Page 35 - IB MAY 2017

Oceans

Change the narrative, says Pacific expert ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC

Pacfic experts say
1. Kosi Latu – Director General of the Samoa- and well-being of all people - eradicating poverty,
based Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environ- promoting health, etc and ensure that countries,
ment Programme governments, industries, NGOs. CSOs, and grass-
“We believe the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) root communities make strong commitment to
could achieve its goal of seeing the global com- work together through strong effective, innovative
munity come together with new partnerships and partnerships to ensure that the SDG14 on oceans
tangible commitments that will see progress in is achieved for the benefit of the planet and the
achieving SDG 14. The SAMOA Pathway lay the Human race now and into the future. WWF believes
foundation for genuine and durable partnerships that the UN Ocean Conference can help set the
for our Small Islands Developing States and we’re course for the world to contribute to achieving the
pleased the UN Ocean Conference will provide the Agenda 2030, in particular SDG14 and related SDGs,
opportunity for that to grow with a specific focus as an integrated whole. It is also an important part
on Ocean Health. of the overall Agenda 2030 implementation and a
“Our new Strategic Plan fully recognises the cru- key step towards the High Level Political Forum, in
cial role of Ocean Health for Pacific island people, July 2017, where SDG14 is one of the focal goals for
as such we have ensured that Ocean work is cross review.
cutting across all programme areas of SPREP. At WWF believes 2017 UN Ocean Conference and its
the upcoming UNOC we have three key areas that Call for Action must include the following elements:
we are focussing on, which we hope will strength- - A roadmap towards 2030, setting out a clear
en partnerships and support to Pacific islands process and timeline for implementation of SDG14,
region – Ocean Conservation, Marine Pollution and and including transparent reporting of commit-
Debris as well as Ocean and Climate Change. We ments and partnerships recorded at the Confer-
would like to see the UNOC agree on firm commit- ence to ensure accountability. This includes the
ments from our global community to address the set-up and funding of UN Ocean Conferences at
challenges in these areas, as well as further support regular intervals of three to four years.
and partnerships to help enhance our work and - Means of implementation, emphasising the
to help to build the capacity of our Pacific island paramount importance of ensuring enabling condi-
countries in these areas. While there is onus on the tions are put in place: new investments are needed;
UN community to make a difference, we must all and the implementation of related SDGs are
remember that we ourselves, in our homes, have equally important. The private sector needs to be
a major role to play in achieving and protecting proactively encouraged to engage in the delivery.
our ocean. We must be empowered in our choices, - A commitment to invest in social capital to
ensuring that they are the best decisions made for ensure better stewardship of ocean and coastal re-
a resource that has helped nurture our families, sources: This is a prerequisite for achieving SDG14,
provided the backdrop for our cultural traditions and indeed the 2030 Development Agenda as a
and also has been the vessel that has helped shape whole, especially in ocean dependent economies
our paths with the journeys of our ancestors. “ · A set of major areas of focus and prior-
ity actions in order to swiftly embark upon the
2. Mr Alfred Ralifo – Policy Co-ordinator of implementation of SDG14, to ensure they are given
WWF Fiji the prominence required in decision making at all
Catch of the day at Kia Island. “That all UN Member states recognise the im- levels and in all sectors.
Photo: Juergen Freund/WWF
portance of Oceans to food and economic security

seafood, abundant wildlife, vibrant coastal of SDG14. Protection of groupers and coral fishing project,’ Oasis Earth’s precaution-
communities and resilient coastal econo- trouts’ spawning aggregation sites is key ary approach to deep sea mining and
mies. Regrettably, scientists have revealed to Fiji’s voluntary commitment while Palau ‘incentivising sustainable fisheries through
that we have reached the tipping point for is recommitting to the declaration of 80 per certification of the Marine Stewardship
our ocean and its resources, and we must cent of its territorial waters as a national Council.
act now to reverse this grave trend. marine sanctuary. There’s several voluntary initiatives on
“The 2030 Agenda, with Sustainable Its northern Pacific neighbour, Marshall clearing the oceans of plastic pollution,
Development Goal 14 on oceans represents Islands on the other hand is committing plans to establish a centre of excellence in
our last chance. It provides a global road- to a Junior Ocean Ambassador Summer marine conservation by the Coral Triangle
map that paves the way for humanity to Camp targeting young Marshallese on a Centre, tuna traceability declaration, a Pan-
once and for all salvage our ocean from its programme on environment education, Pacific network on traditionally designed
current cycle of decline. “ hands-on marine science and beach clean- and sustainable sea transportation and
By April 30th, three Pacific Island Coun- up initiatives. an eco-ship.
tries including co-host Fiji had taken up the Other voluntary commitments that in- r spareti@islandsbusiness.com
call by UN President Thomson for volun- volved islands of the Pacific included the
tary commitments on the implementation US Pew Charitable Trust ‘ending illegal

Islands Business, May 2017 35