PM travels to 'Our Ocean' conference in Palau [1]
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 21:25. Updated on Thursday, September 8, 2022 - 14:41.
A Tongan delegation led by Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku will attend the 7th Our Ocean Conference 2022 held in Koror, Palau on April 13-14.
The Prime Minister said that they will depart Tonga today.
“Oceans are critical for Tonga and islands in the Pacific and the conference will give us the opportunity to discuss ways we can work together to ensure that we are able to sustainably manage our oceans and its resources for our livelihoods.” he told a press conference in Nuku'alofa this morning.
Tonga’s ocean makes up over 90% of its total Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ).
Around 61 countries are expected to be part of the event.
The Prime Minister said he was invited by the President of Palau, HE Surangel.S.Whipps Junior and the USA’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, Mr John Kerry.
The conference, jointly hosted by Palau and the USA, will be the Prime Minister’s first official duty outside of Tonga.
The event will focus on six areas of action including marine protected areas for communities, ecosystems and climate; tackling marine pollution; confronting the ocean-climate crisis; creating sustainable blue economies; advancing sustainable small-scale fisheries and aquaculture; and achieving a safe, just and secure ocean.
Over the past five years, Tonga has focused on Marine Protected Areas as part of the Tonga Ocean 7 committee, tasked with putting together the Tonga Ocean Plan.
Pacific Island Countries have pushed for the oceans as a key element of the Climate Change talks, especially at the Climate Change COP meetings held annually.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the conference will allow him to also meet with the leaders of different countries that assisted Tonga after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami.
“That will be an opportune time to meet them personally and relay to them our gratitude for their assistance.”
Tonga’s delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, CEO Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Rosamond Bing and senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official ‘Ilaisipa ‘Alipate.