The growing interest among Pacific Island Leaders in securing visa-free access to Australia and New Zealand is consistent with the vision set out in the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which underscores the importance of deeper regional integration and cooperation.
In 2025, Solomon Islands presented a country paper titled “Regional Integration – Free Movement of People in the Pacific Region” to the Forum Officials Committee. The paper called for greater consideration of “opportunities and related issues of free movement of our people that will advance our social and economic growth and sustainability,” reinforcing Solomon Islands’ commitment to advancing regional mobility as a key pillar of integration.
At the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, in Honiara in September last year, Leaders welcomed discussions on proposals to enhance regional mobility through the freer movement of people. Leaders recognized that mobility is a fundamental prerequisite to meaningful and deeper economic integration and regional solidarity, enabling Pacific peoples to live, work, study, and maintain stronger cultural and family ties across the region.
This position was reiterated by Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, during a Roundtable meeting with the Hon. Amanda Rishworth, MP, Australia’s Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Pacific and Timor-Leste Heads of Mission in Canberra last week.
“It is a fundamental prerequisite to meaningful and deeper economic integration and regional solidarity, as it enables people to live, work, study and maintain stronger cultural and family ties across the region,” Mr. Sisilo said.
