All 17 Pacific Island leaders have confirmed they will attend September’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Solomon Islands, easing fears of a boycott after weeks of diplomatic turbulence over who should be at the table. The Local Organising Committee chair, Sir Dr Jimmie Rodgers, said confirmations had been received for the 54th Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara from 8-12 September, with the Leaders’ Retreat set for Noro in Western Province.
The host government has restricted attendance to Forum members only, a move that excludes all 21 dialogue and development partners, including Taiwan, the United States and China. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has framed the change as a deferment of the usual “post-Forum dialogue,” arguing that no country has been singled out. Critics across the region say the outcome in effect keeps Taiwan out.
The decision followed weeks of pressure and public comment from governments that recognise Taiwan, as well as broader concern about great-power competition overshadowing Pacific priorities. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters accused “outsiders” of meddling in who the Forum can invite, while media briefings and analysis have linked the controversy to China’s growing influence since Honiara switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 2019.
Despite the dispute, the agenda is expected to focus on core economic and climate issues. Official listings highlight leaders’ deliberations on resilience, connectivity and development outcomes under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Regional institutions have flagged connectivity and climate-resilient infrastructure as continuing priorities, aligning with a heavy pipeline of telecommunications, transport and energy projects across the islands.
Preparations in Solomon Islands have been scaled up. Australia has handed over the first batch of a 61-vehicle fleet for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to support summit security, while China has donated 27 VIP vehicles for use by visiting delegations. Government statements and local media say the larger Australian fleet will be delivered in stages before and during the event.
Officials in Honiara say the leaders’ meeting will proceed without external partners in order to keep discussions focused, although multilateral development banks are expected to maintain engagement on the margins. Some Pacific governments had warned the dispute risked fracturing Forum unity, but the confirmation of full attendance suggests leaders prefer to settle differences in person.
With all delegations now inbound, attention turns to outcomes. Observers will watch for language on climate finance, maritime security and infrastructure delivery, as well as any pathway to reinstate structured dialogue with partners at future summits. The test for Honiara’s host diplomacy will be whether a partner-free meeting can produce consensus on regional priorities while easing tensions that have dominated the lead-up.
