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Pacific Island leaders concluded the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, reaffirming their commitment to regional cooperation, climate resilience and sustainable development. The week-long meeting brought together leaders from 18 member countries and territories to focus on the region’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, healthcare, education and security.
Climate resilience at the forefront
Recognizing the existential threat posed by climate change, Forum leaders endorsed the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) as a blueprint for strengthening regional resilience. They welcomed the adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) by the United Nations General Assembly and urged development agencies to incorporate this comprehensive assessment into their policies. The MVI takes into account the unique environmental, economic and social vulnerabilities of small island states.
The Forum stressed the urgent need for inclusive and innovative solutions to address climate impacts. Leaders agreed to continue work under the Pacific Resilience Partnership and to prioritize investments in climate-resilient health infrastructure, noting that 62% of critical health facilities in the region are located within 500 meters of the coastline, making them highly vulnerable to sea level rise and extreme weather events.
Education and regional security
On education, leaders stressed the need to build resilient systems that can withstand environmental shocks. They supported investments in digital education infrastructure and the development of culturally relevant curricula, including disaster preparedness and environmental education. These measures aim to equip future generations with the knowledge and skills they need to survive a changing climate.
The Forum also reaffirmed its commitment to the Blue Pacific Continental 2050 Strategy, which outlines policy priorities for the region to achieve a resilient future. Leaders approved the executive summary of the 2050 Baseline Report, which assesses regionalism and development in seven thematic areas, including climate change, ocean governance, economic development, health, education, cultural heritage and security.
Strengthening regional cooperation
The Forum endorsed the recommendations of the regional architecture review, calling for enhanced regional cooperation and a more strategic partnership mechanism. Leaders agreed to align the regional governance structure with the Suva Agreement to ensure it is practical and responsive to the needs of member countries.
In addition, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown announced the promotion of Guam and American Samoa to associate membership of the Forum to strengthen their participation in regional decision-making.
Support the Pacific Resilience Fund
Leaders strongly supported the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a Pacific-led, member-owned climate and disaster resilience financing mechanism. The PRF aims to bypass bureaucratic barriers and deliver funding directly to communities. Commitments totaling more than $170 million were welcomed, with a target of $500 million by January 2026 and a long-term goal of $1.5 billion.
Regional Security and Global Advocacy
The forum also discussed the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Pacific region and endorsed the Pacific Policing Initiative and the Regional Fisheries Management Initiative. Leaders supported Australia’s bid to host the 2026 COP31 conference in partnership with the Pacific region and committed to raising the profile of sea level rise on the global stage.
The forum finally decided that the 54th Pacific Islands Forum will be held in the Solomon Islands in September 2025, and Palau will host the 55th Forum in 2026.
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