Climate change poses an urgent threat that is particularly grave for the countries and territories of the Pacific, now known to be on the frontline of this global crisis. Natural disasters are increasingly endangering both lives and livelihoods within this expansive and diverse region.
At the recent 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held in Tokyo from July 16 to 18, leaders from Pacific nations convened with a common goal: to enhance the region’s resilience to climate change. The importance of immediate action to mitigate its effects, as well as addressing other significant challenges confronting the Pacific, was a focal point of their discussions.
The talks in Tokyo, enriched by Japan’s multi-faceted commitments in areas including disaster risk reduction, maritime security, economic development, and cybersecurity, underscored this shared urgency. Professor Izumi Kobayashi from Osaka Gakuin University noted that PALM10 symbolizes Japan’s long-standing cooperation with Pacific Island nations, reflecting a mutual commitment to peace and development in the region.
During the summit, leaders strengthened their partnership, based on the Japanese concept of “kizuna,” which denotes deep, lasting bonds. This partnership aligns with the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, a strategic vision developed in 2022 that identifies climate change as the greatest challenge faced by the region.
A significant announcement at the meeting was the launch of the Pacific Climate Resilience Initiative, which aims to channel Japanese financial and technological resources into bolstering disaster risk management and promoting decarbonization efforts among Pacific Island countries. This initiative builds upon Japan’s existing support, such as its collaboration with the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) in Samoa and efforts to assist several nations—Fiji, Tuvalu, Samoa, Micronesia, and Palau—in enhancing energy transition capacity.
Japan’s approach emphasizes the importance of exchanges involving people, technology, and information. At PALM10, Japan pledged to implement various educational and human resource development programs that will benefit over 6,500 individuals over the next three years. These initiatives encompass fields such as science, technology, and security. Notably, Prime Minister Kishida and Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku highlighted Japan’s involvement in the International Naval Review in Tonga and the training of Tongan armed forces cadets at Japan’s National Defense Academy.
Further agreements reached at PALM10 included providing patrol boats to Nauru, fisheries research boats to several Pacific nations, support for rebuilding an airport terminal in the Marshall Islands, and enhancing trade and investment initiatives between Japan and Fiji. There were also commitments to support subsea cable projects in Tuvalu and Micronesia.
Professor Kobayashi remarked that the agreements established at PALM10 strengthen the trust fostered over the years among participants. He emphasized that ongoing communication and coordination with other supportive nations will be essential to maximizing the benefits of these initiatives.
The Leaders’ Declaration from the meeting underscored shared values central to peace and stability, reiterating commitments to freedom, democracy, sustainable development, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and environmental integrity. The declaration also reaffirmed the necessity for an international rules-based framework that safeguards the rights and sovereignty of all nations, regardless of their power.
The commitment to cooperative efforts has been a hallmark of the triennial PALM meetings since their inception in 1997. Prime Minister Kishida expressed Japan’s dedication to “stride forward together” with the people of the Blue Pacific in addressing these critical issues.