Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water
Pacific Nations Unite for Ocean Sustainability
The Albanese Government has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to working with our Pacific neighbours to sustainably manage and promote a healthy and resilient ocean.
At the 6th Pacific – France Summit, held on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice last week, Pacific leaders discussed regional stability and connectivity, sustainable development, and the resilience of communities and ecosystems.
Pacific leaders shared experiences in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific continent. A healthy and resilient Blue Pacific is vital for our region’s economy and will safeguard our environment for future generations.
Australia is backing Pacific leadership on ocean and climate solutions, including the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity initiative, and by investing $100 million in the Pacific Resilience Facility – a Pacific-owned and led initiative to deliver climate finance directly to communities in our region.
Ratification and implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, also known as the UN High Seas Biodiversity Treaty, is a high priority for Australia and the Pacific.
The Albanese Government has confirmed we will introduce enabling legislation in the Spring sitting, to allow us to ratify the treaty as soon as possible.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt recognised that Pacific island countries are international ocean policy leaders, working together closely to shape crucial global responses to issues that affect the region acutely.
“As Pacific nations, we share an ocean and a future. We are custodians of the vast Blue Pacific Continent – nearly 20 percent of the Earth’s surface. The ocean is integral to our economies, cultures, health, and food and water security,” Minister Watt said.
“We are working together to safeguard the health and resilience of the ocean and accelerate the transition to a global sustainable ocean economy. We are also collaborating with the Pacific to address urgent issues such as climate change, sea level rise, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, sustainable fisheries management, and coral reef degradation.
“The Albanese Government is pleased to continue our partnership with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, underpinning a regional approach to ocean governance, helping countries to sign and ratify the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty, and supporting Pacific representation at the UN Ocean Conference in France.
“We are proud to strengthen our relationship with Pacific island countries and remain committed to our bid to host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in 2026 in partnership with the Pacific.”
https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/media-releases/joining-forces-pacific-nations-sustainably-manage-our-ocean