Page 14 - IB September 2018 Edition

Politics

Forum poses climate pressed their right hand into concrete, to leave a lasting reminder
of their time at the Forum.
The Boe Declaration looks to an “expanded concept of security
and security inclusive of human security, humanitarian assistance, prioritis-
ing environmental security and regional cooperation in building
resilience to disasters and climate change, including through
as central concerns regional cooperation and support.”
A crucial provision notes that all leaders “reaffirm that climate
change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods,
security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and our com-
mitment to progress the implementation of the Paris Agreement.”
As she left Nauru soon after the launching of the Boe Declara-
tion, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne acknowledged the
issue of climate change, but went on to highlight the more tra-
ditional security agenda around emerging transnational threats,
maritime surveillance and law enforcement.
By Nic Maclellan “All of the participants in the Forum, all of those that have
signed the Declaration, understand that climate change is a prior-
PACIFIC leaders face a growing and complex agenda, in the era ity issue for the Pacific particularly,” she said.
of Trump, Brexit and rising Chinese economic power. That may “As well as issues that relate to climate change, we also dis-
explain why the 2018 Pacific Islands Forum leaders retreat con- cussed at great length issues around regional security that are
tinued for hours beyond its scheduled time. more transnational crime, as I’ve mentioned and the work of
It was already dark when Forum leaders arrived in the district of the Pacific Maritime Security Programme (PMSP). Transnational
Boe in host nation Nauru, for the ceremony to sign a new regional crime can manifest itself in many ways and they are emerging
security declaration, dubbed the Boe Declaration. security threats. It also mentions especially cyber-security – a key
The statement is one of the key outcomes of the annual meeting for the safety and integrity of nations.”
of 18 Forum members. It “builds on and complements the 2000 Joined by officials of the Forum Fisheries Agency, Payne and
Biketawa Declaration, and responds to the region’s complex and Prime Minister Henry Puna of the Cook Islands unveiled one of
evolving regional security environment.” two new aircraft for aerial surveillance of Pacific maritime zones,
When the leaders arrived for the signing ceremony after lengthy funded by Australia. She also announced funding for a AU$17.7
discussions in the retreat, young Nauruan children danced and million (US$13m) Pacific Fusion Centre “to share information
water jets shot into the sky. Forum host President Baron Waqa of in relation to threats, in relation to operational activities of their
Nauru launched the declaration and - Hollywood style – leaders own law enforcement agencies or their patrol activities. So we

Vanuatu will continue West Papua initiative

DESPITE the lack of formal endorsement from the Pacific Island sation of West Papua to the
Forum in Nauru, Vanuatu will continue an initiative to have Pacific Island States.
West Papua re-listed as a non-self-governing territory at the ULMWP spokesperson Jacob
United Nations. Rumbiak, who attended the
Vanuatu has asked Forum member states to support a pro- Nauru Forum alongside ULM
posed resolution to the United Nations General Assembly in President Benny Wenda said:
2019, to recognise the right of West Papuan self-determination “This motion enables Pacific-
and relist West Papua with the UN Special Committee on De- island leaders to acknowledge
colonisation. that the conflict between Ja-
Forum states like Nauru, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu backed karta and West Papuans is
a similar initiative in 2013, which saw French Polynesia re- an international political is-
listed with the UN Special Committee in the face of French sue - not an internal domestic
opposition at the UN General Assembly. problem - that can now only
Speaking to Islands Business and Pacnews in Yaren, be resolved with third-party
Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu said: “We didn’t negotiation (the United Na- Lora Lini, Vanuatu’s Special Envoy on De-
come to the Forum with the intention to have a resolution, tions).” colonisation of West Papua to the Pacific
because we know we won’t get it. All we are doing is bring it Within the Melanesian Island States. Photos: Nic Maclellan
to the attention of the members and ask them for their support. Spearhead Group, Papua New
So far there are indications that we will get the support of the Guinea and Fiji have resisted the push to make the ULMWP a full
majority of Forum members.” member, while Vanuatu and the FLNKS have backed the idea.
In recent years, the umbrella group United Liberation Move- Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
ment of West Papua (ULMWP) has been seeking membership was a vocal supporter of West Papuan self-determination, but
and support from regional and international bodies. Lora Lini, under the new government of Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela,
the daughter of Vanuatu’s first Prime Minister, the late Father the country has taken a more measured diplomatic stand since
Walter Lini, has been appointed Special Envoy on Decoloni- last year.

14 Islands Business, September 2018