The Latest Breaking News from Pacific Islands Forum

Antony Blinken suggests all countries set to join historic US-Pacific declaration, despite earlier Solomon Islands refusal

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Pacific Island nations have agreed to a "new partnership" with the United States on day one of the leaders' summit and suggests all 12 countries are onboard to sign a historic US-Pacific declaration.

ABC News · Sep 29, 2022

NZ foreign minister says superpowers must listen to needs of Pacific

New Zealand's foreign minister said on Thursday that the United States and China should engage with the Pacific through the Pacific Islands Forum, and work to address the needs of the region.

Reuters · Sep 29, 2022

Solomon Islands tells Pacific islands it won't sign White House summit declaration -note

The Solomon Islands has told Pacific nations invited to a White House meeting with President Joe Biden it won't sign the summit declaration, according to a note seen by Reuters, prompting concern over the islands' ties to China.

Reuters · Sep 28, 2022

Niue backs Australia's climate ambition

Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have signed a new statement of partnership between the two countries.

AAP · Jul 21, 2022

Australia and New Zealand have a golden opportunity to build stronger ties in the Pacific – but will they take it?

The Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting hosted by Fiji last week was the first to be held in person since 2019. Following a particularly challenging period, it was an opportunity for leaders to reconnect and agree to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. This document provides a blueprint…

The Conversation · Jul 19, 2022

Pacific bloc, united, demands climate action as China, U.S. woo

Pacific island nations, courted by China and the United States, put the superpowers on notice, telling the world's two biggest carbon emitters to take more action on climate change while pledging unity in the face of a growing geopolitical contest.

Reuters · Jul 17, 2022

How Anthony Albanese came to back PNG's bold bid to become the NRL's 18th team

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Papua New Guinean counterpart James Marape may have been speaking on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum on Thursday. But what they said will be felt across the playing fields of the NRL and regional geopolitics.

ABC News · Jul 16, 2022

Smiles and unity at the Pacific Islands Forum mask tough questions shelved for another day

While leaders presented a picture of harmony, more vexing topics like Australia’s fossil fuel ambitions and China were kicked down the road

The Guardian - AU · Jul 16, 2022

China hosts political dialogue with Pacific on same day as regional leaders meet

China hosted a separate political dialogue with Pacific island countries on the same day Pacific Island Forum leaders met and agreed to resolve security issues within "the family", highlighting rising geopolitical competition in the region.

Reuters · Jul 15, 2022

New Caledonia says it won't be 'trojan horse' for big powers in the Pacific

The pro-independence president of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, said he didn't want New Caledonia to be used as a "trojan horse" in the Pacific islands, amid global power jostling for influence in the region.

Reuters · Jul 15, 2022