UN Secretary-General António Guterres will be attending a Pacific leaders’ summit in Tonga this week with a focus on climate change in the region. The Pacific Islands Forum (Pif) brings together leaders to make important decisions, including an endorsement of a regional policing initiative by Australia. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will also be in attendance, along with other heads of government from the 18-member regional bloc.
The threat of climate change and rising sea levels will be central to the discussions at the summit, as the fate of the Pacific region hangs on limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Guterres highlighted the vulnerability of the Pacific to extreme weather events, despite contributing only 0.02% of global emissions.
Another key issue to be addressed during the summit is the situation in New Caledonia, following deadly violence earlier in the year over plans to expand voting rights. The French territory’s dual status as both a full member of the forum and a territory of France presents challenges for Pif.
Geopolitical tensions in the region have increased as countries like the US and China vie for influence in the Pacific. As China expands its economic and security relationships, the US has boosted engagement in the region. Maintaining regional solidarity can be difficult, as seen in disagreements over deep-sea mining.
The Pacific Islands Forum serves as a crucial platform for regional leaders to address pressing issues, seek financial support for climate initiatives, and navigate the complex geopolitical landscape in the Pacific region.
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