Several Leaders to Skip Pacific Islands Forum in Palau

At least five leaders are skipping the annual Pacific Islands Forum opening in Palau, with several governments sending lower ranked ministers in their place. The absences include the leaders of Kiribati, Vanuatu, and the French territory of New Caledonia. Samoa will be represented by its deputy prime minister, and Fiji's delegation will be led by its foreign minister. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale also departed Palau unexpectedly on Sunday to address a domestic political crisis following a no confidence motion.

The summit occurs amid tensions between China and Taiwan, as Palau is a diplomatic ally of Taiwan. Beijing has protested the inclusion of Taiwan as an aid partner at the event and has labeled Palau an unsafe destination for tourists. Palau President Surangel Whipps stated that the Pacific should not be a theatre for geopolitical competition, urging that tensions between partners should not distract from regional priorities such as climate change, food security, and drug crime.

Analysts suggest the absence of these leaders may weaken the potential for a strong joint statement regarding a Chinese ballistic missile test that landed in the Pacific in July. Some leaders may be prioritizing domestic issues or preferring one on one discussions with external powers over forum negotiations. In a demonstration of regional cooperation, approximately 110 police officers from various Pacific islands are providing security for the event, an effort supported by Australia.