What does the splitting of the Pacific Islands Forum mean for Australia?

Early on Tuesday morning, the Pacific Islands Forum split.

Five Micronesian leaders declared they were quitting the organisation, accusing other Pacific Island nations of treating them with neglect and contempt.

It’s a heavy blow for the regional body which sits at the apex of the region’s diplomatic architecture.

But what does it mean for Australia? Is there a way the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) can be patched back together? And what will happen if those efforts fail?

What caused the split?

According to the Micronesian leaders, it’s all about respect.

There are three regional groupings that make up the Pacific Islands region — Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.