USPacific summit seeks to strengthen ties, trust

WELLINGTON: New Zealand has cautiously welcomed a new United Statesled Pacific agreement, while reminding American diplomats of the primacy of the key issue in the region — climate change — and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Pacific nations are heading to the White House this week for a summit with President Joe Biden as the US looks to regain trust with a region it has overlooked in recent years.

The ABC reported an 11point declaration has been prepared in the buildup to the summit, which Australia and New Zealand would be attending as observers.

The same report suggested the Solomon Islands had decided not to sign on to the agreement, which may jeopardise its launch.

The agreement reportedly covers issues including climate change, development and security.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the Government would ‘‘certainly consider’’ signing on to the agreement, if it was centred on Pacific concerns.

‘‘The most important conversation is to engage the Pacific in a conversation that they want to have, which is climate change. That will need to be evidenced by consistently demonstrating how they will partner Pacificled aspirations.’’

Geopolitically, the agreement is widely viewed as a counterweight to a Pacific diplomatic sweep by China earlier this year.

Beijing signed several bilateral deals with Pacific nations after a tour by Foreign Minister Wang Yi — including a security tieup with the Solomon Islands which alarmed both Australia and New Zealand.

Reticence from Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to ink the new deal with the US may suggest growing Chinese influence over the country.

It could also suggest Mr Sogavare was chastened by the regional condemnation that followed his security agreement with China.

After a year of dramatic diplomatic episodes for the region, Ms Mahuta was keen to underscore the importance of the PIF.

It counts only Pacific countries, including Australia and New Zealand, as members — not superpowers such as the US and China.

‘‘The Pacific know all too well that there’s increased interest in the region. They will be observing very carefully who’s prepared to listen to the views of the Pacific and work as genuine partners.’’ — AAP