Pacific backs regional response to Middle East crisis

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has endorsed a regional response against the Middle East crisis and its impact on fuel and energy security in the Pacific.

The foreign affairs ministers of the PIF-member nations have joint arms in calling for the end to the conflict between Israel, United States of America and Iran.

PIF secretary-general Baron Divavesi Waqa and Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Rick Houenipwela announced the outcomes following last week’s virtual special forum foreign ministers meeting.

“Although the Pacific is geographically distant from the conflict itself, the ministers recognised that our economies and communities remain closely connected to global fuel markets, shipping routes, aviation systems, and international supply chains,” Mr Waqa said.

The virtual meeting was convened under the Biketawa Declaration — a regional agreement that allows Pacific leaders to respond collectively to crises affecting member countries.

Minister Houenipwela said the newly endorsed mechanism would strengthen coordination and information-sharing across the region.

“No one country can deal with this crisis alone,” he said.

“Therefore, the need for a regional coordinated approach to look at how we can help each other address our challenges at this time.”

Ministers also endorsed a peace statement to be issued by Pacific leaders, calling for peace in the Middle East in line with the region’s Ocean of Peace Declaration.

Australia and New Zealand endorsed the regional mechanism and are already providing financial support, including funding for technical work by the Forum Secretariat.

The next PIF foreign ministers meeting is scheduled for August in Suva.

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