The meeting was originally scheduled for 4–7 August 2020 but was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before it was further shifted to its current July 2022 date.[5] A high-level political dialogue was held earlier on 7 June 2022 between several Pacific Island countries which addressed China's economic and security deal and the PIF leadership crisis.[6] Work to reunite the Forum were to formally conclude during the meeting. Increased geopolitical tensions between the United States and China also saw a surge of diplomatic visits to Fiji and the Forum.[7] The Forum Foreign Ministers meetings which precedes the 51st Pacific Islands Forum was held on 8 July 2022.[8]
Several issues were discussed during the meeting including the climate crisis. The Forum also recognized the escalating geopolitical competition between China and the United States and its allies in the Pacific region.[9]
Prime Minister of AustraliaAnthony Albanese and Prime Minister of New ZealandJacinda Ardern, heads of government of the two largest participating countries in the Forum attended the meeting.[10][11] The United States, China and dialogue partners of the Forum were excluded from attending the meeting to ensure that "Pacific leaders had space to resolve issues and decide on their key priorities without having to simultaneously navigate meetings with powerful outside players jostling for influence".[12] Nevertheless, Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris addressed the Forum virtually on 13 July 2022 which was seen as a blow to China which was not granted the same privilege.[13]
The Forum leaders endorsed the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The strategy outlined ten commitments across seven focus areas which is important for sustainable development:[17]
^Leaders of the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu did not attend the Forum and sent their respective cabinet ministers instead.
^Journalist, Praneeta Prakash Multimedia. "Fiji to host 51st PIF meeting". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
Fiji[1]
