The island nation of Kiribati has withdrawn from the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) over a leadership dispute and what it described as ¡°reluctance¡± by the regional intergovernmental organization to address concerns by Micronesian countries.
The decision, which is likely to deal a blow to Pacific regional unity, came ahead of a four-day PIF leaders¡¯ meeting in Fiji¡¯s capital, Suva, where the now 17-member body began talks on Monday on several important issues, including climate change, economic challenges and Beijing¡¯s push for closer economic and security ties.
Kiribati is one of five Micronesian countries that had announced their intention to leave the forum after losing a controversial vote in February 2021 that resulted in a Polynesian, former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, assuming the key post of PIF secretary-general.
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