The conservation and sustainable use of the ocean is critical to the future of small island developing States (SIDS), according to a series of events organized by the Global Ocean Commission (GOC) at the Third International Conference on SIDS.
SIDS and their development partners discussed recommendations from the GOC report 'From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean,' which makes eight proposals on restoring and protecting natural capital and services.
5 September 2014: The conservation and sustainable use of the ocean is critical to the future of small island developing States (SIDS), according to a series of events organized by the Global Ocean Commission (GOC) at the Third International Conference on SIDS. SIDS and their development partners discussed recommendations from the GOC report, titled ‘From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean,’ which makes eight proposals on restoring and protecting natural capital and services.
At a side event on 1 September, GOC presented proposals to address the degradation of the high seas and advance high seas recovery, including actions to: modernize high seas governance and establish an implementing agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing; curb plastics pollution in the ocean; and eliminate fuel subsidies to high sea’s fishing fleets. Global Ocean Commissioner Robert Hill recommended establishing a Global Ocean Accountability Board. Umiich Sengebau, Palau’s Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, reminded participants of Palau’s decision to close its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to industrial fishing, saying the GOC’s proposals would “greatly facilitate the implementation of Palau’s policy to seek the recovery of its fish resources for its people.” Ian Fry, Tuvalu’s Ambassador for Climate Change and Environment, endorsed the GOC’s proposals, underscoring the importance of addressing IUU fishing and “creating a global information sharing platform for real-time sharing of data on high seas fishing vessels.” Fry recommended work on acidification and addressing the sea transport of nuclear waste. The GOC organized this event in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
In an event on 3 September, organized by the GOC and and the Pew Charitable Trusts, participants recognized the role of SIDS in promoting negotiations on a High Seas Implementing Agreement under UNCLOS. The event, ‘SIDS and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction,’ highlighted the potential of such an agreement to provide a mechanism for SIDS to build durable partnerships on high seas issues. Participants further recognized that such an agreement could: tackle governance challenges; conserve high seas resources; revitalize coastal areas; and address SIDS’ vulnerabilities.
SIDS also welcomed the proposed stand-alone Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on oceans, throughout the events.
The Global Oceans Commission is mandated to formulate politically and technically feasible short-, medium- and long-term recommendations to address key issues facing the high seas. The Pew Charitable Trusts, Adessium Foundation, Oceans 5 and the Swire Group Charitable Trusts support the Commission.
The SIDS Conference took place in Apia, Samoa, from 1-4 September 2014.
GOC released ‘From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean’ on 24 June 2014. [GOC Press Release] [GOC Flyer on Proposals Event] [GOC Flyer on High Seas Event] [Publication: From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean] [IISD RS Story on GOC Publication] [IISD RS Meeting Coverage of SIDS Conference]