BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Achieving SDG 14.4 requires sustained cooperation among Pacific nations, development partners, and stakeholders, said Elina P. Akinaga, Minister for the Federated States of Micronesia’s Ministry of Resources and Development.
She stated that FSM stands with its Pacific neighbors in calling for stronger regional cooperation, enhanced monitoring, and greater recognition of Pacific nations’ sovereign rights over the region’s fisheries resources.
“We must work together to secure fair access to fisheries resources, strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and maximize economic returns while safeguarding the integrity of our fisheries,” she said.
Akinaga emphasized that through the FFA, the Pacific’s collective efforts have demonstrated strong leadership in achieving SDG 14.4.
“Now, we must push further—securing equitable access to fisheries resources, expanding value-added fisheries development, and ensuring that the benefits of our ocean resources remain in the hands of our people,” she said.
“As we move forward, let us continue to build on our shared vision—a resilient Blue Pacific Continent where our fisheries are not only protected but also provide lasting prosperity for generations to come,” she added.
She reaffirmed FSM’s commitment to sustainable fisheries and the importance of regional collaboration in achieving shared goals under SDG 14.4.
“As custodians of some of the world’s richest tuna stocks, we in FSM recognize that ensuring the sustainability of these resources is not just an economic imperative—it is a responsibility to future generations,” she concluded.
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