BY JOY OFASIA
Josie-Anne Ashley, General Secretary of the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress, delivered a moving address at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting’s Commemoration Ceremony leaders and delegates gathered at Friendship Hall.
In a speech during the commemoration of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration, Ashley addressed Pacific leaders, highlighting the influence, potential, and appeals of the region’s youth.
“Today, as we commemorate the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration, I am honored to stand before you all,” Ashley began, “not just as a youth leader and representative, but as the voice of our villages, our islands, and our families—feeling the waves of change lapping at our shores.”
Her speech painted a vivid picture of what peace means to Pacific youth — not only the absence of conflict, but a future where their communities thrive, oceans are clean, and cultural wisdom is passed on unbroken.
“It is the gentle lullaby of ocean waves cradling our children to sleep,” she said, “not the roar of rising seas swallowing our homes.”
Ashley’s address, both poetic and powerful, was met with admiration as she confronted pressing issues head-on: climate devastation, nuclear legacies, militarization, and the need for genuine partnership and unity.
“Our communities have spoken respectfully through forums and declarations,” she stressed. “As one voice, we say: ‘We cannot have an Ocean of Peace unless every single community lives in peace.’”
She also issued a clear challenge to Pacific leaders: ensure that youth are not left behind in decision-making.
“Our youth need access to education… mental health support… and opportunities to overcome unemployment,” she urged. “Above all, we need a seat at the table to shape decisions that affect us.”
In a symbolic gesture at the end of her speech, Ashley presented a hand-carved wooden tuna to the Honourable Prime Minister and Forum Chair, representing both appreciation and responsibility.
“This Island Tuna… symbolizes our gratitude… and our commitment to ensuring our shared ocean remains peaceful,” she said.
The moment was met with applause and quiet reflection, as many were moved by her ability to capture both the hopes and the struggles of Pacific youth.
Leaders from across the region expressed their appreciation for Ashley’s remarks. One delegate was overheard saying, “She spoke for all of us — not just the youth.”
As the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration was reaffirmed, Ashley’s words served as a powerful reminder: real peace requires more than promises — it demands partnership, action, and unity across generations.
“From mangroves planted with our elders to talanoa circles in our villages, we will build our islands’ peace—stone by stone, wave by wave,” Ashley declared. “Pacific youth will rise with the tide.”
