A new paper by the Pacific Security College is urging Pacific leaders to place land governance back at the centre of regional peace and security efforts as climate change and development place increasing pressure on land across the region.

From a press release it states that the paper, Land: A Fault Line for Pacific Peace and Security?, argues that land security is closely linked to identity, livelihoods, governance and community wellbeing, yet has received little attention in regional security discussions.

Author and Pacific Security College Senior Research and Engagement Fellow, Dr Anna Naupa, said climate change is making land an increasingly important security issue.

“As climate change reshapes coastlines, affects food systems and forces communities to relocate, land is becoming a critical security issue. It underpins identity, livelihoods, governance and community cohesion, yet it has become increasingly absent from regional security discussions.”

The paper recommends restoring land governance as a key part of regional peace and security planning. It also calls for greater recognition of customary land governance systems and stronger regional cooperation on land policy.

Director of the Pacific Community’s Land Resources Division, Karen Mapusua, said Pacific people have always viewed land as more than an economic resource.

“Pacific peoples have long understood land as something far more than an asset. It is the foundation of identity and belonging. As climate change, urbanisation and population growth place greater pressure on land, these challenges will only increase.”

The paper also features contributions from regional experts from the Solomon Islands, French Polynesia and the Pacific Security College, who say lessons from traditional land governance, climate-related displacement and food security should play a greater role in shaping future regional security policies.

Dr Naupa said the development of the Pacific’s Regional Peace and Security Action Plan presents an opportunity for Pacific countries to strengthen land governance and ensure it contributes to long-term peace, prosperity and security across the region.