Civil society organizations in the Pacific have called on Forum Leaders to prioritize the preservation and enhancement of civil spaces as the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) commenced in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. They stressed the need for better national coordination and international response to tackle the urgent challenges posed by extractive industries and climate change to Pacific communities.
The delegation included prominent figures such as Sepesa Rasili from the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (PIANGO), Grayham Tahu of 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), led by Archbishop Peter Loy Chong.
As Pacific Leaders discuss the future direction of the Pacific Islands Forum and its regional framework, the representatives of civil society issued a timely joint statement during a half-hour discussion highlighting the importance of amplifying community voices on critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, gender equality, human rights, ocean protection, and regional collaboration.
The discussion reflected the diverse objectives and experiences of communities across the Pacific. Sepesa Rasili, President of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), expressed serious concern over the growing trend of governments limiting the participation and acknowledgment of civil society representatives, including church and traditional leaders. He warned that the decline of safe civil spaces poses a significant threat to the overall well-being of the region.
“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 engage with civil society in decision-making processes and ensure that their efforts empower all individuals, particularly women and marginalized groups.
The regional civil society organizations also reaffirmed their strong support for youth in advancing the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent and underscored their commitment to resilience through localization. Rasili emphasized the importance of providing support without imposing debt on Pacific peoples.
He highlighted the need for regional linkages and strategies, advocating for enhanced local systems and national coordination. Moreover, Rasili called for greater support for the self-determination rights of Pacific peoples, especially those of the West Papuans.
Reflecting on the role of Tongan Civil Society, Rasili referred to the indigenous Tongan concept of “pikipiki hama kae vaevae manava,” which underscores collective learning and readiness as the region moves towards the 2050 vision of a Blue Pacific Continent.