Ministry convenes first roundtable discussions on the legal implications of the sea-level rise

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fiji (MFA) convened first roundtable discussions on the legal implications of the sea-level rise with insights shared from the International Law Commission (ILC). The talanoa session with the respective regional and national stakeholders aimed to foster a meaningful dialogue on the legal dimension of the sea-level rise, ensuring that Fiji and the broader Pacific region is well-equipped with the necessary legal tools to safeguard their sovereignty and rights on the global stage.

The first of such initiative spearheaded by Fiji has been supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia and the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The discussions held at the MFA headquarters in Suva on Monday 24th March 2025, was attended by the stakeholders from Government and Academia. It emphasized that as Pacific Island nations are at the frontline of climate crisis, understanding the legal ramifications of sea-level rise is crucial for effective policy formulation, diplomatic engagement, and regional advocacy.

In officiating the first of such initiative, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua acknowledged the collective commitment by the stakeholders to understand the evolving international legal discourse on sea level rise and its implications for Fiji and Pacific Island states. She highlighted the impacts of sea-level rise on the livelihood of the local communities in Fiji and the need contextualize issues through such dialogue to determine ways we can best address it through consolidated efforts.

In conclusion, Assistant Minister Qereqeretabua thanked all the stakeholders, including the Embassy of Latvia in Australia and Professor Mārtiņš Paparinskis for their incredible support and collaboration for the initiative. Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Raijeli Taga and Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Mr. Paulo Cirikiyasawa also participated in the dialogue.

In his remarks, Special Envoy of Latvia in the Pacific, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Australia and New Zealand, H.E. Mr Margers Krams reaffirmed Latvia’s support to the Blue Pacific Continent in areas focused on climate change, ocean and environmental degradation, to socioeconomic development to education and health.

He said Latvia welcomes and closely follows the International Law Commission’s deliberations aimed at clarifying the impact of sea level rise on statehood. And in this regard, Latvia has endeavoured on this very project by bringing its legal expertise to the Pacific Island region on implications of international law related to sea borders and sovereignty issues due to climate change.

The meeting focused on the legal implications of sea level rise, to further examine our national position and how this could shape Fiji’s engagement on key thematic multilateral discussion on climate change, ocean, environment, fisheries and other crosscutting themes like renewable energy, disaster risk reduction.

Professor Mārtiņš Paparinskis is Latvia’s first-ever representative at the International Law Commission. As a member of the ILC’s Working Group on Sea-Level Rise in Relation to International Law, he has actively contributed to discussions on the law of the sea, statehood, and human rights.