By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau
Pacific Islands Forum leaders have locked in the hosts for the next five annual leaders’ meetings, with New Zealand, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Vanuatu and French Polynesia set to welcome the region between 2027 and 2031.
The decisions, confirmed in the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Communique, provide a clear schedule for the Forum’s major political gathering over the next five years.
Leaders recalled their earlier endorsement of New Zealand as host of the 56th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and Related Meetings in 2027.
Naero will host the 57th Pacific Islands Forum and Related Meetings in 2028, coinciding with the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
Forum leaders have now also endorsed the Republic of the Marshall Islands as host of the 58th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and Related Meetings in 2029, marking the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
Vanuatu will host the 59th Pacific Islands Forum and Related Meetings in 2030, coinciding with its 50th Independence Anniversary Golden Jubilee.
Leaders also reaffirmed their endorsement of French Polynesia as host of the 60th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and Related Meetings in 2031.
The schedule means four of the next five Forum meetings will coincide with major national anniversaries, giving host countries an opportunity to combine their national celebrations with the region’s most important annual political gathering.
The communiqué said the host arrangements reflected the Forum’s commitment to maintaining its annual leaders’ meetings as the region’s central platform for political dialogue and decision-making.
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau has ended, with attention now turning to implementing the decisions agreed by leaders and preparing for the next Forum gathering in New Zealand in 2027.
