Opinion: UN Secretary-General Misses the Mark by Ignoring New Zealand’s Oil Exploration at Pacific Islands Forum
As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, the Pacific Islands stand on the frontline, their very existence threatened by rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and increasingly severe weather patterns. At the recent 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the United Nations Secretary-General delivered a speech that, while rich in rhetoric, fell short of addressing a critical issue facing the region: New Zealand’s proposed oil exploration.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General rightly praised the Pacific Islands for their leadership in environmental stewardship and climate action. He highlighted the region’s Climate Emergency declaration and the aspirations for a fossil-fuel-free Pacific as blueprints for the rest of the world. His call for a global phaseout of fossil fuels and critique of new oil and gas licenses was pointed and necessary. Yet, glaringly absent from his speech was any mention of New Zealand’s plans for oil exploration—a direct contradiction to the Pacific’s climate ambitions.
The omission is particularly striking given the forum’s significance. The PIF is not just a gathering of Pacific leaders; it is a critical platform for addressing the unique challenges faced by these nations. The Secretary-General’s failure to directly confront New Zealand’s proposed actions is a missed opportunity to hold regional powers accountable, undermining the credibility of his broader climate message.
This is not just a matter of words but of action—or the lack thereof. When the world’s leading diplomat speaks in the Pacific and ignores such a pressing issue, it sends a message that the concerns of these vulnerable nations are secondary to political sensitivities. The Secretary-General’s strong rhetoric on the global stage is commendable, but it must be matched by an unwavering commitment to confronting specific regional challenges, especially when they threaten the very survival of the people he is addressing.
Adding to the gravity of the moment, during the opening ceremony of the forum, Tonga was struck by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake—a stark reminder of the volatile and vulnerable environment these islands inhabit. The earthquake serves as a metaphorical jolt, underscoring the immediate and tangible threats facing the Pacific Islands. This natural disaster highlighted the need for global leaders to not only acknowledge but also actively address the unique challenges that the region faces, both from human-induced climate change and the Earth’s own unpredictable forces.
The Pacific Islands have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the fight against climate change. They have taken their case to the International Court of Justice, pushed for ambitious climate policies, and continue to demand that the world follows suit. The Secretary-General should have used this forum to bolster that leadership by speaking out against any actions—by any nation—that contradict the region’s fight for survival.
As the global community looks to the Pacific for inspiration in the climate battle, it is crucial that leaders, especially those at the helm of the United Nations, “walk the talk.” The Secretary-General’s silence on New Zealand’s oil exploration is a stark reminder that even the most well-intentioned global leaders can fall short. The Pacific deserves more than just words of support; it deserves direct and unequivocal action.
If the world is serious about saving the Pacific—and by extension, saving the planet—then it must start by holding all nations, including those within the region, accountable for actions that threaten our collective future. The UN must not only support the Pacific Islands in their climate efforts but also actively challenge any developments that run counter to those efforts, regardless of the political consequences.
In the end, if we cannot save the Pacific, how can we save the world? The time for half measures and diplomatic omissions is over. The Secretary-General must lead by example and confront all threats to the Pacific with the urgency and specificity they deserve.
Melino Maka
Kingdom of Tonga
