The Pacific Ocean – Te Moana o Hiva – is essential in sustaining our people and protecting our biodiversity
Given the seriousness of the situation, the Polynesian Leaders Group has met again this year for four days to focus on the importance of the ocean to climate change.
Following the meeting, the statement “Te Moana o Hiva” was signed. Last year, the statement “Taputapuatea”, symbolically named in homage to the famous marae in Raiatea that radiates throughout the Pacific, called on nations to work together to protect the ocean. This year, Polynesian leaders of the states and territories show more concern and urge: “The climate is changing The situation is serious Now is the time to act…”
The signatories of the statement are calling (…) a stronger commitment to the governance and management of the oceans as set out in international instruments, including the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the UN Convention on biological diversity, the UN Convention on the law of the sea, the SDG Samoa Pathway and 14 of the agenda of the United Nations day for sustainable development in 2030″.
For a better ocean governance at the heart of Pacific States’ sustainable economic development
“The Pacific Ocean – Te Moana o Hiva – is essential in the maintenance of our people’s livelihoods, in the protection of marine biodiversity and climate regulation and through the rational use of its large resources, it is the heart of our sustainable economic development. “Moreover, the leaders urged international bodies to ensure implementation of international law specific to the high seas in order to stop the looting of resources in areas adjacent to our EEZ.”
