In Honiara, Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have issued a landmark declaration, formally designating the region as an “Ocean of Peace.” This cornerstone policy aims to protect regional sovereignty, address climate threats, and tackle the historical nuclear weapons testing impacts in the Pacific. By adopting the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration, leaders have reinforced the importance of peace, rooted in dialogue, consensus, and respect for cultural traditions as hallmarks of the “Pacific Way.”
The declaration commits the Forum’s members to integrate peace into both national and regional policies, develop inclusive culturally-rooted approaches to conflict prevention, and enhance cooperation through the Forum. It includes a promise to protect the Pacific from nuclear contamination, uphold the 1985 South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, and address dangers posed by unexploded ordnances.
It underscores the need for recognition, remediation, and reparations for affected communities, highlighting the critical role these actions play in promoting peace across the region. Climate change is identified as a direct threat to regional peace and security, with the document calling for bold, decisive action to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as per the Paris Agreement.
Additionally, the declaration endorses the support of a rules-based international order, in line with the United Nations Charter, to protect the Blue Pacific from threats like nuclear proliferation and geopolitical tensions. This new declaration builds on previous commitments such as the 2000 Biketawa Declaration and the 2018 Boe Declaration, which expanded security concerns to include issues like cyber threats and climate change.
Leaders emphasized that the declaration is not only a response to current challenges but a step towards securing the future of the Pacific nations. They called upon both state and non-state actors to respect the sovereignty of the Pacific, engage through endorsed mechanisms, and incorporate the Ocean of Peace into international frameworks.
Forum Leaders highlighted the role of long-term investment in inclusive and resilient development, aligning with the region’s understanding of vulnerabilities faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and underlined the responsible use of technology to foster regional stability. This declaration positions peace alongside climate action, regionalism, and resilience as core pillars of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
This initiative represents an important step in fostering unity among Pacific nations, signaling a promising move forward that aims to protect their cultural identities, enhance governance structures, and secure a stable, prosperous future for the region. Through a collective vision grounded in sovereignty and shared heritage, the Pacific Islands Forum establishes a hopeful and cooperative future for the Blue Pacific.
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