Key policy issues
While the political situation in French Polynesia has stabilized since 2011, and even more so since Edouard Fritch came to power in 2014, certain issues such as independence and recognition of the nuclear fact remain a priority in Fenua.
On December 12, 2018, an organic bill was tabled in the Senate to modify the autonomous status of French Polynesia, created in 2004. Among the main measures planned: the confirmation of the "recognition by the French State of the role played by French Polynesia in the development of its nuclear deterrence policy, and a reminder that their consequences must be taken into account in all areas"; the establishment, in terms of State civil service, of a "concordance between the legislative and regulatory regime applicable in French Polynesia, and the State's field of competence" ; or the extension of the possibility for French Polynesia to "create independent administrative authorities in all the fields of its competence" (and not only the economic sector) to exercise regulatory missions. Thus, while the debate over pure independence is no longer on the agenda, the Polynesian government's efforts to make its status more flexible and gain autonomy remain constant.
As for the nuclear issue, François Hollande and Édouard Fritch did sign the "Elysée agreement" in March 2017, a preamble to the future "Papeete agreement", but it remains a dead letter today. Emmanuel Macron has nevertheless assured that he would keep the commitments of his predecessor; nevertheless, Polynesians are still waiting for an official signature.
During his wishes for the new year 2023, President Edouard Fritch reaffirmed his will "to remain with the Republic to watch over our freedom with the protection of France."
In 2023, the 52ᵉ Pacific Islands Forum scheduled in the Cook Islands is about the revision of the Constitution for French Polynesia.
New economic impetus
After the economic crisis suffered from 2007 to 2013, and the return to political stability, the country has finally begun a recovery in consumption, investment and exports. According to the Institute of Statistics of French Polynesia, since 2017, export revenues have climbed 4.2% thanks to the strong performance of pearl, fishery products (+3% in value) and noni (+30% in value and volume). And this momentum was confirmed in 2018. As for the opening of Polynesian skies in 2018, it came at the right time to boost tourism. The arrival of the international airlines French Bee and United Airlines considerably increased the number of seats available to Fenua (+40%, i.e. a total of 5,000 to 6,000 seats per week). Tourist numbers had thus climbed by 6.6% in one year; with 450 million euros of annual spin-offs in the Polynesian economy in 2017, tourism represents the leading sector of the country's economy.
However, the Covid crisis has disrupted tourism data and for example the much awaited Tahitian Village project, which aims to boost tourism on the island of Tahiti, and to eventually accommodate some 1,200 additional rooms, has revised its ambitions downwards. Today, tourism is well and truly back on track, with an increase of 11% in October 2022, more than at the same time in 2021. A tourist frequentation which does not cease to progress.
Obviously, this economic breath will be marked by the Olympic Games in 2024 with the surfing events in Teahupoo where several works will start on this sporting occasion.
Technical and social advances
The installation of the first submarine cable between Hawaii and Tahiti in 2010 had already enabled a significant advance in broadband in Tahiti; in 2018, the commissioning of the Natitua domestic cable marked a new leap forward for the digital opening up of the archipelago. Ten islands in the Tuamotus and Marquesas now enjoy broadband, and can thus welcome new businesses that create jobs. This development of telecommunications also allows the country to support its objectives in terms of health, education, administration and tourism and commercial development.
From a societal point of view, there have been major social movements in recent years concerning the reform of the generalized social protection system (PSG), and in particular pensions - French Polynesia has its own social security system - but social dialogue has generally been well conducted. The SMIG has been revalued in recent years, whereas it had not really increased since 2014. Thus, in January 2021, it was at 152,914 CFP/month, or €1,281, in January 2022 at 155,973 CFP and in January 2023 at 169,153 CFP, an increase of more than 8% in one year.
Environmental challenges
However, economic progress and the development of tourism in recent years are weakening ecosystems. The proliferation of tourism in Bora Bora and Tahiti has led to an alarming depopulation of the lagoons, fishermen are complaining more and more about their dwindling catches, and several scientists are sounding the alarm. However, the development and management plans for lagoon areas, the management plans for maritime areas and other environmental charters are not always followed..
Fortunately, if nature is still preserved almost everywhere, it is because efforts have been made to protect it. Bora Bora, for example, has recently been equipped with a water treatment system, and everywhere on the territory, everything is done to prevent the discharge of pollution in the lagoons. Artificial reefs are also being considered to reseed the lagoon's fish with the help of divers... In parallel, the problem of ciguatera arises every time land is filled in the lagoon. These toxic algae form when the reefs are attacked, whether by cyclones or human activities. But here again, aware that their environment is a real tourist attraction, and therefore economic, the authorities are regularly submitted projects for the protection of nature; as such, several atolls have already been classified as nature reserves. There is still the problem of waste management, which is increasing as the country develops..
The ecological issue is taken seriously, and the authorities as well as the Polynesians are careful to adopt the right behaviors to protect their biodiversity. However, the environment is everyone's business and every individual can act alone: never neglect the hummingbird effect. In 2021, Polynesia has chosen to align itself with the 132 Pacific indicators in the follow-up of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) at the local level in order to facilitate the dialogue with its partners while contributing to the promotion of sustainable development.
Recently, President Emmanuel Macron spoke of his wish to hold the "One planet summit for the islands" in Tahiti which will take place in the second half of 2023 to discuss the issues and challenges of global warming for the Polynesian islands, waste treatment or even issues related to drinking water management...
