Region: Fuel crisis assistance likely to remain bilateral

Around 23 May, during a virtual Special Session, Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers activated a regional response mechanism to manage fuel supply disruptions caused by the ongoing US-Iran conflict. The ministers endorsed a taskforce to assess fuel stocks, coordinate contingency planning, and examine options for collective fuel procurement. Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, confirmed Australia and New Zealand would advise on fuel audits and supply coordination. However, PIF Secretary-General Baron Waqa stated that the regional arrangements did not include a regional purchasing mechanism as originally proposed by former Solomon Islands PM Manele. Baron Waqa also highlighted discussions with the United States military to provide tankers to deliver Pacific purchased fuel should primary delivery methods become disrupted. Bilateral assistance, such as budgetary support to Fiji and technical assistance to Tuvalu, also continue to be announced.

Assessment: The PIF regional response mechanism will likely provide early warning of fuel shortages and policy advice to forum members, but quantitative support - financial, power infrastructure, and fuel delivery - is highly likely to continue to be delivered bilaterally.

Sources: Shalveen Chand, “Samoa and Pacific endorse regional response on fuel,” Samoa Observer, 24 May 2026; Stephen Dziedzic, “Pacific Islands leaders endorse fuel taskforce plan amid concerns about oil supply,” RNZ, 25 May 2026.