Remarks by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni

The EU-Pacific Policy Dialogue Roundtable on the Ocean Programme
12 – 13 October 2023, Pearl Hotel, Pacific Harbor, Fiji
Remarks by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr. Filimon Manoni

The Head of the EU Delegation to the Pacific, Your Excellency, Barbara Plinkert and your Team,

Excellencies, Government Representatives, CROP Colleagues, Representatives of technical partners, civil society and non-governmental organizations

Iakwe! Bula Vinaka! Gut pla dei Olgeta!

Let me begin by thanking the European Union and the Pacific – European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Program, its partners and implementing agencies for inviting me to provide some remarks today.

Three weeks ago, I was delighted to meet with the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Ocean and Fisheries, Mr. Virginijus Senkevicius during the UN General Assembly High level week in New York. We discussed our next regional steps on BBNJ implementation, as well as the much-anticipated signature of the EU-ACP Partnership Agreement and Regional Protocols to be finalised in Samoa in November.

I am pleased that the new EU-ACP Partnership Agreement and Pacific regional protocol have followed the Forum Leaders endorsed 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, by treating the ocean as a main key pillar for the Pacific. This is rightfully so for our region that is 96% Ocean. I think we have been able to convey the importance of ocean. This meeting is such testimony.

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting the Head of EU Delegation, H.E Ambassador Plinkert and we discussed the importance of this meeting to take stock on how well things are progressing and what can be improved. These will no doubt be crucial in view of developing the future EU regional ocean programme in the Pacific 2025-2030.

It is against this backdrop that I wish to focus my remarks on two crucial aspects of the discussions. First is on (i) policy implementation and second on (ii) ocean governance.

1. PEUMP has indeed ushered a positive example of effective coordination. We have heard and witnessed the success stories from technical support to develop capacity and capability for our national governments, including for areas related to ocean governance, ocean science and research, oceanic and coastal fisheries, as well as protection and restauration of marine ecosystems. These are critical areas of work and focus.
2. At the same time, we must also not lose sight of the direction which is set through our ocean priorities. At times the vastness of our ocean can be overwhelming. And that is why we must ensure that as we traverse this vast ocean, our priorities or end goals, whether at national or regional level, must be kept in sight. Your national goals are clear. At the regional level, they are set by our leaders and must guide our collective work.
3. As Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Leaders have bestowed upon me a responsibility to regularly provide them with progressive updates on how the implementation of our regional ocean priorities is progressing. I officially took up the position of on 1 August of this year. It is my intention to convene a meeting of donor partners, such as the EU, to ensure coherent and coordinated investments in the ocean space. Investments made must correspond to value for money and maximize impacts and returns for our countries as the ultimate beneficiaries. The investments must support efforts to national governments and at the same time, support the fulfilment of the regional and global priorities and commitments.

On the topic of ocean governance:

Our Forum Leaders see the 2050 Strategy as our Northern Star. With the vast Pacific Ocean, no doubt this journey towards 2050 will be a long one and will be intergenerational.

4. In order to reach our final destination, we all i have a part to play. Individually and collectively.
5. Let us use the illustration of a vaka. Different crew members of the vaka, play different roles. From the captain right down to the sailors. Each of them play an equally important role in order to steer the vaka clear from the stormy weather and to safely reach their final destination – a shore. At times, failure on one’s part may compromise or further prolong the journey. It is always important to communicate amongst the crew.
6. The use of traditional knowledge depicts the richness of our cultural heritage and richness of our communities. They too must be brought on board so no one is left behind. They must be consulted, and they must take ownership.
7. In this regard, my message today is to highlight that governance is a crucial aspect of the work we do. Our ocean is a crowded space – it has become a space of strategic interests. The governance system is what should enable us to navigate towards the same direction in coordination with one another. Achieving our common goals depend on a robust governance that builds on what is existing and where we ensure that our efforts are mutually reinforcing, where are respective roles and responsibilities are clear.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentleman

Wishing you all the very best in the two days of deliberations. Let us not lose sight of the destination and set sail into the horizon together. Once again, I reiterate the famous African idiom, to sail fast you sail alone, but to sail far you sail together.

Thank you all very much for your attention!!