Reclaiming Pacific Island Regionalism

Abstract

Regionalism has always been a part of Pacific Island political solidarity.¹ The regionalism of intergovernmental organizations has been about more than simply “the creation of regional capacity.”² One of its hallmarks has been its effectiveness in politically organizing Pacific Island states to collectively resist powerful outside interests that pose threats to Pacific Island interests. Nor has regionalism been the exclusive preserve of governments or states. Regional solidarity among peoples’ movements has as long a history in the Pacific as intergovernmental regionalism. This solidarity has included movements for political independence or sovereignty, together with workers’ and women’s rights movements, environmental movements, and mobilization by Pacific churches, trade unions, and NGOs in support of peoples’ struggles for freedom and justice. Regional solidarity has also been a key element in movements against nuclear testing, nuclear bases, and the transhipment and/or dumping of nuclear wastes. Over the last three to four decades, NGOs and social movements in the region have not only exerted pressure on independent Pacific Island governments to support their various struggles in defense of Pacific interests, they have also often challenged governments and political elites arrogating to themselves the exclusive right to speak for the region.³ In sum, Pacific regionalism has reflected political solidarity both among Pacific Islands states, and among peoples of the Pacific organized in social movements, and has often seen a convergence in their respective agendas, especially in matters involving external political interests detrimental to Pacific Island ones.