The UK Government has signed an agreement with the Pacific
Community (SPC) for SBD$2.9 million (£263,000) that will help
Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Tonga to secure the rights
and responsibilities over their respective ocean spaces.
The ocean sustains a multitude of activities that fuel local,
national and international economies, providing livelihoods and
food security for 10 million Pacific Islanders across the region.
Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are the custodians of 20% of
global maritime zones. To optimise the management, use and
conservation of this vast ocean space, PICs require certainty
over their maritime zones as defined by the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This includes the
extended continental shelf (ECS) areas beyond their 200 nautical
mile exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
Clarifying sovereign rights over these ECS areas is crucial for
the stability and development of PICs. Until these gaps in the
world map are closed, PICs may not be in a position to fully
protect their interests and achieve their blue economy
aspirations.
The UK Government, through its Conflict, Stability and Security
Fund (CSSF) will provide timely assistance in partnership with
the Pacific Community (SPC) to build the capacity of PICs in all
aspects of progressing their ECS submissions.
Currently, there are 10 PICs with 17 ECS submissions at various
stages awaiting examination by the Commission on the Limits of
the Continental Shelf (CLCS). Among these states, the Solomon
Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Fiji have two joint and three
individual submissions awaiting examination - North Fiji Basin,
Charlotte Banks, South Fiji Basin, Eastern Kermadec Ridge, and
Western Lau-Colville Ridge.
British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Brian Jones
said:
We are glad to support this project which aims to help Pacific
Island Countries ensure that their maritime zones are well
defined. That will provide a basis for management and protection
of these areas and enable sustainable use of marine resources to
generate income and create employment, and ultimately contribute
to the reduction of poverty.
PICs have worked individually and collaboratively to develop
submissions and preliminary information to define the outermost
limits of their continental shelves. They have been supported by
the SPC and a consortium of partners in the technical process and
with the additional assistance from UK Government, work on ECS
submissions can be further developed that will enable PICs to
exercise their sovereign rights to explore, manage, or conserve
seabed resources on the continental shelf extending beyond the
EEZ.
Dr. Paula Vivili, Deputy Director-General Science and Capability
said:
On behalf of the Pacific Maritime Boundaries consortium of
partners, SPC welcomes this contribution from the UK Government
to continue the vital work of supporting our member states to
prepare and defend their ECS submissions. This will help
countries achieve sustainable development goal Target 14.C– to
enhance the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and
their resources by implementing UNCLOS– and it comes at a
critical time in the development of regional ocean governance, at
the beginning of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable
Development.
The ECS project will contribute to the broader Pacific Maritime
Boundaries programme of work coordinated by SPC and supported by
a consortium of partners, including the Pacific Islands Forum
Secretariat, the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, the
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Australian
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Geoscience
Australia, Attorney General’s Department- Australia, University
of Sydney, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MFAT), GRID-Arendal, as well as the European Union and Sweden
through the Pacific European Union Marine Programme (PEUMP).
About CSSF
The British Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund
(CSSF) supports work around the world to address the sources of
instability, address transnational threats and promote peace and
security.
This year, 2021-22, the CSSF will provide £2m (SBD$22.3m) for the
Pacific region, to work with Pacific Island Countries and
regional partners in support of an open, inclusive, resilient,
prosperous and rules-based Pacific.
About SPC
The Pacific Community has been supporting sustainable development
in the Pacific, through science, knowledge and innovation since
1947. It is the principal intergovernmental organisation in the
region, owned and governed by its 26 member countries and
territories. Secretariat of the Pacific
Community
Share
