Page 23 - IB June 2020

Opinion Opinion

positions to safeguard the stability and strengthen the resil- to prevent further shocks, and manage existing shocks for
ience and sustainable development of the Blue Continent. P-SIDS. The commitment of Forum Leaders to act now is
As described by the World Bank, the shocks of COVID-19 are demonstrated in the 2019 Forum Leaders endorsement of a
causing the world economies to experience the deepest global 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. It reflects a
recession in decades, despite the extraordinary efforts of gov- commitment to urgency for making it happen.
ernments to counter the downturn with fiscal and monetary The 2050 Strategy must be concrete, with binding and
policy support. realistically achievable targets, and with the financial capac-
To eliminate and stop the spread of COVID-19 and its im- ity and investments for implementation. As we have learned
pacts, means not reverting to business as usual. It is instead from our ancestors, the 2050 Strategy during such an unprec-
an opportunity to get it right, so that no one is left behind edented epoch should not ignore our traditional 4Cs. Through
and that we could be in the same boat and we all come our history of cooperation, mechanisms, and responses to
through this together. It is an opportunity to reinforce the coordinate economic and humanitarian aid can seamlessly
links between climate actions and sustainable development, be integrated. The key elements of the complex challenges
adaptation responses with goals of environmental conserva- of the vulnerable Pacific infrastructures and increasing costs
tion, economic development and societal wellbeing of all as related to development assistance and foreign policy are
peoples of the Pacific. also critical to the 2050 Strategy. More assertive diplomacy is
At this critical juncture, we must ask: Is Pacific regionalism needed with attention to multilateral mechanisms and proto-
robust and ambitious enough to navigate this new terrain ef- cols to boost Pacific regionalism for building back better. Let’s
fectively, and are the 4Cs working? not forget our traditional knowledge.
The Pacific Islands Forum is a coalition of the willing to The COVID-19 pandemic is a common threat and must be
protect the interests of its member states. It is committed tackled using the 4Cs of Lalanga of coordination, cooperation
to ensuring that the future of the Blue Pacific cannot simply commitment, and care for a better Blue Pacific.
be left to chance but requires a collective commitment to
achieve it. The 4Cs of coordination, cooperation, commit- editor@islandsbusiness.com
ment and care are not new, but need rejuvenation with more
assertive diplomacy, development cooperation and investment Amelia Kinahoi Siamomua is a Pacific islander and an ex-
now to support member countries to manage the long-lasting pert on regional and international affairs, serving more than
shock of COVID-19 and build back better toward a post-COV- 30 years as an international civil servant in the United Nations
ID-19 durable solution. system and other international organisations globally, includ-
The greatest risks of the final decade towards 2030 are ing the Pacific region. She has been endorsed by the Prime
present, and every effort must be better coordinated, every Minister of Tonga as a candidate for the position of Secretary
opportunity for development cooperation must be seized General of the Pacific Islands Forum.

Fisheries
FISHERIES FRAY

PNGFIA SEEKS TO WIDEN CERTIFIED STATUS

By Dionisia Tabureguci leading to new employment opportunities, foreign exchange
earnings, and spin-off businesses. The approximated upfront
The Papua New Guinea Fishing Industry Association (PNGFIA) (bonus) value PNG will generate from this will be US$13.9 mil-
wants to widen the scope of its fishery products and fish- lion or Kina 46.3 million."
ing vessels covered by its recent Marine Stewardship Council Initially, the certification covers 64 vessels targeting skip-
(MSC)-certified status. jack and yellowfin in both PNG's Exclusive Economic Zone and
PNGFIA announced the success of its MSC certification ap- archipelagic waters, but efforts will be put into increasing
plication in May. This makes it the latest party in the Pacific that number to include all the vessels licensed by PNG to fish
region eligible to carry the coveted international sustainable in PNG EEZ and Archipelagic Waters.
fishing label on its fishery products, and the first with the "The PNGFIA now has in place a responsible sourcing policy
premium blue label certification. which includes the marine litter and fishing gear(ghost)
"The PNGFIA is the first 100% nationally owned association management practices, labour onboard improvement (crew
in the PNA(Party to Nauru Agreement) countries to attain the welfare, improving working conditions of crew onboard their
MSC blue label certification at the magnitude- purse-seine fishing vessels.) Our next MSC pursuit should be Gulf of Papua
skipjack and yellowfin MSC fishery," PNGFIA President Sylvester Fishery, Torres Strait and Western Province, Tropical Rock
Pokajam told Islands Business. Lobster fishery, Mudcrabs fishery and Sea cucumber fishery,"
"This certification will open new markets for PNG-made
products and expand on-shore processing and fishing of tuna, Continued on page 31

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