Cleared by Leaders in Retreat_1900hrs_Unofficial Final
FIFTY-FIFTH PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM
Koror, Republic of Palau
31 August – 3 September 2026 FORUM COMMUNIQUÉ
NEW CALEDONIA
21. Leaders welcomed the update on the recent political development provided by New Caledonia. Leaders reaffirmed the Forum's continued support to New Caledonia, and Leaders further reaffirmed the Forum's attentive role in continuing to engage with New Caledonia on its political, economic and social situation and on monitoring the self-determination process in New Caledonia. 22. Leaders recalled the process of self-determination in New Caledonia and further reaffirmed the support for sustained inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders towards a peaceful political transition. Leaders noted the outcomes of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Special Session convened in Koror on 31 August 2026.
WEST PAPUA (PAPUA)
23. Leaders, recognising Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua (Papua), called on all parties to protect and uphold the human rights of all residents. Leaders recalled the decisions of Leaders in 2023 and 2025 on the appointment of Special Envoys, including the 2018 invitation by Indonesia to the UN Human Rights Commissioner and agreed to facilitate a dialogue with Indonesia on areas of shared interest for mutual understanding. Leaders further agreed to facilitate a mission with interested Leaders, in consultation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat, and report back to Forum Leaders in 2027.
2) Police probe shooting of Freeport Indonesia mining convoy in Papua
September 4, 2026 20:56 GMT+700
Timika, C Papua (ANTARA) - Authorities are investigating a shooting targeting a convoy operated by mining company PT Freeport Indonesia in Central Papua province, officials said Friday.
The incident occurred Wednesday around 8:25 a.m. local time when a 15-vehicle convoy—comprising 13 buses, a tow truck, and a box truck—was traveling along a mining road from Mile Point 68 toward Timika, the capital of Mimika District.
Gunfire struck three vehicles, including two buses and a tow truck, near Mile Point 60 in the Tembagapura area.
No casualties or injuries were reported.
Joint personnel from the regional police and the Damai Cartenz security task force conducted a crime-scene investigation, recovering vehicle glass fragments, metal debris, and three 5.56-millimeter bullet casings near the location.
"The suspected perpetrators are still under investigation," said Yusuf Sutejo, head of the public information unit for the 2026 Damai Cartenz Operation, adding that authorities have not yet identified a responsible group.
Law enforcement has secured all evidence as investigations continue into the motive behind the attack.
Translator: Marselinus N, Rahmad Nasution Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
3) TPNPB Yahukimo command declares national mourning after four members killed
News Desk September 4, 2026
Jayapura, Jubi — The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Regional Defence Command (Kodap) XVI Yahukimo has declared a period of national mourning after four of its members were killed in a gunfight with a joint Indonesian military and police team in Gunung Street, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua Province, on 1 September 2026.
TPNPB-OPM (Free Papua Movement) spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the four men were members of the Edensawi Battalion.
“TPNPB Central Command management has received an official report from TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Operations Commander Major Kopitua Heluka from the battlefield in Yahukimo, officially announcing national mourning to all parties following the deaths of four TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukumo members,” Sambom said in an electronic message on Thursday (03/09/2026).
Sambom identified those killed as Marsel Helembo, 21; Eris Hubusa, 18; Alpius, also known as Moso Sama, 22; and Ampol, also known as Ampuluak Yual, 21.
“We officially announce national mourning to all TPNPB forces across the 36 Kodap commands in Tanah Papua and to Papuan independence fighters wherever they are following the deaths of four TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo members from the Edensawi Battalion in the fighting in Yahukimo on 1 September 2026,” he said.
Sambom said the TPNPB also expressed its gratitude to the parents, relatives and families of the four men for allowing them to join the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo forces.
“We also thank everyone who transported the bodies of the TPNPB members from Dekai Regional Hospital for their burial ceremony in Yahukimo on Wednesday, 2 September 2026,” Sambom said.
The gunfight between TPNPB members and Indonesian military and police personnel occurred after the Damai Cartenz-2026 Task Force and Yahukimo Police raided a house allegedly being used as a hideout by the group on Tuesday (01/09/2026).
According to police, the raid was linked to several alleged criminal offences committed by a number of people over several years. Those individuals were reportedly on Indonesia’s wanted list.
“The operation was part of law enforcement efforts against individuals suspected of being involved in a number of criminal offences in the Yahukimo region,” said Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, head of public relations for the Damai Cartenz-2026 Operation, on Wednesday (02/09/2026). (*)
4) Baros villagers in Sorong Regency struggle to access clean water
News Desk September 4, 2026
Sorong, Jubi — Residents of Baros village in Klasafet District, Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province, are struggling to access clean water after the flow of water from several wells — their main source of clean water — declined.
Some wells have even dried up during a prolonged dry season that has affected the area for several months.
Baros village head Ever Krimadi said many residents’ wells run dry during the dry season.
“This has become a serious problem because people still need water every day. Clean water is a basic necessity,” Krimadi said on Wednesday (3 September 2026).
He called on the Sorong Regency Government to help residents meet their clean water needs.
“People need clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing. Therefore, access to clean water must be a priority for the government,” he said.
Krimadi said both the regency and provincial governments should build clean water infrastructure for people in villages, including Baros.
He said access to clean water should be made a development priority.
“We need clean water infrastructure that can actually be used by the community. The government needs to come and see the conditions in the village firsthand and assess what people need,” he said.
He said any clean water infrastructure should have an adequate and reliable water source and be capable of operating over the long term.
He also called for clear maintenance systems to ensure residents do not face another clean water crisis in the future.
Krimadi said providing communities with reliable access to clean water would also improve their health and quality of life.
“We are asking the government to pay attention to our need for clean water infrastructure. This is a basic community need. We hope the regency, provincial and national governments will take this issue seriously,” Krimadi said.
He said the government should urgently identify villages struggling with access to clean water and build infrastructure capable of withstanding dry seasons, so residents do not have to face the same problem every year. (*)
1) UN human rights commissioner visit to West Papua on track, says Indonesia
Johnny Blades
Indonesia's government has indicated that a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua is on track.
This comes as Melanesian Sperarhead Group (MSG) countries agreed to push Jakarta to facilitate the visit, after years of apparent inaction.
A request for the visit was made by Pacific Islands Forum countries back in 2019, but it has still not gone ahead, despite ongoing human rights violations in Papua.
A statement issued by MSG states from this week's Pacific Forum leaders meeting in Palau appeared to reflect frustrations that the visit has still not been facilitated.
The statement said that if a visit by the UN Commissioner's office was not facilitated by Indonesia in order for a report on human rights issues in West Papua to be produced by their next summit in 2027, then Indonesia's associate member status in the MSG will be reviewed.
The full members of the MSG are: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanak Movement. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has observer status at the MSG, and Indonesia has associate member status.
'Constructive discussion'
In a response to RNZ Pacific following the statement, a spokesperson from Indonesia's embassy in New Zealand said there was "no discussion to review our membership within the MSG".
"We are always in constructive discussion on the issues deemed important by other members of the MSG, and we can also confirm that the said proposed visit is on the right path.
"As you may have aware that on July 2025, we already facilitate a visit from UN Special Rapporteur (for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert Kwokow) to Papua," the spokesperson said.
"We can agree that this shows good intention from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to the advancement of prosperity of all Indonesians."
Ongoing conflict in Papua
The long-running conflict between the West Papua Liberation Army and Indonesian military forces in Papua has escalated in recent months, causing mass displacement of some Papua village communities in the region around Highland Papua province.
In the latest reported violence, human rights workers told RNZ Pacific that four members of the Liberation Army had been arrested and killed by Indonesian forces in Yahukimo Regency in recent days, and another member seriously injured, while six civilians were also arrested during the incident.
The spokesperson for the embassy said that during the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner assessed "that force must not be used to pursue territorial claims or political demands".
"The sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity, and non-interference remain the foundation of the international order; respect for international law and the principles of UN Charter is non-negotiable."
The spokesperson said Indonesia supports "a cooperative and non-confrontational approach to human rights issues, based on mutual respect and national ownership”.
2) Rabuka, Marape to lead Pacific mission on West Papua human rights
Mission to be facilitated with interested leaders and MSG Secretariat
Friday 04 September 2026 | 14:00
Ivamere Nataro-Tunidau I
vamere Nataro-Tunidau Investigative Reporter
Pacific Island leaders have recognised Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua while urging all parties to protect and uphold the human rights of all residents.
The position was agreed to by leaders as the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau, ended yesterday.
Leaders had agreed in 2023 in the Cook Islands and again last year in Solomon Islands to appoint a special envoy to facilitate Indonesia's 2018 invitation to the UN Human Rights Commissioner to engage in dialogue with Indonesia and conduct a fact-finding mission in West Papua.
The special envoy is to be led by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his Papua New Guinea counterpart, James Marape.
In a comprehensive communique, leaders further agreed to facilitate a mission involving interested leaders, in consultation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat, and to report back to Forum leaders in 2027.
HIV and transnational crime
Pacific leaders have committed to a collective approach to combating transnational organised crime, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon saying the issue is contributing to concerns over HIV across the region.
“That's very much the focus of us collectively working together to push back on the challenge we see around methamphetamine, particularly, which is then contributing obviously into HIV across the region,” he said, as the incoming chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Mr Luxon said the establishment of regular Pacific Policing Ministers meetings was an important step forward.
“We have instituted a Pacific Policing Ministers regular meeting, which I think is a fantastic step forward. The other part of it is what we call JHOPS, which is actually you know the joint heads of Pacific security coming together as well from each of the countries, particularly around customs, policing, defence, where we can share intelligence, particularly around drugs.”
China missile test
Leaders, except for the Republic of Naoero, also registered their concern over China's intercontinental ballistic missile test in July, which flew over several Forum members without adequate notice.
Leaders called on countries undertaking similar missile tests in the region to provide advance notification of at least 24 hours, in accordance with international practice.
They emphasised the importance of all states conducting ICBM tests doing so consistently with the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration and the Treaty of Rarotonga, while respecting the sovereignty of Forum members.
1) Pacific leaders urged to act on Kanaky and West Papua
Friday, 4 September 2026 • ByTe Aniwaniwa Paterson
Pacific Islands Forum leaders are under pressure to do more for Kanak people and West Papua, with advocates demanding stronger action on decolonisation, human rights and self-determination.
Kanak communities are still living with the trauma of the deadly unrest that swept Kanaky in 2024, while West Papuan communities face reports of escalating military violence and displacement.
At a caucus on the margins of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which concludes today in Palau, the Melanesian Spearhead Group pressed for accelerated decolonisation in Kanaky and renewed regional and United Nations human rights missions to West Papua.
Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu, who led the country’s delegation, said Kanaky and West Papua were among its key priorities. He said Vanuatu wanted West Papua returned to the Forum agenda and would seek strong regional support for Kanaky’s decolonisation.
Kanaky, New Caledonia, remains on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories under French administration.
The unrest that began in May 2024 left 14 people dead, hundreds injured and communities facing lasting trauma and economic hardship, according to a statement from Pacific civil society groups.
The MSG has now approved a roadmap supporting the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front, known as the FLNKS.
After being briefed by FLNKS president Christian Tein, leaders called for a new decolonisation process that is “Kanaky in design and Melanesian in spirit”.
They also supported a renewed Pacific Islands Forum Troika mission to Kanaky to help prevent further violence.
Pacific civil society groups said the human cost of the unrest had been overshadowed by discussion of economic losses and reconstruction.
They called for greater regional monitoring of humanitarian and detention conditions, the return of Kanak people transferred to prisons in metropolitan France and an official United Nations visiting mission.
Scrutiny sought in West Papua
In West Papua, conflict between Indonesian security forces and armed independence groups has forced communities from their homes, while access for international observers remains restricted.
The MSG reaffirmed its longstanding support for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit the Papuan provinces.
It also offered additional representation to a Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Envoys mission expected to take place in 2026.
It remains unclear whether Indonesia has agreed to the mission, when it would take place, or whether the envoys would have unrestricted access to affected communities.
United Liberation Movement for West Papua executive member Paula Makabory said the humanitarian situation had reached a “critical juncture”.
Her organisation has alleged an escalation in extrajudicial killings and the use of drones and landmines in civilian areas.
It pointed to a reported drone strike in Intan Jaya in June that allegedly killed an elderly Papuan woman and seriously injured two others, and the reported fatal shooting of a young man in Yahukimo.
Makabory called for independent investigations, an end to military operations in civilian areas and unrestricted access for the United Nations.
“The indigenous people of West Papua are an integral part of the Melanesian family,” she said.
“Their ongoing suffering directly weakens the security and solidarity of the entire Pacific region.”
Indonesia has previously said its security operations in Papua are necessary to protect communities from armed groups and are conducted in accordance with human rights principles and international law.
Te Ao Māori News has contacted the French and Indonesian embassies in Aotearoa for a response.
2) Dozens protest against PAPEDA Summit 2026 in Sorong
News Desk September 3, 2026
Sorong, Jubi — At least 15 people staged a peaceful protest at a hotel in Sorong, Southwest Papua Province, where the PAPEDA Summit 2026 is being held on Wednesday (02/09/2026).
The protesters said they opposed the summit, which is taking place from 2 to 4 September 2026.
The demonstration began at around 4pm Papua time. Protesters held banners calling for the PAPEDA Summit to be dissolved, with one reading: “Dissolve the PAPEDA Summit. The PAPEDA Summit is a new weapon for national strategic projects.”
Another banner read: “Papua is not a carbon market.” The protesters also chanted, “Reject the PAPEDA Summit.”
During the protest, Yosepus Nauw said the PAPEDA Summit did not represent the interests of Papua’s Indigenous peoples.
He said Indigenous communities were currently fighting largely on their own to protect their forests and customary lands.
“They have been campaigning about the Indigenous people’s economy from the beginning until today. They campaign about protecting our land and forests, but today our forests and land are disappearing. Our forests are being destroyed,” Nauw said.
“Dissolve the PAPEDA Summit 2026. Our land is not for companies. Don’t deceive Indigenous people,” he said.
The PAPEDA Summit is a major gathering involving stakeholders from Papua’s six provinces and will run until 4 September 2026.
The summit emerged from a series of meetings involving governors in Manokwari, West Papua Province, and Timika, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province. It was later followed by a meeting involving more than 50 civil society organisations in Jayapura, Papua Province, in March 2026.
The forum features 100 speakers across five plenary sessions and 15 parallel sessions, with 1,030 participants expected to attend.
Nauw said local and national governments, as well as civil society organisations, should instead focus on discussing the protection of Indigenous communities.
He said Indigenous people had become victims of corporate investment and armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and Indonesian security forces.
“The [PAPEDA Summit] has no benefit. We, the Indigenous people, are the victims. What do you mean by sustainable development? What development are you talking about?” he said.
“Indigenous people who own the forests and land have been shot in Maybrat. Are they stones? And then you say this is for Indigenous people — which Indigenous people are you talking about? Indigenous people are being shot. These are the people who own the land, forests and water,” Nauw said.
PAPEDA Summit 2026 organising committee chairman Julian Kelly Kambu said he respected those who opposed the event.
He said the summit had involved Indigenous communities from across Papua.
“We will listen to their aspirations. If our friends have concerns or proposals, they are welcome to put them forward. There is nothing hidden. We can oversee this together,” Kambu told Jubi on Wednesday.
“If there are specific points, they can be raised. If people say this is not for Indigenous communities, almost all the participants here are Indigenous people. They have come here bringing their local potential and knowledge,” he said.
Kambu said the PAPEDA Summit was intended as a forum for discussion, bringing together concepts, ideas and proposals and connecting government policy with the problems faced by Indigenous communities in Papua.
He said the gathering also provided an opportunity for Papua’s regional governments to evaluate their development policies affecting Indigenous communities.
“All of the participants are Indigenous people. This is a discussion space to talk about blue carbon and green carbon, leadership and policy, the environment, social issues and the economy,” Kambu said.
“This is a space where we can discuss and collect concepts, ideas and proposals. Going forward, we can make changes. If there are important matters that need to be proposed, including policy changes, our friends can raise them through their actions,” he said.
As of 6.09pm Papua time, protesters were still at the site of the event.
Police and Indonesian military personnel maintained a heavy security presence around the demonstration. (*)
3) Melanesian countries to review Indonesia's status at MSG if no action on West Papua visit
Johnny Blades
Melanesian countries are pushing Indonesia to facilitate a long-requested visit to West Papua by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights or have its membership in their regional bloc reviewed.
A request for the visit was made by Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) countries back in 2019, but it has still not gone ahead, despite ongoing human rights violations in Indonesian-ruled Papua region, known internationally as West Papua.
Frustration has built up among the Melanesian countries in the intervening years that Jakarta has not yet allowed the visit to take place.
Now the members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) say that if a visit by the Commissioner's office is not facilitated by Indonesia in order for a report on human rights issues in West Papua to be produced by their next summit in 2027, then Indonesia's associate member status in the MSG will be reviewed.
The full members of the MSG are: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanak Movement. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has observer status at the MSG, and Indonesia has associate member status.
The MSG has issued a statement from the current PIF leaders summit in Palau, saying Melanesian leaders "urged continued engagement with Indonesia to facilitate access by the end of Indonesia's term as President of the Human Rights Council on 31 December 2026".
MSG members requested the bloc's current chair, Fiji, to write to Indonesia to allow the visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua to produce a report on human rights issues in Papua, and to have the report delivered for consideration at the next MSG summit in 2027.
Leaders "affirmed that if these actions are not undertaken the Associate Member status shall be reviewed accordingly at the next MSG Summit in 2027".
They also requested MSG member country embassies in Jakarta to "support appropriate follow-up and engagement on this matter".
Furthermore, the members are considering a proposal for MSG leaders to meet Indonesia's president Prabowo Subianto on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York last this month.
Since taking office last year, Prabowo has overseen an increase in Indonesian military deployments to West Papua where a long-running conflict with the West Papua Liberation Army has escalated in recent months, causing mass displacement of some Papua village communities in the regtion around Highland Papua province.
