The Pacific Islands Forum is the regional intergovernmental organisation linking the independent and self-governing states of the Pacific. Founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum and renamed in 2000, it brings together Australia, New Zealand, and sixteen Pacific island nations and territories on a one-state-one-vote basis.
At a glance
- Founded: 1971 (South Pacific Forum founded August 1971; renamed to Pacific Islands Forum in 2000)
- Headquarters: Suva, Fiji
- Official languages: English
- Website: www.forumsec.org
Mission
The Forum coordinates regional positions on issues including climate change (existential for the low-lying member states), fisheries, regional security, and economic development. Its Blue Pacific narrative frames the region as an interconnected ocean continent rather than scattered islands.
Structure
The Forum Leaders' Meeting takes place annually and is the supreme decision-making body. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva supports operations. The Secretary-General serves a three-year renewable term, traditionally rotated by sub-region. The post-Forum Dialogue brings the Leaders together with major external partners (China, the United States, the European Union, India, Japan).
Member states
PIF has 14 member states. Membership current as of 2024-01.
- Australia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia (Federated States of)
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Key facts
- The Forum is unusual in including Australia and New Zealand — the two largest economies in the southern hemisphere — alongside microstates like Nauru (population 12,000) and Tuvalu (11,000).
- Climate change is the existential security issue: Tuvalu's highest point is 4.6 metres above sea level; Kiribati has begun planning relocation strategies.
- Five Micronesian members (Marshall Islands, FSM, Nauru, Palau, Kiribati) announced withdrawal in 2021 over a leadership dispute; the dispute was resolved in 2022 and they remained.
- France's overseas territories of French Polynesia and New Caledonia are full Forum members despite not being independent states — a unique arrangement.
- The Pacific tuna fishery, jointly managed by Forum members, is the largest in the world by volume.
Historic milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1971 | South Pacific Forum founded in Wellington |
| 1985 | South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga) |
| 2000 | Renamed Pacific Islands Forum to reflect broader geography |
| 2017 | Forum recognises climate change as the single greatest threat to the region |
| 2022 | Resolution of Micronesian withdrawal threat at Suva Summit |
