Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele, has called for full implementation of international ocean law and urgent climate action. He was speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum at the UN Ocean Action Panel 10 on Friday. “Pacific People are the custodians of the Blue Pacific Continent,” Manele told delegates.
He highlighted the region’s shared 2050 Strategy, which outlines strong commitments to ocean conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. He urged all Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to uphold their obligations, and reaffirmed the Forum’s support for the early entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
“We seek genuine partnerships and sustainable financing for the effective implementation of the Agreement,” he said. Despite this commitment, Manele pointed to challenges within the region, including a lack of capacity and resources to fully implement international legal obligations. Climate change, he warned, remains the greatest threat to the region’s livelihood, security, and wellbeing.
