The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, highlighted the compounding impacts of geo-strategic tensions, economic uncertainty, and the worsening climate crisis and its impact on poverty, inequality, and injustice when addressing the French President, His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, during the Sixth Pacific France Summit convened on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
Minister Bulitavu pointed out that as major powers engage in geopolitical competition, security concerns are becoming more pronounced in the Pacific Region, directly impacting sovereign resources and the well-being of Pacific communities.
Hon. Bulitavu identified major threats facing the Pacific region as climate change, illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, pollution, and transnational crime, stating that:
“For the Blue Pacific, ensuring the wellbeing of our people, our continued resilience, and upholding people-centred development driven by our own priorities and sovereign choices is a key priority within the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”
“The economic well-being of all countries is dependent on goods and commodities flowing freely, safely and unhindered across our Pacific waters, connecting countries, people and communities.
“Partnership, political commitments, science, finance, and technology are vital to protecting our vast ocean space.”
Minister Bulitavu underscored the importance of trust as a prerequisite for effective partnership and for maintaining Peace emphasising the common responsibility to respect and reinforce mutual values and uphold international rules, emphasising that:
“Lasting peace can only be achieved when all voices are heard, and all stakeholders are engaged in the process. We must not underestimate the power of dialogue, cooperation, and shared responsibility”.
On behalf of the Government of Fiji, the Hon.Minister requested that France:
‘Stand with us, as true partners and equals, in addressing the pressing challenges that define our time in the Blue Pacific.”