by Georgina Maka’a

Pacific Island leaders have endorsed a five-year regional security roadmap and raised concerns over recent unannounced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, according to the communiqué issued at the close of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Koror, Palau.

Reaffirming the Boe Declaration and the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration, leaders stressed that climate change remains the greatest single threat to the region’s security and wellbeing.

Leaders endorsed the Regional Peace and Security Action Plan 2026–2030, which sets out a framework for addressing geopolitical tensions, transnational organised crime, and economic disruption over the next five years.

To strengthen disaster readiness, leaders also approved guidelines for the new Pacific Humanitarian Response Coordination Mechanism.

On maritime security, leaders agreed in principle to the Waqa Moana Concept, aimed at boosting intelligence sharing and maritime surveillance against drug trafficking syndicates, while placing continued emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation programs.

In a move toward deeper institutional integration, leaders agreed to bring regional security and policing bodies formally under the Pacific Islands Forum architecture.

They further highlighted the need to strengthen regional response capabilities, noting ongoing discussions around the proposed Integrated Regional Response Mechanism and Regional Operations Deployment Framework. Leaders also considered a Solomon Islands’ proposal for a Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Regional Security Treaty, agreeing that both initiatives require further consultation before any decision is made.

On the security front, leaders expressed deep concern over recent unannounced ICBM tests that overflew member nations without adequate warning. They called on global powers conducting such tests to provide at least 24 hours’ advance notification in future and to respect regional sovereignty.