Pacific Islands Forum diplomacy: Pacific leaders, including Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi, are heading to Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting as geopolitics, transnational crime, and pressure on regional unity dominate the agenda. Realm ties and coordination: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met the Realm leaders in Auckland ahead of Palau, stressing strong links with Niue, the Cook Islands, and Tokelau amid earlier trust strains over security choices. Security and resilience priorities: Forum Deputy Secretary-General Esala Nayasi says leaders will focus on economic pressures, resilience, regional integration, and leadership challenges that countries can’t tackle alone. Energy security focus: Energy security is expected to be a key theme, with reliance on fossil fuels highlighted by recent Middle East conflict—oil remains the backbone of Pacific energy for many states, raising costs and vulnerability for small economies.