“Cooperation will focus on regional priorities, drawing on Israel’s expertise in water management, desalination, agriculture, climate-change adaptation, innovation, and sustainable development,” as stated in a ministry press release.
When approached, the bloc did not immediately comment. The Pacific Islands Forum, with its 18 members, holds a notable diplomatic interest at a moment when China seeks to broaden its influence in the region, competing with the long-standing powers of the United States and Australia.
The forum counts 30 development partners, including the United States, China, France, and the United Kingdom. Last year, the leaders of the member countries agreed to reform the nature of ties with states outside the region, aiming to elevate cooperation with these partners to the sectoral level, or even to a strategic level.
In this context, Israel becomes a sectoral partner of the Forum, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Israel is presently strengthening its relations with Pacific nations, and the small island nation of Nauru opened its embassy in Jerusalem in September, joining the short list of capitals that have established their representation in this city rather than in Tel Aviv.
Papua New Guinea and Fiji, other members of the Forum, have also established their embassies to Israel in Jerusalem. Samoa, also included in the bloc, is expected to do the same this year.
Israel regards Jerusalem as its indivisible capital, a position not recognized by the international community, except for a handful of countries, including the United States.
