Fiji calls for greater actions on ocean and climate protection

Fiji has called for greater global leadership to drive actions on ensuring healthy oceans as the foundation for climate protection and global sustainable development. This message was reiterated strongly by Fiji at the UNGA 74th session held in New York.

While delivering a statement at the United Nations Climate Action Summit-meeting of Climate and Ocean Leaders, in New York, Fiji’s climate champion and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security, Hon. Inia Seruiratu thanked world leaders for their commitment to climate action.

He said climatic change that resulted due to increasing levels of manmade greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is having serious implications on ocean health, including sea level rise and ocean acidification, and that affects marine ecosystem and coastal communities.

Minister Seruiratu outlined the measures taken by Fiji through partnership to promote ocean health, namely the launching of the Pacific Blue Shipping partnership, among seven Pacific countries to reduce the use of fossil fuels in their domestic shipping by 40 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.

The ocean leaders also heard about Fiji’s commitment towards a more integrated management of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Marine Protected Areas by 2030 and its support for the Decade for Ocean Research from 2020 to 2030.

Minister Seruiratu congratulated COP 25 Presidency of Chile for making COP 25 a Blue COP, and its significance in promoting ocean health.

In conclusion, Minister Seruiratu called on the ocean and climate leaders to strongly drive actions that nurture healthy oceans and healthy climate.

“I look forward to working with you all in ensuring that we leave a planet to our children that has a thriving blue ocean. I would like future generations to remember us as the generation that took the actions necessary to pass a healthy planet, and a clean, healthy ocean on to them.”