‘Pickle’ conference here continues effort of Pacific island leaders to work together

Early this week in advance of the World Conservation Congress, Pacific Island presidents, prime ministers and representatives will be arriving at the East-West Center for the 10th Pacific Island Conference of Leaders (PICL).

The “pickle,” as PICL is sometimes called, was created in 1980 by former Hawaii Gov. George R. Ariyoshi and Fiji leader Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara as a forum for Pacific island leaders, regardless of political status and without formal intergovernmental protocol, to address shared issues, learn from each other’s experiences and develop common approaches to policy.

Over the years, issues have changed, but several enduring themes stand out. In one way or another, these again top this year’s agenda, developed with the guidance of PICL chair Prime Minister Peter O’Neill of Papua New Guinea.

First, how can regional cooperation among the islands be constructed to more effectively address the issues that really matter to people?

In no other region of the world is international cooperation more imperative. Because of their small populations, limited economies and vast distances, few of the island countries can provide a full range of modern economic, medical, educational and transport services for their people entirely on their own.

Further, in dealing with the outside world on key issues such as climate change, the island countries are far more influential acting together than separately.

Yet, there is a plethora of regional institutions with overlapping mandates and differing agendas, and in some cases rivalries in the region are growing.

At this week’s PICL summit, the group will look at experiences in Caribbean island cooperation.

In addition, the heads of the Pacific Island Forum and the Pacific Community Secretariat will be joining the PICL for the first time.

Second, how can island societies mitigate and adjust to devastating impacts from environmental change?

For decades, Pacific islands, including Hawaii, have suffered from the introduction of invasive species and over-exploita-tion of marine and land resources. In recent years, the rapid effects of climate change, including sea level rise and more frequent and vicious storms, represent existential challenges for low-lying atolls and their populations.

In this area Hawaii has much to offer, with our disaster resilience and training capabilities, lessons from traditional stewardship of resources and innovative programs such as the public-private Hawaii Green Growth Initiative.

As one of the PICL members, Gov. David Ige will share the Hawaii experience with other island leaders to help them develop strategies in accord with their own cultures and traditions.

Finally, because the PICL has its origins in the United States, the U.S.-Pacific islands relationship has always been important in these meetings.

Three U.S. presidents — the two Bushes and Obama — have met with the island leaders during past summits, as well as Secretaries of State Rice and Clinton. President Barack Obama has announced that he will again be addressing the leaders during this year’s meeting, and a range of other officials also will provide them with a “whole of government” briefing on U.S. engagement programs relevant to the Pacific, which are much more impressive when presented together.

But despite increased attention in recent years, the U.S. relations with the Pacific islands remain uneven, often dominated by a single issue such as fishing agreements or climate change. To address this, the East-West Center is proposing that a small, high-level group of Americans and islanders be convened to provide a more in-depth look at the relationship and provide recommendations to strengthen it.

With their 12 U.N. votes and vast Exclusive Economic Zones, it is only logical that the Pacific islands should receive more continuous, constructive attention from Washington.

And Hawaii, with its many island-related institutions and connections, remains the region’s best link to the rest of the United States.

Hopefully, the PICL summit, the World Conservation Congress, and other events this week will continue to help build needed connectivity, trust and cooperation among leaders of the Pacific.