Pacific Islands Forum Summit opens amid 'big game'

On August 26, the Pacific Islands Forum summit opened in Tonga.

Leaders of Pacific Islands countries gathered in Tonga on the opening day of the Forum on August 25. (Source: X)

The summit drew global attention to the region's climate situation and its role in ongoing power struggles.

AFP news agency quoted the forum's secretary, former President of Nauru Baron Waqa, as saying in his opening speech: "We gather at a pivotal moment in the region's history. We are at the center of global geopolitical interests. We are at the forefront of the fight against climate change."

Previously, on August 21, Reuters news agency quoted a report by the Lowy Institute (Australia) stating that geopolitical shocks could disrupt the political and security context of the Pacific Islands, while also damaging the solidarity of this region.

According to the Lowy Institute report, thanks to their strategic location, Pacific island nations are considered to be of great significance in the defense plans of world powers, including monitoring and controlling naval activities throughout the Pacific.

Noting fierce competition for influence in the region between countries such as China, the United States and its allies Australia and Japan, the report warns that competing interests among donor countries are pushing the Pacific Islands in different directions and risk distracting from regional priorities.

“Faced with this new ‘great game’, Pacific island states have become diplomatic ‘price-setters’ and are exploiting the growing competition (among major powers) to maximize their development gains,” the report’s authors stressed.

In addition, the vulnerability of the Pacific Islands to climate change is being exploited, as external partners provide assistance to access the Pacific.

The Lowy Institute argues that “mobilizing naval and air assets to respond to disasters involves securing access to ports, airstrips and shipping lanes,” forcing major powers to scramble to be the first to respond.

The report said Pacific island nations are "asserting their demands more forcefully in international engagement, demanding better deals on trade, labour mobility, digital connectivity and climate resilience".

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thuong-dinh-dien-dan-cac-quan-dao-thai-binh-duong-khai-mac-giua-van-co-lon-283907.html