The vision for the Pacific Island Forum
13-16 August 2019
“This region faces issues vital to our future. Our leadership role is crucial to navigate the impacts of climate change for the #BluePacific and for the planet. Our destiny is at stake now,” Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor reflects as Leaders gather for #PIF2019 11 Aug Tweet from @forumsec ♥ 107 RT 43
#PIF2019 twitter network 11-19 August
This twitter network had
- 5877 – users/accounts
- 27, 505 – tweets, which comprises:
- 811 – new tweets
- 13144 – Mentions
- 12759 – Retweet
- 791 – Replies
Most liked tweets in #PIF2019
@reclaimanglesea Sickening to hear the @ScottMorrisonMP government say in substance that Australia’s destructive addiction to #coal is non-negotiable and that vulnerable Pacific nations should accept that. A mixture of extreme arrogance and #climatesciencedenial 👎 #abcnews #auspol #PIF2019 #PIF ♥ 745 RT 399
@mskatelyons EXCLUSIVE I interviewed @FijiPM Bainimarama who said Scott Morrison’s “very insulting and condescending” behavior at #PIF2019 could push Pacific nations closer to China. “The Chinese don’t insult us,” he said. “They’re good people.” https://t.co/Hf8xlfRLJt ♥662 RT 406
Most popular hashtags
- pif2019 5862
- tuvalu 1502
- pacific 956
- climatechange 931
- westpapua 714
- bluepacific 635
- coal 618
- auspol 496
- australia 416
- westpapuan 366
Review of each day’s most liked and retweet tweets
The Agenda
13 August most liked and retweeted tweets of the day
@euinnz RT 194 – Tuvalu’s symbolic welcome to Pacific Leaders arriving at #PIF2019 sees children sitting submerged in the sea around their island home and beautifully singing a specially composed “Save our Tuvalu, save the world” song to greet their visitors #Tuvalu @TuvaluGov
@drrajivkjain RT 165 – “We depend on our planet for everything we are and everything we have. The air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. #ClimateChange strikes at the heart of what it means to be human”-@DrTedros at #PIF2019 🇹🇻 https://t.co/4OJV8AqY7R
@reclaimanglesea ♥195 RT 99 – Why should Australia be Pacific Island state’s “partner of choice” when @ScottMorrisonMP’s government treats their legitimate concerns about the existential threat of #ClimateChange with contempt?🤔 Our PM is a #climatescience denier in substance🙈🙉 #abcam #auspol #PIF2019 #PIF
@joeytau ♥107 RT 43 – As #Pacific leaders meet today in #Tuvalu, #WestPapua remains priority on the agenda. #pacificregionalism #BluePacific #Pacific4WestPapua #PIF2019 #Tuvalu2019 https://t.co/XJovzKgocj
@gill_betty RT 158 – Morrison pledges $500 million to fight climate change across Pacific islands. (Firstly it’s not new funding. Secondly it’s a bandaid as selfish polluters like Australia should be reducing emissions – not planning new #fossilfuel projects! #auspol #PIF2019) https://t.co/eu7wlaqwa5
14 August most liked and retweeted tweets of the day
@forumsec ♥283 RT 128 –“If you save Tuvalu, you save the Pacific, and you save the world” the message from the children of Tuvalu and their Prime Minister is clear ahead of the retreat at the #PIF2019. The 2019 PIF Communique is expected this evening #BluePacific #Tuvalu https://t.co/RvkzRxO2Qp
@burebasgal ♥178 RT 79 – Tongan PM rips into #Indonesia, claiming it has a strong influence on some members of the Forum. He said the only way to counter #Indonesia is unity in strength & solidarity in addressing #WestPapua human rights violation
@joeytau ♥114 RT 46 –#PNG Prime Minister supports the regional call for a 10 year moratorium on seabed mining. PNG joins #Fiji and #Vanuatu in calling for a regional moratorium.
@markrobinson_3 ♥109 RT 60 – Both Tonga & Vanuatu have raised the appalling human rights situation in West Papua at the #PIF2019 Would it be possible for ANY media outlet in Australia to report on this? #auspol
15 August most liked and retweeted tweets of the day
@forumsec ♥172 RT68 – The leaders of the Blue Pacific stand together – beside the lagoon, facing the ocean – in Fakaifou,Tuvalu #PIF2019 #family https://t.co/EGqdGKfus2
@freewestpapua ♥118 RT 151 – URGENT: #WestPapuan students, and Indonesians in solidarity were arrested and brutally tortured in #Ternate today by the #IndonesianPolice and military, all for calling for #PacificIslandsForum support for #WestPapua. What is the response of #PIF leaders? #PIF2019 #AMP #ULMWP https://t.co/mKXu7hibK
16 August most liked and retweeted tweets of the day
@forumsec ♥137 RT 35 –That’s a wrap on #PIF2019! Faafetai lasi to Tuvalu for a generous and beautifully hosted meeting #BluePacific #family #Tuvalu https://t.co/F1DxKjKkRD
@mofa_taiwan ♥153 RT 34 – Very busy morning in #Tuvalu! Had positive & productive bilateral talks with the #PIF2019 delegation led by Prime Minister Sogavare & Foreign Minister Manele. The mutual visa-waiver pact is inked & #Taiwan’s relationship with #BluePacific partner #SolomonIslands is rock solid. JW https://t.co/PZ2Xunkrr4
@profstrachan ♥56 RT 60 – Important Pacific Forum #PIF2019 ends in row with Australia over #ClimateChange goals “Critics have blamed #Australia for undermining a joint statement from #BluePacific island nations” Pacific islands are at the sharp end of #ClimateEmergency#auspol https://t.co/QPBi053YQh
17 August most liked and retweeted tweets of the day
@paula_kruger ♥157 RT 62 – Pacific nations deserve to be recognised as world leaders in the battle to save the planet but poverty is used against us. Take the aid, be quiet, pick fruit.#PIF2019 https://t.co/gBWPNnOBvY
@profstrachan♥ 110 RT 89 – “#ClimateChange is the greatest threat to the #GreatBarrierReef.” “If we are to secure a future for the #GBR & coral reef ecosystems globally, there is an urgent & critical need to accelerate actions to reduce global emissions.” #PIF2019 #AusPol https://t.co/I6yzMgf94b
18 August most liked and retweeted tweets of the day
@billhareclimate ♥139 RT 61 – In summary, my impression is not that Tuvalu was scuttled at #PIF2019 but rather Australia scuttled itself within the region. I think we will see a revitalised Pacific push for climate action at the UNSG Summit in New York, and Australia will be nowhere on all key issues in play.
@billhareclimate ♥82 RT 70 – I think it is really important to put front and center in this talk of who lost or got scuttled in Tuvalu at #PIF2019 a few key issues. Firstly the Tuvalu PM was not alone with all others supporting what Australia opposed on coal, zero emissions by 2050 and on the 1.5C limit. https://t.co/828ViuCKOz
@profstrachan ♥78 RT 82 – Australia is 3rd largest exporter of #FossilFuels behind Russia & Saudi Arabia “#Coal exports doubled between 2000-2015 & make up 29% of the global coal trade. #LNG exports tripled over the same timeframe to 6% of trade, & continue to increase.” #PIF2019 https://t.co/6aH3qoPYAl
The Communique
@forumsec ♥283 RT 128 – “If you save Tuvalu, you save the Pacific, and you save the world” the message from the children of Tuvalu and their Prime Minister is clear ahead of the retreat at the #PIF2019. The 2019 PIF Communique is expected this evening #BluePacific #Tuvalu
@fijipm ♥352 RT 228 – #PIF2019: We came together in a nation that risks disappearing to the seas, but unfortunately, we settled for the status quo in our communique. Watered-down climate language has real consequences –– like water-logged homes, schools, communities, and ancestral burial grounds. https://t.co/6pTyjZs1rS
@reclaimanglesea ♥121 RT 74 – Australia removes climate ‘crisis’ from Pacific islands draft declaration (A recalcitrant bully (AKA our Federal Government) may be able to finesse the wording of a communique, but the laws of physics remain immutable #ClimateEmergency #auspol #PIF2019) https://t.co/v5sTpZRw7Z
Concluding tweets
@scottmorrisonmp♥311 RT 64 – We achieved agreement on many issues and will continue to work strongly together. #PIF2019
@clarke_melissa ♥92 RT 100 – There was a big build up by Tuvalu, but in the end, Australia shut down the climate deal Pacific leaders wanted. The discussions reduced the Tongan PM to tears. #auspol #PIF2019 #BluePacific https://t.co/eFLcGimtIL
@paula_kruger ♥ 157 RT 62 – Pacific nations deserve to be recognised as world leaders in the battle to save the planet but poverty is used against us. Take the aid, be quiet, pick fruit.#PIF2019 https://t.co/gBWPNnOBvY
Influencers in the #PIF2019 Network
Changing alliances in the Pacific
Developing alliances with Taiwan
@mofa_taiwan – Official account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). All tweets initialled JW are by Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
- 14 August: Read the @smh article by @rharris334 on @Republic_Nauru President Baron Waqa’s recognition of #Taiwan as a “very strong partner” in the Pacific. We’re deeply grateful for this rock-solid support at #PIF2019 in #Tuvalu from one of the country’s best friends. https://t.co/v5lFuKQ03U https://t.co/EsuZE0413e♥213 RT 56
- 15 August: Great to be on the ground in #Tuvalu! A big thank you to Foreign Minister Finikaso & Amb. Su for the warm welcome. Looking forward to holding consultations with the leaders & representatives of #Taiwan’s #BluePacific partners during #PIF2019.Read the @smh article by @rharris334 on @Republic_Nauru President Baron Waqa’s recognition of #Taiwan as a “very strong partner” in the Pacific. We’re deeply grateful for this rock-solid support at #PIF2019 in #Tuvalu from one of the country’s best friends. https://t.co/v5lFuKQ03U https://t.co/EsuZE0413e♥409 RT 70
- 16 August: The #Taiwan/ROC Forum Countries Dialogue is concluded at #PIF2019. Get up to speed on this important event involving #BluePacific partners #Kiribati, #MarshallIslands, #Nauru, #Palau, #SolomonIslands & #Tuvalu. #TaiwanCanHelp advance sustainable development & realize the #SDGs. https://t.co/3MHKAaqW5Q♥313 RT 47
- 16 August:Very busy morning in #Tuvalu! Had positive & productive bilateral talks with the #PIF2019 delegation led by Prime Minister Sogavare & Foreign Minister Manele. The mutual visa-waiver pact is inked & #Taiwan’s relationship with #BluePacific partner #SolomonIslands is rock solid. JW https://t.co/PZ2Xunkrr4♥153 RT 34
- 17 August: Had a great talk with @SecBernhardt on the sidelines of #PIF2019. We’re of one mind when it comes to building a more free & open #IndoPacific. JW https://t.co/JgWtABOxut♥155 RT 41
- 17 August: Prime Minister Sopoaga, take a bow! Your inspired leadership made #PIF2019 in #Tuvalu a big success & put Funafuti firmly on the world map. It’s not easy bidding one of #Taiwan’s finest friends farewell. Rest assured, PM, you’re always in our hearts. JW https://t.co/1frIzlADCw♥91 RT 27
West Papua
Tweets relating to West Papua
@veronicakoman ♥ 87 RT 100 – Why leaders in #PIF2019 urgently need to take a bolder lead on West Papua: just today: – 168 protesters arrested – at least 39 injured – a deputy mayor in Java plans to remove West Papuan students from the city – Indonesian VP &defense chief suggest additional military operation https://t.co/a7jpKbKR9x
@freewestpapua ♥ 118 RT 151 – URGENT: #WestPapuan students, and Indonesians in solidarity were arrested and brutally tortured in #Ternate today by the #IndonesianPolice and military, all for calling for #PacificIslandsForum support for #WestPapua. What is the response of #PIF leaders? #PIF2019 #AMP #ULMWP https://t.co/mKXu7hibKI
@burebasga ♥ 108 RT 54 – #Samoa wants #Pacific Leaders to review position on #WestPapua. Nothing has moved since Forum Leaders position in previous years. The issue cannot be ignored anymore, when people are dying #PIF2019 #BluePacific #Tuvalu https://t.co/TcxdDMP6mB
@burebasga ♥ 178 RT 77 – #Tongan PM rips into #Indonesia, claiming it has a strong influence on some members of the Forum. He said the only way to counter #Indonesia is unity in strength & solidarity in addressing #WestPapua human rights violation #PIF2019 #BluePacific #Tuvalu https://t.co/4Coq6TzYy8
