Palau’s president, Surangel Whipps Jr., has described the decision by the Solomon Islands to exclude external partners from the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ summit next month as a “missed opportunity,” even as he said he respects the host nation’s stance. The Solomon Islands is barring more than 20 countries that are not members of the Forum, a move that will keep out dialogue partners such as the United States and China, and development partner Taiwan, from the Honiara gathering set for September 8–12.
Whipps told RNZ Pacific that Forum events must be treated as Forum events and not simply as Solomon Islands or Palau events. “What’s most important is we find ways to come together,” he added, while noting the exclusion is a missed chance for regional unity. The host country has framed the decision as a chance to review how the Forum engages with diplomatic partners through reforms under the Partnership and Engagement Mechanism.
The stance has drawn scrutiny from opponents and allies alike. Solomon Islands opposition MP Peter Kenilorea Jr suggested the move masks a broader aim to push Taiwan out of the region, arguing that the decision would complicate bilateral talks on the margins and threaten the Forum’s regional cohesiveness. He pointed out that Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands maintain formal ties with Taiwan, complicating efforts to present a fully inclusive regional forum.
Taiwan’s participation has been a persistent flashpoint. Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo indicated that Tuvalu was weighing whether to attend, expressing disappointment at the exclusion. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined others in expressing concern, emphasizing support for the Forum’s traditional inclusivity that has allowed dialogue partners to participate alongside member states.
Palau’s Whipps said he would welcome all partners at the next Forum, including China, when Palau hosts the Forum in 2026. He stressed that Pacific nations must work together despite differences and respect each country’s sovereignty and choices.
The broader context is steeped in a long-running shift in Solomon Islands foreign policy. Solomon Islands switched recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019 and signed a security pact with Beijing in 2022. Critics say the visa denials and exclusion measures are aligned with that pivot, while supporters argue the host nation is protecting its sovereignty and pursuing reforms that could strengthen regional mechanisms.
The tension comes as the Forum seeks to address climate change, sustainable development, and regional resilience amid growing geopolitical competition. The United States—long a dialogue partner—has publicly urged that Taiwan retain a meaningful role in the Forum, underscoring broad regional support for inclusive dialogue. Taiwan has signaled intent to participate in Forum-related activities and maintain its ongoing engagement with Pacific partners even as these discussions unfold.
Observers note that even as external partners are restricted at this year’s summit, bilateral meetings may still occur on the margins, particularly where diplomatic missions are established. Some leaders warn that restricting participation risks undermining the Forum’s legitimacy and the “Pacific Way” of consensus, mutual respect, and shared leadership that has long guided regional diplomacy.
With next year’s Forum slated to be hosted by Palau, there is optimism that inclusivity can be preserved or restored, reinforcing the region’s commitment to climate action and sustainable development. Whipps emphasized that the Pacific Islands Forum’s strength lies in unity and collaboration, and that a constructive path forward will require balancing sovereignty with a shared regional agenda.
What this means for the region going forward is a renewed emphasis on dialogue, resilience, and collective action. Even as tensions surface over Taiwan’s participation and external influence, leaders are broadly calling for a unified approach to climate finance, development cooperation, and regional security—principles that many say have defined the Pacific Way for decades.
In short, while the Solomon Islands’ decision has stirred controversy and highlighted fault lines in regional diplomacy, there remains a widely shared aspiration among Pacific leaders: to keep the Forum’s doors open to dialogue with all partners during crucial discussions about climate risk, sustainable development, and regional prosperity. The coming weeks will reveal how well that aspiration can be reconciled with national interests and evolving geopolitical realities, and whether the forum can emerge stronger, more united, and ready to tackle shared challenges.
Summary and outlook:
– The Solomon Islands blocks external partners from this year’s PIF Leaders Meeting, prompting mixed reactions from member states and partners.
– Taiwan’s status and participation remain central, with Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands keeping ties with Taipei.
– Palau plans to welcome all partners at next year’s Forum when it hosts, signaling a path toward renewed inclusivity.
– The situation underscores the enduring tension between respecting sovereignty and maintaining an inclusive regional forum focused on climate and development.
– The region’s leaders appear to be aiming for a constructive balance that preserves unity, resilience, and shared goals despite geopolitical pressures.
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