By Pita Ligaiula
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have reaffirmed their recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua while pushing for a long-delayed human rights mission to take place.
In their communique, Leaders recalled Indonesia’s 2018 invitation for a mission led by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and agreed to pursue a Forum Leaders Envoys visit in 2026.
They tasked the Forum Secretariat to work constructively with Jakarta, in consultation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat(MSG), to make the mission possible.
“Leaders reaffirmed the Forum’s ongoing recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua (Papua). Recalling Indonesia’s 2018 invitation for a mission led by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Leaders tasked the Secretariat to work constructively with Indonesia on a proposed visit by Forum Leaders Envoys in 2026, in consultation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat,” the communique stated.
The West Papua issue remains sensitive across the region, with calls from some member states for stronger action on human rights concerns. The Forum’s cautious approach reflects a balancing act between respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty and the push for international scrutiny.
Leaders also highlighted wider regional challenges, warning that nuclear legacy issues continue to test the Pacific’s nuclear-free identity.
They noted that New Caledonia’s political future is at a “critical juncture,” citing the Bougival Accord negotiations.
“Leaders noted the Report of the High-Level Forum Troika Plus Mission to New Caledonia and reaffirmed the Forum’s ongoing support to New Caledonia. Leaders also noted the ongoing discussions on the Bougival Accord and encouraged sustained, inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders towards a peaceful political transition,” the communique said.
On broader geopolitical pressures, Leaders stressed the need for coherence in regional engagement to safeguard the Forum’s credibility.
“Leaders also recognised that an increasingly crowded international engagement calendar demands coherent and structured regional engagement and advocacy to ensure the Forum’s collective voice remains credible, coordinated, and aligned with the priorities of Forum Leaders,” they said.
The communique makes clear that Forum Leaders see themselves as custodians of regional political integrity, navigating heightened global attention while keeping the Pacific’s voice unified and authoritative.
