Intervention, Regionalism, Engagement: New Forms of Security Management in the South Pacific?

Recent assessments of the economic and political situation in the South Pacific depict a region of small island countries facing considerable challenge and stress. An Asian Development Bank discussion paper, for example, suggests that from a once reasonably promising economic position, the Pacific is now falling behind other developing regions (ADB 2004). Economic growth (it says) has not kept pace with high population growth rates, job creation for youth has been minimal, and poverty is now a significant issue. A review of the premier regional organisation, the Pacific Islands Forum, undertaken by an ‘eminent persons group’ from within the region itself, found that variable standards of governance had impacted adversely on Islanders’ living standards and in some had contributed to instability, conflict, corruption and a weakening of democratic processes (EPG Review 2004). An Australian Senate committee report on Australia’s relations with the region concluded that Pacific countries would likely continue to suffer political, ethnic and social tensions brought about by continuing economic decline and poor governance (Australian Senate 2003).AusAI