Another predictable outcome of the 40th meeting of the forum was the call to action on climate change.

'The very viability of certain of the island states is at stake,' forum host Rudd said.

'The conversations we've had in these last few days have reinforced the absolute urgency of acting on climate change. We cannot simply afford to wait.'

Among the 16 forum members Australia and New Zealand are the developed countries that have set targets for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.