Pacific Islands Forum, Tonga Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis
An expert in Pacific politics says regional leaders will have their dance cards full at the Forum summit in Tonga next week.
Massey University security studies associate professor Anna Powles says this is because this year will be the first time since the pandemic that dialogue partners like the United States and China get to meet face to face with Forum leaders.
Ms Powles says some of the top agenda items will be the ongoing unrest in New Caledonia, Japan's Fukushima treated nuclear wastewater release and Climate Change with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres making a special appearance.
RNZ Pacific's Koroi Hawkins spoke with Anna Powles on Friday as Pacific leaders and their delegations started arriving in the Kingdom.
