The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) concluded its annual meeting on Vava’u Island with a strong emphasis on solidarity and collective action to address the pressing challenges facing the region, particularly climate change. The forum’s final communique highlighted several key decisions and initiatives that underscore the importance of regional cooperation and resilience.
One of the main outcomes of the forum was the agreement to deploy a Pacific-led mission to New Caledonia, following a request from its government. This move demonstrates the region’s commitment to addressing internal security and governance issues collaboratively. Additionally, the forum welcomed Australia’s support for a new Pacific policing initiative, which will establish a police training facility in Brisbane and create a “Pacific Police Support Group” to assist Pacific nations as needed.
The communique also reaffirmed the region’s commitment to addressing climate change as a top priority, recognising its pervasive impact on all aspects of life in the Pacific. Leaders reiterated the importance of the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) and committed to innovative and inclusive approaches to building resilience across the region. The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) was also highlighted as a critical initiative for financing climate and disaster resilience efforts, with a target of $US500 million by 2026.
Health and education were other key areas of focus during the forum. Leaders discussed the vulnerability of the Pacific’s health systems to climate change, particularly the threat of sea level rise to coastal health facilities. They emphasized the need for climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure and highlighted the importance of investing in climate-resilient and digital education infrastructure.
Sea level rise was acknowledged as a significant threat to Pacific communities, particularly in low-lying nations. The leaders agreed to elevate this issue politically, including at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and called for its inclusion as a standalone agenda item in relevant UN processes.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised the forum’s discussions, particularly on strengthening regional architecture and the Pacific Resilience Facility. He emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to the region and its role as a trusted partner, highlighting the importance of deepening relationships and supporting the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Overall, the forum underscored the importance of solidarity and coordinated action in addressing the myriad challenges facing the Pacific region, with climate change at the forefront of these efforts.
