Traditional Leaders Can Boost Pacific Islands Unity

The globally recognized and invaluable Pacific Ocean is most treasured by Pacific Island states that have inhabited the territory since before it became the contemporary battleground for strategic diplomacy.

The main issue in recognizing a traditional council model in Pacific Island countries is whether the model can accurately incorporate cultural policy considerations in the contentious Pacific era.

From a Pacific perspective, this is of paramount importance, and there is an unequivocal advantage in facilitating a regional body for cultural preservation and exchange to work within the contemporary geopolitical reality of the region, underpinned by a slew of external states seeking to exert influence.

The democratic implications of increasing traditional leaders' policy influence in Pacific Islands states is a multifaceted subject underscoring the broader conversations regarding the topic. The PTLF's primary goal of increasing traditional regional Pacific collaboration on regional challenges provides confidence that the group will play a respectable role for Pacific-centered prioritization during a time of heightening competition.

As with all systems of governance, the efficacy of democracy in the Pacific should be assessed on its outcomes and not its premise. Diversifying policy development by integrating positions from traditional Pacific leaders is to recognize the intergenerational value and localized knowledge these leaders hold.

The timing for the summit arising at this Pacific geopolitical intersection of diplomatic ties and strategic military expansion is not arbitrary. The global attention garnered from competing external states seeking strategic partnerships in the region is well-recognized and continues to complicate internal and external Pacific state partnerships.

It's disingenuous to review the validity of traditionally informed Pacific protocol from an external perspective that doesn't consider its localized importance to the Pacific region.

Beyond using the systematic knowledge of historical and contemporary land, people, and culture, the PTLF can embolden Pacific relations at a time when the risk of diplomatic disparities and partnerships with external states affects internal Pacific Island relationships by complicating the dynamics of external alliances.

Despite these internal disparities, Pacific Island governments, communities and leaders remain determined to identify the region's priorities of climate change, democracy and economic growth.

Pacific states already unite under the banner of the Blue Pacific Continent . The PTLF potentially makes use of the localized value of traditional leadership while also establishing a key mechanism for championing Pacific culture within policy and diplomatic approaches. It offers a great deal for the region. The PTLF provides for the potential of further embedding regional heritage as a front for the region that may signify respect for tradition to implement progressive cultural policy.

As New Zealand's coalition government repeals use of Māori te reo language in its public service, the broader backdrop for the region in 2024 remains underscored by neocolonial sovereignty matters. The PTLF's position in the Pacific – still to be fully determined – provides a real opportunity for allowing Pacific Island countries to maintain regional collaboration by championing traditional knowledge in internal and external policy.

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All eyes will be on the initial outcomes at the inaugural PTLF meeting in June, with the key question being: How can the forum accurately represent and facilitate tradition in Pacific policy through the complex dynamics of the 21st century?

The PTLF has potential to influence engagement in the Pacific's broader international diplomacy, as well. Strategically, countries competing for an increased presence in the region must both acknowledge the significance of the PTLF's progress and outcomes as well as demonstrate consideration for traditional heritage in their engagement with the region.

External states active in the Pacific have historically delivered cultural diplomacy, largely, at a suboptimal level. And while it's unknown what consequences the PTLF will entail for the region's foreign policy, the intention of the forum is clear – to increase regional unity under the banner of traditional leadership.

This should send a clear message to competing external states: The Blue Pacific Continent will direct internal collaboration through the PTLF to help inform and respond to the region's competing contemporary issues, and the value of traditional leadership in these strategies should be recognized in any diplomatic effort.

Henry Heritage (... ) is a Fijian/Australian principal policy officer in the public service and chief Ooerations officer of Young Australians in International Affairs. He specializes in democracy, regional policy and development in the Pacific.

This article was originally published by Pacific Forum . It is republished with permission.