Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers met in Suva last week for the 2025 Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting (FFMM).
Chaired by Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga, the one-day meeting brought together Forum Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials of the 18 Forum member countries to consider key regional priorities, and emerging issues and challenges.
Ministers held robust exchanges on the political developments in the region, including ongoing developments in New Caledonia and West Papua (Papua).
Ministers also discussed the ongoing reforms under the Review of the Regional Architecture, including the Partnership and Engagement Mechanism, and heard a presentation on the High-Level Political Talanoa Report developed by the High-Level Political Group. Recognising the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Rarotonga Treaty, Ministers welcomed the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a new signatory to the Treaty and encouraged ratification by all Forum Members.
Ministers endorsed the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration for Forum Leaders’ consideration at their meeting in the Solomon Islands.
The concept note for the Ocean of Peace Declaration was introduced by the Prime Minister of Fiji at the Forum Leaders’ meeting in the Cook Islands and has undergone a comprehensive regional consultation process.
In relation to regional advocacy priorities, the meeting reaffirmed Forum Leaders’ support for Australia’s bid to host COP31 as a Pacific COP.
Ministers welcomed the historic International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on climate change—initiated by Vanuatu—as a powerful tool for global climate advocacy.
They emphasised the need to maintain momentum and advocacy on the issue, including in the development of a follow-up resolution in the UN General Assembly.
The meeting also discussed emerging regional efforts on digital transformation as conveyed through the Outcomes of the Pacific ICT Ministers’ Dialogue that was held at the Forum Secretariat earlier in August. Ministers welcomed the opportunity to discuss some of the regional approaches to key digital initiatives.
The outcomes of the FFMM will inform the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands from 8 – 12 September 2025.
