Pacific ‘Needs Predictability' In A ‘Changing Environment'
A Solomon Islands foreign affairs official says the 'Pacific needs predictability in all our cooperation with everyone' amid geostrategic shifts. Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin Editor
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders have drafted a letter to the Trump administration, addressing concerns about the United States' support in the region.
Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry permanent secretary Collin Beck told RNZ Pacific that there are significant gaps between what Washington has committed to and what it has actually delivered in the region.
The Biden administration promised US$200 million in new funding to the Pacific, but the money has not yet been delivered.
It is one of the concerns Forum leaders may look to address with the Trump administration as well as import tariffs and millions of dollars owed by the US to fish for tuna in the Pacific Ocean.
'The world has changed…and with the United States' posture, we just need to keep talking and adapt to the changing environment,' Beck said.
'The Pacific needs predictability in all our cooperation with everyone, and it will not stop,' he said.
Last week, PIF chair and Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Eke, the incoming PIF chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, and Palau President Surangel Whipps – as the Micronesian representative – held their first in-person meeting this year at the Forum headquarters in Suva.
Among the key issues on their agenda were the implications of the US tariffs and the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA).
The RRA is the PIF leaders' response to the increasing interest from a growing number of Forum dialogue partners wanting a seat – and influence – at the regional decision making table.
The Forum Secretariat said the Troika leaders discussed the high-level political talanoa process, which will focus on political consultations with Forum leaders on strengthening Pacific regionalism, and a fit-for-purpose regional architecture.
'The Review of the Regional Architecture comes at a timely juncture and gives us the opportunity to reflect on Pacific Regionalism and what we need to do to strengthen and realise deeper regionalism in the Pacific,' Dr Eke said.
'This too will shape how we refine our regional architecture to drive the achievement of our 2050 vision.'
Beck confirmed that an eminent persons group was endorsed by the PIF Troika leaders while in Fiji last week.
'There is a high-level persons group that will hold more consultation going into another phase of the review,' Beck said.
Currently, both China and the US have dialogue partner status along with more than 20 other countries.
'There are dynamics that are happening that might speed the review,' Beck said.
'There is a process in which we are looking at all partners in terms of having a tiered approach in terms of engaging with all our development partners.
In relation to United States support that has been suspended to a number of regional entities, Beck said, it means that 'the Pacific will need to adapt and try to also try to see how to mitigate against some of these.'
'We certainly would like to keep working with the United States in finding a solution.'
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands hopes the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will unite regional leaders in dialogue and solidarity.
Solomon Islands is set to host the annual meeting in Honiara later this year.
Manele said it is an opportunity to bring Pacific leaders together in the spirit of unity, dialogue, and collective action.
Tavuli News reported Manele saying that Solomon Islands has submitted a proposed theme for this year's gathering, which is now being considered by the Forum Secretariat.
He said Solomon Islands wants the theme to reflect the shared challenges and opportunities that bind the region.
Manele said that it must speak to the strength of Pacific solidarity and the region's shared future.
A national taskforce is now in place to coordinate all aspects of the event.
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