Pacific forum set to open in Palau without several leaders

Pacific leaders started to gather in Palau on Monday for the annual Pacific Islands Forum, but the absence of several heads of government has cast a shadow over a meeting intended to demonstrate regional unity. Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Solomon Islands' prime ministers and the Kiribati president will not attend the leaders' retreat in person.



Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale was due to attend but left Palau to face a no-confidence motion at home. Kiribati said President Taneti Maamau was unable to travel because parliament was sitting and flights were limited.



The absent leaders are expected to be represented by ministers or senior officials.



The meeting, hosted by Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. in Koror through September 4, is being held under the theme "B.E.L.A.U. — Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity."



Leaders will review progress under the region's 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, consider reforms to the forum's regional architecture and partnerships, and seek to coordinate climate priorities before the COP31 climate summit later this year, according to an Australian parliamentary library backgrounder.