UK to ease Pacific Maritime challenges
£10k ($27,946) of UK Funding to Pacific Islands IMO negotiations support, with the University of the South Pacific and Republic of Marshall Islands.
The Pacific is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, but is also highly dependent on shipping for their everyday needs and faces particular challenges resulting from having the highest transport costs in the world, long trading routes and minute economies.
At the last round of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) negotiations in April, delegations adopted an initial strategy aimed at reducing GHG emissions from ships.
But, the Pacific Islands will continue to play a vital role in ensuring that the impacts of climate change are considered in the next round of negotiations in October.
On the 29th of October , the British High Commission hosted a morning tea at the High Commissioner’s Residence to mark the announcement of £10k ($27,946) of funding the UK has contributed to the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Government of the Republic of Marshall Island’s joint initiative, the Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport (MCST).
This funding will go towards MCST’s delivery of technical support for Pacific Island IMO delegations to assist with their preparations for the next round of negotiations in London this October.
The invited guests included representatives from the Solomon Islands High Commission, Republic of the Marshall Islands Embassy, Republic of the Fiji Islands Ministry of Infrastructure and the University of the South Pacific.
“Our partners in the Pacific can count on the United Kingdom when it comes to climate change, whether we are collaborating on IMO negotiations, through UNFCCC processes and the High Ambition Coalition, or regional fora such as the Pacific Island Forum,” said Melanie Hopkins, British High Commissioner to Fiji and Head of the South Pacific Network, adding that “the UK is delighted to be partnering with the University of the South Pacific in this area, particularly during the year of its 50th anniversary.”
In October, delegations will reconvene and as the nature of these discussions shift from a political nature to a more technical level.
It is becoming increasingly important that Pacific Island representatives are familiar with the science and options for the decarbonisation of international shipping. UK funding will go towards technical assistance for Pacific Island negotiators to engage at the October negotiating session. Professor Derrick Armstrong from the USP thanked the UK Government for its support, pointing out that the IMO negotiations play an important role in combating climate change, because shipping is identified as one of the major contributors of carbon emissions.
‘’I think what we have been provided with through your support is the opportunity for the Pacific to really have a voice in those discussions and negotiations, to lead and push for action.’’ Professor Armstrong said.
It is critical that Pacific negotiators have the technical support they require if their voices are to be heard for urgent action to achieve emissions reductions.
I think what we have been provided with through your support is the opportunity for THE PACIfiC TO REALLY have a voice in those discussions and negoTIATIONS, TO LEAD AND push for action Professor Derrick Armstrong UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIfiC