Page 31 - IBs November 2022

Opinion Opinion

The central theme of the discussions above is the status to consider conceptualisation of a PICs-only forum as a way
of Australia and New Zealand’s involvement, if any, that is forward.
implied in the implementation of the Declaration vis-à-vis Paragraph 8 of 2019 PIFL’s Communique states: “Lead-
the PICs. In the context of legal agreements – such as repre- ers welcomed the offer by the PM of Tuvalu to commence
sented by this Declaration, non-signatories like Australia and dialogue with Leaders on a new 2050 vision for Pacific Island
New Zealand will have no stake in its implementation. That countries that recognised the Blue Pacific Continent that
is going to complicate the operationalisation of this Declara- make up the territories and economic exclusive zones of the
tion. Like the PBP before it, this Declaration is likely to ‘ride region and how Pacific Island countries can form an effective
roughshod over established regional processes.’ union, building on the SAMOA Pathway and the Boe Declara-
In trying to rationalise the situation above, it is tempting tion, to ensure a safe and secure future for the Pacific in the
to label it as just a faux pas. This, however, can be ruled out face of climate change.”
given the extent and depth of the brains trust behind the The ‘Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership’ in my estima-
formulation of the Declaration on both sides. tion, has abrogated the established order of PIF or Pacific
Was it a means of rebalancing on the part of the U.S.? As regionalism. However, this does have a silver lining by giving
implied above, the U.S. has been linked to Australia and New precedence to a PICs-only forum whose fullest expression may
Zealand in the formulation and operationalisation of ANZUS, have finally come.
the Indo-Pacific Strategy, QUAD, AUKUS and PBP. Washington
may have been motivated therefore to redirect its interest editor@islandsbusiness.com
and resources to the PICs this time around to demonstrate
that it also cares for them. The author is a former Fijian Ambassador and Foreign Minis-
Some regional commentators may see the U.S. move as ter and runs his own consultancy company in Suva, Fiji.
compensatory. It is general knowledge that the PICs had
shelved the Chinese approach for a multilateral agreement, The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author
comprising prospects of Official Development Assistance and and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this publica-
more. It was timely therefore for a compensatory move from tion.
Washington. The move was readily accepted, given the readi-
ness on the part of all the PICs present to wholeheartedly sign
the agreement.
Washington’s specific interest in the PICs as a group is not TRADE MARK CAUTIONARY NOTICE IN
new nor extraordinary. PICs/PSIDS is a sub-grouping acknowl- MICRONESIA
edged under the United Nations and some of the processes
under its agencies, e.g., the SAMOA Pathway. The Declara- Johnson & Johnson, a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, of
tion can therefore be an acknowledgement of such a group- One Johnson & Johnson Plaza, New Brunswick, New
ing. This can be seen as a vote of confidence for the PICs, Jersey 08933, United States of America, does hereby
especially in its formulation as a PIC-only forum that is able provide notice that it claims proprietorship of the trade
to enter into negotiations with other fora, including extra- mark
regional agencies. BAND-AID
In such a context, the perceived derogation by the U.S.
has a silver lining. It places recognition on a concept that has in relation to:
been around for some time and whose further applications for Wound dressings, namely adhesive bandages, gauze
either regional and/or multilateral associations have been the pads, gauze sponges, medical adhesive tape, wraps,
subject of several exploratory analyses in the region. and dressings for skin wounds; first aid kits; Isopropyl
The Pacific African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) members’ asso- Alcohol; Antiseptic and antibacterial preparations for
ciation with the EU since the days of Lome I is a good exam- wound care; medical cleansers for healing wounds; hand
ple. After over 50 years, its existence has not been placed in sanitizing and disinfectant preparations.
any doubt. A PICs-only forum that can associate with Australia Johnson & Johnson cautions that any use of the trade
and New Zealand in a changed PIF architecture has been the mark or any confusingly similar trade mark in relation to
subject of consultancies and papers, some of which have been any of these goods or similar goods, would be seen as
published. infringement of their rights and that they will take such
A PIC-only forum published under the title: ‘The United action deemed necessary to protect those rights.
States of the Pacific’, was former Prime Minister Enele So- Johnson & Johnson can be contacted care of their
poaga’s idea that could best promote PICs’ existential threat address for service:
of climate change globally. This paper was published before AJ Park, Level 22, Aon Centre, 1 Willis Street,
the 2019 PIF Leaders’ (PIFL) meeting in Funafuti. The paper Wellington 6011, New Zealand, mail@ajpark.com
must have made an impact since PIFL at that meeting opted

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