Story perspectives

Albanese to attend Pacific Islands Forum after withdrawals

9/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau despite several leaders withdrawing.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale cancelled attendance after a no-confidence motion was lodged.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat and Samoan leader La’auli Leuatea Schmidt also withdrew.
Albanese said the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme will continue, stressing Pacific workers’ economic benefits.

History

Historical Context

After the 2000 Biketawa Declaration—adopted at the Forum’s 31st summit in Kiribati following Fiji’s coup—Australia and New Zealand pledged US$5 million annually while Fiji funded 30 percent of the pact’s operations. The Pacific Islands Forum, founded in 1971 and renamed in 1999, now faces 2024 withdrawals by Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa, echoing earlier leadership walk-outs and testing regional cohesion.

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Story summary

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau despite several leaders withdrawing.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale cancelled attendance after a no-confidence motion was lodged.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat and Samoan leader La’auli Leuatea Schmidt also withdrew.
Albanese said the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme will continue, stressing Pacific workers’ economic benefits.

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