Australia changes tone at Pacific Islands Forum

Australia, which has been accused of taking a dismissive stance in the past towards island nations, has spent the week trying to "do show respect" and strengthen its influence.

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< p class= "css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">In many ways, the Pacific Islands Forum was a success for Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was confident as he assessed his meetings with island leaders earlier this week.

"I said I would listen . We listened,” he told reporters on Friday. "I said I would show respect. I showed respect."

Australia's influence was "enhanced" by the meetings, Mr. Albanese said. Although he did not say explicitly what effect the week would have on China's influence in the region, his message was clear: “These things are all relative by definition. If Australia increases our influence, then it has an impact. of a security agreement with China earlier this year, promised that there would be no Chinese military base in his country. Pacific island leaders have embraced the new Labor government's more ambitious plan to cut emissions, with a 43% reduction target by 2030.

On Wednesday, US Vice President Kamala Harris gave a virtual speech announcing a new strategy for the Pacific - including opening embassies in Kiribati and Tonga, restoring the Peace Corps to the region, sending a US envoy to the forum and increasing funds for fisheries aid in the region.

"We recognize that in recent years the Pacific Islands n may not have received the diplomatic attention and support you deserve," she said. "So today I'm here to say straight to you: we're going to change that."

It's a clear change of tone for Australia and the United States United, which has been criticized for its contempt and neglect of the region. It also reflects the importance of the Pacific as an increasingly assertive China projects power in the region. Another testament to the region's growing importance: This year's meeting attracted the largest news media contingent yet, said journalists and academics who regularly cover the forum.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">But Australia and the United States Has the United States done enough to repair relations in the region?

Reports that The forum is expected to declare a climate emergency in the Pacific a far cry from the last in-person meeting, in 2019, when former Prime Minister Scott Morrison battled with leaders of island nations to water down language on climate change ...