The Solomon Islands government has decided to exclude the United States, China, and Taiwan from the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum meeting scheduled for September 2025. This move, supported by Palau, is seen as an effort to avoid diplomatic tensions that could arise from singling out Taiwan for exclusion. The decision effectively locks out these major regional players from the Pacific's top political gathering until at least 2026, as the Solomon Islands Prime Minister has called for a pause on the Forum's dialogue partner meetings. This development marks a notable shift in the dynamics of Pacific regional diplomacy, with the Solomon Islands taking a leading role in managing the Forum's membership and engagement policies.