Climate change and rising strategic competition among issues facing leaders at region’s most important political gathering
The leaders of Pacific nations will gather in the Cook Islands this week for the most closely watched meeting on the regional calendar. The, or Pif, is the main political decision making body for the region. This year discussions are likely to be dominated by climate change ahead of COP28, and will also address how to manage increasing geostrategic competition – including the rise of China.
In 2023, leaders are expected to endorse the implementation plan for the 2050 strategy. This is likely to include detail on how regional organisations will support member states on critical issues such as climate change adaptation and economic development. Both the US and China are forum dialogue partners. This may make for some discomfort – especially for the US as it seeks to counter China’s rising influence. However, for the Cook Islands prime minister, Mark Brown, as host, and the Pif more generally, what is hoped for is that partners align their words and actions with Pacific priorities.
Australia will use this meeting to push for full-throated Pacific support of its bid to host COP31 climate talks in 2026. This is largely a done deal despite calls from some, including former leaders for Pacific countries, to withhold support in the absence of increased climate ambition on the part of Australia’s Albanese government.The forum was created in 1971 by the leaders of newly independent countries in the Pacific who were frustrated with the South Pacific Commission of the time.
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