Pacific leaders gather in Palau ahead of key PIF meeting

One of Anthony Albanese’s closest Pacific allies could be about to lose his job, a prospect Beijing would celebrate as it tries to extend its influence.

Australia and Palau want to issue a formal condemnation of China's missile test in the Pacific in July, but not all countries in the region agree.

It comes as Taiwan's Foreign Minister told Australian media in Palau he - or another minister - is keen to attend the New Zealand meeting.

The president of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr – this week hosting regional leaders including Australia’s Anthony Albanese for a Pacific Islands Forum meeting focused on security and climate – said the report was “a fork in the road moment for the planet”.

While China stirs tensions over Taiwan in Palau, island leaders are urging Canberra to focus on climate and drug crime.

Several Pacific leaders didn’t attend this year’s event. While some absences were due to ill health or politics at home and signaled in advance, analysts speculated others might be missing due to pressure from Beijing.

While Australia has refused to point the finger at Beijing for a mass exodus of Pacific Islander leaders from a major forum, one nation’s foreign minister wasn’t holding back.

The Prime Minister is en route to one of the Pacific’s most important meetings, though the event has not been without controversy.

Ashley Cooper/Getty Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Palau’s capital Koror this week for the annual Pacific Islands Forum, and regional security is expected to top the agenda. China is testing nuclear-capable missiles in the Pacific, prompting talk of a new regional…

Solomon Islands prime minister makes an emergency trip back home from Palau after "internal political revolt".

Pacific leaders are descending on Palau for what could be a particularly politically charged Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.

Anthony Albanese, Chris Bowen and Pat Conroy will all travel to Palau on Monday for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.

Leadership challenges and foreign machinations cast a shadow over Pacific bloc's efforts to show a united front

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has been forced to fly home because of a shock leadership challenge.

Solomon Islands prime minister cancels his appearance, along with leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa Several leaders have pulled out of a the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting in Palau at the eleventh hour. Solomon Islands prime minister, Matthew Wale, has cancelled his…

Solomon Islands prime minister and outgoing Pacific Islands Forum chair Matthew Wale makes a shock departure from the PIF leaders meeting to deal with a looming leadership challenge back home.