Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Pacific Islands Forum Opens in Palau Amid Leadership Absences
Pacific leaders are meeting in Palau for an important regional forum.
The meeting is meant to show that Pacific countries can work together.
Five national leaders are not attending in person.
Some will send ministers or senior officials instead.
The leaders will discuss climate change, fuel costs, jobs, travel links and stronger infrastructure.
They will also talk about regional rules and security after a Chinese missile test.
China is unhappy that Taiwan is taking part in meetings alongside the forum.
The United States, China, Japan and Singapore are returning as dialogue partners after missing last year’s meeting.
Leaders are gathering in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum, held in Koror through September 4.
The prime ministers of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Solomon Islands, plus Kiribati’s president, will not attend in person.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale returned home for a no-confidence motion, while Kiribati cited parliament and limited flights.
The forum will address climate priorities, economic pressures, regional reforms, partnerships and security coordination.
The return of the United States, China, Japan and Singapore, alongside Taiwan’s foreign minister, highlights regional diplomatic tensions.
- Who
- Pacific Islands Forum leaders, ministers and senior officials, hosted by Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.; dialogue partners and Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung are also involved.
- What
- The annual Pacific Islands Forum is meeting to discuss climate priorities, economic pressures, regional reforms, partnerships and security.
- When
- The forum began on Monday, August 31, and is scheduled to continue through September 4.
- Where
- Koror, Palau.
- Why
- Pacific countries are seeking cooperation and tangible outcomes on shared climate, economic, regional and security concerns.
Regional cooperation and participation
Concerns over consensus and diplomatic tensions
Meeting’s purpose
Regional cooperation and participation
Pacific leaders and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters are calling for tangible outcomes and “more doing, less hui.”
Concerns over consensus and diplomatic tensions
The absence of five heads of government has cast a shadow over a meeting intended to demonstrate regional unity.
Response to the Chinese missile test
Regional cooperation and participation
Regional security discussions could produce a coordinated position after Pacific foreign ministers failed to agree on one in Suva.
Concerns over consensus and diplomatic tensions
Winston Peters said it was unclear whether leaders would reach a common position and questioned the value of responding after time had passed.
Taiwan’s participation
Regional cooperation and participation
Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is attending meetings and side events in Palau, which maintains formal diplomatic ties with Taipei.
Concerns over consensus and diplomatic tensions
China said Taiwan had “no qualifications” to take part in the forum and opposes its participation in international forums.
- Host
- Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. is hosting the forum in Koror.
- Dates
- The meeting runs through September 4.
- Theme
- “B.E.L.A.U. — Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity.”
- Absent leaders
- The prime ministers of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Solomon Islands, and Kiribati’s president, will not attend in person.
- Economic agenda
- Topics include rising fuel and transport costs, job creation, connectivity and resilient infrastructure.
- Security agenda
- Leaders are expected to consider the lack of a collective regional response to a Chinese missile test in the Pacific.
- Diplomatic participation
- The United States, China, Japan and Singapore are returning as dialogue partners; Taiwan is participating as a development partner in related meetings and side events.