The Forum Deputy Secretary General & Pacific Ocean Commissioner Dr. Filimon Manoni,
Your Excellencies the Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Regional, civil society and non-governmental organisations’
Invited Guests;
Fellow citizens of Fiji and the Blue Pacific,
Members of the Media;
Ladies and gentlemen and dear children.
Miau sa bula re and Warm greetings to you all! Today, I am honoured to be part of this momentous occasion to commemorate World Ocean Day here in Suva. I thank you sincerely for the invitation as I strongly believe that the Ocean is indeed a key part of Fiji, the Blue Pacific Region and its peoples. I also acknowledge that the 5th of June was World Environment Day, with a focus on plastic pollution as these events and its advocacy are related and in dire need of our immediate attention.
Under the theme “Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing,” we are reminded of the urgent need to protect our oceans and reefs, preserve their delicate ecosystems, and safeguard the countless marine species that call them home.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the peoples of the Pacific today, and generations of the past, continue to hold dearly the inseparable links they share with the ocean. Our oceans and reefs are not only vital to sustaining life on Earth but also crucial for the overall well-being of our planet. They regulate our climate, provide sustenance to millions, and support countless industries that fuel economic growth. Furthermore, they serve as a source of inspiration, tranquility, and spiritual connection for people around the globe, especially for us here in the Pacific. I am hopeful that the youths and children of today will uphold and treasure this now and into the future.
Let me remind us again that this special connection with the ocean is no accomplishment. It now more than ever bestows upon us the responsibility as custodians and stewards of the world’s richest biodiversity and marine resources that will benefit our current and future generations. We are reminded that the monetary value of our entire Blue Pacific Ocean cannot be matched as it is one of our valuable resources. This is the very reason it deserves the attention we are giving it today. Today is all about putting the ocean first.
I am equally proud to share today that the Government of Fiji is also taking crucial steps in protecting its oceans and reefs, aligned to the global commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development /and the Global Biodiversity Framework. Fiji is committed to leading the efforts towards 100 percent sustainable ocean management and 30 percent protection of its waters to safeguard ocean ecosystems and sustainably build Fiji’s ocean economy.
Protecting our oceans and reefs is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration between governments, the private sector, and ordinary citizens.
As your Head of State, a fierce defender of the Oceans, and a traditional qoliqoli owner, I am committed to leading the charge in this endeavour, and I call upon all nations to join hands in our collective mission to save our oceans and reefs. These actions are and should be more than just the protection of Fiji’s ocean.
I strongly believe that there are tailored efforts that are needed specifically to address the threats that our oceans face, and to ensure that the nation is committed to reversing these trends. Similarly at the regional scale, as custodians of the Blue Pacific, we all have a part to play to ensure we preserve and protect our oceans.
Today, as we commemorate this important day, the climax of this week long of organized activities is to spur behavioral change.
A call to change in mindset, behavior and attitude towards our oceans – a call to be the agent of change. How can you become that agent of change that your family, village, workplace, community or nation needs? It takes all of us present here to lead by example. To governments around the world I urge you to prioritize the conservation and sustainable management of our marine resources. We must strengthen regulations, enhance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and establish protected areas that preserve critical habitats.
Let us invest in scientific research, share knowledge, and foster international cooperation to ensure the long-term viability of our oceans. To the private sector, I encourage you to continue to embrace corporate social responsibility and integrate sustainable practices into your operations. Continue to adopt environmentally friendly technologies, reduce plastic waste, and support initiatives that promote responsible fishing and aquaculture.
By aligning your business strategies with the well-being of our oceans and reefs, you can contribute to a more prosperous and resilient future for all. But our collective efforts would be incomplete without the active involvement of ordinary Fijians and individuals. Each one of us can make a difference. Reduce your carbon footprint, conserve water, and eliminate single-use plastics from your daily lives. Educate yourselves and others about the importance of our oceans and reefs, and engage in community initiatives that promote marine conservation.
Together, we can inspire a ripple effect of positive change that reaches far beyond our own shores. I can personally attest to this as we continue to practice and emulate this in my province in Macuata and I challenge us all to do the same.
Today as a way of giving back to the ocean, our students are tagging and releasing back into the ocean two green turtles or vonu dina. We might question this important initiative but the simple answer is that, the ocean is a part of our planet and environment that connects us as opposed to separating us. Fiji is making remarkable strides in sea turtle conservation. The Ministry of Fisheries, along with the University of the South Pacific, WWF, and other organizations, is leading efforts to protect our sea turtle populations. Fiji is home to five of the seven known species of marine turtles, but these species are at risk of extinction due to various threats.
To address this, Fiji is focusing on data collection, research, and knowledge enhancement to better make informed decision-making and effectively manage these species. The Ministry of Fisheries is prioritizing nesting site monitoring, filling research gaps, and implementing Fiji’s Sea Turtle Recovery Plan in collaboration with enforcement agencies and partners. These coordinated efforts aim to safeguard nesting and foraging areas and set an example for successful conservation through collective action.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as we move forward, we can only achieve all this together as a family, as one nation and as one Blue Pacific Continent. I encourage all stakeholders to join hands with us in progressing the implementation and advocacy of positive oceans action. Political commitment requires ownership, and we must recommit to our national, regional and global policies and pledges and work together hand in hand in pursuing the best interest of our nation, region and the world.
On that note, I would like to specially mention the contribution of the media, our journalists, who work diligently to raise awareness on ocean related issues. The media has been instrumental in telling our stories from the Pacific, and getting the world’s attention on what matters to us.
I would like to therefore congratulate the following journalists who are winners of the inaugural Pasifika Environews Awards:
Best Ocean Story: Mr. Vijay Narayan of Fiji
Best Environment Story: Charles Piringi of the Solomon Islands
Best Climate Change Story: Moffat Mamu also of the Solomon Islands
To all members of the media in the Pacific, continue to do what you do, being watchdogs of society. Keep writing those ocean and Pacific stories. Keep advocating on sustainable actions and sustainable management of our resources. The tide is indeed changing but we have the power to shape its course. Let us stand united in our commitment to protect our oceans, safeguard the extraordinary diversity of marine life, and ensure a sustainable future for all. A big Vinaka Vakalevu to all of you who have helped in today’s celebrations, especially our school students, the future custodians and wardens of our beloved Pacific Ocean. Congratulations also to the organisers for making this possible. Vinaka vakalevu and well done to Pacific Ocean Alliance.
With those few words, it is with great pleasure that I launch this year’s World Ocean Day celebration. Happy World Oceans Day.
May God bless Fiji and may our oceans and rivers forever flourish!
Vinaka Vakalevu.