Martel: Ocean meet opportunity to mobilise action, deliver solutions

‘Both co-presidents from Fiji and Sweden explained how climate and oceans are interdependent’

The Global Ocean Conference, the first UN conference of its kind on the issue, presents a unique opportunity for the world to mobilise action and deliver concrete solutions.

These were sentiments of Pacific Islands Development Forum Secretary General François Martel.

Mr Martel and his team are currently in New York representing the Forum at the Conference.

“Both co-presidents from Fiji and Sweden explained how climate and oceans are interdependent and interlinked and the need for a global consensus to turn the tide of degradation and restore healthy ocean ecosystems,” he said.

“We are pleased to join a strong Pacific delegation to the Oceans Conference. This allows PIDF to interact and develop new partnerships on issues related to sustainable management of marine resources and the blue economy, in the face of increasing ocean degradation due to pollution, acidification, overfishing and loss of biodiversity,” said Secretary General Martel at the opening day of the conference”

“Our participation will help raise the voice of the Pacific Islands in demanding action, and - as the President of the General Assembly Peter Thomson rightfully stated in his opening address – to maintain fidelity with global agreements such as the Paris Agreement, the SAMOA Pathway and others, in order to stop stealing the ocean environmental assets from the future generations.

“Our attendance to meaningful events which complement the conference through side events, exhibitions, media and social media engagement and other interactive networking opportunities will greatly enhance our ability to enable and implement much needed ocean commitments and action, and contribute towards achieving the SDG14”.

PIDF is hosting a side-event on Large Ocean States building resilience for SDGs and Beyond in partnership with the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA).

The orgasation is also a partner in several other side events with WWF, the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organisations (PIANGO) and Conservation International (CI).

PIDF have also registered two voluntary commitments to implement the Pacific Year of the Ocean 2017 and host the first Highlevel Pacific Blue Economy Conference. An exhibition set-up in partnership with the Global Island Partnership showcases a few activities on the Pacific Year of the Ocean #MyOceanMatters campaign which includes photographs submitted from across the Pacific Islands telling stories of why the ocean matters.

The PIDF Panel is also promoting Blue Economy principles and giving publicity in the upcoming Pacific Blue Economy Conference in Honiara, Solomon Islands on August 23 to 24.

“In parallel to the UN Ocean Conference, the French Embassy and USP, with the support of the Fijian Government and in partnership with the PIDF, are organising the ‘Pacific Voices for a Global Ocean Challenge’ Conference in Suva, scheduled for June 8 and 9 at the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre, USP Campus,” he said.