Oceania is a vast geographical region in the southwestern Pacific composed of thousands of islands divided into four culturally distinct subregions: Australia and New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Geographically dominating the region, Australia is also its largest economic and security actor. The Pacific Islands Forum is the region’s premier political and economic organization, comprised of 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Oceania is increasingly seen as an important geostrategic region among mounting great power competition and is at the forefront of the battle against climate change. 

ASPI’s analysis of Oceania illuminates the region’s position in relation to the United States, China, and its neighboring countries in Asia and seeks to build an understanding of the complex challenges faced by the region through research projects, expert commentary, reports, and events.