PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES REGIONAL TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP ON DEEP-SEABED MINING NUKU’ALOFA, KINGDOM OF TONGA
12-14 February 2019
INTRODUCTION
An ocean-based economy, or “Blue Economy” is one that seeks to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and preservation or improvement of livelihoods. At its core, it refers to the de-coupling of socio-economic development of oceanic activities from environmental and ecosystems degradation. Embedded in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and reflected in the work of the United Nations for many years, the concept was borne out of the 2012 Rio+20 Conference.
The Pacific has been at the forefront of the development of the concept of the Blue Economy. This has been recently illustrated by the endorsement of the ‘Blue Pacific Identity’ by Pacific Leaders in 2017, which should be seen as the core driver of collective action for advancing Pacific Small Island Developing states (P-SIDS) objectives under the Framework of Pacific Regionalism. Through this, Pacific Leaders expressed their long-term vision to reinforce the potential opportunities provided by the ocean to Pacific nations.
In light of anticipated long-term future need for minerals, momentum from both national governments and the private sector has catalyzed the development of marine mineral resources. Some P-SIDS have also shown interest in this sector. Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu have granted permits for deep sea mineral exploration, and the Cook Islands have undertaken a minerals exploration tender process. Four Pacific Islands Countries, namely: The Cook Islands, Nauru, Kiribati and Tonga, are Sponsoring States and have entered into 15-year Contracts with the International Seabed Authority. It is therefore of critical importance that these countries possess the requisite expertise and capacity to ensure the sound and sustainable management of marine mineral resources both within their national jurisdictions and beyond. This emerging industry has the potential to benefit vulnerable economies and support the well-being and social aspirations of P-SIDS. To that end, building on the successes of the SPC-EU Deep Sea Minerals Project implemented by the Pacific Community, the “Abyssal Initiative” – a joint Voluntary Commitment of UNDESA and ISA officially launched at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference – will focus on two critical components. First, ensuring that the targeted countries are in a position to comply with their national and international obligations as seabed activities progress. Second, that the necessary governance structures and mechanisms required are in place in order to achieve these objectives in an effective manner.
OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP
UNDESA and ISA are determined, through the implementation of the ‘Abyssal Initiative’, to strengthen the capacity of P-SIDS to access sustainably and benefit from seabed activities and therefore, from the Blue Economy. In light of this, the Pacific Small Island Developing States Regional Training and Capacity Building Workshop, schedule to be held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, aims at bringing a representative of each P-SIDS to discuss further the potential benefits associated with an increased participation of P-SIDS in deep-sea related activities. It is anticipated that this workshop will enable participants to deliberate and agree on how participation of P-SIDS could be increased in activities undertaken in the Area, and what would be necessary to ensure that they fully benefit from such activities. Additionally, it is expected that the consultation between UNDESA/ISA and the P-SIDS representatives would provide the opportunity to clearly identify the main needs of the targeted countries to build the necessary capacities that will contribute to achieving their Blue Economy objectives.
Participant’s Information Note
With the kind assistance of the Host Country, the organizers invites participants to consult the attached Information Note and also ensure that they make their own appropriate arrangement for accommodations in Nuku’alofa for the duration of the workshop
Link to PDFProvisional Agenda
The organizers, having discussed and agreed on the program of the workshop, prepared this provisional agenda to guide discussions.
Link to PDFList of Participants
Link to PDFPresentations
Please find photos below and as well as presentations from the event.
Day 1
6. s. navoti and m. bourrel abyssal initiative from Bill Bly