Honiara, Solomon Islands, Friday 12 September 2025 - The 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting concluded in Honiara with the release of the Leaders’ Communiqué, following two days of retreat in Noro and formal sessions in the capital.
The Communiqué sets the region’s political, security, climate, and development agenda under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, with major outcomes including:
-
Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration: Leaders declared the Pacific an “Ocean of Peace”, committing to strengthen regionalism, embed Pacific approaches to peacebuilding, and advance inclusive, people-centred security cooperation.
-
Climate leadership & COP31: Leaders reaffirmed that climate change is the single greatest threat to Pacific livelihoods, endorsing Australia’s bid to host COP31 in 2026 as a “Pacific COP”, and committing to coordinated advocacy.
-
Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF): Leaders endorsed the Agreement to Establish the PRF, welcomed Tonga’s ratification as host government, and noted US$165 million in pledges to date.
-
Nuclear legacy & Rarotonga Treaty: Leaders commemorated the 40th anniversary of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Rarotonga Treaty), urged remaining states to sign and ratify, and reaffirmed opposition to nuclear testing and dumping.
-
Maritime boundaries: Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to urgently complete maritime boundary delimitations and safeguard zones against climate-related sea-level rise.
-
Peace & security: Leaders highlighted rising threats from transnational crime and synthetic drugs, reaffirmed support for UXO reintegration into regional security work, and linked Ocean of Peace commitments to practical cooperation.
-
Resource & economic development: Leaders endorsed fisheries initiatives including the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi), tuna value-chain development, aquaculture, and labour mobility principles.
-
Smaller Island States (SIS): Priorities on transport, fisheries participation, procurement, health workforce, and climate finance were mainstreamed across CROP agencies.
-
People-centred development: Leaders recommitted to the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration, mainstreamed Gender Equality & Social Inclusion and Early Childhood Development, and reaffirmed the Healthy Islands vision.
-
Digital transformation: Leaders endorsed the Digital Transformation Action Plan, advanced undersea cables and data governance, and raised concerns on the impacts of digital platforms on Pacific youth.
-
Regional architecture & partnerships: Leaders adopted the new Leaders Policy on Partnerships to reform engagement with Dialogue Partners and confirmed Troika oversight.
Fronting the media at the conclusion were Forum Chair, Hon. Jeremiah Manele (Prime Minister of Solomon Islands), Hon. Dr. Aisake Valu Eke (Prime Minister of Tonga, outgoing Chair), and Hon. Gustav Aitaro (Foreign Affairs Minister of Palau, incoming Chair). Together, they represent the Forum Troika — past, present, and future Chairs of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Leaders expressed their gratitude to Solomon Islands for hosting the Forum and reaffirmed their solidarity in advancing the collective priorities of the Blue Pacific. Looking ahead, Palau will host the 55th Forum in 2026, New Zealand in 2027, and French Polynesia in 2031.
[ENDS]
