Co-facilitators, 

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum members. We agree that the “Call for Action” should be concise and easy to understand for implementation.

The First World Ocean Assessment paints a bleak picture on the state of our oceans. We, therefore, look forward to the technical summary to be released in April, which will inform our discussions at the Conference on how the implementation of SDG 14 will bring our oceans back on track.

We are mindful of the importance that the Ocean plays for all nations, particularly Small Island Developing States. Ocean is one of the few resources available to them. The Pacific Ocean is essential for our food security and our sustainable development.

At the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit held last September in my country, our leaders reiterated in the Pohnpei Oceans Statement, that the Ocean is the most important natural resource for the Pacific region. It is for this reason that the countries of the Pacific Islands Forum, under the auspices of the Framework for Pacific Oceanscape have shown leadership and commitment for an integrated ocean management. However, the burden of conserving the Ocean’s resources must not disproportionally fall on them, all stakeholders must play their part to better protect, preserve and sustainably use the ocean for the long-term benefit of humanity and the ecosystem.

Co-Facilitators,

The economic benefit from oceans to coastal states, particularly SIDS, needs to increase in order to support their sustainable development aspirations under the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, urgent concerted and sustained action is required in the following 4 areas: