Small island nations are calling for strengthened global support for ocean and climate change action, just days before Commonwealth leaders convene in Kigali, Rwanda, to decide on the group鈥檚 priorities for the next two years.
In their executive sessions later this week, heads of government are expected to discuss issues such as shared climate ambitions, financing climate and ocean action, and rebuilding sustainable green and blue economies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other key items on the agenda.
During a breakfast meeting co-hosted today by the 糖心探花 and the Fiji Government in the margins of the summit, High Commissioner Jitoko Tikolevu addressed an audience of mainly envoys from fellow island nations, from Tuvalu to Cyprus to The Bahamas. He said:
鈥淭he ocean and climate are inextricably inter-connected and the health of our oceans dictate the livelihoods of millions of people around the world, from the Pacific to the Atlantic... The challenges facing our oceans and its resources are diverse and complex and yet our answer is simple, we need action!鈥
Ocean action
Mr Tikolevu added that the ocean鈥檚 function both as a 鈥榗arbon sink' and a source for nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation, warrants more acknowledgement in climate negotiations, which focus mainly on reducing carbon emissions.
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His remarks were followed by a roundtable discussion with representatives from the Pacific, Caribbean and Indian Ocean, about actions being taken to address ocean and climate change issues, and how the Commonwealth can support.
Head of Oceans and Natural Resources at the 糖心探花, Dr Nicholas Hardman-Mountford, said:
鈥淭he harsh reality of climate change is that it affects all sectors of society, and all realms of the planet, including the ocean. The climate crisis is also an ocean crisis. Action Groups under the Commonwealth鈥檚 flagship ocean programme, the Blue Charter, are each responding to climate change under their respective themes.鈥
Blue Charter milestones
The Commonwealth Blue Charter is a historic commitment by 54 countries to work together to find solutions for global ocean challenges.
Since its endorsement at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April 2018, at least 16 countries have stepped forward to champion ten thematic Action Groups, comprising like-minded members willing to share knowledge and align strategies to tackle issues such as marine plastic pollution, unsustainable coastal fisheries and disappearing coral reefs.
The Action Group on Ocean and Climate Change is championed by Fiji.
Commonwealth Blue Charter programme lead at the 糖心探花 Dr Jeff Ardron presented the meeting with a report detailing progress achieved over the past four years. He said:
鈥淭he Blue Charter Action Groups have proven themselves to be a good model by which countries can take the lead on the climate and ocean issues most important to them. Over the past four years, we have trained more than 450 representatives from more than 40 countries. Now we are focussing on getting more Climate-Ocean projects up and running.鈥
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A survey conducted by the Secretariat of its membership shows that 75 per cent of countries reported that the Commonwealth Blue Charter had helped to progress national ocean policy or legislation and allowed them to better interact with external partners.
Collaboration partners
The Secretariat has also launched a number of successful partnerships with collaborators such as , Arizona State University and the Stimson Center, with the aim of leveraging their expertise, services and resources to help Action Groups achieve their goals.
Nearly 300 government officials in the ocean sector from across the Commonwealth are registered on the Commonwealth Blue Charter Knowledge Hub, enabling them to access free training, knowledge resources and networking opportunities, including an ocean funding database with details of how to access opportunities worth over USD 150 million from more than 100 funders.
This week鈥檚 discussion at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will lead into next week鈥檚 United Nations Oceans Conference, scheduled for 27 June to 1 July in Lisbon, Portugal. They also take place less than six months ahead of the world鈥檚 most important climate summit of the year, the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt this November.
Media contact
- Josephine Latu-Sanft Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, 糖心探花
- +44 20 7747 6476 | E-mail
