Lemur Festival activities and teacher training near Anja Community Reserve. Food Security: Chinese hybrid rice is taking root in Madagascar, with reports pointing to stronger harvests and livelihoods.

El Niño Alert: The UN warns the weather event could reach unprecedented strength, with effects lasting beyond its expected year-end peak. Southern Madagascar was already parched in September, as 3.7 million people face food insecurity. Lemur Conservation: New grants from New Jersey’s Turtle Back Zoo will fund conservation education in Madagascar, including a six-month teacher-training programme near Anja Community Reserve. Wildlife Trafficking: Chinese customs seized two live panther chameleons, a Madagascar-native species, from a traveller crossing the border; the species is protected under international trade rules.

El Niño Risk: The UN warns the developing El Niño could reach unprecedented strength, bringing more heat and dryness to the region. Southern Madagascar is already showing parched conditions, while 3.7 million people in the country face food insecurity. Biodiversity Action: Ahead of COP17, 113 countries had submitted updated nature plans, but many are still behind on commitments to halt biodiversity loss by 2030. Lemur Conservation: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has awarded grants to support conservation education in Madagascar, including World Lemur Festival activities and teacher training near Anja Community Reserve. Wildlife Trade: Chinese customs seized two live panther chameleons from Madagascar at a border checkpoint; the species is protected under international trade rules. Fossa Protection: Three fossa pups, part of a European breeding programme, were born at a UK wildlife park—the country’s only fossa birth reported this year. Habitat loss and poaching threaten the species in Madagascar.

El Niño Alert: The UN has released $50 million to prepare for a crisis as the WMO warns the current El Niño could reach unprecedented strength. Southern Madagascar has already seen weeks without rain, raising concern about further pressure on communities and livelihoods. Lemur Conservation: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has awarded two grants to the Lemur Conservation Network for education work in Madagascar, including teacher training near Anja Community Reserve and World Lemur Festival activities. Gold and Accountability: A New York Times investigation says the London Bullion Market Association helped change and backdate paperwork certifying Malagasy gold as free from abuse, raising serious questions about oversight of the trade. Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar joined nine other countries at the Nairobi Convention’s COP12, which adopted 15 decisions to advance ocean protection and sustainable development across the region.

El Niño Alert: The WMO warns the developing El Niño could be the strongest in four decades, with impacts expected to last beyond its late-2026 peak. Southern Madagascar is already parched, raising concerns about further heat, dryness and pressure on vulnerable communities. Gold Trade: A New York Times investigation reports that the London Bullion Market Association helped alter and backdate paperwork certifying Madagascar gold as responsibly sourced, despite concerns about dirty gold entering global markets. Wildlife Trade: Chinese customs seized two live panther chameleons, a Madagascar native protected under CITES, from a traveller crossing the border. Fossa Conservation: Three fossa pups, a vulnerable species found only in Madagascar, were born at a UK wildlife park as part of a breeding programme; habitat loss and poaching threaten wild populations. Restoration: African experts urge planners to choose native tree species carefully and plant them in suitable places, warning that poorly planned tree planting can harm the ecosystems it aims to restore.

Climate and food security: The UN warns this El Niño could reach unprecedented strength, with impacts lasting beyond its late-2026 peak. Recent images show cracked, parched land in southern Madagascar; a separate report says 3.7 million people in the country face food insecurity. Wildlife trafficking: Chinese customs seized two live panther chameleons from Madagascar at a border checkpoint, highlighting the trade pressure on the island’s wildlife. Agriculture: Chinese-backed hybrid rice now covers a cumulative 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties. Mining accountability: A New York Times investigation found the London Bullion Market Association helped alter and backdate paperwork certifying Malagasy gold as free from abuse. Ocean conservation: Madagascar joined other Western Indian Ocean nations at a regional summit that adopted 15 decisions on ocean protection and sustainable development.

Wildlife Trade: Chinese customs seized two live panther chameleons, a Madagascar-native species protected under CITES, at the Qingmao border crossing. Species Recovery: Madagascar joined 15 other governments in a new coalition announced at the UN biodiversity summit to help restore threatened species. Gold and Mining: A New York Times investigation found that the London Bullion Market Association helped change and backdate paperwork certifying Malagasy gold as responsibly sourced. Food Security: About 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute hunger, with drought and El Niño reducing harvests of rice, cassava and maize. Farming: Hybrid rice has spread across 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties. Fossa Conservation: A UK zoo has welcomed three fossa pups, part of a European breeding programme for the vulnerable Madagascar carnivore. Ocean Protection: Western Indian Ocean governments, including Madagascar, adopted 15 decisions at the Nairobi Convention’s COP12 to advance regional ocean conservation.

Fossa Conservation: Three fossa pups, the only ones born in a UK zoo this year, are now on display. The vulnerable Madagascar native faces habitat loss and poaching. Species Recovery: At COP17, nine funders pledged more than $500 million over five years for coordinated recovery efforts for threatened species. Western Indian Ocean: Nairobi Convention members, including Madagascar, adopted 15 decisions to advance ocean protection and sustainable development across the region. Food Security and Climate: An estimated 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute food insecurity, with drought and El Niño reducing harvests of rice, cassava and maize. Farming: Hybrid rice now covers 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties.

Species Recovery: At COP17 in Yerevan, nine funders pledged more than $500 million over five years for threatened species. Madagascar is also among 16 founding governments of a separate endangered-species recovery coalition. Western Indian Ocean: COP12 adopted 15 decisions to strengthen ocean protection and sustainable development across the region, including Madagascar and nine other member countries. Farming and Food Security: Hybrid rice has spread across 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties. But drought and El Niño have worsened hunger: about 3.7 million people face acute food insecurity. Mining Pressure: A review of US-backed funding for the Ampasindava rare-earth project says support for mining risks overlooking the refining capacity needed to turn ore into usable materials. The funding will cover permitting and environmental and social studies.

Western Indian Ocean: The Nairobi Convention’s COP12 ended with 15 decisions to advance ocean protection and sustainable development. Madagascar was among 10 member countries at the talks, which marked 40 years of regional cooperation. Food and climate: About 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute food insecurity, including 426,000 in critical conditions. Reduced rainfall linked to drought and El Niño has hurt staple-crop harvests and driven up food prices. Farming: Hybrid rice now covers a cumulative 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, yielding an average 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times traditional varieties, according to a report on China-Madagascar agricultural cooperation. Biodiversity: Ahead of COP17, a UN analysis found that more than a third of actions in 78 national biodiversity plans involve food and farming. The challenge is turning those commitments into practical changes and better monitoring. Climate services: Meteorological staff from Madagascar and three Indian Ocean nations trained in a free weather-and-water database tool, which could help small services make better use of records for forecasts and warnings.