“Future of Peace: A New Vision for the Pacific”

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has emphasized the importance of regional unity and peaceful collaboration during his keynote address at the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference in Suva. He introduced the “Ocean of Peace,” a concept aimed at promoting stability, self-determination, and development in the Pacific.

In his speech at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Rabuka delineated that achieving lasting peace in the Pacific hinges not just on security forces, but on empowering communities, fostering shared values, and ensuring regional solidarity. He laid out 12 guiding principles for this initiative, which includes non-coercion, nuclear non-proliferation, environmental protection, and freedom of navigation. These principles are set to form the foundation of the upcoming “Ocean of Peace Declaration,” which will be discussed at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting scheduled for this September in Solomon Islands.

Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa echoed Rabuka’s sentiments, underscoring the urgent need for collective action to tackle complex security threats facing the region and to facilitate the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The conference gathers leaders, experts, and security stakeholders to coordinate effective responses to emerging challenges in the Pacific.

Rabuka’s vision aligns closely with discussions from previous conferences, where he addressed the region’s multifaceted issues, including climate change, economic instability, and the threats posed by transnational crime. His commitment to fostering unity among Pacific nations provides an optimistic outlook for establishing a resilient and secure environment, demonstrating a significant step towards a hopeful collaborative future for the Pacific Island nations.

This call for cooperation signals an encouraging potential for collective strength as regional leaders prepare to unite against the pressing challenges confronting them, aiming for a future characterized by peace and prosperity across the Pacific.