Forum Leaders Reaffirm Indonesia’s Sovereignty but Keep West Papua on Regional Agenda

The plight of West Papua remained a delicate yet persistent theme at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara this week, with Forum Leaders carefully balancing regional solidarity and international diplomacy.

In the 54th PIFLM Communiqué, leaders reaffirmed the Pacific Islands Forum’s recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua (Papua). 

At the same time, they recalled Indonesia’s 2018 invitation for a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights mission to the region – a mission that has yet to materialise.

To maintain momentum, Forum Leaders tasked the Forum Secretariat to work with Jakarta on a proposed visit by a delegation of Forum Leaders’ Envoys in 2026, to be undertaken in consultation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). 

This marks the first time Leaders have set a tentative timeline for direct engagement, reflecting growing calls from Melanesian countries and civil society organisations (CSOs) for greater scrutiny of human rights conditions in the territory.

The communiqué’s language reflects the Forum’s cautious balancing act: acknowledging Indonesia’s sovereignty while leaving the door open for greater regional oversight. 

For many Pacific nations – particularly MSG members such as Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – West Papua is not only a human rights issue but also a matter of Melanesian solidarity.

Civil society groups welcomed the continued inclusion of West Papua in the Forum agenda but urged Leaders to ensure that next year’s envoy visit is substantive, transparent, and inclusive of Papuan voices.

However, questions about whether West Papua could gain observer status within the Forum itself remain unresolved. Asked about the issue, Forum Chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele responded cautiously.

“Relating to whether West Papua will become an observer, at this stage, as I’ve said, the partnership policy has been adopted, but the details, Troika will be working on the details, going forward,” said the PIFLM Chair, PM Manele.