14 November 2014: Kiribati President Anote Tong and US Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell signed a cooperative arrangement to conserve Kiribati’s Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) and the US’ Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM), which collectively make up the Phoenix Ocean Arc. Kiribati and the US signed the agreement at the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Parks Congress, which is taking place from 12-19 November in Sydney, Australia.

Jewell described the agreement as “a commitment [our two nations] are making together for the health of our ocean as it faces growing pressure from climate change, ocean acidification and other threats.” She underscored the importance of marine protection for climate and weather stability, food security, jobs and prosperity and recreation and inspiration. Tong said the agreement “will enhance efforts in strengthening enforcement and surveillance.”

The agreement aims to coordinate and support research and conservation activities for the Phoenix Ocean Arc’s two protected areas (PAs), which include coastal, island, open ocean and deep sea habitats. Expected activities under the agreement include: seabird conservation; eradication of invasive alien species (IAS), such as rats from the atolls; scientific research; law enforcement; and shipwreck removal.

IUCN helped to establish a working arrangement between the two PAs. It received a grant from the US State Department to facilitate three meetings between PIPA and PRIMNM managers, which took place in Tarawa, Kiribati; Honolulu, HI, US; and Suva, Fiji.

The 2014 World Parks Congress has an increased focus on oceans, with over 250 ocean-related sessions taking place under a ‘Marine Theme.’ The Marine Vice Chair of IUCN’s World Commission on PAs, Dan Laffoley, described the event as “the largest marine park event in history.” Among the featured marine events are five live streamlining Google hangouts that are discussing large scale marine PAs, locally-managed marine parks, the Great Barrier Reef, seahorse surveys and high seas champions. [US Department of the Interior Press Release] [IUCN Press Release on Phoenix Ocean Arc] [IUCN Press Release on Oceans Coverage] [IISD RS coverage of World Parks Congress] [World Parks Congress Marine Events]