Pacific Islands Forum meeting in turmoil after several leaders pull out of Palau summit

The 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders meeting commenced on Monday night in Koror, Palau. The start of the event has already faced some challenges, with at least one country's leader withdrawing their attendance at the last minute. The humidity of Koror's 30-degree heat is making it difficult for attendees to stay comfortable. Amidst this, the intense geopolitical aspects of this year's PIF meeting mirror the oppressive weather - it's all-encompassing and unavoidable.

One of the main concerns is the last-minute withdrawal of Kiribati President Taaneti Maamau. Moreover, there is uncertainty surrounding Naoero (previously Nauru) President David Adeang's attendance. Maamau's sudden absence, along with the current uncertainty about Naeoro's President Adeang, highlights the issues of unity and external influence within the PIF.

At the end of the PIF foreign ministers meeting in Suva earlier this month, disagreements among members over a statement condemning China's missile test dominated headlines. Kiribati and Naoero, which have strong ties with Beijing, were among the countries that did not support the statement. Both these countries have been isolated from the wider collective for their stance.

In the lead-up to the meeting, officials across the region have been working on a statement that is expected to be submitted and considered by leaders this week. However, four PIF states - Australia, New Zealand, Palau, and the Marshall Islands - decided to go their own way after the Suva meeting and signed a joint statement released by the US government criticizing China for the missile testing.

This lack of consensus and unity poses a significant problem for the PIF, particularly with significant issues such as the missile statement and the partnerships policy due to be discussed this week. The disparity in representation from PIF members, especially from Kiribati and Naoero, is a cause for concern. Furthermore, the political climate of the US-China tension adds another layer of complexity to the already tense situation.