The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum opened this Monday in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga. The event is expected to focus on the issue of climate change. According to Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, Ambassador for the Poles and Maritime Issues, it is essential to « bring major polluting countries » to join the « small group » of Pacific states in environmental mobilization.
Heavy rains prevented the traditional public appearance of Oceanian leaders, but Tongan children and the local band successfully launched the annual political summit.
The day was disrupted not only by the weather but also by an earthquake that required the evacuation of the rooms. The Marshall Islands were scheduled to launch a major anti-nuclear movement, but that will have to wait. The primary concern in Oceania remains climate change and its related phenomena: intensified cyclones and rising sea levels. Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, Ambassador for the Poles and Maritime Issues, arrived just in time to meet with Moetai Brotherson. Poivre d’Arvor aims to mobilize over a hundred heads of state for the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice next year. He believes that small countries will drive large powers to reach binding agreements, which requires significant advance mobilization.
« We need to advance all international negotiations on high seas issues, illegal fishing, and plastic pollution, ensuring that all these major treaties are signed by that date. Secondly, we must provide substantial resources to the national committee for ocean science and knowledge, to explore the oceans. In French Polynesia, for instance, there is a strong ambition through young scientists working in Moorea and elsewhere. It is crucial to support efforts to understand the oceans and their depths to avoid exploitation, as you have wisely chosen to do. In the economic sphere, we need to develop compensation systems for the effects of climate change, decarbonize maritime transport, and create a truly sustainable economy that supports fishing, shipbuilding, maritime transport, cable laying, and tourism. French Polynesia exemplifies this concern. All of this should be extremely binding and encourage major polluting countries, which do not always have the most virtuous practices, to join the small group you represent in the Pacific. »
The Forum is expected to focus on climate change. However, even on environmental issues, Pacific nations are not entirely in agreement, particularly regarding deep-sea mining. The Forum will continue throughout the week in Nuku’alofa.
Source: tntvnews
