Pacific Small Island Developing States
PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
United Nations Member States
Phone: 212-937-0074
Fax: 212-937-0079
E-mail: nauru@un.int
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations
800 Second Avenue, Suite 400A, New York, N.Y. 10017
Second Preparatory Committee Meeting
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Marlene Moses
Permanent Representative of Nauru
on behalf of the
Pacific Small Island Developing States
7 March 2011
New York
Check against delivery
Chairperson,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (Pacific
SIDS) represented at the United Nations, namely the Fiji, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New
Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, Vanuatu,
and my own country Nauru.
The Pacific SIDS align themselves with the statement delivered on behalf of the Alliance of
Small Island States and the statement delivered on behalf of the Pacific States.
The Pacific is the world’s largest ocean – covering over 30 percent of the earth’s surface and
greater in size than all of the continents combined. It is also the basis of our countries’
livelihoods, our food security and our economies. Our sustainable development truly depends
on a healthy and sustainably-managed Pacific Ocean.
Chairperson,
For the Pacific SIDS, the “green economy” is in fact a “blue economy.” Accordingly, in our view,
oceans and fisheries issues must be featured prominently on the Rio plus 20 agenda.
The Pacific SIDS have shown global leadership in marine conservation, for example through the
creation of marine protected areas and adopting innovative solutions such as vessel day trading
schemes. Yet, our efforts cannot succeed without the cooperation and assistance of the
international community. The Pacific SIDS would like to see Rio become a turning point in our
commitment to protect and sustainably manage the world’s oceans in a way that provides
equitable benefits to the people and nations relying on ocean resources as their primary source
of development.
Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu
2
Rio must include a sober assessment of why existing agreements are failing to protect the
world’s ocean resources. More importantly, we must find the political will to urgently address
the problems. The way forward must include specific and measurable commitments so that
progress is real. To that end, we have set out in Appendix One preliminary priorities for
advancing the blue economy in the Rio context. Such priorities include reducing fishing
overcapacity while also addressing our development aspirations, establishing a global network
of marine protected areas to meet the World Summit on Sustainable Development objective;
ending our use of the oceans as a global dumping ground; and sharing the benefits of our
greatest shared resources equitably among all nations.
Chairperson,
In addition to calling for a blue economy, the Pacific SIDS are also looking to Rio to advance the
sustainable development agenda of small island developing States. The Barbados Programme
of Action was born out of the First Earth Summit, and the recent high-level review of the
Mauritius Strategy highlighted the need for further work to respond to the unique and particular
vulnerabilities of SIDS. We look to Rio to take the next substantive and concrete step in
ensuring that SIDS are in fact a model of sustainable development.
Chairperson,
We must raise the level of ambition for Rio. This is a once in ten year opportunity to make
significant progress in addressing poverty, global resource inequity and the very survival of the
planet – encompassing both the earth and the ocean. Let us go to Rio not exhausted from
debates about definitions, but with a bold agenda for progress.
I thank you.
Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu
3
Appendix: Oceans Issues for Rio plus 20
Equitable Share of Economic Return from Fisheries and Related Industries – The
sustainable development of the Pacific SIDS depends on them receiving an equitable share of
the revenues and other means of active economic participation from their fisheries and other
marine resources. Firm and measurable commitment at Rio is expected to more fully address
the legitimate development aspirations of SIDS as contained in the UN Fish Stocks Agreement.
IUU Fishing – Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing is a major contributor to fish stock
depletion in the Pacific and elsewhere, affecting both subsistence fishing by Pacific people, as
well as causing severe negative impacts on biodiversity.
Overcapacity of World’s Fishing Fleet - Current capacity levels are not sustainable and
should be reduced to levels commensurate with scientific evidence to ensure sustainable
management and development.
Pollutants - Pollutants in the form of sewage, agricultural and urban run off, and oil spills are
creating large dead zones and contaminating food supply in the Pacific. Plastic debris and
discarded fishing gear is fouling coastal areas and needlessly killing marine life.
Destructive Fishing Practices and Bottom Trawling - Destructive fishing practices, including
bottom trawling, should be prohibited.
Fishing Bycatch and Discards – More global action is needed to reduce the occurrence of
bycatch and discards which have serious negative effects on inter alia, food security and
biodiversity.
Climate Change - The impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise and severe storms,
as well as ocean acidification must be mitigated to prevent what may be the largest threats to
the health of marine ecosystems.
Coral Reefs – Protecting coral reefs is essential for sustainable livelihoods and development.
Barbados Programme of Action and Mauritius Strategy – The imperatives in the BPoA and
MSI require mainstreaming into the global oceans governance framework.
Implementation of Existing International Law - States and regional fisheries management
organizations must fully implement their obligations under the fish stocks agreement and other
international measures.
Regional Fisheries Management Organisations - RFMOs must be regularly reviewed and
accountable for the health of the fish stocks under their jurisdiction. RFMOs must also ensure
the more effective participation of the Pacific SIDS.
Marine Protected Areas - Greater efforts are required into expanding a global network of
marine protected areas (MPAs) and marine reserves as a key contribution to safeguarding the
ocean’s natural capital and ensuring food security.
Delineation of Continental Shelves - In order to realize the benefits of the extended
continental shelf, delineation of continental shelves is a critical issue for the Pacific SIDS. It is
Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu
4
imperative that resources be allocated to ensure that the Pacific SIDS can complete the
delineation process.
Marine Invasive Species - Regional and international coordination is needed to protect native
ecosystems from invasive alien species.
United Nations Member States
Phone: 212-937-0074
Fax: 212-937-0079
E-mail: nauru@un.int
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations
800 Second Avenue, Suite 400A, New York, N.Y. 10017
Second Preparatory Committee Meeting
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Marlene Moses
Permanent Representative of Nauru
on behalf of the
Pacific Small Island Developing States
7 March 2011
New York
Check against delivery
Chairperson,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (Pacific
SIDS) represented at the United Nations, namely the Fiji, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New
Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, Vanuatu,
and my own country Nauru.
The Pacific SIDS align themselves with the statement delivered on behalf of the Alliance of
Small Island States and the statement delivered on behalf of the Pacific States.
The Pacific is the world’s largest ocean – covering over 30 percent of the earth’s surface and
greater in size than all of the continents combined. It is also the basis of our countries’
livelihoods, our food security and our economies. Our sustainable development truly depends
on a healthy and sustainably-managed Pacific Ocean.
Chairperson,
For the Pacific SIDS, the “green economy” is in fact a “blue economy.” Accordingly, in our view,
oceans and fisheries issues must be featured prominently on the Rio plus 20 agenda.
The Pacific SIDS have shown global leadership in marine conservation, for example through the
creation of marine protected areas and adopting innovative solutions such as vessel day trading
schemes. Yet, our efforts cannot succeed without the cooperation and assistance of the
international community. The Pacific SIDS would like to see Rio become a turning point in our
commitment to protect and sustainably manage the world’s oceans in a way that provides
equitable benefits to the people and nations relying on ocean resources as their primary source
of development.
Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu
2
Rio must include a sober assessment of why existing agreements are failing to protect the
world’s ocean resources. More importantly, we must find the political will to urgently address
the problems. The way forward must include specific and measurable commitments so that
progress is real. To that end, we have set out in Appendix One preliminary priorities for
advancing the blue economy in the Rio context. Such priorities include reducing fishing
overcapacity while also addressing our development aspirations, establishing a global network
of marine protected areas to meet the World Summit on Sustainable Development objective;
ending our use of the oceans as a global dumping ground; and sharing the benefits of our
greatest shared resources equitably among all nations.
Chairperson,
In addition to calling for a blue economy, the Pacific SIDS are also looking to Rio to advance the
sustainable development agenda of small island developing States. The Barbados Programme
of Action was born out of the First Earth Summit, and the recent high-level review of the
Mauritius Strategy highlighted the need for further work to respond to the unique and particular
vulnerabilities of SIDS. We look to Rio to take the next substantive and concrete step in
ensuring that SIDS are in fact a model of sustainable development.
Chairperson,
We must raise the level of ambition for Rio. This is a once in ten year opportunity to make
significant progress in addressing poverty, global resource inequity and the very survival of the
planet – encompassing both the earth and the ocean. Let us go to Rio not exhausted from
debates about definitions, but with a bold agenda for progress.
I thank you.
Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu
3
Appendix: Oceans Issues for Rio plus 20
Equitable Share of Economic Return from Fisheries and Related Industries – The
sustainable development of the Pacific SIDS depends on them receiving an equitable share of
the revenues and other means of active economic participation from their fisheries and other
marine resources. Firm and measurable commitment at Rio is expected to more fully address
the legitimate development aspirations of SIDS as contained in the UN Fish Stocks Agreement.
IUU Fishing – Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing is a major contributor to fish stock
depletion in the Pacific and elsewhere, affecting both subsistence fishing by Pacific people, as
well as causing severe negative impacts on biodiversity.
Overcapacity of World’s Fishing Fleet - Current capacity levels are not sustainable and
should be reduced to levels commensurate with scientific evidence to ensure sustainable
management and development.
Pollutants - Pollutants in the form of sewage, agricultural and urban run off, and oil spills are
creating large dead zones and contaminating food supply in the Pacific. Plastic debris and
discarded fishing gear is fouling coastal areas and needlessly killing marine life.
Destructive Fishing Practices and Bottom Trawling - Destructive fishing practices, including
bottom trawling, should be prohibited.
Fishing Bycatch and Discards – More global action is needed to reduce the occurrence of
bycatch and discards which have serious negative effects on inter alia, food security and
biodiversity.
Climate Change - The impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise and severe storms,
as well as ocean acidification must be mitigated to prevent what may be the largest threats to
the health of marine ecosystems.
Coral Reefs – Protecting coral reefs is essential for sustainable livelihoods and development.
Barbados Programme of Action and Mauritius Strategy – The imperatives in the BPoA and
MSI require mainstreaming into the global oceans governance framework.
Implementation of Existing International Law - States and regional fisheries management
organizations must fully implement their obligations under the fish stocks agreement and other
international measures.
Regional Fisheries Management Organisations - RFMOs must be regularly reviewed and
accountable for the health of the fish stocks under their jurisdiction. RFMOs must also ensure
the more effective participation of the Pacific SIDS.
Marine Protected Areas - Greater efforts are required into expanding a global network of
marine protected areas (MPAs) and marine reserves as a key contribution to safeguarding the
ocean’s natural capital and ensuring food security.
Delineation of Continental Shelves - In order to realize the benefits of the extended
continental shelf, delineation of continental shelves is a critical issue for the Pacific SIDS. It is
Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu
4
imperative that resources be allocated to ensure that the Pacific SIDS can complete the
delineation process.
Marine Invasive Species - Regional and international coordination is needed to protect native
ecosystems from invasive alien species.
Stakeholders