Pacific Islands Forum Members Pledge ‘Solidarity’ in the Face of Economic, Climate Challenges

The risk to small, low-lying island nations in the Pacific posed by climate change dominated the agenda at this year’s Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters (centre L) and Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka (front R) attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku'alofa, Tonga on Aug. 26, 2024. Tupou Vaipulu/AFP via Getty Images

“Integrated resilience” across the Pacific is a key strategy to combat the region’s challenges, the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting has concluded.

In its communique issued as the week-long gathering ended on Aug. 30, the 18 member states highlighted climate change and environmental degradation as posing grave risks.