Pacific Islands Forum starts with leaders missing, China furious
The annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting is underway in Palau, and already there has been controversy. First, it’s a leaders meeting with a distinct lack of leaders. Second, China is reportedly furious that Taiwan is represented at the meeting in its own right. The fact the leaders of five of the forum’s 18 […] The post Pacific Islands Forum starts with leaders missing, China…
The United States is expected to unveil a US$60 million fuel security deal for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) during the summit in Palau. The details of the deal are still being finalized, but it was discussed at a closed dialogue partners meeting during the PIF leaders' summit. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is attending the annual meeting in Koror, Palau.
The US has been actively engaged in the region as part of its point-person for the Pacific under the Trump administration. The fuel security deal is contingent upon congressional approval. The Pacific region heavily relies on diesel for power generation, with 80% of its energy coming from imported oil products. This dependence has made the region vulnerable to fluctuations in oil prices, such as those caused by the Iran War.
Palau, the host country for this year's PIF leaders summit, spends 13% of its GDP on importing oil products, which is more than the combined spending on health (10%) and education (3%) in the region. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. has been advocating for the Pacific to become the world's first region to be powered entirely by renewable energy, emphasizing the economic and climate risks associated with its current dependence on imported diesel.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Pacific's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
