At the invitation of the Living High Seas, Ambassador Lippwe participated in a side event at the margins of the BBNJ PrepCom to launch the Living High Seas initiative which brings together pioneering countries, including Micronesia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia and Senegal to co-develope the first generation of high seas marine protected areas (MPAs) and other area-based management tools (ABMTs). The Living High Seas initiative is a new post-BBNJ implementation partnership designed to turn the BBNJ Agreement from text into action. It is primarily funded by Germany’s International Climate Initiatice (IKI), with co-financing from the Minderoo Foundation, implemented by GIZ, GOBI and the IUCN. Ambassador had the opportunity to deliver his remark at the side event.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and cooperation partners,
I am honored to represent Micronesia today at this important partnership. Thank you for the invitation.
Micronesia was the first country to sign the BBNJ Agreement and the seventh to ratify it.
As a big Ocean State, Micronesia has long advocated for the protection and preservation of the Ocean. Our identities, cultures, and economy are inextricably linked to the Ocean.
We are therefore a proud partner to the Living High Seas initiative.
For Micronesia and other small island developing States, the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is essential to addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution directly affecting the Ocean.
The Agreement reinforces the principle that our global commons must be managed collectively, cooperatively, and equitably.
We are therefore very keen to utilize the Living High Seas initiative as a means to advance ocean governance. Improving the conservation and sustainable use of the biodiversity of the Remetau Group area that is part of a high seas pocket adjacent to Micronesia is a key objective.
We look forward to exploring a Remetau Group ABMT proposal together with our Pacific neighbors, with the support of Living High Seas.
Thank you.