Key facts
- Israel's application as a 'Forum Partner' was approved by Pacific leaders.
- Cooperation will focus on water management, agriculture, climate change, innovation, and sustainable development.
- Israel opened an embassy in Fiji earlier this year.
Israel has become a partner of the Pacific Islands Forum, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on X, describing the move as part of the country's broader effort to strengthen ties with the region. The Forum, which had 21 dialogue partners including the United States, China, Japan, and the European Union, approved Israel's application at a meeting in Palau. Israel submitted its request in June during Sa'ar's visit to Fiji. Under the arrangement, Israel will cooperate with the Forum on water management, desalination, agriculture, climate change, innovation, and sustainable development, and they will prepare a joint action plan. Earlier this year, Israel opened an embassy in Fiji, which also serves nine other Pacific island countries. Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Nauru have opened embassies in Jerusalem since the current Israeli government took office. The move comes as Israel seeks to deepen diplomatic support amid mounting international pressure over its conduct of the war in Gaza.