Israel enters Pacific Islands Forum’s sectoral partnership stream
Israel has been accepted into the Pacific Islands Forum’s sectoral partnership stream, under a new system separating ministerial cooperation from leader-level strategic ties. Water, agriculture and climate adaptation feature among proposed priorities. The decision was made at last month’s Palau meeting and announced by Israel this week, while the Forum prepares an agreement defining shared work and progress measures.
Geopolitics··Night
Israel joins the ministerial partnership stream
Israel has been accepted into the Pacific Islands Forum’s Sectoral Partnership Stream. Its foreign ministry said Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa informed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar following the leaders’ meeting in Palau. Israel announced the development on Tuesday, which was Wednesday in New Zealand, where RNZ and 1News reported the decision.[1], [2]
Under the Forum’s new two-tier system for external relations, sectoral partners such as Israel engage at ministerial level. Strategic partners, including the United States, China and the European Union, deal directly with Forum leaders. According to 1News’ own reporting, leaders agreed to place Israel in the second tier at last month’s Palau meeting. Announcement waited while countries were informed of their respective streams.[2]
Water and climate adaptation feature in cooperation plans
Sa’ar identified water management, desalination, agriculture, climate adaptation, innovation and sustainable development as areas for cooperation. RNZ said the Forum would prepare an agreement setting shared priorities and methods for measuring progress. The tiers are due to be reviewed after a year under the new partnership arrangements.[1], [2]
The minister visited Fiji in June, met the Forum secretary general and formally presented Israel’s request to join. Waqa also welcomed Maya Yaron, Israel’s ambassador to Fiji and Pacific Island countries, in Suva, Fiji, during the announcement week. RNZ reported that Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Naoero had opened embassies in Jerusalem, while Samoa had announced plans to do so.[1]
Pacific leaders seek control over the Forum’s direction
The new system followed concern that some of the 21 former dialogue partners contributed little engagement and that outside interference was increasing. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr said partners were welcome but should not determine the region’s direction. New Zealand will host the next leaders’ meeting. Labour spokesperson Vanushi Walters said her party would have opposed Israel’s inclusion and asked what New Zealand had done to object. The Forum Secretariat had not yet issued an announcement when the reports appeared.[2], [1]
