Page 27 - Islands Business October 2023 edition

International, M. Sanjayan, expresses
his elation: “Even the smallest
nations can make global waves.
Congratulations to Niue, whose
leadership in conservation is proving
Niue Launches Ocean Protection Funding Initiative that our 30x30 ambitions are entirely
attainable when we unite governments
and private funders around innovative
Niue, a small island nation in the funding,” adding that “we hope other
South Pacific, is taking a bold step island governments seize the historic
towards its ambitious conservation momentum to protect the pristine
goals with a first-of-its-kind sustainable beauty and life-sustaining bounties of
funding initiative to safeguard its our ocean.”
sovereign waters: Ocean Conservation Meanwhile, the Government of Niue
Commitments. is encouraging individuals, corporations
Ocean Conservation Commitments and foundations, multi-laterals and
or OCCs are innovative financing The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern GNZM (first row, 2nd from left) joins the Niue bilateral development partners to
and Blue Nature Alliance/Conservation International launch team.
mechanisms that fund the protection support Niue’s conservation efforts
of 1km² of Niue’s ocean territory for 20 Conservation International. knowledge and practices in park by sponsoring its OCCs through the
years, as well as foster a sustainable “The proceeds raised through the management. Ultimately, this approach NOW Trust website or by direct enquiry
blue economy for the people of Niue. OCC sponsorships will be held and to funding marine conservation via with the NOW Trust. It also notes that
During the launch of the programme
managed by the Niue Ocean Wide OCCs will empower Niue to build a all contributions made are strictly for
in New York in September, Niue’s
(NOW) Trust, and they will be used to climate resilient and sustainable blue conservation and cannot be used as
Premier, Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, fund a range of conservation, resilience, economy to ensure long-term durability,” a financial or tradeable product like
announced that the Government of and sustainable development Premier Tagelagi continued. carbon credits—and does not grant
Niue will sponsor nearly 1,700 units, efforts that reinforce durable ocean Blue Nature Alliance Steering Council ownership or claims over any ocean
or one for each resident of Niue. This
conservation and sustainably manage member and CEO of Conservation real estate.
important initiative will be managed by
the island’s Exclusive Economic Zone
the Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust, (EEZ) and Territorial Sea (TTS), all of
which is establishing an endowment of which are part of the Niue Nukutuluea
at least US$18 million to directly fund Multiple-Use Marine Park, established
Niue’s conservation efforts. The NOW (L-R) Chuck Fox - Oceans 5 CEO; Coral Pasisi - Tofia Niue President and Climate
Change and Sustainability Director at the Pacific Community (SPC); M. Sanjayan, in 2022,” says Premier Tagelagi, adding
Trust is a New Zealand Charitable Trust
Ph.D. - Conservation International CEO; and Niue Premier - Hon. Dalton Tagelagi at that “as a small island nation, Niue’s
established by the island nation’s first the launch of the Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust and Ocean Conservation Commitment vast marine territory holds immense
public-private-partnership between the (OCC) in New York. ecological, cultural, and economic value
Government of Niue and Tofia Niue (a to our people; the ocean is everything
local non-profit organization)—this after
to us.”
seven years of successful collaboration.
Niue’s Exclusive Economic Zone He also affirms that with the
Niue’s marine territory is 1,200 (EEZ)—and is a sanctuary to pristine establishment of the Niue Nukutuluea
times larger than its land mass. Its coral reefs, undersea mountains and Multiple-Use Marine Park last year and
enormous marine reserve, the Moana diverse marine life such as sharks, culminating with the launch of the OCC,
Mahu Marine Protected Area spans whales, dolphins, manta rays, and turtle Niue has established itself as a small
2
127,000km —constituting 40% of
species. By sponsoring the OCCs and/ but important global leader in ocean
or making general donations, you will conservation.
play a pivotal role in preserving Niue’s The OCCs’ funding will enable Niue to
pristine marine ecosystems for the accomplish various conservation efforts
betterment of its people and the global in its marine environment, such as
community as a whole. improving community participation and
There are 127,000 OCCs available for monitoring, strengthening control and
sponsorship—and sponsorship of 1 OCC surveillance capabilities for compliance
is US$148 (NZ$250), which enables and enforcement.
sponsors to become direct contributors “Niue will now have the ability to
to Niue’s marine conservation, climate implement monitoring and evaluation
resilience, sustainable development activities to assess reef health and
efforts, and associated outcomes. fish stocks and strengthen coastal
Donors may sponsor one or more management plans for the island’s 14
OCCs; each representing the cost of villages. Moreover, we are keen to also
2
protecting and managing 1km of Niue’s fund ocean conservation education
ocean territory. At the moment, several programmes and scholarships for
NGOs and private donors have already Niuean children and community A scenic/nature shot of one of Niue’s multitude of beautiful reef pools that surround the island,
committed to sponsor the first OCCs, members, as well as promote traditional visible clearly at low tide. Photo: Kylie Evans
which include the Blue Nature Alliance;
cryptocurrency company founder, Chris
Coral Pasisi, President of Tofia Niue presents the Ocean Conservation Commitment (OCC) To learn more about the NOW Trust and/or sponsor an OCC, please visit www.niueoceanwide.com
sponsorship mechanism which will be managed by the Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust. Larsen and his wife, Lyna Lam; and

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Islands Business, October 2023 27