WELLINGTON/SUVA — New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says there is no immediate risk to Pacific leaders travelling to Palau for this year’s Pacific Islands Forum in August, but stressed Wellington is ready to provide transport support if fuel pressures in the region worsen.
“At this point we don’t see any risk of that. There is no risk to any fuel disruption for us and that’s a good thing. But August is a long way away,” Luxon told media on Thursday, confirming no formal requests for assistance have been received so far. The reassurance comes amid growing concern across the Pacific that rising global oil prices and supply chain strains linked to the Middle East conflict could disrupt long-haul travel to diplomatic gatherings.
Palau’s president, Surangel Whipps Jr., who visited Aotearoa last week, similarly played down immediate attendance risks. “I don’t think that [the fuel crisis] should affect [leaders] coming to PIF but we’re very grateful to New Zealand, Australia and the United States who are willing to go around and pick up leaders and bring them to PIF,” Whipps told Pacific Mornings. His comments reinforce Palau’s position that organisers are confident the Forum can proceed as scheduled while contingency arrangements remain on standby.
The practicalities are complex. Leaders from smaller island states such as Sāmoa, Tonga and Niue typically rely on limited international connections through regional hubs including Guam, Japan and the Philippines. That vulnerability has been highlighted by analysts warning of a “connectivity shock” for Pacific islands if oil prices stay elevated — a scenario that could raise air fares, complicate charter logistics and squeeze national travel budgets.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters underlined why the meeting matters, saying the Palau leaders’ meeting and subsequent gatherings in New Zealand are “an important moment for the region” to coordinate on strategic challenges. “The region faces a very challenging global strategic environment, and in this context, Pacific countries best advance our shared interests when we work together, showing strength through unity,” Peters said in a government press release.
New Zealand has stepped in before to help secure attendance at the Forum: Wellington assisted with transport for leaders to the Forum hosted in Tonga in 2024 and again to Honiara last September. For this year’s Palau meeting, the New Zealand government has not yet confirmed its own delegation list; Luxon’s office said preparations and contingency planning will continue in parallel with monitoring of fuel markets and international routes.
The latest updates arrive as wider economic signals show the fuel pressure already affecting the region. Pacific and UN briefings this month have linked rising oil costs to electricity uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions, while regional carriers and tourism operators have adjusted services in response to higher fuel bills. Tonga this week launched a five-year multi-hazard strategy for risk communication and community engagement, underscoring Pacific governments’ focus on bolstering resilience to intersecting crises.
For now, organisers and capital governments are moving ahead on the expectation leaders will travel to Palau in August, but Luxon and regional leaders made clear that contingency support from partners remains available should the situation deteriorate in the months ahead.
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