Is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Exclusively an Economic Regime?

Abstract

Long neglected at the periphery of global politics, the Pacific region is home to more microstates than any other region on earth. As defined herein, the Pacific region comprises the sixteen states recognised by the Pacific Island Forum itself.** Inherently ocean-locked, the Pacific Island countries face numerous challenges of capacity and mobility. Though it maintains the typical diversity and variance of any region - from relatively resource-rich and mountainous Papua New Guinea (PNG), to the atoll states of Republic Marshall Islands (RMI), Tuvalu and Kiribati - it is noticeable for its reliance on foreign aid in order to maintain ongoing development. Even though lacking in major political flashpoints, the region still harbours strains of geopolitical struggle between major Asian powers. Japan, China and Taiwan all have investment and diplomatic interest in the region as the Pacific nations create a significant bloc of votes in the United Nations (UN). In addition to the proxy concerns of such nations, the Pacific Island countries have gained extra international influence in the past two decades due to their concerted lobbying in regard the negative impact of climate change in small island developing states. Their efforts have managed to bring the changing climate more consistently into the public arena, and also into the domain of security studies, thereby attempting to bridge the high and low branches of political studies.