All eyes on COP29
Pacific delegations are heading to Baku in Azerbaijan for COP29. The re-election of Donald Trump as President of the USA has caused some consternation. It is widely expected that he will withdraw his country from the Paris Agreement as he did the last time he was in office. However, some people feel that the global shift towards achieving net zero emissions is too well established to be derailed.
Papua New Guinea made the shock announcement that it would not attend COP29, declaring it to be a waste of time. There is certainly some sympathy with the position that there is a lot of talk and too many empty promises from high-emitting countries. However, activists within the country and across the region have expressed their disappointment that PNG will not have any ministerial representation at the meeting.
How the US elections played out in the Pacific
The US presidential elections highlighted the ongoing impacts of colonialism and lack of voice in places such as Guam. The citizens in the US territory have no say in who becomes the President of the USA, although they do take part in a non-binding straw poll. On November 5, they voted for a local legislature, a governor, and a non-voting member of the House of Representatives.
Further to the elections, Pacific leaders have congratulated President-elect Donald Trump. Many have commented on the warm relations between their countries and the USA, noting the importance of renewed engagement in recent years. However, there are concerns that the 47th President will repeat his past performance of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and deprioritising the climate crisis during his administration.
Some analysts claim that engagement with the Pacific will remain a US priority, although climate may prove a point of tension.
Other Pacific news …
In Palau, the incumbent Surangel Whipps Jr has been returned to office. He defeated his brother-in-law and former President, Tommy Remengesau Jr. Decisive issues for voters in Palau were around the economy and cost of living.
The Council of Ministers in Vanuatu has directed the Ministry of Justice and Community Services to draw up a policy that would ban support for LGBTQIA+ groups and activities in the country.
In Solomon Islands the government is looking to introduce a citizenship-by-investment scheme to raise revenue and stimulate foreign investment. They are looking to lessons learned in other jurisdictions such as Vanuatu to inform this work.
In Fiji, former Prime Minister and coup leader Josiah Voreqe ‘Frank’ Bainimarama has been released early from jail. He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice in May this year. He has served six months of the sentence.
Dr Tess Newton Cain is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Griffith Asia Institute.
