Key Takeaways from the 2024 Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting
By Damian Kelly
Between 26 and 30 August 2024, Pacific Island Forum (PIF) leaders met in Vava’u, Tonga for the 53rd Leaders Meeting. The Leaders Meeting is an opportunity for Pacific Island nations to meet and discuss issues of mutual concern. Common discussion topics include trade, climate change and management of shared ocean resources. The results of the Leaders Meeting are likely to have an international impact as the leaders issued an official communique with several recommendations.
The role of PIFs has become increasingly relevant to international politics and the formulation of international standards, policies and law. As global temperatures rise and tensions simmer in the South China Sea, the PIF nations have become involved in serious leadership initiatives that have had a truly international impact. For example, on 22 January 2024 Palau made history by becoming the first country to ratify the United Nations High Seas Treaty. In 2021, Fiji became the first country to introduce climate change specific legislation. Further, traditional Pasifika practices have been adopted on an international stage like talanoa (iTaukei to describe inclusive, transparent dialogue) which was introduced as a forum at COP23 in 2017.
What is the Pacific Island Forum?
Established in 1971, the Forum aims to foster cooperation and coordination on political, economic, environmental, and social issues affecting the Pacific. The PIF's primary decision-making body is the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, an annual gathering where heads of state and government discuss and set the regional agenda. This meeting addresses critical challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, and regional security. The Forum plays a crucial role in amplifying the Pacific's voice on the global stage, particularly in advocating for climate action and sustainable development.
The current Secretary General of PIF is Baron Waqa, former president of Nauru. Waqa was appointed Secretary General on 3 June 2024. Waqa plays a crucial role in steering the forum's agenda, particularly on issues such as climate change, regional security, and the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
What happened at the 53rd Leaders Meeting?
The current chair of PIF is Tonga's Prime Minister, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni. He assumed this role during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting held in August 2024 in Tonga. In assuming the Chair of PIF, PM Sovaleni flagged the following as integral to the ongoing success and survival of the Pacific:
Ongoing support from the UN Secretary General through the capitalisation of the Pacific Resilience Facility;
the adoption of the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index which is working towards improving international financing frameworks;
making sea level rise a standing agenda item at the UN; and
the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.[1]
Following PM Sovaleni’s comments, the PIF Leaders issued their official communique. In the communique were many recommendations to the international community. We have summarised the top 5 takeaways that will have an impact on international law:
(Sea-Level Rise and International Maritime Zones) The Forum Leaders reaffirmed the 2021 Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the face of Climate Change-related Sea-Level Rise. They asserted that the maritime zones of Pacific nations, as established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), shall continue to apply without reduction, despite physical changes to coastlines due to rising sea levels. This stance could influence future interpretations of maritime boundaries under international law.
(International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change): The Forum Leaders welcomed the historic participation of Forum Members in the ICJ advisory opinion proceedings on climate change, making it the largest case in the ICJ's history. Leaders strongly encouraged continued participation in these proceedings, which could shape the future legal framework regarding states' obligations to mitigate climate change.
(Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI)) Leaders welcomed the adoption of the MVI at the United Nations General Assembly, urging its integration into decision-making processes by development institutions. The MVI's use in international law could lead to changes in how vulnerability and development needs are assessed, particularly for small island states.
(Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF)) The establishment of the PRF, a member-owned climate and disaster resilience financing facility, was reaffirmed. The PRF's legal framework and transnational arrangements could serve as a model for international financial mechanisms focused on climate resilience, influencing future international agreements.
(International Maritime Organization (IMO) Negotiations) Leaders emphasized the urgency of completing negotiations within the IMO for a universal mandatory levy aligned with the 1.5°C climate target. This initiative could set a precedent in international maritime law, aligning economic measures with climate goals, and influencing global shipping regulations.
The PIF leaders also expressed interest in expanding economic integration across the region through correspondent banking reform being spearheaded by the International Finance Corporation and reform around immigration frameworks to enable increased movement of people in the Pacific.
What’s next?
PIF leaders are committed to see action on the above is taken and promoted through schemes such as the Blue Pacific Strategy as well as via reforms of the PIF regional architecture. However, in order for action to be taken on the items above further support will be required from the international community. PIF leaders will have an opportunity to reassess the steps forward with meetings to occur in September 2025 in Solomon Islands and PNG. It appears that between now and September 2025, Pacific leaders will have a lot of work to do in advocating for ongoing support from countries that share the Blue Pacific ambitions for a connected and bountiful ocean.
[1] https://forumsec.org/publications/remarks-forum-chair-hon-huakavameiliku-piflm53-leaders-plenary
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