Honiara – Troika Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum met in Nadi, Fiji, on 16 April 2026 under the chairmanship of the Honourable Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, in his capacity as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and Chair of the Forum Troika.
The meeting brought together the incoming Chair, His Excellency President Surangel Whipps of Palau, and outgoing Chair, the Honourable Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua.
Prime Minister Manele led discussions on key regional priorities, with particular focus on the escalating global fuel and energy crisis and its impact on Pacific economies, including Solomon Islands.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated regional responses amid rising fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, and increasing pressure on national energy systems across the region.
Priority attention was given to strengthening regional resilience through improved fuel supply security, protection of tanker shipping routes, and enhanced national fuel storage capacity to support domestic demand.
Prime Minister Manele noted that Solomon Islands continues to experience the impact of global fuel price volatility and highlighted the importance of practical regional solutions to support vulnerable Pacific economies.
Leaders noted that Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands have declared energy emergencies, while Solomon Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are implementing national mitigation measures. Other Forum members remain on a regional watch phase, with ongoing monitoring by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
The Troika also considered a regional scenario planning framework to guide preparedness for short, medium, and long-term fuel supply disruptions.
In a significant regional development, Troika Leaders agreed to activate the Biketawa Declaration, placing the region on a coordinated high alert framework to respond to the unfolding energy security crisis. Prime Minister Manele will continue consultations with Pacific Leaders on implementation arrangements.
Prime Minister Manele also advanced Solomon Islands’ proposal for a Regional Petroleum and Fuel Security Initiative (RPFSI), aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and delivering practical benefits for Pacific Island countries.
The initiative seeks to improve fuel supply security, strengthen tanker shipping coordination, and enhance domestic storage capacity across the region. It builds on existing supply arrangements by formalising a coordinated regional approach to strengthen collective negotiating power on fuel pricing and freight costs, including for Solomon Islands.
Leaders also noted ongoing national measures being implemented across Forum Island countries to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on households, businesses, and government services.
The Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, also presented a proposed regional declaration for peace, which was supported by Troika Leaders alongside Solomon Islands’ initiative. The Secretariat will now progress next steps through established Forum processes.
Updates were also provided on COP31 preparations and the upcoming Pre-COP meeting in Fiji, as well as preparations for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to be hosted in Palau.
Prime Minister Manele’s leadership was recognised as central to advancing coordinated regional responses at a time of unprecedented global energy challenges, ensuring Solomon Islands’ priorities remain firmly represented at the regional level.
The Prime Minister is expected to return to Honiara this Friday afternoon, 17 April 2026, before travelling to Choiseul and Western Province over the weekend to meet provincial leaders and communities affected by Cyclone Maila.
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