The General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), Reverend James Bhagwan, has urged Pacific leaders to ensure the region’s “Ocean of Peace” vision is not overtaken by military and security interests, warning that peace must remain rooted in justice, dialogue and the wellbeing of Pacific peoples.
In a seven-page pastoral open letter titled “Let Peace Govern Security”, Reverend Bhagwan reflects on the biblical passage of Micah 4:1-4 and calls on Pacific governments, churches and international partners to preserve the original intent of the Ocean of Peace initiative.
Writing from Majuro in the Marshall Islands, Reverend Bhagwan says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s Ocean of Peace vision was initially welcomed because it offered the Pacific a way to promote peace through relationships, dignity, dialogue and care for creation rather than geopolitical competition.
However, he expresses concern that the concept is increasingly being linked to defence and security arrangements.
Referring to the recently signed Veitacini Treaty between Fiji and Australia, Bhagwan notes that while the agreement affirms dialogue and respect for sovereignty, it also includes provisions on deterrence, collective defence and responses to armed attacks.
He points to growing public debate over whether the Ocean of Peace vision has been “hijacked” and cites concerns raised by regional civil society leaders who fear the concept is being co-opted by external military interests.
Reverend Bhagwan argues that the Pacific’s understanding of peace must remain broader than national security.
He says Pacific churches and communities have long defined peace as the wellbeing of people, land and ocean, grounded in reconciliation, justice, neighbourliness and respect for Indigenous knowledge.
The letter also recalls the legacy of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands, ongoing climate change, violence against women, deep-sea mining and economic inequality as some of the region’s greatest security challenges.
Reverend Bhagwan calls for the proposed Ocean of Peace Centre to focus on conflict prevention, mediation, trauma healing, social cohesion and civilian-led peacebuilding rather than military objectives.
He also urges leaders to ensure women, young people, persons with disabilities, Indigenous communities, churches and civil society share decision-making authority from the outset.
Concluding the letter, Reverend Bhagwan says security should always be guided by peace rather than the reverse.
“May peace give security its direction. May justice shape every agreement,” he writes, calling on Pacific leaders to choose dialogue over confrontation and ensure the Ocean of Peace remains under the shared guardianship of Pacific peoples.
