I am writing to sincerely express my concern regarding the Solomon Islands Government’s decision to ban external partners from attending the 54th Pacific Island Forum (PIF) meeting in Honiara, as this raises significant issues related to transparency and inclusiveness in governance.
According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (2009), good governance requires participation, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. Similarly, regional forums like the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) are built on the principles of cooperation, dialogue, and a collective approach to problem-solving.
However, by excluding development partners from the meeting, the government not only restricts open engagement within the regional community but also risks undermining the trust, unity, and credibility of the esteemed forum.
The ban underscores the urgent need for accountability and participatory governance, where diverse voices should be welcomed into the Pacific Island Forum as they once were, fostering constructive dialogue among Pacific Island States and including developing external partners in shaping policies to address issues impacting the Pacific community.
The Australian government criticized the move, alleging that the Solomon Islands government is influenced by China. Even Some Smaller Island States and Australia itself stated that the ban was initiated by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to prevent tensions over the expulsion of Taiwan from participating in the meeting, claiming that the move was orchestrated by Beijing to advance its interests in the Solomon Islands and the broader region (ABC, 2025).
Furthermore, regional cooperation has been fundamental to the Pacific Island Forum, emphasizing open dialogue and collective efforts to address major issues that the Pacific faces. However, the decision to restrict external engagement jeopardizes these collaborative discussions, which are crucial for addressing shared challenges across the Pacific region.
Additionally, the political dynamics surrounding the decision, including allegations of Chinese influence, highlight the complexities of regional geopolitics. Nevertheless, the Solomon Islands Government should not overlook the significance of inclusivity in fostering constructive dialogue.
Finally, the Solomon Islands Government’s decision to exclude external partners from the 54th Pacific Island Forum in Honiara raises serious concerns regarding transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. This restriction on engagement threatens regional unity and risks isolating discussions on shared challenges, which is contrary to principles of good governance.
Despite the influence of geopolitics, they must uphold these core virtues, as emphasized by UNESCAP (2009), to foster cooperation, trust, and effective governance within the Pacific region.
Timothy N Felefula
Laucala Campus
