Page 37 - Islands Business March 2022

Opinion Opinion

largest volcanic eruptions on Earth in the last 11,700 years been galvanised under a new banner: NZ’s Pacific Engage-
occurred in the Ring of Fire. According to Dr Patrick Nunn, ment: Partnership for Resilience. This has come in the wake of
Pacific Islanders have been experiencing these eruptions for an institutional initiative between the University of the South
3,000 years. Pacific and the University of Canterbury to jointly research
Such a length of occupation in our blue ocean continent, resilience in the context of climate change.
while encountering these devastating life-threatening dan- Help is also available at the wider regional level. The newly
gers, should have built up our resilience overtime and over launched ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy of the USA, 2022’ has its own
generations. One would expect that such aspects of our life section dealing with these issues. It states: ‘The United States
would be reflected in our traditional knowledge and cultural will work with partners to establish a multilateral strategic
expressions. We, individually or collectively, have indeed grouping that supports Pacific Island countries as they build
reflected on these matters in the context of climate change their capacity and resilience as secure, independent actors.
long before the formulation of the Boe Declaration, which Together, we will build climate resilience through the Pacific
recognises the existentiality of climate change in the region Region Infrastructure Facility; coordinate to meet the Pacific’s
and in our lives. Such reflections are crucial now, and in the infrastructure gaps, especially on information and communi-
future, given the fact that the frequency of natural disasters cations technology; facilitate transportation; and cooperate
and the devastation they inflict in our region is increasing. to improve maritime security to safeguard fisheries, build
Some of us have started to reactivate and recollect this maritime-domain awareness, and improve training and advis-
traditional knowledge and cultural expressions through ing. We will also prioritise finalisation of the Compact of Free

We may have taken too much for granted and have
thus lost a few gems of traditional wisdom and cultural
expressions along the way. But take heart. Help is

nigh. Full retrieval of our lost traditional erudition in
resilience has to be the current generation’s aspiration.

enlightened storytelling and documentation of the same. Oth- Association agreements with the Freely Associated States.’
ers have taken the next step to develop and ratify relevant Pacific Small Island Developing States’ ancestors lived
agreements. Members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, for through 3,000 years of volcanic eruptions and associated
example, have their Framework Treaty on the Protection of devastation in their blue oceanic continent. They suffered,
Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture, 2011. learned and have thus built their resilience in order to recover
At the regional level, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has its quickly. They acquired toughness through their own efforts.
own Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF). PIF’s website informs Present generations have benefitted as a result. We may
us that through PRF, ‘we do not have to waste time’ since the have taken too much for granted and have thus lost a few
Facility is available to assist anyone in need; that we all know gems of traditional wisdom and cultural expressions along
that we need to be self-reliant in confronting natural disas- the way. But take heart. Help is nigh. Full retrieval of our
ters; and that PRF provides full-grant financing without debt. lost traditional erudition in resilience has to be the current
Through the PRF, the Pacific is a leader of resilient of develop- generation’s aspiration. Increasing volcanic activities demand
ment solutions; it will build the resilience, preparedness and this. Resources are there for the taking.
adaptive capacity of poor communities before disasters strike;
it will bring the resilience and knowledge of all our countries editor@islandsbusiness.com
and territories to address this challenge directly.
The New Zealand Government also promises to be active The author is a former Fijian Ambassador and Foreign Minis-
in resilience. Its Pacific Reset, launched a few years ago, has ter and runs his own consultancy company in Suva, Fiji.

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