By: L.N Reklai
“We cannot have an ocean of peace unless every single community lives in peace. For us young people, this is our plea. Let this declaration be more than words on a page. Let it be the anchor that holds our Pacific family together.”
These words from Josie-Anne Ashley, Secretary General of the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress, set an urgent and heartfelt tone as youth leaders confronted Forum officials in Honiara this week, urging them to transform the newly signed Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration into more than symbolism.
Ashley’s impassioned address drew a vivid contrast between the idyllic meaning of peace for youth—“It’s the gentle lullaby of the ocean waves cradling our children to sleep, not the roar of rising seas swallowing our homes”—and the harsh realities of climate devastation, nuclear legacies, and militarization that threaten island communities. Speaking for millions of young Pacific Islanders and the “villagers feeling the Waves of Change lapping at our shores,” she called for leaders to “act together in the true Pacific way” by embracing a people-focused approach that prioritizes education, mental health, security, and cultural continuity.
Youth’s Vision: Tangible Peace, Real Participation
Youth leaders like Ashley do not view the Ocean of Peace as a diplomatic abstraction. Instead, their vision is grounded in daily life: clean water, strong mental health, opportunities instead of unemployment, and hope for future generations. Today’s young people want more than pageantry—they want real power and responsibility.
Among their priorities:
- Genuine seats at the decision-making table, not tokenism.
- Access to education, mental health services, and stable employment.
- Protection of culture and environment, with progress that is measured and reported.
- Intergenerational cooperation that blends ancestral wisdom with youthful energy.
To symbolize this commitment, Ashley presented a gift of tuna to the Forum chair, emphasizing Pacific youth’s readiness to “carry it forward,” bridge generations, and operationalize change.
Forum Leaders: Framework for Regional Security
Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele described the Ocean of Peace Declaration as a vow to insulate the Pacific from great power rivalry. For leaders, the declaration frames peace within sovereignty, resilience, and regional solidarity. Manele highlighted the scars left by World War II and called the declaration “a call for the Pacific to control its destiny, to place development at the centre of our agenda for peace and free our people from want, from fear and to live in dignity.” He urged resource mobilization, cross-sector partnerships, and a joint commitment to climate action and global stability.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stressed that signing is only the start, with meaningful work to follow. “We have to operationalise this in our domestic politics and issues—those raised by civil society, youth groups, women’s groups, and gender advocates… the declaration will be strengthened with annexes and targets we commit to,” he told journalists, affirming support for ongoing dialogue and concrete targets.
Core Difference: Living Peace vs. Strategic Security
The youths’ core distinction lies in their focus on peace as a living, daily experience—felt in community stability, personal well-being, and the thriving of young generations. Pacific leaders, by contrast, emphasize peace in terms of regional strategy, diplomatic autonomy, and geopolitical stability. For youth, “safeguarding our future” means addressing substance abuse, access to education, and the anxieties of rising seas right now, not just charting Pacific security in international forums.
Call to Action: Make Peace Real
Ashley’s closing reminder to leaders—“whatever is decided, youth will carry it forward”—resonates as a mandate for accountability and shared ownership. Pacific youth stand ready to turn the words of the Ocean of Peace Declaration into action, demanding that peace flourish not only in speeches but in every home, shoreline, and classroom across the region.
The historic signing marks a new chapter for the Pacific, but its true legacy will be measured by how leaders and youth together operationalize a vibrant, inclusive, and enduring Ocean of Peace.