The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is set to convene its 53rd Leaders Meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, from August 26-30, 2024. This crucial gathering brings together leaders from 18 nations to address a multitude of pressing issues facing the region. As the Pacific grapples with what Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has termed a “polycrisis,” the summit aims to move beyond policy deliberations and focus on implementing concrete solutions. With climate change, human security, drug trafficking, and geopolitical competition at the forefront, the Pacific Islands Forum seeks to chart a course for a more resilient and stable future for its member states.
Climate Change and the Pacific Resilience Facility
Climate change remains the most significant existential threat to the Pacific Islands, with many nations facing the prospect of becoming uninhabitable by mid-century due to rising sea levels. The summit will place particular emphasis on the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), an ambitious financial institution designed to support climate change mitigation efforts in communities often overlooked by international donors.
The PRF, scheduled to commence operations in 2025, aims to raise $500 million by 2026. However, it has thus far secured only $116 million, with Australia pledging $100 million and smaller contributions coming from the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the PIF Leaders Meeting is expected to boost the fundraising campaign and draw international attention to the funding gap.
Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, who announced the summit’s theme as “Build Better Now,” has called for tangible results and a shift from policy discussions to implementation. The endorsement of Tonga as the host for the PRF is anticipated during the meeting, marking a significant step forward in the facility’s development.
Pacific Islands Forum Addresses Regional Security Concerns
Drug trafficking has emerged as a major security concern for the Pacific region. Traditionally serving as a transit route for narcotics between Asia, the Americas, and Australasia, the Pacific Islands now face growing local consumption problems due to excess supply and the development of cheaper, lower-grade drugs.
To combat this issue, Australia has proposed the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), a $270 million program aimed at providing training and capacity-building for Pacific island police forces. The initiative includes plans for a large training facility in Brisbane for Pacific officers, who could then be deployed to regional crime hotspots.
While the PPI is presented as a Pacific island-led operation, it has faced criticism for potentially duplicating existing efforts and for being developed with limited regional consultation. The summit will likely see discussions on whether to politically endorse the initiative, balancing the need for enhanced security measures against concerns of external influence and resource allocation.
Navigating Geopolitical Waters: The “Oceans of Peace” Concept
As the Pacific region grows in strategic importance, it has become increasingly entangled in geopolitical rivalries, particularly between China, the United States, and Australia. In response to these tensions, Fiji’s Prime Minister Rabuka has proposed the “Oceans of Peace” concept, aiming to promote Pacific values and ways of interaction within the region.
The initiative, still in its conceptual stage, calls for “humility, quiet leadership, reconciliation, and communication” as guiding principles for engagement in the Pacific. Rabuka hopes to gain support for this idea during the summit, with the ultimate goal of its adoption by Pacific countries. However, leaders are expected to seek more clarity on the practical implications of the concept.
The “Oceans of Peace” proposal reflects a growing desire among Pacific nations to assert their agency and shift away from being viewed solely through the lens of great power competition. Pacific leaders have expressed concerns that an overemphasis on geopolitics by external parties is overshadowing crucial development priorities.
The summit will also address the ongoing crisis in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory and full member of the PIF since 2016. Recent tensions over voting rights have led to violence and significant economic damage, highlighting the complex interplay between regional sovereignty, colonization, and external influences.
As the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting 2024 approaches, the stakes for the region have never been higher. From existential climate threats to security challenges and geopolitical pressures, Pacific leaders face a daunting array of issues demanding urgent action. The success of this summit will be measured not just in policy statements, but in the concrete steps taken towards implementing the Pacific Resilience Facility, addressing regional security concerns, and navigating the complex geopolitical landscape.
The gathering in Tonga represents a critical opportunity for Pacific nations to amplify their collective voice on the global stage and drive forward their agenda for a sustainable and secure future. As UN Secretary-General Guterres joins the discussions, the world’s attention will be drawn to the unique challenges and resilience of the Pacific Islands. The outcomes of this Pacific Islands Forum will likely have far-reaching implications, not only for the region’s 18 member states but for the broader international community as it grapples with similar challenges on a global scale.
