Baron Waqa speaking at the Pacific National and Regional Security Conference in Suva on Monday, 24 June. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum
The secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum has confirmed a cyber security attack against its Fiji-based offices.
Baron Waqa said he could confirm "there was indeed a cyber security incident here this year".
He said the threat had been isolated but his team does not yet know who was behind it.
"The forensic report is being finalized, and until it is finalized, we don't know who the threat actor is.
"[It] occurred early in the year, around about February, and they've been working hard, basically around the clock, to try and resolve the problem."
The secretary-general said there are accusations China is to blame, but he stressed these are accusations and he will wait for the final report before making any assertions.
He said PIF's systems are now safe, secure and operational.
"The threat actor has been isolated."
Waqa told the media in his monthly press briefing the region is facing a number of transnational security challenges, including "an increase in drug trafficking and cyber crimes".
China denies it was involved.
Media outlet Global Times is reporting China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning as saying the claim that it was involved in a cyber attack on the Forum is "politically motivated disinformation".
Mao said the claim aims to drive a wedge between regional countries and China.
"We heard several, several accusations, but the position of [the] forum will be the final report, and at this stage, we want to keep away from accusations of any country or any offenders," Waqa said.
When questioned whether or not the final report will be made public, he said:
"Once that report is done, we will have to furnish it back to all our members first, and how we proceed after that will depend on their decision."
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Waqa was asked by Japanese media if the controversial Taiwan section of the PIF communique was agreed by all members; and if not, how it ended up in the final document.
Waqa said the leaders' retreat is "highly confidential".
"I cannot discuss anything other than just to say there was discussion [and leave it at that].
"It's up to the leaders, what they decide afterwards, what goes on the communique."