PACIFIC governments are being urged to strengthen ocean protection and stewardship amid growing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and marine pollution.
Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Ralph Regenvanu, said oceans are increasingly central to global and regional survival, not only environmentally but also politically and economically.
He welcomed the recent entry into force of the Convention on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ), calling it a significant milestone in global ocean governance since the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was adopted in the 1980s.
“We are seeing governments around the region and the world recognise the importance of oceans,” Regenvanu said.
He pointed to Vanuatu’s establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Oceans and the passing of its first National Oceans Act as examples of strengthened national action on marine governance.
“In fact, Tonga was first and we were second,” he noted, referring to Pacific countries setting up dedicated ocean institutions and legislation.
Regenvanu also highlighted international legal developments, including a United Nations General Assembly resolution supported by 144 countries that backs the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on states’ obligations to protect the right to a healthy, safe and sustainable environment.
He said this right is fundamental and places responsibility on governments to ensure environmental protection.
“This is a human right of all citizens of the world and governments have an obligation to fulfil this right,” he said.
Regenvanu stressed that in the Pacific, the ocean is deeply tied to identity, livelihoods, and wellbeing.
“The health of the oceans reflects the health of the people,” he said, adding that Pacific communities have long been guided by intergenerational stewardship of marine resources.
He warned that the region faces a “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, and called for stronger cooperation between governments and communities.
“It’s up to governments in the region, working with the people, to make sure we address these in a way that leaves our ocean intact for future generations,” he said.
