At the Pacific Islands Forum held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, leaders have approved a new policy to regulate collaboration with external partners, emphasizing stronger Pacific ownership and alignment with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. This development replaces previous Dialogue Partner and Observer classifications with a two-tiered system: Strategic Partners for broad, long-term cooperation, and Sectoral Partners for specific targeted support. The shift aims to protect Pacific interests and ensure that partnerships are genuine, durable, and accountable, reflecting Pacific values and priorities.
The new framework responds to the increasing number and variety of Dialogue Partners and Observers, as well as the need to maintain the primacy of Pacific voices in regional decision-making. All partners will be required to meet clear criteria, including long-term commitment, alignment with Forum priorities, and transparency in declaring their interests. Approved partners will need to create a Pacific Action Commitment and Engagement (PACE) Plan to define how their contributions support regional priorities under the 2050 Strategy.
The policy also introduces stricter accountability measures, including annual reporting and a Quadrennial Assessment to evaluate engagement, delivery, and alignment. Non-compliant partners may face consequences such as shifting between partnership streams, suspension, or revocation of their status. This change seeks to prevent the Forum from becoming a battleground for external powers, particularly amid growing geopolitical tensions between major powers like the United States and China.
Historically, the Forum has served as a platform for Pacific diplomacy, starting with a limited number of Dialogue Partners in 1989. Over time, the list expanded to include key players such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, China, and others. However, the expanding roster led to complex meetings where Pacific priorities were overshadowed by competing agendas, including disagreements over climate change policies.
The newly endorsed policy demonstrates the Pacific Islands Forum’s commitment to moving forward with partnerships on its own terms, reinforcing regional unity and prioritizing the region’s needs amidst a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. This proactive stance could enhance the Forum’s effectiveness in addressing challenges like climate resilience and sustainable development, ensuring that Pacific leaders maintain control over their regional agenda while fostering collaborations that are genuinely beneficial for the Pacific community.
Leave a comment