Crown prince of Tonga, Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, speaks at the opening of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

Youth choir members sing at the opening of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, from left, Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters attend the opening of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa, speaks at the opening of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

Drummers perform at the opening of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

Leaders assemble for a photo at the opening of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the opening of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

Preparation are made before the start of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

Leaders pose for a photo at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, August 26, 2024. (Ben Mckay/AAP Image via AP)

Cook Islands Prime Minister, and outgoing Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mark Brown speaks at the opening of the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)