Research Seminar | Unity and Discord in the Pacific: Negotiating PACER Plus скачать в хорошем качестве

Research Seminar | Unity and Discord in the Pacific: Negotiating PACER Plus

Presented by Dr Larry Crump, Griffith Asia Institute 12 September 2024 The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) is a trade and development treaty that was negotiated by Australia, New Zealand and 14 Pacific island countries. Negotiations - sponsored by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) - commenced in Cairns Australia in 2009, and continued until 2017 when the PACER Plus treaty was signed in Nuku’alofa Tonga. Ten of 16 countries (PIF members) signed and ratified the treaty, which entered into force in 2020. This study begins by identifying the events that led to the commencement of PACER Plus negotiations. Primary parties, other influential parties and the negotiation structure created by these parties are introduced before conducting a detailed examination of negotiation interests, issues and process including the negotiated end-game. This study offers seven key learnings and takeaways, based on case analysis, outlines the treaty's relevance to the future, and provides policy recommendations that can be acted upon by the governments of Australia and New Zealand. This study concludes that these negotiations did not enhance regional unity, as six Pacific island countries remain outside of PACER Plus. Economic growth and sustainable development, however, may be realised by the eight island countries that joined PACER Plus.