One of the good things COVID-19 appears to have proven is that technology can go some way to bridging the tyranny of distance.
It was shown again this weekend in one of the world's most geographically remote regions, the Pacific Islands, with a virtual concert held where internet connectivity can be extremely weak and expensive.
The Pacific Unite concert featured performances from dozens of artists including Australia's Paulini, popular Vanuatu singer Vanessa Quai and reggae-island artist Jah-Boy from Solomon Islands.
It was beamed on televisions and smartphones across the Pacific ocean, and watched by people in towns, villages and even an airport runway on the atoll nation of Tuvalu.
Sanaka Samarasinha, a United Nations resident coordinator for 10 Pacific countries, said he was inspired by the success of two global COVID-19 concerts earlier this year.
"I was sitting here in Fiji … with my kids, we were in lockdown at that time. And I was thinking to myself … if those folks out there beyond the Pacific can do it, we can do it here," he told ABC's Pacific Beat program.
He was undeterred by the large production teams and technical capacity of the other global event, nor of the fact he would be dealing with some of the most remote counties in the world, poor infrastructure and a tiny production team.
"I think the first thing I've learned from this whole process is you've got a dream and you've got a dream big," Mr Samarasinha said.
He said global lockdowns had also made it easier to convince people to take part.
"Many people are at home, they're not traveling … so we just got on the internet and started sending emails and making phone calls," he said.
"Pretty much everyone that we would talk to was excited about being part of this initiative."
'The venues are closed'
Like so many others across the globe, COVID-19 has hit Pacific artists hard, with many struggling to make ends meet.
"It's been very hard … we can't do any touring and … the venues are closed," singer Jah-Boy told the ABC.
"I'm happy to take part in the concert to support Pacific islander families, and hope that our music can bring happiness and give them something else to think about during this time."
Pacific leaders, as well as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Prince Charles and Hollywood actor Forest Whitaker also made appearances, along with the popular Fiji Rugby Sevens team.
"The implications of the pandemic for your islands have, I know, been severe, with devastating impacts on economies and livelihoods," said Prince Charles as he addressed the event.
"This dreadful pandemic comes at a time when … the Pacific region is already facing the accelerating and terrifying impacts of climate change."
The event was broadcast in 12 Pacific countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, and will be broadcast throughout Asia today.
Thousands more tuned in around the world to stream the concert on YouTube and Facebook.
Tourist-dependant Pacific faces an economic crisis
There are just a dozen countries that declare they have not had a case of COVID-19, and 10 of them are small islands in the Pacific.
"The Pacific success in minimising the spread of COVID-19 has been a testament to the teamwork of the millions of people across our region," Ms Ardern said.
"Our essential workers and healthcare workers have been the beating heart of our response."
The Pacific Islands, which include Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Samoa and Tonga, have been able to make the enviable claim of being "COVID-free" because they were quick to close their borders, knowing their health systems would not cope with any large outbreak.
But in Papua New Guinea, Guam and French Polynesia, the numbers are going up.
Despite boasting their "COVID-free" status, many of the tourism-dependent Pacific countries are facing an economic crisis.
"The economy's in shreds, tourism is practically non-existent. People have lost their jobs, people are hungry. It has an impact on people's mental health [and] on the education of kids," Mr Samarasinha said.
"We're asking people to come together in solidarity and compassion and kindness, to make sure that we take care of each other as we continue, because unfortunately, this virus isn't going anywhere anytime soon."
Forest Whitaker, who is also a UN Sustainable Development Goals advocate, said: "Despite the physical distancing and sacrifices so many have made during the pandemic, this concert shows us how the Pacific's culture of togetherness, rooted in goodwill and community, makes us stronger."
"When we look back on this difficult moment in history, we remember the unity, the innovative solutions, and the compassion so many have shown.
Additional reporting by Max Walden.
