- The Strategist - https://www.aspistrategist.org.au -
South Pacific vexed by climate change, Covid-19 and China contest
Posted By Graeme Dobell on July 25, 2022 @ 06:00
‘Brothers and sisters—our region has not faced a more vexing set of circumstances for decades. The triple challenges of climate, Covid and strategic contest will challenge us in new ways. We understand that the security of any one Pacific family member rests on security for all.’
— Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speech to Pacific Islands Forum secretariat, Suva, Fiji, 26 May 2022
As Australia’s first-ever climate minister, I know the imperative that we all share to take serious action to reduce emissions and transform our economies. Nothing is more central to the security and economies of the Pacific. I understand that climate change is not an abstract threat, but an existential one.
Australia will remain a critical development partner for the Pacific family in the years ahead. We are a partner that won’t come with strings attached, nor impose unsustainable financial burdens. We are a partner that won’t erode Pacific priorities or institutions. Instead we believe in transparency. We believe in true partnerships. We will respect Pacific priorities and Pacific institutions.
Leaders noted that the region continues to be a highly contested sphere of interest, in a wider geopolitical setting with external powers seeking to assert their own interests. In the current strategic context, Leaders recognised the importance of remaining unified as a Forum family to address common challenges and to capitalise on key opportunities.
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URL to article: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/south-pacific-vexed-by-climate-change-covid-19-and-china-contest/
[1] speech: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/speech/speech-pacific-islands-forum-secretariat
[2] Fiji: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/visit-fiji
[3] Samoa and Tonga: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/visit-samoa-and-tonga
[4] New Zealand and Solomon Islands: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/visit-new-zealand-and-solomon-islands
[5] strategic competition: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/china-in-the-south-pacific-splintering-regionalism-and-strategic-gains-through-economics/
[6] Pacific step-up: https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/pacific/engagement/stepping-up-australias-pacific-engagement
[7] sixth birthday in September: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/happy-fourth-birthday-pacific-step-up/
[8] challenge: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/china-challenges-australia-in-the-south-pacific/
[9] traditional role: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-pacific-islands-forum-at-51/
[10] summit: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/transcript/joint-doorstop-suva-fiji
[11] Pacific family: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/morrisons-forrest-gump-moment/
[12] acquisition of Digitel Pacific: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/telstra-finalises-acquisition-digicel-pacific
[13] US$1.33 billion: https://www.exportfinance.gov.au/newsroom/telstra-decision-to-acquire-digicel-pacific/
[14] US$270 million: https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02440201-3A579039?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4
[15] Canberra pays: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-20/digicel-telstra-federal-government-deal-communications-china/100308288
[16] frantic on–off: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-14/digicel-deal-off-again-on-again-foi-documents-reveal/100697440
[17] crowded and complex region: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/climate-and-cash-rule-a-crowded-pacific-islands-forum/
[18] forum communiqué in 2018: https://www.forumsec.org/2018/09/06/forty-ninth-pacific-islands-forum-nauru-3rd-6th-september-2018/
[19] communiqué this year: https://www.forumsec.org/2022/07/17/report-communique-of-the-51st-pacific-islands-forum-leaders-meeting/
[20] counteroffer is to South Pacific people: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-bipartisan-promise-to-south-pacific-people/
[21] South Pacific express the sense: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-dollars-and-sense-of-australias-china-challenge-in-the-south-pacific/