Overview

• Solomon Islands barred most external partners, including China, the United States and Taiwan, with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele calling the move temporary during a review of participation rules.
• Analysts and some officials caution that shutting out donors could undermine access to aid and climate finance, with China’s growing influence described as the “elephant in the room.”
• Climate change tops the agenda alongside the Pacific Resilience Facility, to which Australia has committed AUD 100 million as leaders seek to scale community-level adaptation funding.
• Leaders are expected to consider an “Ocean of Peace” declaration and a broader review of the forum’s regional architecture, including decisions on who can observe or participate.
• Australia seeks Pacific backing to co-host COP31, with Anthony Albanese due in Honiara midweek, as New Zealand’s Christopher Luxon attends and legal pressure from the ICJ ruling on climate obligations frames the talks.