Regional unity at a time of rising competition between major powers has been stressed to a full house of Pacific leaders at key annual talks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s brief stopover in Vanuatu on the way to the Pacific Islands Forum failed to produce a finalised security pact with the island nation, but talks with his Fijian counterpart have proved more fruitful.
Australian and Fijian leaders have agreed to negotiate a new bilateral security treaty, with Mr Albanese expressing his interest in “upgrading our relationship” with the island state in talks with Prime Minister Stiveni Rabuka.
Australia has been vying to strengthen its relationships with Pacific neighbours and affirm its position as a security partner of choice on the backdrop of intense geopolitical competition with China and other powers.
After welcoming Mr Albanese and other late arrivals to the multi-day summit, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said “competition among powerful interests is intensifying” and Pacific nations “must not be seen as passive bystanders”.
“Leaders, in a fast-evolving global and strategic environment, our strength lies in our solidarity and how we are able to respond to challenges and capitalise on opportunities as a polity,” Mr Manele said in initial remarks.
In 2022, the Solomon Islands government signed a bilateral security agreement with China but little is known about the details of the arrangement.
Progress towards a new security treaty with Fiji follows a speed bump in talks with Vanuatu.
The federal government is expected to tip about $500 million into security, economic and development programs in Vanuatu.
While no deal was finalised on Tuesday, it might still go ahead.
Later on Wednesday, leaders are expected to sign and ratify the Pacific Resilience Facility, a regionally-specific climate fund set up following logistical challenges accessing global programs.
Australia has already committed $100 million to the climate fund.
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