By Pita Ligaiula in Honiara, Solomon Islands
Pacific Leaders on Wednesday endorsed the Ocean of Peace Declaration, a visionary initiative first proposed by Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in 2023.
As a token of appreciation, the Fiji Government presented a whale’s tooth — the highest token of respect and gratitude — which was accepted by Forum Chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremaiah Manele.
“Today, I’m mindful that I appear before you as, perhaps, a diminishing group of a generation of Pacific leaders,tasked with the time-honoured tradition of nurturing and cementing vanua relationships or the Veiwekani Vakavanua, Land, Fanua or Whenua links and ties. This tradition is the anchor of our Vuvale or family, people, history and our unique cultures,” Rabuka said at the commemorative event.
Rabuka told Pacific leaders that unity is the region’s greatest strength as they signed the historic Ocean of Peace Declaration at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara.
“The Pacific is a very different place now compared to a mere two decades ago.
We are facing existential security threats whether it be the climate crisis, epidemics, terrorism, transnational organised crime or challenges such as labour mobility, economic fragility, retreat of democracy with competing geo-political interests superimposed over these,” Rabuka said in his address to the Leaders.
He said the region’s security challenges — from climate change to organised crime — can only be addressed through solidarity.
“With our individual relative isolation and smallness, these challenges are insurmountable. Our hope is in the collective. Nothing must come between us, not even economic interests or the rising seas. A combined Pacific voice rings loud and echoes afar. Our unity is our dignity and strength,” he said.
Rabuka stressed that climate change remains the most urgent threat.
“The call to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is not just a target—it is a lifeline. For us, this is neither about politics, nor a mere scientific debate. It is a matter of survival, and our survival is not negotiable,” he said.
He also warned against weakening the multilateral system.
“For order, justice and peace in our region and the world, there must first be rules. Emerging trends and patterns of diluting this global rule-based order is of utmost concern for small states like us, thus the need for unity and solidarity on our part,” he said.
Rabuka said the Ocean of Peace Declaration reflects Pacific values and a collective commitment to peace.
“Today, Pacific leaders have spoken with clarity and authority. Leaders have declared that their home, the Blue Pacific Continent, is an Ocean of Peace. The world knows that we, the Pasifika People, mean business and it starts here, with us,” he said.
“Having taken the Ocean of Peace concept through a series of PIF consultations demonstrates the maturity of process that augurs well for our region. The process took two years and 24 days from 16 August 2023 to 10 September 2025.
He added that the declaration “creates the opportunity for our unique cultures and peoples to declare our homes, waters, food sources, livelihoods, development and aspirations free of coercion.”
“By this declaration, we have declared and secured this right. The Pacific as an Ocean of Peace creates the opportunity for our unique cultures and peoples to declare our homes, waters, food sources, livelihoods, development and aspirations free of coercion,” he said.
“It demands a certain standard of behaviour, one that embraces the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
“Unity, as for our Pacific family, is fundamental for the Ocean of Peace to work. The Forum family is called upon to live by the values reflecting peace as one of the highest virtues. We are the demonstration of the principles we advocate, and the Pacific Way is the fountain and platform on which we stand.”
Rabuka also urged leaders to think of future generations and that the Ocean of Peace tells the world who we are as a people.
“Our silence must never we misread for emptiness or weakness. That we resent disrespect and coercion. While we might be small, our determination and faith in the God we serve, is the very source of our being and resolve,” he asserted.
“Together, as Pacific nations, we must ensure that our ocean remains a source of life and harmony for generations to come.
“Our responsibility as leaders demand that we frame and build the vale, the fale under which our future generations of Pacific vuvale will live and interact in their time,” he said.
Today, the Leaders will travel to Munda for the Forum Leaders’ retreat before the meeting wraps up on Friday.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Stitiveni Rabuka will not attend the retreat as he will be travelling back home, while Minister for Infrastructure Ro Filipe Tuisawau will represent him.
