Fiji, Aug. 28 -- Pacific Islands Forum leaders will meet next week against a more challenging regional backdrop, with geopolitics, transnational crime, economic pressures, resilience and regional integration among the key issues demanding collective action.

Forum Deputy Secretary General Esala Nayasi told a regional media training workshop in Palau that the Pacific had faced a particularly demanding year, with the list of issues before leaders longer than usual.

"Geopolitics and the shifting political landscape in the region are one that we cannot turn a blind eye to," Nayasi said.

He said crises were further intensifying challenges faced by Pacific countries, communities and vulnerable people.

"There are issues that our countries are...