Pacific Islands Nations: Five Micronesian nations recently suspended breakaway plans from a crucial Pacific Islands political bloc as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the region.
Key Facts:
- The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and Palau “have agreed to temporarily rescind their withdrawal” from the Pacific Islands Forum.
- In 2020, the five territories had announced that they were quitting the group after their nominee lost the vote for a new forum secretary general.
What caused the rift?
They said that the majority decision by the 18-nation body to elect former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna had overridden an informal agreement that the position would be filled by Micronesia and had caused an irreparable rift.
About Pacific Islands Forum:
- The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between countries and territories of the Pacific Ocean, including formation of a trade bloc and regional peacekeeping operations.
- It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum (SPF).
- It was founded to enhance the economic and social well-being of its 18 South Pacific islands nations which both the United States and China view as being in strategic locations.
- It changed its name in 1999 to "Pacific Islands Forum", so as to be more inclusive of the Forum's Oceania-spanning membership of both north and south Pacific island countries, including Australia.
- It is a United Nations General Assembly observer.
- It comprises 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
