By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau – Today marks the conclusion of the fourth Pacific Islands Parliament Group (PIPG) conference, which has been held in Palau since Wednesday. This year’s event is particularly significant as it is the first time that the PIPG and the Association of Pacific Islands Legislatures (APIL) have been hosted by the same country concurrently.
Speakers of parliaments and legislators of the Pacific, both north and south, who are members of both organizations, participated in these two conferences.
The APIL held its 41st General Assembly on Monday and Tuesday, preceding the PIPG conference. Afterward, APIL members remained in Palau to attend the PIPG sessions as observers. Palau, the only Micronesian member of PIPG and a founding member of APIL, facilitated this unique arrangement.
The conferences centered around the theme, “Human Development in Oceania: How Can Legislatures Strengthen People-Centered Security for Pacific Islanders? The State of and Future Perspectives on Food Security, Economic Security, Cyber Security, and Other Indicators of Human Development.”
The PIPG conference, which concludes today, addressed a range of critical issues faced by Pacific Island nations, including food security, cyber safety, gender-based violence, and the trafficking of illicit drugs. Speakers from both North and South Pacific regions, representing universities, colleges, and major regional organizations, shared their insights.
In his opening address, President Surangel Whipps Jr. emphasized the importance of unity among Pacific nations. “The Pacific is one, and we must stand and work together. Our collective strength and unity are essential as we confront challenges and strive for sustainable development,” he said.
The keynote speaker at this year’s PIPG conference was Dr. Robert Underwood, President Emeritus of the University of Guam and a former U.S. Congressman. In his speech, he underscored the power of Pacific Islands to resist external influences and asserted their right to make independent decisions regarding their human security and dignity.
“Climate change is the unifying issue of the Pacific,” Dr. Underwood said in an interview with Island Times. He added, “I like to emphasize the Pacific Islands’ right to say no to any policies that make them uncomfortable, whether related to foreign affairs, investments, or military activities.”
When asked about Palau’s role in the broader geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific, especially in light of increased military activities, Dr. Underwood commented on the U.S. military’s strategic interests. “They are developing Palau to protect their military assets in Guam,” he said, noting that while a military base may not be established, divert airfields are being built in Palau, including in Peleliu, as well as in Yap, to relocate assets in case of an attack on Guam or war.
PIPG and APIL are organizations composed of legislative bodies across the Pacific. While PIPG primarily includes South Pacific countries, APIL, a much older organization, consists mostly of North Pacific countries.