By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau
Incoming Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has called for stronger international cooperation to protect the world’s oceans, warning that climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are putting the Pacific’s future at risk.
President Whipps made the call on Sunday while hosting an Ocean Partnership Roundtable in Koror ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
The roundtable focused on cooperation towards the global “30 by 30” target, which aims to protect and conserve at least 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030.
“Far beyond our shores, the Blue Pacific is a vital life force for the entire planet,” Whipps said.
“It stabilises the global climate, provides food security for millions across the globe, and safeguards some of the richest marine biodiversity on Earth.”
But he said the ocean was facing growing pressure.
“The ocean that sustains us is in deep crisis,” Whipps said.
“The triple planetary crisis — climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution — is threatening the very life force that has nurtured us for generations.”
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, Peter Thomson said the health of the ocean was central to the health of the planet.
“here cannot be a healthy planet without a healthy ocean, and the ocean’s health is currently generally in decline,” Thomson said.
He highlighted pollution, unsustainable fishing practices and greenhouse gas emissions as major pressures on the marine environment.
Thomson said ocean warming, sea-level rise, acidification, coral death, the loss of marine habitats and biodiversity, and changes to ocean currents were already affecting the global climate and weather systems.
Pacific Ocean Commissioner Dr Filimon Manoni said ocean protection would remain a central issue during the Forum week in Palau.
He said Pacific countries had already taken significant steps through international agreements and negotiations to advance ocean protection.
“We have taken many steps. We have participated in international agreements and negotiations that underscore the centrality of the ocean to our lives, to our identity and our home,” Manoni said.
He said Forum leaders were expected to consider a new regional statement calling for stronger and more urgent action to protect ocean health.
“Leaders are going to have a look at issuing another statement, renewing their call for more important, more urgent action on the health of the ocean,” Manoni said.
He said the statement would reaffirm the Pacific’s existing regional position and help guide the region’s approach towards COP31.
“The statement defines our existing regional position on the ocean. It sets the Pacific’s direction toward COP31 and taking forward regional collective action under the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent,” he said.
The discussions come as Pacific leaders prepare to consider a wide range of regional issues, including climate change, ocean governance, fisheries, biodiversity and the growing pressure on marine ecosystems.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit was officially opened at the Palau National Gym ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
The exhibit brings together Palau’s resident embassies and diplomatic partners to showcase their programmes and partnerships in Palau and across the Pacific.
The displays cover areas including development cooperation, education, health, infrastructure, climate resilience, maritime security and people-to-people exchanges.
The exhibit highlights the role of international partnerships in supporting Pacific communities and regional priorities as leaders and delegations gather in Palau for the annual Forum meeting.
Members of the public, Forum delegates and visitors have been invited to visit the exhibit at the Palau National Gym.
