HISTORICAL FACTS: Pacific islands | History Defined

Leaders missing and China ‘furious’: the Pacific Islands forum off to a decidedly shaky start

The annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting is underway in Palau, and already there has been controversy.

The Conversation · Sep 1

Great power rivalry threatens to overshadow a summit of some of the world's smallest island nations

Leaders from some of the world’s least populous states are gathering in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting

The Independent UK · Aug 31

Pacific Islands Forum meeting in turmoil after several leaders pull out of Palau summit

Solomon Islands prime minister cancels his appearance, along with leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa

The Guardian - AU · Aug 30

Pacific Islands leaders meet with climate change, security on agenda

China, US barred from Pacific Islands Forum as leaders gather for annual summit in the Solomon Islands.

Al Jazeera · Sep 8, 2025

Pacific Islands Forum: climate crisis tops agenda as China exclusion casts shadow over leaders meeting

Pacific Islands Forum 2025 faces bumpy start with China, the US and Taiwan uninvited from discussions, as Pacific leaders gather in Solomon Islands

The Guardian - AU · Sep 8, 2025

Court bans fishing in Pacific protected area overriding Trump officials’ rollback

Judge in Hawaii rules that commercial fishing is illegal in Pacific Islands Heritage marine national monument

The Guardian - US · Aug 10, 2025

With Trump undoing years of progress, can the US salvage its Pacific Islands strategy?

Since 2018, the United States has worked, albeit often haltingly, to regain its footing with Pacific Island countries. It’s done this largely by reflecting a sentiment familiar in Pacific capitals: the region is not a geopolitical backwater, but a crucial strategic zone in the 21st century.

The Conversation · Jun 12, 2025

Many people in the Pacific lack access to adequate toilets – and climate change makes things worse

The Pacific Islands may evoke images of sprawling coastlines and picturesque scenery. But while this part of the world might look like paradise, many local residents are grappling with a serious public health issue.

The Conversation · Sep 20, 2024

Pacific Islands leaders back Australia-funded joint policing plan

The region-wide plan involves the establishment of four training centres across the Pacific with a hub in Brisbane.

Al Jazeera · Aug 28, 2024

Big Polluters Urged To Pay As Key Pacific Summit Opens In Tonga

Emissions-belching nations were challenged to stump up for climate-related damage as a key Pacific islands summit opened on Monday, with low-lying Tuvalu declaring: "If you pollute, you should pay."

International Business Times · Aug 26, 2024