Pacific Island representatives are convening in Palau this week to strategize their collective stance ahead of the upcoming United Nations Preparatory Meeting on the Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty in April. During the meeting, Palau’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment Steven Victor highlighted the necessity for Pacific nations to unite in advocating for their shared priorities within the treaty. “There’s no livable planet without healthy oceans,” Victor remarked, stressing the urgency in managing biodiversity beyond territorial waters.
Dr. Filimon Manoni, the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) commissioner, acknowledged Palau as the first country to ratify the BBNJ Treaty, with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands following suit. Furthermore, he noted that Pacific nations such as Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Kiribati are actively pursuing ratification, showcasing a regional commitment to ocean protection.
The meeting aims to equip Pacific island nations with effective negotiation skills for the BBNJ treaty, which is focused on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in international waters. Participants are examining past discussions and refining their knowledge on key topics, ensuring that their voices resonate in the negotiations on crucial issues like financial mechanisms, governance structures, and unity among Pacific voices.
Aligned with this initiative, ongoing dialogues and workshops in other Pacific nations reflect a robust momentum towards regional collaboration on ocean governance. Samoa, for instance, is hosting a national workshop in partnership with OPOC and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to solidify stakeholder roles under the BBNJ framework.
The collective efforts signify a hopeful trajectory towards enhanced regional cooperation, emphasizing the shared responsibility to safeguard marine biodiversity and resources vital for the livelihoods of Pacific communities. As these nations bolster their commitments to sustainable development, there is an overarching sentiment that united action can lead to a healthier and more resilient marine environment for future generations.
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