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Kiribati announces its withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum, effective immediately, after President Taneti Maamau publishes a letter where he expresses four reasons for doing so, mainly due to the Secretary-General of the Forum never having been from the Micronesian region of the Pacific islands.
2022-07-10

Kiribati confirms its decision to withdraw along with four other countries, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau and Nauru. Despite efforts by multiple countries to have the countries remain in the forum, Kiribati says that there is "no value" in staying if the agreement is not honored in regards to disagreements over the designation of Henry Puna as Secretary-General of the forum.
2021-08-26

The Pacific Islands Forum opens with U.S. President Joe Biden addressing the summit, after being invited by Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. Biden urges the Federated States of Micronesia to rejoin after the country withdrew over disagreements in the election of Henry Puna as the forum's Secretary-General.
2021-08-6

The Palau National Congress passes a joint resolution supporting the decision made by President Surangel Whipps Jr. to leave the Pacific Islands Forum. The National Congress says that the "gentleman's agreement was not honored".
2021-02-8

The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, calls the threat of five nations (Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) withdrawing from the Pacific Islands Forum in case their nominee is not elected as Secretary-General as "premature" and "extreme".
2020-11-1

The Presidents of Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands issue a statement threatening to leave the Pacific Islands Forum if their nominee is not chosen as Secretary-General. Micronesian President David W. Panuelo says the issue is "non-negotiable".
2020-10-4

Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna says he is stepping down in September after nearly a decade in power. His deputy and Finance Minister Mark Brown will take over.
2020-06-17

The Cook Islands Party wins a majority of seats in the Cook Islands general election, defeating the incumbent Democratic Party. Henry Puna will become the next Prime Minister.
2010-11-19

The Pacific Islands Forum meets in Vanuatu and discusses the situation in Fiji.
2010-08-5