Civil society organizations in the Pacific have called on Forum Leaders to prioritize the preservation and enhancement of civil spaces at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. They highlighted the urgent need for better national coordination and international action to tackle the challenges posed by extractive industries and climate change for Pacific communities.
The civil society delegation, led by Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, included notable figures like Sepesa Rasili from the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (PIANGO), Grayham Tahu of the Apunepara Haamwaora Natural Resource Association in the Solomon Islands, and Sharon Bhagwan Rolls from the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC).
As Pacific Leaders consider the future of the Pacific Islands Forum and its regional structure, the joint statement from civil society representatives emphasizes the importance of amplifying community voices on critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, gender equality, human rights, ocean protection, and regional collaboration.
During a discussion that lasted half an hour, diverse community goals and experiences across the Pacific were shared. Rasili, the president of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), expressed serious concerns regarding the rising trend of governments limiting the participation of civil society representatives, including church and traditional leaders. He warned that the diminishing of safe civil spaces poses a significant threat to the overall well-being of the region.
Rasili stated, “Safe civil spaces are shrinking at an alarming rate as governments increasingly limit the effective recognition and engagement of leaders across civil society and communities, as well as leaders within faith.” He urged Forum Leaders to engage with civil society in decision-making processes and to empower all individuals, particularly women and marginalized groups.
The regional civil society organizations reaffirmed their strong support for youth efforts to advance the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent, emphasizing their commitment to resilience through localization. Rasili further implored leaders to provide necessary support without increasing the debt burden on the people.
He also stressed the need for strengthened local systems and national coordination mechanisms to create regional linkages and strategies. Additionally, Rasili advocated for greater support for the Pacific peoples’ rightful claims to self-determination, particularly for the West Papuans. He highlighted the significance of the Tongan indigenous concept of “pikipiki hama kae vaevae manava,” which emphasizes collective learning and readiness as the region works towards the 2050 vision of a Blue Pacific Continent.