Published by: EAST ASIA FORUM

13 March 2025

Author: Charles Hawksley

University of Wollongong

The Pacific Islands region faced multiple challenges in 2024, from violent unrest in New Caledonia to devastating natural disasters in PNG and Vanuatu. Climate change impacts accelerated while electoral changes reshaped several governments. As China and Western powers competed for influence, Pacific nations demonstrated increasing diplomatic agency. Key developments included the Tuvalu–Australia climate refugee agreement and regional security initiatives, highlighting the region's growing strategic importance.

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https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/03/13/shifting-tides-in-the-blue-pacific/

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