Climate change poses a significant and immediate threat, particularly to the nations and territories of the Pacific, which find themselves on the front lines. The region is experiencing an increase in natural disasters that jeopardize both lives and livelihoods.
To ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens, innovative solutions and collaborative efforts are essential. This was the focal point of discussions during the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held in Tokyo from July 16 to 18, where leaders aimed to enhance climate resilience across the region.
Both Japan and the Pacific Island nations recognize the urgent need to address climate change and other pressing challenges faced by the area. The engaging discussions in Tokyo, bolstered by Japan’s commitments to disaster risk reduction, maritime security, economic development, and cyber security, reflected this collective understanding.
Professor Izumi Kobayashi from Osaka Gakuin University, an expert on Japan’s relations with Pacific Island countries, remarked that PALM10 exemplified Japan’s long-standing cooperation with its Pacific partners. He noted that this support is vital for fostering peace and development in the region.
During PALM10, leaders pledged to foster a partnership grounded in trust and the Japanese concept of “kizuna,” which signifies deep and enduring bonds. This partnership aligns with the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent—a comprehensive vision established in 2022 that prioritizes security and well-being while identifying climate change as the most significant threat.
A key initiative launched at the summit is the Pacific Climate Resilience Initiative, which aims to leverage Japanese financial and technological resources to enhance disaster risk management and promote decarbonization in Pacific Island nations. This new initiative builds upon Japan’s ongoing support, including its collaboration with the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) in Samoa, established through a grant aid program in 2019. Japan is also assisting Fiji, Tuvalu, Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau in transitioning to renewable energy by improving their capabilities in power supply and grid planning.
Japan’s strategy emphasizes the importance of exchanges in people, information, and technology. At PALM10, Japan committed to implementing programs that will facilitate people-to-people exchanges and human resource development, benefiting over 6,500 individuals in the next three years. These initiatives cover various areas, including science, technology, and security. For example, Japanese participation in the International Naval Review hosted by Tonga and the enrollment of Tongan armed forces cadets in Japan’s National Defense Academy are notable developments in this collaboration.
Bilateral agreements complement the overarching goals of the PALM framework. Japan and Fiji have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to explore the implementation of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) “Michibiki” for emergency warnings and disaster management, which could significantly enhance Fiji’s climate resilience.
Additional commitments made or reaffirmed at PALM10 include providing patrol boats to Nauru, fisheries research vessels and equipment to several Pacific nations, Japanese support for infrastructure projects in the Marshall Islands and Palau, and cooperation in trade and investment with Fiji, along with support for subsea cable projects in Tuvalu and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Professor Kobayashi noted that the pledges made at PALM10 deepen the mutual trust established over the previous gatherings. For the initiatives to have a meaningful impact, he stressed the necessity of ongoing communication and coordination among Japan and its partners, as well as other nations contributing to the region’s development.
The participants in the Leaders’ Declaration underscored their commitment to global peace and stability, emphasizing the significance of freedom, democracy, sustainable development, the rule of law, human rights, and environmental integrity. They recognized the necessity of a free and open international rules-based order, affirming that all countries’ rights and responsibilities are protected under international laws and norms.
These shared values have been consistently highlighted at the PALM gatherings, dating back to the inaugural meeting in 1997. The PALM process is an illustration of Japan’s promise, as expressed by Prime Minister Kishida, to “stride forward together” with the people of the Blue Pacific.