Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific have played an outsized leadership role in advancing global Ocean policy. At the multilateral level, SIDS have negotiated a global common cause on Oceans, resulting in global best practice as reflected in the SAMOA Pathway, as well as a standalone Sustainable Development Goal on Oceans - Goal 14.
These efforts and outcomes are a result of the high priority that the Pacific region attaches to the sustainable management, use and conservation of its ocean resources. This high priority is elaborated in the Forum Communiqué and Pohnpei Ocean Statement – A Course to Sustainability issued at the 47th Forum Leaders Meeting convened in Pohnpei, FSM in 2016. It is also reflected in decades of policy development including the establishment of a Pacific Islands Regional Oceans Policy (PIROP) and the Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape. The latter giving rise to the establishment of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC).
UNCTAD is supporting countries in understanding the options and implications of the fish subsidies negotiations in the WTO and in the design and implementation of Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies. Commonwealth Secretariat has recently completed a report on, “A Sustainable Future for Small States: Pacific 2050”, which, among other thematic areas, examines Ocean Governance issues in maximising ocean resources in a sustainable way. The Commonwealth has worked closely with the Pacific’s regional organisations to provide member countries legal, technical and policy services and solutions such as in the area of maritime boundaries delimitation.
The Oceans Conference presents a unique opportunity for policy-makers and practice leaders from SIDS, alongside development partners, to discuss the mainstreaming of Ocean policy into national development plans and priorities and, regional policies, plans and priorities. This session will offer an opportunity for experience sharing and the showcasing of effective leadership through innovations developed and adapted to the Pacific. This event will also offer an opportunity to explore potential partnerships that could be developed to promote innovation and development through the ocean economy.
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Side events organised by UNCTAD and its partners
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Enhancing trade opportunities for LDCs and SIDS through the fisheries sector:
Addressing challenges imposed by international food standards
Contact
and Frida.Youssef@unctad.org,
OPOC: Stephen Fevrier, Stephenf@forumsec.org
Commonwealth: Jodie Keane j.keane@commonwealth.int