The upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, or CHOGM, set to take place in Samoa from 21 – 26 October, is a significant moment for the Pacific.
Not only is this the first time the biannual event will be held in a Pacific island nation, but the focus on ocean conservation resonates strongly with the region.
For Pacific leaders, this gathering offers a unique opportunity to push the global community toward stronger commitments to protect the oceans.
Filimon Manoni, Pacific Ocean commissioner from the Marshall Islands, described the upcoming event as a “Pacific moment,” where the region’s collective voice can influence global policy and set a new standard for ocean conservation.
The Pacific isn’t just participating in the conversation—it’s leading it.
The CHOGM brings together delegations from 56 nations from Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. According to its website, CHOGM “aims to reinforce multilateral cooperation, explore new opportunities, and tackle common challenges for the well-being of future generations.”
“We are the stewards of nearly one-third of the Earth’s surface,” Manoni said at a recent press briefing, underscoring how the ocean’s health directly affects Pacific communities.
“This is a Pacific moment, a pivotal moment, that we must seize,” Manoni added, calling for the region to unite and use CHOGM as a platform to push for ocean conservation.
The Pacific Island region has long led efforts in marine protection, creating large-scale marine protected areas such as Palau’s National Marine Sanctuary and Cook Islands’ Marae Moana.
Manoni explained that these initiatives do not only protect the environment but also safeguard livelihoods, economies and cultures. He hopes the Pacific’s leadership at CHOGM will inspire other nations to step up their commitments to ocean protection.
Kevin Chand, senior director of Pacific policy at National Geographic Pristine Seas, who also spoke at the press briefing, noted that the Pacific region “plays a pivotal role in the global ocean discussion.”
Mona Ainu’u, Niue’s minister of natural resources, offered insight into her country’s dedication to ocean protection. Niue, a small island known for its strong conservation efforts, has already committed 40 percent of its exclusive economic zone as a no-take marine protected area, known as Moana Mahu.
“We breathe and live the ocean,” Ainu’u said. “It’s in our DNA.”
She emphasised that for Niue, protecting the ocean is not just an aspiration, but a necessity. Ainu’u called on commonwealth nations to support small island nations like hers, which are on the front lines of climate change and ocean degradation.
“We need more actions,” she said. “Talk is cheap.”
Niue has taken significant steps, including creating a financial mechanism to raise US$18 million to sustain the marine protected area for 20 years. Ainu’u encouraged other commonwealth members to follow Niue’s example.
Enric Sala, executive director of National Geographic Pristine Seas, highlighted how protecting the ocean can lead to economic benefits.
“Protecting the right 30 percent of the ocean could provide an additional 5 million tons of seafood annually,” he said.
This, he explained, would not only help the environment but also benefit economies reliant on fishing and tourism.
Sala pointed out that while countries like Niue and Palau have made significant progress, less than 10 percent of the commonwealth’s exclusive economic zones are fully protected. He stressed that the opportunity to expand ocean protection is vast.
“The benefits of protecting 30 percent of the commonwealth far exceed the costs,” Sala said, referencing research that shows how marine protection can lead to healthier fish populations, boost tourism and aid in climate resilience by safeguarding carbon-rich ocean floors.
Kristin Rechberger, CEO of Dynamic Planet, echoed the call for action, reminding the audience that the world is falling behind on its goal to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.
“The benefits very far outweigh the costs,” she said, noting that many marine protected areas begin to show positive economic returns within two years.
Rechberger cited examples like Dominica, where marine protection has boosted tourism and fisheries, illustrating that when nature thrives, so do local economies.
“A healthy ocean boosts healthy economies,” she said. With proper planning and investment, communities can transition from extractive economies—those that deplete natural resources—to regenerative ones that restore them.
With CHOGM 2024 just days away, the Pacific region is gearing up to push the global community toward stronger ocean protection measures.
Sala highlighted the global significance, saying, “The commonwealth nations hold the greatest diversity of life in the ocean.”
Protecting this biodiversity is not just a regional issue—it’s a global one. Commonwealth nations have a unique opportunity to not only meet the 30 by 30 target but also ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
