Partners in the Blue Pacific

THE formation of the new group called Partners In The Blue Pacific (PBP) - which is spearheaded by the US administration and includes Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom - is indeed good news and great reason to believe things will turn out well in the near future for Pacific Island countries and that includes Fiji.

The Biden administration has vowed to commit more resources to Pacific Island nations to boost economic growth, military and police links and other activities that will ultimately benefit the people of the Pacific. White House IndoPacific co-ordinator Kurt Campbell mentioned that

more high level US officials are expected to visit Pacific island countries as Washington steps up initiatives aimed to counter China’s growing influence in the strategically important region.

He further stated that the United States needed more diplomatic facilities across the region and more interaction with Pacific Island countries which at times “receive lesser attention”.

With Australia, New Zealand, Japan and England as crucial members of the PBP, Fiji should aim itself

to be the center of initiatives, working with this new group in close collaboration with neighbouring Pacific island countries.

This initiative spearheaded by the US government could be the answer to many issues faced by Pacific island nations such as rising unemployment rates and declining economic growth and activities that may improve the living standards of the Pacific Island nations.

If this current Government remains in power or a new government is formed,

I believe this recent plan of action taken quite seriously by the White House should be seen and taken as a beacon of hope for our country to progress economically in future.

With China taking the lead role in the Solomon Islands already and now the US administration with its allies fixing their eyes on the entire Pacific Island nations we can conclude that the world is now focusing more on island nations like never before.

What a position for the Pacific island nations to be

in and only if the leaders of today and tomorrow work towards ensuring a maximum return on such new and recent turn of events at world stage involving our often forgotten island nations.

God bless Fiji and the Pacific!

ALLAN JESONI Davuilevu Housing, Nakasi