The Fiji Council of Social Services has voiced its support for the Oceans of Peace Declaration, lauding its ambition while emphasizing the need for concrete and consistent actions to bring it to fruition. Executive Director Vani Catanasiga outlined the crucial role that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must play in this initiative, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive essential support and attention. Catanasiga stressed that progress requires practical steps beyond symbolic gestures, urging both governments and NGOs to adopt intentional and consistent efforts to make the declaration truly beneficial for Pacific peoples.
Catanasiga highlighted concerns about the practical challenges and implementation hurdles, advocating for enhanced coordination and accountability to transform the framework into tangible outcomes. The declaration aims to establish the Pacific as a zone of peace, but achieving this ambitious vision demands commitments that transcend mere intentions.
Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua mirrored the importance of the initiative, stating that it seeks to strengthen the Pacific’s security landscape by building on existing regional mechanisms such as the Boa Declaration and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. He emphasized that the declaration’s success hinges on sustained engagement and effective implementation to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.
In previous discussions, notably led by Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, it was underscored that signing the Ocean of Peace Declaration is merely a starting point, with an emphasis on transforming the declaration into concrete action. Prime Minister Rabuka has championed commitments that align the declaration with broader regional frameworks like the Boe Declaration and the Blue Pacific Strategy, which are central to a long-term vision of addressing regional security, development, and self-determination within the Pacific Islands.
The Ocean of Peace Declaration comprises guiding principles such as non-coercion, respect for international law, freedom of navigation, environmental protection, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, all aimed at fostering stability and unity in the region. Rabuka and other Pacific leaders view the declaration not just as a symbolic peace pact but as a framework for tackling the complex challenges facing the region, including climate change, economic stability, and geopolitical pressures.
Through this declaration, Pacific nations are committing to a future centered on peace, aspiring not only to prevent conflict but to establish guiding principles deeply rooted in Pacific customs and traditions. This initiative represents a hopeful move towards regional resilience and cooperation by 2050, aiming to deliver substantive benefits for generations to come.
The Oceans of Peace Declaration signifies a step forward for the Pacific region, emphasizing the need for practical application and cooperation among nations. By aligning with regional frameworks and addressing significant challenges, this initiative holds promise for a more peaceful and prosperous future for the Pacific Islands.