Pasifika Environews

23/09/2025

Tonga has signed a revised agreement to sponsor Canadian deep-sea mining company TMC in the Clarion Clipperton Zone.

While ecological risks to Tongan waters are low, marine scientist Tu’amelie Fusimalohi cautions: “Tonga could be held legally liable for any harm caused by its sponsored company, even if the activity occurs outside its waters.”

Earth Journalism Network

Tonga’s new agreement to sponsor Canadian deep-sea mining in the Clarion Clipperton Zone sparks legal and financial concerns

23/09/2025

Across the Pacific and in diaspora communities, people are rising to at 1.5℃. From Fiji to Samoa, Majuro to Melbourne, the call is clear: urgent action is needed to protect our islands and future

“A line has been drawn and we are not letting polluters shift the goalposts. The climate crisis is very real for us, and we will do what we must to ensure our children can survive and thrive in the Pacific.” – George Nacewa, 350.org Pacific

🔗: https://pasifika.news/2025/09/hundreds-of-people-across-the-pacific-rally-for-stronger-action-to-stay-below-1-5%e2%84%83-of-global-heating/

Earth Journalism Network 350 Pacific

23/09/2025

The UN High Seas Treaty has now secured 60 ratifications, clearing the way for it to take effect in January 2026. Covering two-thirds of the world’s ocean, it sets legally binding rules to conserve marine biodiversity, create protected areas, and strengthen global cooperation

Secretary-General António Guterres called it a “historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism,” adding: “This agreement is a lifeline for the ocean and humanity.”

Earth Journalism Network

The UN’s landmark high seas treaty has secured 60 ratifications, paving the way for it to enter into force in January 2026 to safeguard marine biodiversity beyond national borders

22/09/2025

The British High Commission in Fiji, Conservation International, and the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner have launched the Sustainable Blue Pacific Initiative to strengthen marine governance, community-led monitoring, and sustainable financing across the region.

🗣“This initiative provides tools, financing, and partnerships that empower communities to protect the ocean that sustains their food security, culture, and livelihoods.” – Susana Waqainabete-Tuisese, Conservation International's Pacific Islands Vice President

Earth Journalism Network

The UK and Pacific partners have launched the Sustainable Blue Pacific Initiative to strengthen marine governance and support the High Seas Treaty

22/09/2025

Fisher groups and civil society have raised concerns about the newly announced WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, saying it unfairly burdens small-scale fishers and low-capacity developing nations, while leaving large industrial fleets untouched.

“The Sustainable Development Goals gave a clear mandate to rein in problematic subsidies, but what has been delivered will do little to stop the big fleets who engage in illegal fishing." - Adam Wolfenden, Deputy Coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation

Earth Journalism Network

Civil society and fisher groups warn the WTO’s Fisheries Subsidies Agreement unfairly burdens small-scale fishers and developing nations while letting industrial fleets largely off the hook

19/09/2025

Fijian fisheries expert Raijeli Natadra is speaking out about the systemic discrimination women face in the maritime industry.

From being told she was “too young” for technical work to being silenced in meetings, her journey reflects the barriers many women still endure.

🗣 “No, it is not normal. Let’s drive change from the top, and it’ll trickle down.”

Earth Journalism Network

A Fijian fisheries expert has exposed the deep-rooted gender bias silencing women in the maritime industry, calling on leaders to break the cycle and drive change from the top

18/09/2025

Pacific Island Forum Leaders have hailed the ICJ’s landmark advisory opinion on climate change as a “powerful affirmation of what the region can achieve when it works together as one Blue Pacific.”

They are calling on all nations, including Forum members, to use the opinion to strengthen climate action, submit more ambitious NDCs ahead of COP30, and keep 1.5°C alive.

Leaders also praised Pacific youth, civil society, and Vanuatu’s leadership for pushing this global campaign since 2021.

Earth Journalism Network

Forum Leaders hailed the ICJ’s climate change advisory opinion as a historic win, urging all nations to use it to strengthen climate action and uphold the 1.5°C goal

18/09/2025

Forum Leaders have marked the 40th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rarotonga, renewing their call for a nuclear-free Pacific.

📄“Although testing has ceased, our peoples and environments continue to bear the health, cultural and ecological scars across generations.”

They urged the U.S. and other non-parties to sign and ratify the treaty, stressing that “the Pacific must never become a theatre for nuclear testing, the dumping of radioactive waste, or the proliferation of nuclear weapons.”

Earth Journalism Network

Forum Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Pacific on the treaty’s 40th anniversary, urging the U.S. and others to sign and ratify it

18/09/2025

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have reaffirmed their collective commitment to urgently finalise all maritime boundaries and continental shelf submissions.

📄“Securing our maritime zones in perpetuity is crucial to safeguard the region’s sovereign rights, protect ocean resources, and secure the Blue Pacific Continent for generations to come."

Leaders also urged timely ratification of the BBNJ Treaty, backed a binding global plastics treaty, and supported a member-led approach on deep-sea minerals.

Earth Journalism Network

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have pledged urgent action to finalise maritime boundaries and secure the region’s ocean sovereignty and resources against rising seas

18/09/2025

Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu called on the Pacific to urgently act on the ICJ climate opinion.

“One of the most important next steps is to bring the advisory opinion back to the UN General Assembly for endorsement. We must act together to fully support the UN resolution, translate the authority of the advisory opinion into structural reforms, and safeguard our people, cultures, and futures."

He urged countries to reflect the opinion in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and embed the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment into national and regional frameworks

Earth Journalism Network

Vanuatu Climate Minister says the Pacific must swiftly act on the ICJ climate opinion by pushing for a UN General Assembly resolution next month

18/09/2025

Marshall Islands Climate Envoy Tina Stege says the ICJ advisory opinion strengthens Pacific solidarity and builds on past victories like the 1.5°C limit and loss and damage fund in the fight for climate justice

🗣️"For 30 years, there wasn’t even recognition that loss and damage needed to be addressed. We didn’t give up, and now we have a fund. The question now is whether it will deliver."

🔗: https://pasifika.news/2025/09/icj-ruling-strengthens-pacific-climate-leadership-marshall-islands-envoy/

Earth Journalism Network

18/09/2025

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr hailed the International Court of Justice climate ruling as a turning point for vulnerable nations.

🗣“Now that we have a decision, we can base our arguments and continue to leverage and hopefully change behaviour. The goal is to change behaviour.”

He called out years of inaction at climate conferences and said the ruling offers a way to demand accountability — and finally secure the climate finance the Pacific needs to survive

🔗: https://pasifika.news/2025/09/icj-climate-ruling-a-tool-to-hold-big-polluters-accountable-palau-president/

Earth Journalism Network