The upcoming 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, will not only provide common responses to emerging issues, but also outline a vision for a peaceful, harmonious, secure and prosperous South Pacific region.
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| Pacific Islands Forum Summit 2022. (Source: AFP) |
Covering tens of thousands of scattered islands belonging to three large archipelagos of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia in the South Pacific, the 13 members of the Forum have a total land area of only over 500 thousand km2 but a sea area of over 30 million km2.
With many islands and reefs that can be used to build airports and deep-water ports, the area is an ideal location to build naval bases and deploy military equipment, supporting and securing naval and air force operations.
Beyond geopolitical and military factors, the South Pacific is also rich in natural resources. According to scientists, the region’s precious metals and rare earths are enough to meet the world’s renewable energy needs for at least the next half century.
However, the region remains underdeveloped and faces many problems. This forum is therefore an opportunity for the region to focus on addressing emerging challenges, such as political instability in New Caledonia, high inflation, a weak health care system and the risks of climate change that could engulf many island nations.
Moreover, the region is increasingly aware of its value in the competition for influence between major powers, especially the US and China. This is the time for the South Pacific to “bid the price” with the major powers and raise its voice more strongly in the international forum.
To do so, the forum will have to outline a common vision so that the South Pacific can exploit its strengths and balance relations so as not to fall into a deadlock between major countries.
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