Fiji commits to Pacific Regional One Maritime Framework to protect Blue Pacific

Fiji believes that the responsibility of proactively taking action is to ensure that the oceans are protected not only for tourism but for future generations as well.

This has been highlighted by the Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Works and Meteorological Services and Transport, George Tavo during the signing of the Pacific Regional One Maritime Framework at the European Union Office at Tappoo City in Suva.

The Pacific Regional One Maritime Framework is about how the Pacific can step up their cooperation in the area of maritime domain awareness and maritime safety and security.

Tavo says climate change is the single, greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and global well-being of all with a disproportionate impact on Fiji and other small island developing states in the Pacific.

Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert says the maritime transport sector in the Blue Pacific plays a pivotal role in nurturing social and economic development by enabling trade with international markets, inter-island transportation and ensuring connectivity for island communities.

Plinkert says this Pacific One Maritime Framework aims to foster a safe, resilient, green, clean, digital and gender-just maritime transport sector for the Blue Pacific.

She says the development of the framework will be a participatory collaboration among Pacific Island countries and territories, regional organisations and international partners.

Meanwhile, the Pacific General for the Pacific Community, Doctor Stuart Minchin says sustainable maritime transport is a key element in the prosperity and well-being of Pacific Islanders.

Doctor Minchin says maritime transportation allows them to export and import products with international markets and to transport people and goods between islands with each state.

He says that this framework will ensure that ships are safe, secure, green, accessible and efficient.