The Latest Breaking News from Pacific Islands Forum

President says it will not be attending forum because of failure to address concerns of Micronesian countries

Not usually at the forefront of geopolitical argy-bargy, the Pacific has recently emerged as a strategic element of securing democracy. A rift threatened to tear apart normally unshakeable regional unity in 2021, with five Micronesian countries threatening to leave the most powerful transnational group, the Pacific Islands Forum. Ahead of…

Australia will establish a defence school to train Pacific island militaries, Canberra's new Pacific minister said, amid intensifying competition for security ties and as Beijing seeks to host a rival meeting to the main regional group, the Pacific Islands Forum, next month.

Beijing is attempting to muscle in on the Pacific's most important high-level gathering, pushing for a meeting with the region's foreign ministers on the same day as another key event.

Joe Biden's top Indo-Pacific official promises more diplomatic posts and teases a new Pacific framework.

The decision by the Pacific's peak diplomatic body to exclude major international powers from a crucial meeting next month will give leaders the opportunity to discuss regional issues without outside pressure.

Pacific women leaders are driving for change, and economic empowerment is key.

Pacific islands urge new Labor government to support push for international court of justice to issue climate advisory opinion

Foreign Minister Penny Wong was no doubt expecting a cooler reception than her three previous visits to the Pacific when she touched down in Honiara last Friday. The Solomon Islands government website had not even listed the Australian minister’s visit – but it did note the first visit of a…