NZ backs Pacific Policing, commits to climate finance – FBC News

Prime Minister Chris Luxon concluded his PIF meeting with an afternoon visit to aid projects in Tonga. (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)

New Zealand has decided to donate to both the Pacific Policing Initiative and the Pacific Resilience Facility.

Chris Luxon concluded his first Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting as Prime Minister of New Zealand on Friday, spending the afternoon visiting aid projects in Tonga.

The Kiwi leader was mobbed by primary school pupils at a school just south of Nuku’alofa and took charge of a watermelon farm, returning to base after two days of high-level talks.

It was also his first experience at a leaders’ retreat, a diplomatic experience unique to PIF, where the 18 leaders engage in dialogue all day without advisors.

“What I get out of it is that the centrality of PIF is becoming increasingly stronger,” he said.

“PIF’s voice in the global forum has, I think, become much stronger.”

One of the PIF’s key objectives in recent years has been to secure climate finance to help the region adapt to the likely effects of global warming in the coming decades: sea level rise, increased flooding and more intense storms.

It was surprising that New Zealand was missing from the final communiqué’s list of donors to the Pacific Resilience Facility, PIF’s climate finance organisation to be based in Tonga.

Australia has pledged $100 million, Saudi Arabia $50 million ($73 million), the United States $5 million ($7 million) and China $500,000 ($735,000).

Mr Luxon said New Zealand supported the proposal but he wanted to see the fine print.

“We would also like some clarity on the legal obligations, the governance of that fund and how it will work in practice,” he said.

“It has to be well run, well managed and clearly governed… that should not be read as code for not supporting it.”

Mr Luxon also said New Zealand fully supports the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), which is backed by Anthony Albanese, despite rumours in Nuku’alofa that some in Wellington had reservations.

“We are 100 percent involved and we will do our part,” said Mr. Luxon.

“Transnational crime, human trafficking, drugs, all these problems affect us all… it is really a Pacific challenge, and a Pacific solution is needed.”

Some in Melanesia criticize the PPI as an attempt by US ally Australia to exclude China from a role in policing and security duties in the Pacific.

By supporting the PPI, Mr Luxon continued his government’s enthusiasm to engage with Australia in the region.

During a visit to Canberra this month, Mr Luxon said he wanted New Zealand’s defence to be a “force multiplier for Australia”.

Mr. Luxon continued his praises on Friday, saying: “Australia has done a fantastic job here at PIF, they really have.”

“They flew us out there to the island (Vava’u) for the leaders’ retreat, flew us back, and Australia is also doing fantastic work in the region.”

While previous governments in Wellington have paid much attention to New Zealand’s position, “independent” foreign policy – ​​which is code for bridging the gap between Beijing and Washington – Luxon came into conflict with the US on another issue.

He made it clear that New Zealand supported the ongoing policy of inviting Taiwan to PIF summits, against China’s wishes.

Mr Luxon warned next year’s host, the Solomon Islands, not to exclude the island nation from the deliberations.

“That will be a decision that has to be respectful,” he said.

“As the host of PIF you may have your own point of view, but you must reflect the views of the Pacific Islands Forum and all the leaders who are there.”

PIF has three members that continue to recognise Taiwan – Palau, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu – while three others – the Solomon Islands and Kiribati (2019) and Nauru (2024) – have transferred recognition to China in recent years.