PACIFIC Islands Forum leaders have invoked the Biketawa Declaration to support a coordinated regional response to the emerging energy crisis affecting the Pacific region.
The response comes as leaders reaffirm their commitment to act decisively and collectively in anticipation of worsening global conditions as the crisis in the Middle East continues to disrupt fuel supply chains.
In a statement this evening (Friday), the Forum said leaders had recognised the value in early-positioning and preparing the region to respond in a coordinated and effective manner to the emerging energy crisis.
A coordinated member-led regional response mechanism will strengthen regional coordination, support timely decision-making, and help safeguard economic stability and essential services across the Pacific.
As part of this coordinated regional response, Heads of Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) have established a dedicated CROP Taskforce on the Middle-East Crisis to support ongoing monitoring, align technical advice across sectors, and provide timely, consolidated analysis to inform decision-making.
In invoking the Biketawa Declaration, a special session of the Forum Officials Committee will be convened this month, to be followed by a Special Session of Forum Foreign Ministers, to consider the structure, governance arrangements and technical support required to operarationalise the regional response mechanism.
The invocation of the Biketawa Declaration underscores the Pacific’s commitment to acting early, collectively, and decisively to address shared challenges. It reinforces regional solidarity and positions the Forum to respond effectively to evolving risks, while protecting vulnerable economies and communities across the Blue Pacific.
Since its establishment, the Biketawa Declaration has been triggered to support coordinated regional responses to major regional challenges, including RAMSI and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a time of heightened global tensions, the Pacific Islands Forum remains committed to upholding peace, stability, and collective resilience in our Blue Pacific region.
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