Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has asked the world to follow Fiji’s lead in committing to 100% sustainable management of our Exclusive Economic Zone by 2030, with at least 30% to be declared protected areas.
Bainimarama highlighted this while speaking at the high Level Panel on Sustainable Oceans Economy.
He says we all know that a healthy and functioning ocean is the single most important factor influencing climate and Fiji is honoured to have been given the task of leading the global ocean campaign, first as co‑chair with Sweden during the World Ocean Conference two years ago and at a high level ever since.
Bainimarama says sustainable oceans are one of Fiji’s top priorities and with the dire warnings they expect this week from the Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere, they look forward to supporting Chile to achieve this outcome.
He says Fiji is also calling for a ten‑year moratorium on deep-sea mining in the Pacific from 2020 to 2030 while the potential environment hazards and benefits are fully assessed.
Bainimarama says Fiji and the Marshall Islands are leading the Pacific Island Blue Shipping Partnership, a coalition of seven Pacific island countries committed to reducing fossil fuel use by domestic and regional shipping by 40% by 2030 and achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.
He says the partnership aims to dramatically upgrade the domestic and regional shipping fleets, ports and fisheries facilities.
Bainimarama says this will only be possible with bilateral and multilateral partnerships and they seek global support for this initiative.
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