The ocean is the very lifeblood of our people and it plays a very critical role in regulating our climate.
This was the message by the Attorney‑General and Minister responsible for Climate Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum at the launch of two key initiatives that are in line with the Ocean Pathway that was launched by Fiji at the 23rd Conference of Parties in Bonn, Germany last year.
The two initiatives, which was launched in the backdrop of Fiji successfully hosting the 2nd Climate Action Pacific Partnership Conference in Suva this week, are the Blue Pledge and the Pacific Islands Transportation Forum.
During the launch at Albert Park last night, Sayed-Khaiyum pointed out that as the region is constantly under the siege from worsening climate impacts, it is important to be conscious of the relationship between climate change and the oceans‑ along with the life it sustains.
He adds that the Blue Pledge is a private sector led partnership that will bring together players in the pearl market "to recognise sustainable practices in the industry and acknowledge those companies that re‑invest back into the pearl farming communities.
The Pacific Islands Transportation Forum, as the second initiative, will see Fiji co‑hosting the event with Marshall Islands and USP.
The Attorney General says that there the effort to de‑carbonise the Pacific transport will take centre stage as we showcase the latest in science for the transport sector and establish clear national pathways for countries under regional transportation framework.
The Blue Pledge was launched by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu and the Pacific Transportation Forum was launched by the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Vijay Nath.
