Christopher Luxon denies Pacific Islands Forum's clout weakened by five leaders' absence
The prime minister is instead talking up his confidence in turning the group into a centralising force for the region.
Christopher Luxon, the prime minister of New Zealand, is not concerned that the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) lacks the influence of five absent leaders. He believes the forum's authority can strengthen over time, drawing on the model of ASEAN in Southeast Asia. Luxon dismissed threats to the forum's clout from China's recent ballistic missile test and bilateral deals between Australia and Pacific neighbours.
He expressed optimism that the forum could collaborate with ASEAN, stating that New Zealand wants to see the PIF "go from strength to strength each and every year." Luxon also dismissed suggestions that the absence of several PIF leaders could undermine the forum's centrality, calling it a "sideshow." He emphasized that bilateral deals, like the recent one between Australia and Fiji, do not undermine the forum's objectives.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Pacific's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
