Pacific maritime challenges require regional solutions [1]
Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 18:45. Updated on Saturday, April 26, 2014 - 22:00.
Finding regional solutions to challenges faced by the Pacific Maritime sector such as the increasing regulation and requirements of the international and domestic shipping industries, was discussed during the Second Pacific Ministers for Maritime Transport Meeting that opened in Nuku'alofa today.
The Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Lands, Survey, Environment and Natural Resources Hon Tuita in his opening address, said the meeting's theme "Steering a Safe Course through Stormy Seas" had never been more relevant for the Pacific and the maritime sector than now.
"As we face the challenges of global economic recession, increased pressure to sign regional trade agreements and there are increasingly tougher international requirements to comply with."
He said although the expansion in trade and globalisation had brought new employment opportunities to many Pacific Islanders these benefits are accompanied by the increasingly regulated environment within which we operate, which has created challenges for the Pacific maritime sector.
Regional cooperation
"So the regional solutions that you develop and agree to will show what can be achieved through regional cooperation. It is these regional solutions and agreements that strengthen the maritime sector in our Pacific region."
He commended the work undertaken by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community's Maritime Program and the Regional Maritime Association for their work in training, mentoring, collecting then analysing data and seeking regional solutions to national challenges.
"This enables the region's maritime sector to have the capacity it now has to meet new challenges. And it is indeed pleasing to note that you will come out with a communique that will drive the future direction of maritime matters in our Pacific region," he added.
"The ocean is the most significant feature in our Pacific Islands region, it supplies us with sustenance, employment, trade and holds a deep spiritual place in our hearts."
He therefore urged Ministers to work in closer collaboration with each other to achieve milestones for our Pacific Region.
12 countries
Attending the meeting were 12 Pacific Ministers from Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Tonga with representatives from Niue, Wallis and Futuna and French Polynesia.
The meeting's agenda included a presentation on the Status of Progress of the first Ministerial Communiqué in 2007, Regional Maritime issues; issues of trade, shipping, training and port as well as seafarers employment, maritime legal issues and maritime administration.
The one-day meeting concluded in Nuku'alofa today, with the adoption of a communique finalised and signed by Ministers. It also culminated a range of regional maritime meetings that began on May 7.