The Emirates News Agency reported that Noura Al Kaabi, the UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, attended the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting. The event took place in Koror, Palau, from August 31 to September 3, 2026, and was chaired by Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. Discussions focused on priorities including digital transformation, renewable energy, climate and ocean issues as well as reforms to regional architecture, according to a release from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
A Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat assessment found that the dialogues connected leaders with heads of regional organisations, private sector representatives, civil society and dialogue partners. The sessions reinforced the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent as the shared framework for collective action across the region. The United Kingdom announced a USD14 million pledge toward the Pacific Resilience Facility during the gathering, the secretariat release stated.
Parliamentary Library research from the Parliament of Australia places the number of delegates at approximately 2,000 from member states and partner countries. The meeting reviewed progress on the 2050 Strategy ahead of the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference while addressing the Pacific Resilience Facility whose treaty entered into force following ratifications by Australia and Fiji. Pledges stood at US$172 million toward a US$500 million initial target as of May 2026, the backgrounder noted.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat describes the organisation, founded in 1971, as the region’s premier political and economic policy body with 18 members that reaches decisions by consensus. Its work is guided by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, endorsed by leaders in 2019, which addresses challenges such as climate change and geostrategic competition. The Forum coordinates implementation through its secretariat in Fiji and the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific.
Leaders issued the Belau Declaration on urgent and inclusive climate action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, a PerthNow report on the outcomes indicated. They registered concern over a July missile test by China without issuing a condemnation while agreeing to annual police ministers meetings and a two-tier system for external partners. Future hosts were set as New Zealand in 2027, Nauru in 2028, the Marshall Islands in 2029, Vanuatu in 2030 and French Polynesia in 2031.
The Forum communique expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by Palau and commended the preparations that facilitated inclusive discussions. Thirteen member states were represented by heads of state or government while four others participated at ministerial level and one at special envoy level. Noura Al Kaabi’s attendance formed part of broader partner engagement at the 55th meeting.
