Pacific leaders call for peace amid Middle East tensions as Melanesia eyes regional solidarity

Pacific leaders have voiced their worries about the ongoing political unrest around the world, especially the conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The concerns were shared during a meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in Fiji this week. The meeting brought together heads of governments and representatives from several Pacific island nations for its 23rd Leaders Summit.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape says the group discussed the rising tensions in the Middle East and noted that Pacific leaders are closely monitoring the conflict.

While he did not share specifics about the discussions, Marape says they know what's happening.

Marape was joined in Suva by the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, the FLNKS Representative and former President of the Congress of New Caledonia, Roch Wamytan, Vice Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, and Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy.

The MSG meeting at the Bose Levu Vakaturaga/Great Council of Chiefs Complex symbolised regional unity as Fiji took over the chairmanship of the group from Vanuatu.

According to the Post Courier newspaper, Marape stated that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran uses advanced technology, including long-range missiles.

"In the context of MSG, the leaders want peace always. And the Pacific remains friends to all, enemies to none."

Marape also warned that the impact of these conflicts could lead to rising oil and gas prices affecting PNG.

From left: Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Papua New Guinea PM James Marape, Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka, Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat, and the FLNKS Representative and former President of the Congress of New Caledonia, Roch Wamytan in Suva on Tuesday 24 June, 2025. Photo/Facebook/Fiji government

Recently, Iran and Israel have engaged in missile exchanges, and US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

During the Suva Summit, Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed gratitude for hosting the MSG meeting and taking on the leadership role.

He thanked Napat for guiding the group through a tough period, which included a major earthquake that struck Vanuatu last year.

Rabuka praised the region's resilience during difficulties and reaffirmed Fiji's commitment to continuing the progress made under Vanuatu's leadership.

A Fijian traditional welcome ceremony is held for the visiting heads of governments and representatives. Photo/Facebook/Fiji govt

He called on the MSG countries to stay united in these challenging times, to support one another, and to strive for peace and prosperity in Melanesia. He looks forward to working closely with other MSG leaders to make the region a place of opportunities.

In a statement, Napat described Rabuka's return to leadership as both symbolic and historic, reminding everyone that Fiji was part of forming the MSG under Rabuka's leadership back in 1997.

"Let this handover not be an end, but a renewal, a reaffirmation of our solemn duty to our peoples, our cultures, and our future.”

After the meeting, Rabuka had separate discussions with the leaders about improving relationships with Fiji.

Former New Zealand National MP Anae Arthur Anae from Sāmoa meets Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the opening of the MSG Leaders Summit in Suva. Photo/Fscebook/Fiji govt

Fijian officials report that Manele reaffirmed the Solomon Islands’ commitment to working with Fiji to deepen cooperation on important issues like trade, climate change, and regional security.

Rabuka also met with Wamytan, who welcomed Fiji's continued support toward the FLNKS and the aspirations of the Kanak people in New Caledonia.

In May 2024, tensions flared in the capital Noumēa when pro-independence supporters clashed with French security forces following controversial electoral reforms announced by France's President Emmanuel Macron. The unrest resulted in 13 people killed, hundreds injured, and millions of dollars in damage to buildings, businesses, and infrastructure.

Wamytan reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful dialogue and finding a negotiated solution for New Caledonia's future, including their efforts at the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24).

Representatives of the Melanesian community during the MSG welcome ceremony in Suva this week. Photo/Facebook/Fiji govt

He sought to strengthen bilateral ties with Fiji for cultural exchanges and economic development as part of integrating more into the Pacific region.

Meanwhile, Australia has stepped in to help PNG diplomats and citizens caught in the Middle East. PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko confirmed to RNZ last week that a group was to be evacuated through Jordan. Six diplomats were in lockdown at the PNG Embassy in Jerusalem awaiting extraction.

In a related situation, a flight for Australians stranded in Israel was cancelled due to missile attacks, marking the second day in a row that repatriation efforts were halted because of rocket fire, the ABC reports. A bus that was supposed to take travellers across the border to Jordan was cancelled the day before.

Watch the Fiji Prime Minister host a dinner for the heads of government and representatives who attended the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders Summit in Suva this week.

New Zealand is also offering help to Pacific islanders in the Middle East. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says they will assist where possible. They emphasised that citizens from the Cook Islands, Tokelau, and Niue have the same rights as New Zealanders.

Those from these countries in Iran or Israel are advised to follow government guidance and leave the area if it’s safe. Auckland Airport is urging international travellers heading to the Middle East to stay in touch with their airlines, especially during these troubling times. A flight from Auckland to Doha operated by Qatar Airlines was also redirected to Oman.

Secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa, far left, and members of the diplomatic corps. Photo/Facebook/Fiji govt