Outline a common vision for the area

The upcoming 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, will not only provide common responses to emerging issues, but also outline a vision for a peaceful, harmonious, secure and prosperous South Pacific region.

Pacific Islands Forum Summit 2022. (Source: AFP)

Covering tens of thousands of scattered islands belonging to three large archipelagos of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia in the South Pacific, the 13 members of the Forum have a total land area of ​​only more than 500,000 km2 but a sea area of ​​more than 30 million km2.

With many islands and reefs suitable for building airports and deep-water ports, the area is an ideal location for building naval bases and deploying military equipment, supporting and securing naval and air force operations.

Beyond geopolitical and military factors, the South Pacific is also rich in natural resources. According to scientists, the region’s precious metals and rare earths are enough to meet the world’s renewable energy needs for at least the next half-century.

However, this is still an underdeveloped region and faces many problems. Therefore, this forum is an opportunity for the region to focus on solving emerging challenges, such as political instability in New Caledonia, high inflation, weak health care systems and the risks from climate change that could submerge many island nations.

Moreover, the region is increasingly aware of its value in the competition for influence between major powers, especially the US and China. This is the time for the South Pacific to “bid the price” with the major powers and raise its voice more strongly in the international forum.

To do so, the forum will have to outline a common vision so that the South Pacific can fully exploit its strengths and balance relations to avoid falling into a deadlock between major powers.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dien-dan-quan-dao-thai-binh-duong-lan-thu-53-vach-tam-nhin-chung-o-khu-vuc-283506.html