Oxfam welcomes the responsiveness of Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to climate change needs, civil society involvement and the UN Arms Trade Treaty. However, there have been tensions over the role of the Pacific Islands Forum in trade negotiations in the past, and it is crucial that there be greater levels of trust and accountability established between the Forum Secretariat and Pacific island nations.
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| Pacific leaders call for a commitment to promoting women’s decision-making and a commitment to a target that, by 2021, 75 per cent of Pacific children will be able to read by the age of 10. |
Oxfam welcomes the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ commitment to meaningful engagement with civil society on key policies and welcomes the suggestion of a dialogue at the next Forum Leaders’ meeting. This is an important step forward in ensuring the Forum links more closely with the rich diversity of NGOs, women’s organisations, youth, church, and other groups that play such a major role in people’s lives and well-being in Pacific societies.
This 40th anniversary is an opportunity to involve Pacific communities more closely in the crucial decisions on regionalism that lie ahead; the involvement of civil society will help strengthen the effectiveness, openness, outreach and accountability, both of governments and regional agencies including the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Oxfam also welcomes the responsiveness of the leaders to issues raised by civil society, including the urgent need for adaptation finance for climate change. We look forward to supporting mechanisms to contribute to the effectiveness of tangible adaptation work at the community level, so that vulnerable people are protected from the worst impacts of climate change.
The Leaders’ communiqué called for a strong and proactive Pacific voice to secure a UN Arms Trade Treaty, which can help control the flow of small arms that threaten the lives and security of people across the Pacific, particularly women.
We also welcome the commitment to promoting women’s decision-making at all levels, and the recognition of the importance of eradicating sexual and gender-based violence against women.
A number of initiatives have been announced by New Zealand, Australia and the governments involved in the post-Forum dialogue. A number of these are significant, including the EU’s commitments on climate change adaptation, Australia’s expansion of the seasonal workers scheme and New Zealand’s support for sustainable agriculture. Recognition of the importance of meaningful engagement with civil society and women in the Waiheke Declaration on Sustainable Development is positive, as is the inclusion of organics and fair trade.
The announcements by Australia and New Zealand to step up commitments on education are particularly important, including the commitment to a target that, by 2021, 75 per cent of the Pacific’s children will be able to read by the age of 10. This is vital if more people are to be able to participate in economic development.
On the contentious issue of trade negotiations, it would have been helpful if the communiqué had reiterated New Zealand’s commitment to ensure that a PACER Plus agreement would be oriented towards creating benefits for the Pacific.
There are issues that have been intensively discussed in Auckland but are not reflected in the agenda. These include a desire by many Pacific countries to move towards sub-regional groupings, beyond the existing Melanesia Spearhead Group. This does not necessarily mean any lesser importance for regional structures, but can help with those initiatives that are of particular importance to a smaller group of countries.
Decisions about the scope and mandate of regional agencies, as well as their effectiveness, will be important challenges for New Zealand as the Chair of the Forum over the next year. There have been tensions over the role of the Pacific Islands Forum in trade negotiations in the past, and it is crucial that there be greater levels of trust and accountability established between the Forum Secretariat and Pacific island nations.
Perhaps most importantly, New Zealand’s initiative in holding a Pacific Showcase has been generous and has provided an opportunity for many thousands of Aucklanders and visitors to learn more about the Pacific and appreciate their cultures and the innovative range of products they produce. The inclusion of organic and fair trade products from the Pacific in the Pacific Showcase and the leaders’ lunch is a good opportunity to raise awareness and provide real benefits to small and disadvantaged producers.
There are new and exciting opportunities for the Pacific Islands Forum over the next year, and New Zealand’s role as Chair will be crucial in realising these opportunities.
