The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM), held in Tonga, concluded on Friday with expressions of gratitude, ceremonial gift exchanges, and a celebration emblematic of Tongan hospitality. This week was marked by a warm welcome, numerous simultaneous meetings, intense negotiations, and important discussions about pressing issues.
Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku took over the Chairmanship of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) for 2024, with the responsibility of hosting the forum from August 26 to 30, 2024. The theme “Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now” was embraced by leaders across Oceania, emphasizing the need for integrated resilience in communities, addressing climate change, bolstering economies through collaboration, enhancing the capabilities of Pacific people through innovation, and tackling health and education challenges collectively.
Speeches from outgoing chairman, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, and incoming chairman Hu’akavameiliku stressed the urgency of transitioning from policy discussions to actual implementation, highlighting that “policies are action plans that mean nothing unless executed.” Chairman Hu’akavameiliku emphasized the need for immediate action following the establishment of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. His focus was on creating a robust regional framework, promoting the Pacific Resilience Facility and ensuring resilience within health and education sectors.
There was a consensus among leaders that discussions on the climate crisis must lead to concrete actions, including holding developed nations accountable for their contributions to climate change. The opening day of the forum was marked by severe weather, including flooding in Tongatapu and a magnitude 6.8 earthquake, underscoring the real threats posed by climate change. The 53rd PIFLM was able to acknowledge these challenges while continuing to prioritize action.
A notable achievement from the forum was the creation of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), with Tonga designated as the host nation. This facility, which aims to support nations facing loss and damage from climate change as well as funding preventive measures, represents the first Pacific-led, member-owned, and managed disaster resilience financing initiative. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged support for the PRF, which has already received commitments of around US$137 million from various contributors, although Tonga’s Minister of Finance highlighted the necessity of reaching a goal of US$1.5 billion.
The friendly atmosphere in Tonga fostered a sense of solidarity among leaders when addressing regional challenges, including corruption, emphasized as “Pacific Unity Against Corruption.” However, there were numerous calls for clarity on what this unity represents and the goals that the group should pursue together.
A demonstration against Japan’s decision to release nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean occurred outside the meeting venue, prompting calls from civil society organizations for Pacific leaders to tackle the issue of nuclear waste and the controversial topic of deep-sea mining.
Furthermore, the concept of an Ocean of Peace surfaced during discussions, with positive outcomes from the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) expected to be ratified at the 2025 PIFLM in Honiara. Leaders welcomed efforts from Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Marshall Islands for establishing regional policing enhancements.
Addressing the ongoing turmoil in New Caledonia was seen as a crucial topic. A proposed monitoring mission by three Prime Ministers had been delayed but is now set to proceed under revised terms. France’s Ambassador to the Pacific confirmed Paris’s willingness to host this mission.
The final PIF Communique referenced a 1992 decision on relations with Taiwan but was later altered to remove this section, raising concerns about China’s influence within the forum. This alteration brought attention to the diminishing presence of Taiwanese support in the Pacific, although countries like Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, and Palau maintain strong ties with Taiwan.
The PIFLM in Tonga showcased the shared commitment of Pacific leaders to collaboratively address both climate challenges and regional solidarity moving forward.