In a resonant address, Pacific youth leader Josie-Anne Ashley urged Forum Leaders not only to endorse the Ocean of Peace Declaration but also to translate this declaration into concrete action. Speaking passionately at a commemorative event in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Ashley emphasized that the youth will not passively stand by as their future is threatened. She articulated the powerful symbolism of the Ocean of Peace, which represents more than a mere absence of conflict—it signifies a region where communities are free from the rising seas, remnants of war, and external pressures.
Ashley, serving as the General Secretary of the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress, highlighted the struggles underpinning the declaration, including climate change, nuclear legacies, and militarization. She stressed the urgent need for these issues to be addressed with sovereignty, accountability, and genuine partnership among Pacific leaders. “True peace requires every community to experience peace,” she stated, calling on leaders to make decisions that genuinely protect the communities they serve.
The sentiment echoes previous gatherings and discussions across the Pacific, where leaders, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, have advocated for a paradigm shift toward unity and collaboration. The Ocean of Peace is envisioned to guide regional strategies in dealing with strategic challenges while fostering self-determination and development.
Moreover, Ashley passionately advocated for youth inclusion in decision-making processes, demanding access to education, mental health support, and opportunities to address challenges like unemployment and substance abuse. Her call to action has been a consistent theme in regional forums, as seen in youth-driven assemblies across the Pacific, asserting that youth are not merely future leaders but are shaping today’s policies and actions.
Symbolically presenting a gift to the Forum Chair, Ashley underscored the importance of acting beyond economic considerations to safeguard the Pacific’s culture and environment. This symbolic gesture, featuring the Island Tuna, represents gratitude and a reaffirmation of commitment to peace and unity across the Pacific. It reflects a broader regional sentiment, seen in prior forums, where Pacific Islands are urged to be a unified voice in global environmental discussions, pushing for real, measurable outcomes.
The speech serves as a reminder and a call to action—a hopeful vision for a future where the Pacific thrives in peace and prosperity, underpinned by the resilience and collective will of its youth. It champions the idea that a united and resilient Pacific, rooted in shared values and collective actions, can achieve sustainable peace and progress.
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