United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres issued a stern warning Thursday during his visit to Samoa, declaring that the Pacific must not be a battleground for global powers.
He called for international action to support Pacific nations against the mounting challenges of climate change and urged the world to respect the sovereignty and leadership of the islanders in managing their region.
Many democratic powers, including Australia, the United States, New Zealand, France, India, the United Kingdom, and Japan, have recently refocused their attention on the region in response to Chinese influence in the Pacific.
Guterres emphasised the urgency for global powers to respect the Pacific’s autonomy, warning against the region becoming a platform for geostrategic competition.
“International tensions are rising and interest in this region from major powers is mounting.
“The Pacific is best managed by Pacific islanders. It must never become a forum for geostrategic competition,” he stressed.
As the region faces existential threats from climate change, Guterres highlighted the importance of the upcoming Summit of the Future, urging world leaders to revitalise multilateral institutions.
He called for greater representation of Pacific nations in these bodies, particularly in financial institutions that could provide critical adaptation funding.
“And we must push for greater representation – including of Pacific countries, especially in multilateral financial institutions.
“On all these issues – together – the United Nations stands with the Pacific in calling for justice and change.
“For global action to support the Blue Continent and the future of its people and take in particular consideration the need to massively increase the funding for adaptation of countries that are already suffering the dramatic impacts of climate change.
“This is the message I will carry with me to the Pacific Island Forum in Tonga and to the Summit of the Future and the General Assembly in New York,” Gutteres said.
During his visit, Guterres also addressed the dire state of the ocean, which he described as the “beating heart” of Pacific cultures but one that is increasingly exploited and degraded.
“We also need international action for the ocean.
“The beating heart of Pacific cultures and economies is being exploited, polluted, and degraded.
“Climate change, plastic, overfishing and waste are taking a terrible toll.
“Pacific nations lead the world in ocean stewardship,” he said.
He also urged countries to ratify the international Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction(BBNJ).
“I urge all countries to ratify the recent international Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction – to give the ocean, and ocean people, a fighting chance.
Reflecting on his visit to Samoa, Guterres praised the resilience of communities that have faced the impacts of tsunamis, rising sea levels, and severe storms.
He noted the determination of the Samoan people to protect their land and way of life, despite the relentless challenges posed by climate change.
Guterres’ visit to Samoa serves as a prelude to his participation in the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga and his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he intends to carry the Pacific’s call for justice and change to the global stage.
