Civil society organizations from the Pacific have made an urgent appeal to the leaders at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the preservation and advancement of civil spaces. They highlighted the pressing need for better national coordination and international collaboration to tackle the challenges posed by extractive industries and climate change affecting the Pacific communities.
The delegation was led by Archbishop Peter Loy Chong and included notable figures such as Sepesa Rasili from the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, Grayham Tahu from the Apunepara Haamwaora Natural Resource Association in the Solomon Islands, and Sharon Bhagwan Rolls from the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict.
As Pacific leaders discuss the future of the Forum and its regional framework, the civil society representatives stressed the critical need to amplify community voices on key issues, including climate change, sustainable development, gender equality, human rights, ocean conservation, and regional cooperation.
Rasili, president of the Fiji Council of Social Services, expressed deep concern over the growing trend of governments restricting the involvement of civil society representatives, religious leaders, and traditional elders in decision-making processes. He warned that the diminishing presence of safe civil spaces poses a significant threat to the overall well-being of the region.
He urged Forum Leaders to engage more meaningfully with civil society in their decision-making processes, ensuring that all voices, particularly those of women and marginalized groups, are included and empowered. The regional organizations also pledged their unwavering support for youth in fostering the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent while promoting resilience through local initiatives.
Rasili reiterated the need for support that does not impose additional debt on the people of the region, advocating for strengthened local systems and national coordination. He also called for greater backing of the Pacific peoples’ pursuit of self-determination, especially regarding the West Papuan people’s rights.
Regarding the role of Tongan civil society, Rasili reflected on the indigenous Tongan concept of “pikipiki hama kae vaevae manava,” which focuses on collaborative learning and preparedness as the region strives towards achieving the 2050 vision for a Blue Pacific Continent.