Veteran Fijian diplomat and former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kaliopate Tavola, has thrown his support behind the proposed creation of a Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (PIPA), saying the region has lacked a key structural component for more than half a century.
“Something has been missing from our journey to unlocking the Pacific economic potential for the last 54 years,” said Mr Tavola, who is also a founding member and current board member of Unity Fiji.
Reflecting on the evolution of Pacific regionalism since the formation of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in 1971, Tavola said progress has largely been hampered by the absence of binding regional mechanisms.
“Since 1971, we have had Pacific regionalism on what many term as a voluntary basis. Our Pacific Leaders have passed many good resolutions. But all sovereignty rested with the individual States, and there was no sharing with the region,” he said.
“This essentially means that when the resolutions of the PIF Leaders are taken to the various capitals, Cabinets and national Parliaments, there is no obligation to implement those good resolutions.”
Mr Tavola emphasised that a lack of shared sovereignty has been the main obstacle to meaningful regional progress.
“Essentially, there has been no sharing of sovereignty – that of the states with Pacific regionalism.”
In this context, he welcomed the initiative to form PIPA, describing it as a long-overdue and necessary development.
“This body will strengthen regionalism and elevate it into a robust standing body of Pacific legislators that can complement the work of the executive-led regional organizations,” he said.
“Such an initiative has been missing in the last 54 years, and I urge all to support it in the interest of Pacific regionalism.”
He also stressed the importance of Australia and New Zealand’s inclusion in the proposed assembly.
“But in my view, it is critical that our regional neighbours Australia and New Zealand agree to join PIPA.”
He believes that PIPA would provide the “teeth” that regional efforts have long lacked.
“This Inter-Parliamentary body will have the teeth to implement the resolutions passed by the Leaders and Ministers in our many regional fora. This structural shift will revitalise regionalism which has not progressed far in the last five decades.”
To ensure maximum impact, Tavola proposed closer alignment between PIPA and the existing Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting (PIFL).
“There will definitely be a need to synchronize the membership between Pacific Islands Forum Leaders (PIFL) and PIPA to enable the two bodies to be structurally reflective of each other. This will facilitate their joint functionality, thus their utility and synergy.”
Looking to the future, Tavola argued that a well-functioning regional legislative body could help lift Pacific economies through sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
“Our Pacific economies are struggling to reach their economic potential. Such synergies amongst small Pacific Islands will improve economic growth which is sustainable and inclusive. This will pave the way for an economic union similar, in some respects, to the European Union in the long term.”
Mr Tavola’s remarks come as Pacific leaders continue discussions at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara, where regional architecture and governance are under
