Will's Word: Can PIF's discussions deliver tangible results?

This a transcript from Will's Word on Monday, 2 September:

Now it’s time for Will’s Word…

The recent Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga aimed to address key issues facing the region, but what did it really accomplish?

The forum agreed to send a Pacific-led mission to New Caledonia, as requested by its government. This is a positive step, but it depends on cooperation between New Caledonia and France to succeed.

Australia committed to setting up a police training facility and a support group for Pacific nations. This could boost regional security, but we'll need to see how effectively it is put into practice.

The forum emphasised the importance of tackling climate change. They backed the Pacific Resilience Facility, which aims to raise $500 million by 2026 to help with climate issues. However, it’s uncertain how well this fund will be managed and if it will meet its goals.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised the forum’s efforts but noted that more clarity is needed on the management of the new climate fund. He also mentioned that New Zealand's stance on oil and gas exploration wasn’t a major topic at the forum.

In short, while the forum made important commitments, the real success will depend on how well these plans are executed and whether they make a tangible difference in the Pacific region.

That’s Will’s Word.