Rick Houenipwela says the 55th Pacific Islands Forum in Palau will operate under an open invitation arrangement
The upcoming 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Palau will operate under an open invitation arrangement for invited participants, according to Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Rick Houenipwela.
Responding to questions on the participation of external and Dialogue Partners, the Chair of the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting said the summit would remain open to invited participants during a media press conference in Suva.
“Excuse me, I wasn’t very conversant with what happened last year.
“But I understand this year it’s going to be open,” he said.
The comments follow regional discussions during the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands regarding arrangements for external engagement and the participation of Dialogue Partners.
At the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara in 2025, arrangements relating to Dialogue Partner participation, including attendance at the Leaders’ Retreat, drew attention as Forum members considered approaches to partner engagement.
Meanwhile Rick Houenipwela said, “Well, it’s already an open invitation to everybody.
“ So, that’s what’s happening.”
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is scheduled to take place in Palau from 30 August to 4 September 2026, bringing together Pacific leaders and invited partners from across the region.
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