Beijing has been extending its influence in the region via increasingly attractive offers of funding and cooperation, leading to situations of debt issues and high vulnerability of these States. In addition, China has started to sign security cooperation agreements, including with the Solomon Islands.

Japan and other like-minded countries such as Australia, the United States and France have thus been stepping up their engagement in the region. Their aim is to offer a liberal alternative to China by increasing the funds earmarked for the sustainable development of Pacific Island countries, while promoting the principles of transparency and debt sustainability and upholding international norms and standards. The idea is also to encourage private investment, generate more political dialogue, reinforce the diplomatic presence to counterbalance Beijing, and ensure a greater economic, climate and political resilience of the PICs.

This webinar will be held online, in English.
 

PROGRAM

• Hideyuki SHIOZAWA, Director, Division of Island Nations of the Ocean Policy Research Institute, SPF, Tokyo
• Véronique ROGER-LACAN, French Ambassador to the Pacific
• Sandra TARTE, Associate Professor, Acting Head of School (SoLaSS), Director Politics and International Affairs Program, University of South Pacific, Fiji

Chair: Céline PAJON, Head of Japan Research, French Institute of International Relations (Ifri)