The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) navigated smoothly amid a backdrop of an earthquake at the beginning and a communication issue towards the end. The event was well-attended, with over 1,000 delegates, activists, observers, and journalists gathering in Nuku’alofa from around the globe. Out of the 18 Forum member countries, all were present except for Kiribati, whose President Taneti Maamau was unable to attend due to ongoing elections in his country.
In his opening remarks, Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa emphasized the need for action, stating, “the time for talking is now over.” This sentiment set a benchmark for evaluating the PIFLM’s outcomes, particularly concerning commitments from Forum partners.
A key action point from the PIF was the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF). However, efforts to engage external partners in funding this initiative have faced challenges. The European Union has not pledged support yet, with EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen mentioning that they are “exploring opportunities” for contribution. A senior UK official confirmed that while the UK has committed £1.3 million in technical assistance for setting up the PRF, they cannot make a direct financial pledge until all processes are finalized.
The agenda of the Forum saw several additions this meeting, including a high-profile discussion on the situation in New Caledonia, as well as the introduction of health and education as ongoing agenda items at the suggestion of incoming chair, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni of Tonga. The communiqué included a single action point regarding health, agreeing to “develop a comprehensive region-wide health workforce strategy focusing on quality training and retention measures for consideration by Pacific Health Ministers.”
Despite the significance of these discussions, some critics argue that including health and education on the leaders’ agenda diverges from the 2013 Morauta review’s goal of using the summit for critical collective political decisions. The original framework limited agenda items to essential issues like climate change, fisheries, and cervical cancer, with cervical cancer now largely dropped from focus.
Over time, the agenda has evolved, taking on new topics that have passed through various official and ministerial processes. However, to honor the principles of the Morauta review, there is a call for a renewed commitment to delegate urgent issues, including those favored by current leadership, to more suitable organizational channels.
The growing complexity of the agenda, significantly impacted by geopolitical rivalries, has posed challenges in addressing critical issues effectively. At last year’s meeting in Rarotonga, leaders had asked for a review of regional architecture to be completed in time for this year, but it remains unfinished. They also explored the “Zone of Peace” proposal, which has since transformed to the “Ocean of Peace,” with requests for a draft concept ahead of next year’s meeting in the Solomon Islands.
The accumulation of postponed discussions and extended timelines raises concerns about the Forum’s capacity to stay focused and deliver political outcomes. A notable example is West Papua, which received only a brief mention in this year’s communiqué, where the special envoys’ report was merely “noted.”
At the closing press conference, the leaders of Cook Islands, Tonga, and Solomon Islands indicated plans for Forum special envoys to visit West Papua before the next meeting, though no specific details have been released yet.