Navigating the Blue Pacific: European Initiatives for the Blue Economy
Advancing Ocean Partnership and Blue Economies through Team Europe Collaboration in the Pacific.
Excellencies,
Senior officials and government representatives,
Partners and colleagues.
Alii and a very good morning to you all.
Let me begin by thanking the organisers, German Development Agency (GIZ), the EU Delegation to the Pacific and the French Development Agency, for inviting me to the opening of this workshop and to share a few words in my capacity as the Pacific Ocean Commissioner.
- Regional context on ocean governance
- In the Pacific, our collective commitment to the ocean is anchored in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and reflected in national policies and political commitments across the region.
- The 2050 Strategy has an ocean and environment thematic focus area which captures the critical needs of the Pacific, in areas including governance, policies, engagement and advocacy, financing and partnerships.
- When we think of our ocean, we must think of the whole of the blue economy; livelihoods, industries and innovations.
- For this, we need to work across various sectors – tourism, energy, aquaculture and transport. But we also need to work with all stakeholders to ensure that all voices are heard.
- Ocean Finance Week:
- Last week, my office (OPOC) in collaboration with the Conservation International convened the Pacific Ocean Finance Workshop here in Suva.
- Pacific Ocean Finance Week brought together more than 150 participants, ranging from international donors and conservation trust funds to Pacific governments and partners working at the forefront of marine and ocean stewardship across the region.
- Participants expressed strong support for establishing the Pacific Ocean Finance Group, a new mechanism under the Pacific Ocean Alliance that will strengthen coordination, transparency, and strategic intelligence on ocean financing in the Pacific.
- Partners agreed that strengthened coordination and transparency of ocean finance is essential for aligning international investments with Pacific ocean priorities but also for supporting forward facing strategic planning.
- Countries and partners shared practical lessons on sustainable ocean finance, including emerging approaches to financing marine protected areas (MPAs) and broader ocean initiatives.
- Discussions also highlighted the need to strengthen existing regional systems for tracking ocean finance and developing investment pipelines, helping connect international funding with national priorities and community-level action.
- Opportunity for regional collaboration and strengthened partnerships:
- This two-day workshop on “Navigating the Blue Pacific: European Initiatives for the Blue Economy” is another opportunity to work on this cross-sectoral collaboration as it provides the platform to exchange and enhance regional cooperation on the sustainable development of the blue economy.
- This workshop will allow us to strengthen partnerships, not only on between national governments and administrations, CROP agencies, NGOs and research institutes, but also with our European partners in the region.
- Partnership with the EU:
- The European Union along with its member states such as France, Germany, Sweden and Spain have long been valued partners of the Pacific region on ocean matters.
- Our cooperation is built on shared commitments to sustainable development, ocean governance, and multilateral cooperation.
- We are thrilled that this cooperation will continue with the announcement of three new ocean initiatives later today.
- Key messages:
- As we begin our deliberations and exchanges, let us remember that advancing the “Blue Economy” means managing resources responsibly, protecting marine ecosystems, and creating opportunities for sustainable growth that benefit both our people and our ocean.
- I invite you all to share your experiences, and exchange ideas openly. Let us use this workshop as a space to brainstorm, explore new solutions, and spark collaborations that will strengthen a sustainable and prosperous future for our ocean and the people who rely on it.
Sulang!
