Taiwan is set to return as an observer to the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Fiji [1].
The decision reflects a strategic effort by regional leaders to balance the influence of major global powers, including China, Australia, and the U.S., while addressing urgent local priorities.
Taiwan was excluded from observer status during the previous Forum in 2024 [2]. Its return comes as the 14 member states of the Forum [3] navigate increasing strategic competition in the Pacific region.
Oliver Nobetau, director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, said the return of Taiwan as an observer signals a shift in the Forum’s approach to external partners. He said the move reflects the growing strategic competition in the Pacific [1].
While diplomacy and geopolitical alignments remain central, the Forum's primary agenda focuses on the climate crisis. However, the geopolitical tension remains a factor in the proceedings. A Guardian correspondent said the climate crisis tops the agenda, but the exclusion of China casts a long shadow over the discussions [4].
The meeting is scheduled for September 2025 [4]. By re-opening observer status to Taiwan, the Forum aims to maintain a diverse set of partnerships to secure support for regional security, and environmental goals [1, 4].
“Taiwan is set to return as an observer to the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Fiji.”
The restoration of Taiwan's observer status indicates that Pacific Island nations are increasingly unwilling to let Chinese diplomatic pressure dictate their external partnerships. By diversifying their engagements, these states gain more leverage to secure aid and security commitments from multiple global powers to combat the existential threat of the climate crisis.
