The first ever Vanuatu National Oceans Summit was held at the Convention Centre in Port Vila on 21.4.2017.

The highlight of the Summit was the launching of Vanuatu’s National Ocean’s Policy.

Officially launched by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Climate Change, Ham Lini, this National Policy is the Government’s policy statement for the management of its sovereign water and marine ecosystems through to 2030. The policy has been developed by the Ocean Sub-Committee of the National Committee for Maritime Boundary Delimitation. This Sub-Committee was also tasked to undertake discussions and consultations with marine stakeholders nationally and with other related initiatives regionally and globally on the Oceans Policy.

Minister of lands Mr Ralph Regenvanu presenting UN Ambassador with gift and message for UN Oceans conference in June

It is also acknowledged that this Ocean Policy contributes to Vanuatu’s efforts to implement Sustainable Development Goal 14 on Oceans Policy, to build marine ecosystem resilience to climate change and natural disasters and commitments under the Convention of Biological Diversity. The National Ocean Policy outlines the overcharging structure for the management of the ocean is framed around the Nakamal (traditional house):

• The foundation is an ecosystem- based approach to management as envisaged and implemented by our forefathers using traditional marine resource management systems;
• Upon the foundation are three pillars; the multidimensional value of our ocean; the integration across uses, across boundaries, across sectors, across governance structures and, thirdly, our resilient and intrinsic ocean culture;
• The supporting beam across the Nakamal is the overarching institutional arrangements; and
• The thatched roof is emblematic of the sectoral and cross-sectoral policy actions that will protect the Nakamal.

Director maritime affairs Mr Tony Tevi’s speech

Speeches came from Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office, Johnson Naviti, Mr. Odo Tevi from the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Vanuatu’s Ambassador to the United Nations. The occasion was witnessed by secondary school students, government workers, NGO representatives and members of the public. There was public lunch followed by Career Forum and awareness program for students and public.

First Published in Vanuatu Daily Post 22.4.2015