PIPG releases Ngibtal Declaration, calling for Pacific unity

Author: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang

Koror, Palau – Following the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group (PIPG) meeting hosted by Palau from August 14 to 16 last year, the group of Pacific Island legislatures has signed the Ngibutar Declaration.

The five-page communique, themed “Human Security in the Pacific Islands,” outlines 30 actions the organization is taking to address pressing issues in the Pacific, which are grouped into six categories: food security, issues of regional interest, cybersecurity, gender-based violence, drug trafficking, future cooperation with Pacific legislatures and general affairs.

The Njibutal Declaration on Issues of Regional Interest urges Pacific governments to address cultural erosion, climate change, outmigration, illicit drug trafficking, food and cybersecurity threats through people-centred policies and scientific data.

The meeting called for addressing food security issues by reducing dependence on food imports and strengthening the exchange of agricultural and aquaculture knowledge.

On cybersecurity, it calls for improvements in digital infrastructure and calls for a fight against cybercrime.

The declaration recommends increased scrutiny of policies from a gender equality lens to ensure women have fair and equal access to education, housing, social, financial and health opportunities, as well as other strategies to combat gender-based violence.

It further called for the establishment of an information-sharing mechanism to combat illegal drug trafficking.

The declaration further stated that through the organization, the legislative body would be institutionalized as the counterpart to the intergovernmental structure of the Pacific region and the name of the organization would be changed to the Pacific Assembly.

Opening the session, Speaker Anastasio said: “As the world’s attention increasingly turns to the Pacific, we as legislators must be prepared to guide our country through these times of change.” He further stated: “While foreign powers are increasingly interested in the Pacific, we should always keep our people in mind.”

Palau is the only North Pacific island member of the PIPG. The PIPG is made up of legislatures primarily from South Pacific nations. It is similar to the APIL, an older organization made up primarily of North Pacific legislatures.

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