Pacific Islands Meeting Ends with Declaration, Action Plan; Nations Pledge Cooperation on Security, Climate Change

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:26 JST, July 18, 2024 (updated at 19:15 JST)

The Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Tokyo concluded on Thursday, with participants adopting a leaders’ declaration that lists seven areas of cooperation, including peace and security and climate change, and a joint action plan describing specific projects.

The declaration reaffirmed a “commitment to the free, open and sustainable maritime order” and expressed “strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by the threat or use of force or coercion anywhere in the world.” China is not directly mentioned, but these statements appear have been made with China’s coercive expansion into the East and South China Sea in mind.

The declaration also acknowledges “climate change as the single greatest existential threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of the people of the Pacific.” with the Japanese government showing its sympathy toward the island countries.

The joint plan stipulates specific cooperation projects in seven areas over the next three years, including peace and security, climate change and disasters, and technology and connectivity. Regarding security and peace, it says – with China’s strengthening of its military ties with island countries in mind – “The PALM Partners will …strengthen defense exchanges through port calls in the Pacific by Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) aircrafts and vessels.”

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida presided over the meeting. At a joint press conference afterward, Kishida said it was increasingly important for there to be cooperation and partnership between Japan and the island states in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

The meeting was held from Tuesday to Thursday, involving leaders from 16 island countries and regions, including the Federated States of Micronesia, and ministerial-level officials from Australia and New Zealand. PALM has been held every three years since 1997, marking its 10th anniversary at this year’s gathering.