Pacific Islands Forum

Kiribati's head of delegation at Tonga leaders' summit says "our constitutional task" is to prioritise the elections process and diplomatic visits will resume once new government is formed.

But for locals, Tonga hosting the summit means it offers a much-needed cash injection to the nation, which is still recovering from the Hunga-Tonga Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami. Audio

A Taiwanese deputy foreign minister will be at this week's Pacific Islands leaders in Tonga, as China and the United States jostle for influence in the region.

The Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit is just days away from opening in Nuku'alofa in Tonga, and frantic efforts are still needed to ensure visitors are housed. Audio

A Pacific Islands Forum high-level mission was expected to travel to New Caledonia this week to speak to all sides involved in the ongoining violence in the French territory.

Opinion - The prime ministers of Cook Islands, Fiji and Solomon Islands hope to be in the New Caledonia next week, before heading to Tonga to report back, Tess Newton Cain writes.

"There is widespread support for the membership of Guam and American Samoa...that is the recommendation from [Pacific Islands Forum] foreign ministers." Audio

The three-person Pacific leaders mission to New Caledonia is expected to happen prior to the Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga on 26 August, PIF chair Mark Brown says.

The Pacific Resilience Facility was endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum leaders to make it easier for Pacific Island nations to access climate financing.

Hu'akavameiliku says the countdown for a response from France is on with Pacific leaders set to meet in Tonga in the last week of this month.

Tonga's Finance Minister has told the Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in Suva the global economic outlook remains uncertain.

The Pacific Islands Forum could serve as a "constructive force" to find a "path forward" in New Caledonia, the Foreign Affairs Minister Winston says. Video

However, absent will be Kiribati President Taneti Maamau due to upcoming elections and New Caledonia Congress President Louis Mapou due to the political crisis in the French territory.

Two US Pacific territories are steps closer to having their membership upgraded at the main political decision-making body in the region.

Baron Waqa has fired shots at critics who have raised concerns about his suitability to lead the region's main economic and political organisation. Audio

Tonga is set to host PIFLM53 under the theme 'Transformative Resilient Pasifiki' in August.

The new Pacific Islands Forum secretary general has sounded a warning to officials attending a regional conference on security not to allow geopolitics to disrupt peace in the region.

The new secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum is "well equipped" for the role, the Fijian prime minister says.