BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and chair of the 54th Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting currently in Honiara has called for greater collective effort to protect the Pacific Ocean.
Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the Tepuke traditional canoe from Solomon Islands and Uto Ni Yelo canoe from Fiji, held at the Marine School yesterday, Jeremiah Manele said the voyages taken by the two canoes from Fiji and Temotu province to Honiara shows the resilience of the people.
“It is upon us to bring the political wind required to move our original canoe to our next destination.
“I’m confident that this week will generate the political strength to embrace deep originalism with open borders.
“Indeed, our collective vision for a blue pacific continent demands us to rethink how we deliver as a collective for our people and our once world.
“It is only in our unity that we can propel our voyage forward in the face of the mounting challenges and opportunities,” he said.
Manele added that the identity of the Pacific with the ocean is currently challenged by the three planetary crises of climate change, pollution and the loss of biodiversity.
He added as custodians of 30 percent of the planet’s surface, people in the Pacific have a moral obligation to protect the lifeblood of the planetary system.
“As stewards of the ocean let us respond decisively that Pacific must lead, drive and own its own agenda on climate, ocean stewardship and regional solidarity.
“The message of our voyages to sustainably manage the ocean is here and will remain on our original agenda as we amplify our voices on international platforms.
“We have done it in the past with the successful inclusion of the SDG14 in the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development as well as our pivotal role in the global recognition of the 200 nautical miles economic exclusive zone under the UN convention on the law of the sea.
“We must not be complacent. We must continue to strive for more actions to keep our region stable, nuclear free and peaceful,” Manele said.
The PM stressed that the future generation depends on it and the ocean connects all Pacific countries not just regionally but globally.
“We must therefore ensure that we forge strategic partnerships to be able to effectively and efficiently implement our national, regional and international ocean policies to safeguard the health of our oceans,” he said.
