Luxon rejects claims that Pacific Islands Forum has lost influence despite leaders’ absence

Christopher Luxon is brushing aside signs of strain inside the Pacific Islands Forum, insisting the regional grouping can still become the central mechanism for dealing with Pacific challenges.

The New Zealand prime minister rejected the idea that the forum’s influence had been weakened by five leaders staying away, its failure to agree on a statement condemning China’s recent ballistic missile test, or a series of bilateral agreements between Australia and Pacific neighbours. He is travelling to Palau for just under 36 hours for the Forum leaders’ meeting, while Foreign Minister Winston Peters has been there since Sunday.

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We get Pacific solutions to Pacific challenges ... the model in my head is very strongly around ASEAN, where I see ASEAN centrality speaking for Southeast Asia.

Luxon said the trip was intended to elevate the forum before New Zealand hosts it next year. “We get Pacific solutions to Pacific challenges ... the model in my head is very strongly around ASEAN, where I see ASEAN centrality speaking for Southeast Asia,” he told reporters. “PIF really is the body that should be the central way in which development partners come in and out through the PIF door and gate.”

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PIF really is the body that should be the central way in which development partners come in and out through the PIF door and gate.

The disagreement over China’s missile test exposed a gap between that ambition and the forum’s ability to speak with one voice. New Zealand, Australia, the Marshall Islands and Palau were among dozens of countries that signed a U.S.-backed statement condemning the test in early July. The statement came days after Pacific foreign ministers meeting in Suva failed to reach agreement on a similar text, despite most members supporting one.

Luxon said that episode reflected an effort to strengthen the forum rather than weaken it. “We just want to see it go from strength to strength each and every year ... we just want perpetual, continual improvement and strengthening and deepening of PIF being the central organisation by which we deal with Pacific issues and challenges.” Peters acknowledged that the opportunity for a statement to have an immediate impact had passed, but said the forum’s central role would not be compromised. A regional security announcement is expected during the meeting.

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We just want to see it go from strength to strength each and every year ... we just want perpetual, continual improvement and strengthening and deepening of PIF being the central organisation by which we deal with Pacific issues and challenges.