Pacific civil society organizations are urging Forum Leaders to prioritize the preservation and advancement of civil spaces as the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) commences in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. They highlighted the urgent need for enhanced national coordination and international action to tackle the pressing issues posed by extractive industries and climate change impacting Pacific communities.
A delegation of civil society leaders, including Sepesa Rasili from the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (PIANGO), 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 (GPPAC), was led by Archbishop Peter Loy Chong.
As Pacific Leaders discuss the future direction of the Pacific Islands Forum and its regional structure, the timing of their joint statement is crucial. During a thirty-minute discussion, civil society representatives stressed the importance of amplifying community voices on critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, gender equality, human rights, ocean preservation, and regional collaboration.
The discussion mirrored the diverse aspirations and experiences of Pacific communities. Sepesa Rasili, the president of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), expressed deep concerns over the rising trend of governments limiting the recognition and participation of civil society representatives, church leaders, and traditional leaders. He cautioned that the overall well-being of the region is under serious threat due to the diminishing safe civil spaces.
“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,” Rasili stated. He urged Forum Leaders to collaborate with civil society in decision-making processes, ensuring that all groups, particularly women and marginalized populations, are empowered.
Furthermore, regional civil society organizations reaffirmed their strong support for youth in advancing the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent, emphasizing their commitment to resilience through localization. Rasili added, “Our support is crucial, and I implore our leaders to provide it without burdening our people with debt.”
He also highlighted the necessity of strengthening local systems and national coordination mechanisms to establish regional connections and strategies. Rasili advocated for greater support for the self-determination claims of Pacific peoples, specifically those of the West Papuans. In discussing the role of Tongan Civil Society, he referenced the Tongan indigenous concept of “pikipiki hama kae vaevae manava,” which emphasizes collaborative learning and preparedness as the region progresses towards the 2050 vision of a Blue Pacific Continent.