Henry Puna [Source: RNZ]

The leaders collectively expressed disappointment with the appointment process, which overlooked the Micronesian candidate Gerald Zackios.

They say a gentleman’s agreement to rotate the Forum’s top position among Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia was not honoured when a majority of Forum leaders chose Henry Puna of the Cook Islands.

Their departure reduces the Forum to 12 members, all of them in the South Pacific.