Australian initiative to declare marine protected areas welcomed by Nauru

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Rio de Janeiro

19 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - Australia’s announcement to create the world's largest network of marine protected areas, covering 1.3 million square kilometres of the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea marine reserve, has been welcomed by Nauru.

And, Nauru’s Margo Deiye, speaking at a side event at the Rio+20 conference here in Rio de Janeiro said an initiative like this by the Julia Gillard government is encouraging for Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) who are championing the concept of a ‘blue economy.’

“As you know, the people of the Pacific are closely connected to the oceans. About half the citizens of the Pacific Islands live in coastal areas. Papua New Guinea and the Solomon islands are part of the Coral Triangle, the global center of coral reef diversity with more species of fish and corals than anywhere else on the planet.

“For our countries, healthy coral reefs and marine ecosystems are the foundation of coastal communities’ livelihoods, our culture, critical to local food security, and, in many cases, major contributors to our national economies through fishing and tourism revenues.

Healthy reefs, Deiye said are essential for marine biodiversity and for protecting coastal communities and infrastructure from storms which are ever more intense and damaging as the oceans warm and sea level rises.

Citizens of Pacific SIDS will suffer in terms of both food, economic and physical security as a result of coral reef degradation, undermining our countries’ opportunities and aspirations for sustainable development.

Ms Deiye said ocean acidification is a fundamental threat - alongside climate change and sea level rise - to our communities.

Pacific SIDS have championed proposals to build marine resilience to ocean acidification.

That is why the Pacific is well represented at the Rio+20 to seek political will to implement what has already been agreed in relation to marine and coastal resources.

“We need stronger action now to restore fish stocks, so that they are healthier and more resilient as the seas acidify.

“We need real action on the ground and on the seas. Rio must just be the beginning. Commitments made here must be implemented on the ground. And we need commitments of capacity development and support so that developing countries can build resilient marine ecosystems.

Pacific waters sustaining local livelihoods

The Parties to the Nauru Agreement have adopted measure to limit tuna catches, through a “vessel day scheme” to reduce fishing pressure, and ban on high seas fishing, among other measures. These are big commitment by small countries to restoring tuna stocks – as a continued source of income for sustainable development.

“If small countries like the Pacific SIDS that are so highly dependent on fisheries income can take these measures, we would like to see other countries commit to greater efforts to reduce fishing pressure and restore stocks.” said Ms Deiye.

Agenda 21, penned here 20 years ago, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation both laid the way forward – but implementation has been sorely lacking, she said.

Viewpoint: What value do you think youth have at the Rio+20?

By Ms. Brianna Fruean, 14 years, Samoa

19 June, 2012, Rio de Janeiro

Q:  What value do you think youth have at the Rio+20?

Pamla Gapaul, NEPAD Agency, South Africa

“Youth are the key to the environment problem. Normally they should have a very important role to play, not only in consultations on the problems but in implementing solutions for the future. I think they play a very important role here at Rio +20.”

Olushola Olayide, Senior Policy Officer, Addis Abada, Ethiopia

“Very important for youth to experience what goes on in these meetings.  In the beginning, everything seems to be going all over the place but at the end of the day, the negotiations do come together. We as the world population need to believe that things will come together and we need to do it in one voice.”

Tony Nyong- Nigeria

“Youth play an important role in the voice of Africa. Youth need to be empowered and speak out now on issues about sustainable development and green economy. Youth attending these meetings is good for capacity building.”

Josua Dione, UN-ECA

“The Youth today should be learning now to be leaders of tomorrow. The Youth today should learn from this meeting so that when it’s their turn to be leaders, they do it right. They don’t have to do what their parents and grandparents did. They have seen how things are not walking, things are not moving in these negotiations. They should ask themselves, if they want to do the same thing when they come into power? The Negotiations are done by leaders who were here 20 to 30 years ago, and they are the same ones not making things move. So I want the youth today to learn from this meeting so when they come back in 20 years from now, they will need to do things differently.”

Rio+20 shifts into high gear

By Kathleen Leewai, SPREP

L - R Evan Wasuka and Makereta Komai, Senior Reporters

From Fiji to Papua New Guinea to Samoa then on to Rio! Ms. Kathleen Leewai, the Publications and Communications Intern at SPREP is attending her first international environment conference - the Rio+20, this has been made possible with support from PACMAS, SPREP and Conservation International Pacific Island Program. Born and raised in Fiji, Kathleen has lived in Papua New Guinea, Australia and now in Samoa at SPREP where she works as the Publications and Communications Intern. This is Kathleens first time outside of the Pacific region, read about her experiences!

18 June 2012 -- My second week in Rio has started with a slight change in the atmosphere. There are more world leaders arriving and the tension has risen as we get closer to the date of the conference.

This comes after the negotiations on the draft of the Rio+20 outcomes document were extended, the last scheduled day having been on Friday and there seem to be some worried faces walking the halls, perhaps worried that the text for the outcomes document may not be ready in time for endorsement.

Preparing for the Pacific side event is exciting as well because we have 5 Pacific leaders featured, speaking on a range of issues including oceans, the Micronesia Challenge, the Green Economy in the context of a Blue World, as well as climate change mitigation in the areas of renewable energy.

I have realized that having a Pacific side event at a global conference like this is very important because it allows the Pacific to really showcase the challenges faced by nations in terms of sustainable development, and also to highlight the success stories of innovative ways the region has explored in battling these issues.

Being able to work alongside senior reporters in this setting has been a great experience. They have been a wealth of information, not just on media work but also about large conferences like these and how they work.

It’s been a pleasure working with them so far, and they’ve taught me a lot. I’ve been very fortunate in getting this opportunity and believe that what I’ve learned here will help me in many other areas of my work.

Offsetting carbon emissions at Rio+20

Ms. Brianna Fruean, 14 years, Samoa/SPREP

19 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - Volunteers at the Rio+20 are offering delegates the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions by funding national environment projects in Brazil.

Danielle Lodi, Rio+20 volunteer

30 volunteers in all roam the RioCentro conference venue approaching delegates, not always with good results.

“Approximately 3 people a day say yes to me,” said Danielle Lodi of Brazil

“I hope we have many more as the money will go towards good environment activities in Brazil.”

Travel from Samoa to Brazil came to 30 tonnes of carbon which cost us 50 Realz to offset.

Brazilian text well-received, oceans still not resolved

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor

Ambassador Luiz Alberto Figueiredo

18 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - Hours before leaders start arriving into Rio de Janeiro for the High Level Segment of the Rio+20 conference, Brazil, as host is exhausting every possible means to get a broad agreement on a text that will form the outcomes document on Friday.

Speaking to journalists, Brazil’s climate change advisor, Ambassador Luiz Alberto Figueiredo was upbeat about the level of acceptance of the Brazilian text, introduced to negotiators last Saturday.

“At this stage, we are moving smoothly through the thematic areas of the text. There have been some hurdles but we have managed to overcome some of them, said Ambassador Figuereido.

The only contentious issues that needs more work are in the ‘oceans’ and means of implementation (MOI)’ text.

“In the coming few hours, we have to fine tune these controversial issues and we are absolutely positive that a text agreed to by all parties will be ready before world leaders arrive for the High Level Segment, which begins Wednesday

In the oceans negotiations, the United States has introduced a ‘compromise’ text recommending that the 68th United Nations General Assembly, with respect to enhanced implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), consider developing a multilateral agreement to address the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Ambassador Figueiredo said ‘oceans is an area that will require more intense negotiation efforts.’

Currently, 20 out of the 287 paragraphs in the Brazilian text now negotiated covers oceans. Most of the oceans paragraphs have been resolved except for paragraphs 163 and 169, where there are many differences mostly between the United States, the European Union and the G77 and China group.

Using a parallel between a soccer match and the negotiations, the Brazilian climate change advisor said ‘we are now on extra time’ and ‘the game will come to an end soon.’

“The time of the match has expired and we are now into extension time. We don’t have much time longer.”

Another issue that will need to be resolved before the text is finalised is the proposal by G77 and China to establish a sustainable development funding mechanism with multiple donors from both public and private sector interests. Negotiators are still trying to find a common position on the form on this proposed multilateral mechanism.

The Secretary General of the Rio+20 conference, Sha Zukang, in a statement read to journalists said he was happy to see the great response to the Brazilian text.

“The negotiations have gone smoothly and are nearing completion. It is really through the accelerated and dynamic process put in place by our hosts, the government of Brazil.

“While there are minor adjustments to be made, I am encouraged that the text has been well received, said Zukang.

He urged Parties to show flexibility in the spirit of compromise to deliver the future we want for the globe.

Tourism, the Pacific Islands gateway into the Green Economy

Mr Evan Wasuka, One Television, Solomon Islands

Tourism underway in the Solomon Islands

 

18 June, 2012, Rio de Janeiro - For Pacific Islands countries, tourism has been touted as the key to successfully embracing the green economy.

 

As countries around the world embrace a greener and cleaner development, the United Nation's High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHLRS), Under-Secretary-General, Cheick Sidi Diarra, says Pacific Island countries can utilize their exotic location and natural environment to benefit from the green economy.

Speaking after a Rio+20 side event, Mr Diarra says tourism is one area Pacific Island countries can be competitive in.

"Tourism in my view is the best element, the best asset for Small Islands and the second one is the marine resources, fisheries, coral, biodiversity marine."

 

The aim of the green economy is to combine efficiency with sustainability. When this happens Mr Diarra says Pacific Island countries will then become sustainable in their production and consumption, improving the livelihood of people.

According to Mr Diarra, the main benefit for Pacific nations to embrace the green economy, is the preservation of their islands and its very limited resources.

"If the living standards cannot be improved, we have to stabilize it at the level that it is right now."

It is predicted that small islands states will suffer the most as a result of the impact of climate change, through sea level rising, depletion of coral, while marine resources and biodiversity would progressively decline if conservation measures are not taken.

Although the green economy is a relatively new - catch phrase - Mr Diarra says the concepts involved are not foreign to vulnerable countries, including Pacific Island countries.

"Many of them can rightly say that they are already involved in green economy practices and activities and in certain instances may have already adopted policies that have successfully promoted green growth.

"There is a need, therefore, to identify and build on these success stories from these vulnerable countries on this issue and replicate them where applicable."

He said his office has been advocating the need to better understand and utlilize the Tourism, Biodiversity and Culture nexus to protect and conserve these important natural assets which in turn could contribute towards economic growth and their sustainable development.

“In the case of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), with their narrow resource base, the oceans and its marine resources is a key sector that continues to contribute to economic growth in many of them.

“In several SIDS the marine resources presents the only viable resource base for economic development and growth – proceeds from which directly contributing towards funding their national efforts to meet their sustainable development objectives and eradicate poverty.

Mr Diarra says the small island countries can be successful through targeted policies that, among other things, would encourage private and public sector partnerships, stimulate green growth and create job opportunities.

“With the necessary support of their partners, I am confident that they can lead the way forward in making green growth and the green economy a reality.

“LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, many of which are not industrialized nations, are well positioned to take full advantage of this new development paradigm to leapfrog into more sustainable practices

“The one certain thing that would make green growth and the green economy a reality in the vulnerable countries and the wider world, for that matter, is that there has to be shift in the way we think of development, our approaches to it and what it entails.”

The issue of gender across the three pillars of sustainable development

By kathleen Leewai, intern, SPREP

Panel at Gender Justice event at Rio+20

18 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - The issue of gender has been under intense discussion at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) stated that, in their view, the current text of the Rio+20 outcomes document shows many imbalances across the three pillars of sustainable development, i.e. the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

They believe that the only way to achieve sustainable development is to include gender perspectives in the discussions of issues under all three pillars.

Maureen Penjueli, Coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation in Fiji, said that there are a few issues for women in the Pacific that should be brought forward at Rio+20, but that they would be different under each of the pillars.

“Under the environmental pillar they need to be looking at the impacts of climate change on women, especially coastal women, such as access to water and funding for adaptation efforts.

In the economic sense, on the other hand, the issue is about access to information about the economic model being sought in Rio and how this will impact them.”

Speaking at a side event on juggling gender justice across the three pillars, Ms. Melinda Ching from the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights said, “It is important to address that we are all here to fight for human rights for women, but also for human rights for all, as human rights, including human rights for women, are the key to sustainable development.”

“I think that the gender text is one of the most controversial and contentious text that still remains in Rio”, said Ms. Penjueli as negotiations on the text regarding women and health continued.

“I think a lot of the emphasis and strategies here are really on how to defend the rights that have been gained at the World Conference on Women in Beijing and the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, so that women don’t go away from this conference with lesser rights than when they came.”

All parties, including submissions from Major Groups have until tonight (18 June, 2012) to finalise text in order to have a text ready before Wednesday, chances are negotiations will continue tomorrow.

Biggest environment conference in UN history

By Evan Wasuka, One Television, Solomon Islands

18 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - After the first week of negotiations at the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development and the Environment, failed to produce an outcomes document, host country Brazil is now leading consultations.

Brazil has until the June 19 to come up with a document for world leaders to endorse at Rio+20.

Evan Wasuka takes a look at the first week of the biggest environment conference in UN history.

Brazil takes over as country negotiations come to the end from Wasuka Media on Vimeo.

Pacific countries told to adopt 'precautionary approach' to seabed mineral mining

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor

18 June, 2012, Rio de Janeiro - It’s been suggested that Pacific Island Countries and territories wishing to make use of resources on the deep seafloor for economic returns need to adopt a ‘precautionary approach.

This can simply be interpreted as “in any development where there are threats of serious harm to the marine environment, the lack of full scientific data shall not be used as a reason for postponing that development, said Dr Russell Howorth, director of SOPAC Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

But, that particular development, he added should use cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

The ‘precautionary approach’ has been in existence in Rio principle 15 for 20 years but hardly used in the context of bringing the economic benefits of the resources of Pacific islanders to improve their livelihoods, said Dr Howorth while addressing Oceans Day at the Rio +20 conference here in Rio de Janeiro.

Under Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992), the application of the Precautionary Approach is defined as “In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.”

Dr Russell Howorth, director of SOPAC Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

Dr Howorth also revealed a ground breaking advisory opinion by the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea Seabed Disputes Chamber which ruled that the precautionary approach is a legal requirement for States sponsoring deep sea mining activities.

“The same advisory opinion also gave a significant indication that the ‘precautionary approach is on its way to becoming a binding legal principle of international customary law more generally.

Scientific research and exploration of deep sea minerals have been ongoing in the Pacific Islands region in the last 40 years. Since its inception in 1972, the then Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) was instrumental in the evaluation of seafloor minerals that occur within the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Pacific Island Countries and Territories, in collaboration with developed countries including the USA, Australia, France, Korea, Japan and Germany.

These early efforts have led to the discovery of some potential seafloor mineral deposits within the EEZs of Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Fiji and Kiribati, said Dr Howorth.

"Beyond the region under national jurisdiction, large areas of the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean are undergoing mineral exploration – these activities are overseen by the International Seabed Authority.

The SOPAC director said recent interests in deep seafloor mineral deposits have been revived in a number of Pacific Island Countries where a number of entities have either been granted or applied for commercial exploration licenses.

"This new development is largely attributed to sustained increase in global metal demand along with land resources becoming increasingly stretched.

"Additionally, new discoveries of high grade precious and base metals on the seafloor in Papua New Guinea and Tonga in recent years coupled with the granting of an offshore mining lease in Papua New Guinea in early 2011 have demonstrated the increasing interest in deep seafloor mineral resources in the Pacific islands region.

Also, in 2011 the International Seabed Authority (ISA) granted exploration licenses to Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI – Nauru registered company) and Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML – a Tonga sponsored company) to explore identified areas in the International Seabed Area (commonly known as “the Area”).

"This is indeed a significant milestone for Nauru and Tonga, and they must be congratulated for embarking on this new initiative that resulted in joint venture partnerships with exploration companies to explore ‘the Area’, providing the opportunity for this industry to help these countries meet their development goals.

“This was also a significant milestone for the ISA and the international community as it was the first time developing states had been able to participate in the Area and sets an important precedent for other developing states to follow, said Dr Howoth.

As the demand for minerals continues to rise, along with the environmental and social costs of land-based mining, seafloor mineral deposits will almost certainly play an increasingly important role in supplying society with an acceptable means of obtaining the metals needed to meet global development objectives.

“The lack of access to metals (for example copper and rare earths) at affordable prices is a serious hindrance to social development and must be overcome if development objectives are to be achieved, and if we are to build affordable clean energy technologies on a global scale required to create a "Green Economy.”

Dr Howorth said because of the very high costs of collecting data to help build the knowledge base for Pacific Island Countries through exploration in the deep sea environment, this work must be carried out in partnership with the private sector, which is in a position to manage the financial risks.

“An EU-funded SPC Deep Sea Minerals Project is assisting Pacific Island countries to put in place law and policy to manage responsibly this relationship with private entities. The aim is to ensure the implementation of the Precautionary Approach and other international environmental law standards, and also to provide a stable regulatory environment providing comfort to private entities and their financiers, and to concerned citizens and commentators alike,” said Dr Howorth.

The total exclusive economic zone of 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories is around 30 million square kilometers, four times the land area of Brazil’s 8.5 million square kilometers, which is the fifth largest country in the world.

Environment conventions in the Pacific

By SPREP

18 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - ‘Multilateral environmental agreements’ – is a crucial term for the livelihoods of Pacific islanders and their communities.

Beyond Rio+20

By Ms. Brianna Fruean, age 14 years, Samoa

Messages from youth visible on walls at the Rio+20

18 June, 2012, Rio de Janeiro - It is getting so close to when the World leaders arrive and the action of the meeting starts. When that’s all done whether the outcome is positive or negative, we ask ourselves, what happens next? 

An event to encourage people to think and plan what they are going to after Rio+20 to bring sustainable development for the planet was hosted by the AEGEE (European Students Forum), called "Beyond Rio+20”.

For Youth, Rio+20 is a learning experience and a place to meet other people and make connections, if these connections aren’t used after the conference, it can easily be lost.

A partnership between the wise and the young can be very successful.

The panel of speakers featured advocates who were youth during the very first Earth Summit 20 years ago, now many years on the discussions allowed for reflection on experiences and issues that have evolved since then.

"We were once young and easily lost connections. Young people should make use of their time and plan so that their networks and new friendships do not start and end at Rio+20", said Michael Davidson, who was youth environment advocacate during the first Earth Summit 20 years ago.

Social media is a perfect way of staying on track, it's also a form of communication that was not available in 1992, this side event encouraged youth to use social media networks such as facebook and twitter to stay in touch and help make the Rio+20 outcomes come alive.

Oceans Special 2: Sustainable development for Pacific Oceans

Mr Evan Wasuka, One Television, Solomon Islands

 FFA Director General Su’a Tanielu

17 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - The head of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) says the interests of Pacific Small Islands Developing Countries, especially in Oceans must be represented in the outcomes of the Rio+20.

Rio+20 host Brazil is leading consultations to finalise an outcomes document on sustainable development and the environment, which world leaders will consider next week.

With the Western Pacific Ocean providing half of the global catch of tuna, at 2 million tonnes per year, FFA Director General Su’a Tanielu says oceans conservation is vital for the future of Pacific Island countries.

“Our message is that the interests of Small Islands Developing States, especially Pacific Island countries, must be taken into serious consideration.”

Speaking at the Oceans Day side event at Rio+20, Mr Tanielu says the following principles of sustainable development must be included in the outcomes document;

(i) Ensure that all fisheries policies are based on and informed by good science and with relevance and recognition of SIDS special requirements and development aspirations including SIDS participation in fisheries in ABNJs;

(ii) Maximisation of economic benefits and values of fisheries incl. promotion of sustainable investment and transfer of technology to SIDS interests;

(iii) Ensure global and regional high level decisions do not necessary result in transferring, directly or indirectly, a disproportionate burden of conservation actions onto SIDS and LDCs;

(iv) Continuous efforts to develop and implement robust Monitoring, Control and Surveillance regimes to reduce economic opportunities lost due to Illegal Unregulated and Unreported activities; and

(v) Well-defined role of SIDS in the development and implementation of international fisheries and fisheries related instruments including those of UNCLOS, UNFSA, FAO Code of Conduct for responsible fisheries, FAO International Plan of Actions and Technical Guidelines, and the propose implementing agreement under UNCLOS for areas beyond national jurisdictions.

As consultations on the text of the Rio+20 outcomes document continues, Mr Tanielu says the early signs show that countries have been receptive to the ideas of ocean conservation and fisheries management.

The same sentiments were shared by Sefanaia Nawardra, the Director of Environmental Monitoring and Governance at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Mr Nawadra says Oceans have proven to be less contentious than other issues on the negotiation table.

Sefanaia Nawardra, the Director of Environmental Monitoring and Governance at SPREP from Wasuka Media on Vimeo.

The theme of the Oceans Day side event is “Advancing Oceans, Coast and Island States at Rio+20 and Beyond.”

Pacific Islands countries, high level government representatives, international organizations, NGO’s, industry and the science community took part in the daylong event to discuss a range of issues affecting Oceans.

The Director General of the FFA says Oceans play a big part in the lives of Pacific Islanders, not only through economic returns through fisheries but also through culture.

“For some small developing countries it is an integral part of their culture and livelihood. Fisheries resources offer a lifeline to many coastal and island communities. We all have responsibility to preserve these resources not only for vulnerable communities but also for generations to come.”

Mr. Tanielu says in terms of oceans conservation and fisheries management, Pacific Island countries are leading the way.

Forum Fisheries Agency Director General Su’a Tanielu from Wasuka Media on Vimeo.

Oceans Special 2: Ocean acidification a concern for SIDS

Kathleen Leewai, Intern, SPREP

17 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - Small Island Developing States raised their concerns about ocean acidification during Oceans Day at Rio+20.

Linked to climate change and the warming of oceans, ocean acidification is the consequence of rising pH levels in oceans. This is a result of the oceans absorbing larger amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Agreeing with this, the Ambassador for Climate Change and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Issues from Seychelles, Ambassador Ronald Jumeau, says that the cause of ocean acidification is the rise in CO2 emissions and called for immediate action to reduce emissions.

“Only deep cuts in emissions can help us now,” he said.

“You can address pollution and other management measures, but there is no management measure for ocean acidification and ocean warming. It is in the emissions, the emissions have to be cut.”

Ocean acidification and other elements that link to climate change such as coastal erosion and salination of water sources have been identified as serious concerns for the Pacific region, especially in Fiji.

“The challenges posed by these occurrences are faced on daily basis by people living in coastal regions,” says Mr. Luke Daunivalu, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations.

“They have to do so much more just to live day by day by going further out in order to catch fish or to travel longer distances for their children to go to school. These issues are affecting real economic livelihoods and causing challenges that were not there before.”

Daunivalu says that the Fiji has brought these issues to Rio in the hopes that the outcomes will reflect the need for clear recognition and a firm commitment from all countries to contribute to the alleviation of the challenges faced in the Pacific.

Oceans Special 2: Four Pacific nations support new Global Partnership for Oceans initiative

By Makereta Komai, Editor, PACNEWS

World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development, Rachel Kyte

17 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - Four Pacific Islands Countries – Fiji, Kiribati, Palau and Samoa have declared their support for the new Global Partnership for Oceans (GPO), whose aim is to restore the world’s oceans to health productivity.

In addition, four regional organisations based in the Pacific – the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) have also thrown their support to this global initiative launched on the sidelines of the Rio+20 conference.

FFA’s director general, Su’a Tanielu says while his organisation supports the global initiative, he remains cautious.

“There are merits in these types of partnerships because the World Bank will bring financial resources and expertise to develop our fisheries, as long as we can monitor their activity and ensure there is no duplication of efforts. We also want to ensure that they don’t cut across the initiatives we already have in place.

“We have to ensure that what the World Bank brings into the region doesn’t compromise the interest of our members in terms of fisheries management and compliance, said Tanielu.

Among those throwing their public support behind a “Declaration for Healthy and Productive Oceans to Help Reduce Poverty” are 17 private firms and associations including some of the largest seafood purchasing companies in the world, representing over $6 billion per year in seafood sales, as well as one of the world’s largest cruise lines.

So far, 13 nations, 27 civil society groups, 17 private sector firms and associations, seven research institutions, five UN agencies and conventions, seven regional and multi-lateral organisations and seven private foundations are supporting the Declaration - totaling 83. Further support is expected in the run-up to the formal Rio+20 Conference.

The Global Partnership for Oceans is a new and diverse coalition of public, private, civil society, research and multilateral interests working together for healthy and productive oceans. It was first announced in February 2012 by World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick at the World Oceans Summit and has been gathering growing support.

Announcing the unprecedented public statement of commitment in a keynote address to the Global Ocean Forum in Rio at the Oceans Day side event, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development, Rachel Kyte who said the Global Partnership for Oceans (GPO) had garnered enormous support from across the oceans spectrum.

“Everyone can see the value in being part of a Partnership that aims to turn around the decline in our oceans,” Kyte said.

“Everyone stands to benefit if the oceans are better protected, better managed and better understood for the important ecosystem services they provide.”

The Declaration commits the Partnership to mobilizing “significant human, financial and institutional resources for effective public and private investments in priority ocean areas”. It aims to improve capacity and close the recognized gap in action in implementing global, regional and national commitments for healthy and productive oceans.

It also recognizes that despite global commitments made to date as well as the efforts of many organisations, governments, enterprises and individuals, the oceans remain “under severe threat from pollution, unsustainable harvesting of ocean resources, habitat destruction, ocean acidification and climate change”.

To tackle these threats, the Partnership is targeting three key focus areas: sustainable seafood and livelihoods from capture fisheries and aquaculture; critical coastal and ocean habitats and biodiversity and pollution reduction.

Among the GPO’s agreed goals are targets for significantly increasing global food fish production from sustainable aquaculture and sustainable fisheries; halving the current rate of natural habitat loss and increasing marine-managed and protected areas to at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas; and reducing marine pollution especially from marine litter, waste water and excess nutrients.

An Island Hub at Rio+20

Ms Brianna Fruean, 14 years, Samoa

17 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - The Island Hub is a colourful Exhibition booth set up in Pavilion B inside Athletes Park. It is a place for Islanders and friends of Islanders that get together to talk and network but mainly showcase the Islands for the world to see.

“Rio +20 is such a crazy event, Island Hub gives the chance for people to kick back and find their roots” said Jessica Robbins, Islands Communications Manager (GLIPSA).

“The Island Hub hopes to create connections, build relationships between Islands from the Pacific, Caribbean and Indian Ocean and it showcases the power of the Islands and what they are capable of.”

It also highlights the great work the islands have done in implementing initiatives for “green” economic solutions. It is a very bright and positive spot that shows the big steps that Islanders have taken. All the tables are covered with the most colourful and bright table cloths with big flowers, motifs and tapa designs, showing pacific flavour.

People that pass by often stop and stare at the bright colour table cloths and the posters on the walls and would ask “What place is that?”

The Island Hub is the perfect spot for Islanders to meet up, share, wind down a bit and re-group before they carry on with the serious parts of the meetings. To me, I think that Island Hub adds a balance from the hectic schedule of Rio+20.

Oceans Special: Fiji advocates for healthy oceans

Story by Kathleen Leewai, SPREP

16 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - Fiji and the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) have strongly advocated for more political will to be directed from the Rio+20 towards the well-being of oceans and fisheries, as well as to the strengthening of the connection between oceans and sustainable development.

“If sustainable development is our core motivator and lies at the heart of our actions today, then we can build a future that secures the livelihood of coming generations,” said the Ambassador of Fiji to Brazil, Ambassador Cama Tuiloma.

“Likewise if the international community is to move from rhetoric to action in saving the declining health of global oceans, we must address the root causes in a truly comprehensive, direct and honest manner now.”

Ambassador of Fiji to Brazil, Ambassadr Cama Tuiloma

An important issue relating to oceans raised by Fiji was the needs for the outcomes document address the gaps that are known to exist.

“For example, in the Law of the Sea Convention, we need an implementing agreement to address the marine biodiversity in the high seas,” said Mr. Luke Daunivalu, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations.

He also mentioned oceans issues with elements linked to climate change, such as ocean acidification, coastal erosion, and salination of water sources, as these issues have serious impacts on the economic and social aspects of life in the Pacific, particularly for people living in coastal regions.

Solidarity and a strong Pacific voice for oceans, 16 June 2012

From Fiji to Papua New Guinea to Samoa then on to Rio! Ms. Kathleen Leewai, the Publications and Communications Intern at SPREP is attending her first international environment conference - the Rio+20, this has been made possible with support from PACMAS, SPREP and Conservation International Pacific Island Program. Born and raised in Fiji, Kathleen has lived in Papua New Guinea, Australia and now in Samoa at SPREP where she works as the Publications and Communications Intern. This is Kathleens first time outside of the Pacific region, read about her experiences!

"Day 6 in Rio was slated for a full day side event; Oceans Day at Rio+20, organized by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands and their partners.

It was an intense day, immersing myself in the oceans issues brought to the conference by countries and NGOs. The issues for oceans ranged from oceans acidification and climate change effects to sustainable livelihoods and food security in the fisheries sector.

The sessions ran as panels with short presentations from a number of distinguished speakers, including the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Tuiloma Neroni Slade, who is also the newly appointed Pacific Oceanscape Commissioner and who chaired a number of the sessions.

I watched with pride as delegates from the Pacific Islands spoke clearly and simply of the challenges faced by the nations in the region and the steps we are taking to have these issues acknowledged by world leaders in Rio.

As I left the side event this evening following the presentation of the Global Ocean Forum’s declaration to the coordinators for Rio+20, I recalled a line that was repeated several times by speakers from the Pacific; “we are not just small island states, rather we are large ocean nations”. "

Oceans Special: Pacific Oceanscape Commissioner at Oceans Day

By Evan Wasuka, One Television, Solomon Islands

16 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - The Pacific Oceanscape Commissioner has reiterated the importance of Oceans to Pacific Small Islands Developing Countries.

Speaking at the Oceans Day side event at Rio+20, Tuiloma Neroni Slade says the Pacific's unique biodiversity has to be protected.

Pacific Islands Forum SG at Ocean Day from Wasuka Media on Vimeo.

Oceans Special: GEF rolls out investment project to address issues for areas in the high seas beyond national jurisdiction

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor

L- R Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Gustavo Fonseca, GEF’s head of natural resources

16 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - The Global Environment Facility (GEF) will roll out a new project it hopes will address the plight of high priority areas for marine biodiversity and high seas fisheries.

And one of the likely targeted areas is the high seas in the Pacific that are outside beyond national jurisdiction, according to Gustavo Fonseca, GEF’s head of natural resources.

“It has not been decided yet but the Pacific is an important area because governments of the region have decided to already put some political backing behind it and decided that in those places that just happened to be outside of anybody’s jurisdiction.

“In addition, Pacific governments have decided to manage this in a more sustainable way. I think that will be one of the focus of the project but the project is still in design phase and it might very well be the case, Fonseca told PACNEWS Editor, Makereta Komai who is in Rio de Janeiro covering the Rio+20 conference.

GEF has set aside US$50 million in its current replenishment to pilot three investments projects to try and manage fisheries in a sustainable manner in areas beyond national jurisdiction and also establish marine protected areas in these areas.

GEF is the financing mechanism for three Rio conventions – climate change, bio-diversity and desertification.

“The project is now under implementation of the FAO and several other agencies like the World Bank, UNDP, UNEP and others, particularly addressing the plight of high priority areas for marine biodiversity and high seas fisheries. It brings together the private sector because what happens is that due to the over exploitation of fisheries is of interest to the private sector companies like big tuna canneries.

“This project is starting implementation right now and should run the course for the next five years, said Fonseca.

GEF’s interest arose from the need for global mechanism to regulate activities on the high seas outside the control of states.

“We have the Law of the Sea but it does not have enough teeth to actually do anything. We also have the regional fisheries management organisation but this is not a global treaty and they are regional treaties. We see the high seas as the last frontier to be tackled. It is nobody’s territory but everybody’s territory to exploit. We hope that if this investment can prove that we can do something right away, then we can appropriate more resources through replenishment to do the same thing, said Fonseca.

The project, Fonseca said, also hope to resolve the dilemma of who owns the resources of pockets of areas beyond national jurisdictions.

“What we want to do is to link investments that we have to what happens in the high seas. So we need to bridge this gap somehow and there is no framework yet or a treaty for this purpose. Eventually all the fish caught has to land somewhere and it becomes somebody’s business and therefore this dilemma needs to be solved, Fonseca said.