Pacific Islands Forum Opens in Palau Without Four Key Leaders

The Pacific Islands Forum summit opened in Koror, Palau, on 30 August without the leaders of Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Samoa. Solomon Islands PM Wale, the Forum's chair, faces a no-confidence motion. Fiji's Rabuka and Vanuatu's Napat also withdrew. Analyst Oliver Nobetau warned the absences could signal nations favouring bilateral deals over regional commitments. The summit runs through 4 September.