12/10/2026
At AUT Law School, we are proud to be home to a diverse range of expertise that extends beyond legal scholarship and into policy, diplomacy, governance, and international affairs.
One such expert is Senior Lecturer Sione Tekiteki, who brings more than 20 years' experience working across the Pacific in senior political advisory and strategic policy roles. His expertise encompasses public international law, strategic engagement, diplomacy, multilateralism, regional security, and democratic governance. Prior to joining AUT, Sione served as Director of Governance and Engagement at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
In his latest commentary, “Don’t Mistake the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting for Pacific Regionalism,” Sione reflects on the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau and argues that the strength of Pacific regionalism should not be measured solely by summit outcomes or political disagreements. Rather, it should be assessed by the region's enduring capacity to work collectively on shared priorities, including climate diplomacy and international advocacy.
The commentary also raises important questions about the increasing influence of external powers in the Pacific and whether growing numbers of bilateral agreements, strategic partnerships, and funding arrangements may be narrowing the space for Pacific nations to debate and determine their own regional priorities.
Read the full article here: https://devpolicy.org/dont-mistake-the-pacific-islands-forum-leaders-meeting-for-pacific-regionalism/
