Ocean Protection

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa told the 76th UN General Assembly in New York that there was no greater challenge facing the global community than climate change - including its effects on ocean health.

Fiame said protecting the marine environment was a priority for Pacific nations, whose leaders invariably highlighted the climate crisis in their UNGA speeches.

"The ocean surrounds, protects and provides for us ocean states. It is core to our Pacific way of life, tied explicitly to our need for climate actions in our custodianship of the world's oceans," Fiame said.

"From here we will push on to the maturation of our SDG14 targets of 2020, 2025 and 2030. We will follow-up with diligence on the commitments made here at The Ocean Conference; all along, holding ourselves responsible to bequeath a conserved and sustainably managed Ocean to the stewards of the future," said President Thomson.

The former fisherman was among Pacific leaders who stressed their connection to the ocean in opening speeches at the United Nations Ocean Conference in New York.

Mr Remengesau said Palau has set aside 80 percent of its seas as a no-take marine sanctuary and countries should work together to establish a system of protected areas.