Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has wrapped up a packed visit to the Solomon Islands, where Pacific leaders endorsed Australia’s joint bid to host the COP31 climate summit and backed a landmark regional resilience fund — even as he fielded sharp questions on fossil fuels, energy bills and China’s influence.
Speaking first in Munda and later in Honiara, PM Albanese described the Pacific Islands Forum as “a very successful meeting” that delivered concrete steps on climate, security and regional cooperation.
“We are all members of the Pacific family and it’s important that we cooperate on economic issues, on national security and in dealing with the challenge of climate change.”
At the heart of the talks was the Pacific Resilience Facility, a new regional fund to strengthen infrastructure and renewable energy adaptation. Australia will contribute $100 million, which the Prime Minister called “more than a fund … a promise to Pacific communities that they will not face climate threats alone.”
Pacific leaders also signed the Ocean of Peace declaration, first proposed by Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, calling on the international community to respect sovereignty and Pacific-led approaches to peace and security.
“Peace is not a gift and it is never a given,” PM Albanese said.
“The Pacific has long understood the importance of working together to respond to challenges that don’t respect national boundaries.”
On emissions targets, he repeated that “action on climate change is the entry fee to credibility in the Pacific,” but stressed that new targets would only be set after advice from the Climate Change Authority.
The Solomon Islands summit also highlighted intensifying regional dynamics. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has described the Pacific as being in a “permanent state of contest” with China. Asked if Australia was winning, PM Albanese said:
“There is strategic competition in the Pacific and what we do is treat Pacific Island nations with respect. We’re transformational rather than transactional, and that puts us in good stead.”
Australia is also moving towards a security treaty with Fiji, upgrading the Vuvale partnership. Discussions, he said, were at an early stage but could include “increased interoperability, training under the Pacific Policing Initiative, and deeper defence cooperation.”
The Prime Minister was also quizzed about the optics of arriving at the summit in a Chinese-provided vehicle. He dismissed the symbolism:
“Cars get you from A to B. Seriously, on the big picture issues … there’s universal support for what is not Australia’s bid, what is Australia and the Pacific’s bid [for COP31].”
From the Torres Strait to Tuvalu, leaders repeatedly framed climate change as an existential threat. PM Albanese acknowledged the impact on Australia’s own low-lying islands.
“The science told us we would have more extreme weather events and they would be more intense — and that is precisely what is playing out.”
Wrapping up, he rejected suggestions that the Pacific was splitting under outside pressure.
“The Pacific family values the fact that we are family,” PM Albanese said.
“We need to look after each other’s interests and engage constructively. That’s certainly what I do.”
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
