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Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of the Parliament of Tonga; Monketua Altanger, Fiji Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Pacific Office
SUVA/NUKUALofA (UNDP) – The vast Pacific Ocean binds us together as island nations, shapes our identities and sustains countless communities. But the challenges we face, from climate change to economic disparity and the ongoing erosion of faith and trust in our democratic institutions, transcend national borders.
If we think back a decade to the 2014 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, participants signed the Framework for Pacific Regionalism. While further agreements and strategies have been developed since then – culminating in our regional blueprint, the Blue Pacific Continent 2050 Strategy – much of the Framework remains relevant today.
The framework is designed to support “focused political dialogue and solutions to key strategic issues, including shared sovereignty, pooled resources and empowered decision-making”. But the 2014 Forum Leaders’ Statement remains relevant as we reflect on the inherent value of regionalism for our Pacific brothers and sisters:
“We are united as a Pacific region because sharing and combining our resources can increase our voice, influence and competitiveness and overcome geographic and demographic disadvantages to bring huge benefits.”
Going back to before 2014, before Western contact with Pacific Island nations, Pacific peoples seemed to place great value on exchanges beyond local communities. They crossed the vast blue waters of the Pacific not only to trade goods for economic gain, but also the exchange of social capital was crucial.
The word “kumi fonua” has profound meaning in the Tongan language. It means “in search of new lands” and encapsulates the profound journey of the Moana people across the vast ocean to discover and settle new territories.
More than a historical footnote, this concept is a living testament to the ingenuity and tenacity of the Pacific people, who were renowned for their unrivalled seafaring skills. These seafarers navigated the high seas not by satellite or radar, but by the stars, wind and feel of the water – a tradition of exploration that continues to shape the identity and culture of the Pacific peoples today.
Spanning 30,000 islands across Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia, the ocean is the lifeblood of countless communities. It is more than a marker on a map; it is the compass of our identity and the source of our survival. We the people move with the currents of the great blue heart of the Pacific.
Today, our discussions focus on how to build a resilient Blue Pacific; a region that promotes peace and harmony, fosters social inclusion, security and prosperity.
Our individual parliaments and all the members of parliament who represent Pacific people can pass laws or engage in discussions and debates as much-needed accountability mechanisms. They are powerful on their own. However, we are even more powerful when we come together to work for the collective good of all. Let us ensure that no Pacific people are left behind.
The Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group (PIPG) was formed for this very reason, knowing that the concept of regionalism can only work if all members believe in a spirit or ideal of solidarity.
The Pacific Islands Legislative Cooperation Council (PILCC), which is composed of 18 legislatures and parliaments, is the premier organization for legislative cooperation among Pacific island countries. The Council aims to address common challenges through dialogue and cooperation, with a focus on climate change resilience, sustainable economic development and cultural preservation.
The Pacific Islander Dialogue Committee not only promotes inter-parliamentary relations, it is also an important mechanism for bringing together parliamentarians – the parliaments where Pacific Islanders are represented – that goes beyond the forums that usually bring together national leaders or just ministerial leaders.
Through PIPG, we have seen a strong commitment to collaboration and integration of the individual efforts of the Member States’ Parliaments. We have come together to tell stories and have conversations with the aim of building a blue Pacific that is resilient to the climate emergency, building back better and ensuring that the fabric of our societies is not torn apart by circumstances beyond our control.
The effectiveness of regionalism depends on political will and commitment; collective political will is only as strong as its weakest point.
The history of Pacific regionalism has amply demonstrated the importance of strong and sustained leadership and political resolve in addressing an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape and emerging challenges.
Effective governance, inclusiveness and ownership will drive the implementation of coordinated actions, foster leadership and diplomatic capacity, and commit to regionalism. The success of this goal depends on collaborative efforts within the region, and PIPG will complement national efforts and advance our shared aspirations and priorities as a blue Pacific continent.
We may come from different backgrounds and have unique customs and cultures, but it is through our diversity that we have a unified Pacific voice.
The success of this goal depends on collaborative efforts across the region. Let all of us, leaders and citizens, uphold the spirit of “kumi fonua” – seeking a better future – and work together to build a resilient blue Pacific and a strong Pacific Parliament for future generations…PACNEWS
For further enquiries, please contact: Nick Turner – Communications and Advocacy Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office, Fiji | nicholas.turner@undp.org
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