William Terite: What's the point of the Pacific Islands Forum?

What’s the point of the Pacific Islands Forum? I ask that genuinely, and not facetiously.

Because every time it rolls around, I dread the inevitable headlines that it produces.

There's always drama, tension, and diplomatic theatrics.

And true to form, this year’s meeting in Palau has delivered plenty of all three so far.

Despite repeated calls for Pacific unity from the Forum’s new chair, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, unity seems more like a buzzword than a reality.

Five leaders aren’t even at the meeting.

Kiribati’s President pulled out at the last minute. Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister had to return home after a no-confidence motion was lodged against him. Samoa and Vanuatu’s Prime Ministers are also absent, while Fiji’s Prime Minister stayed home to deal with domestic affairs.

Then there’s Taiwan.

China has warned there will be “consequences” after Taiwan attended the Forum’s opening ceremony, calling it inappropriate.

It prompted a stinging rebuke by Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying the Pacific Islands Forum determines what happens, not any other country.

China wants influence. The United States wants influence. Australia and New Zealand want influence.

You can't make this stuff up, it's like a bad reality dating show unfolding before our very own eyes.

Need I remind you, The Pacific Islands Forum was set up back in 1971, to give island nations a political space where they were directly in charge of regional decisions.

It's not to provide a stage for bigger powers to compete for influence.