The 9th Our Ocean Conference presents an opportunity for all stakeholders to join forces in driving impactful change. Photo: Our Oceans Conference
Pacific leaders are in Greece for the 9th Our Oceans Conference this week.
The Athens meeting brings together government delegations from around the world to discuss challenges affecting their maritime territories, including the need for a concerted effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Palau President, Surangel Whipps Jr, has tolde delegates Pacific nations want urgent action to address plastic pollution.
"By 2025, there will be more plastic in the ocean then fish...urgent need for solutions," he said.
Palau has also called deepsea mining a harmful acivity, and called on world leaders to ratify the High Seas Treaty and establish a network of high seas sanctuaries.
Federated States of Micronesia's President Wesley Simina said the ocean is the lifeblood of the planet.
But Simina said he sees sustainable seabed mining as an economic opportunity.
Relocation
Nauru's climate change minister has told conference his government is relocating people from coastal settlements to higher ground in light of the climate crisis.
Minister Asterio Appi said meaningful action is needed out of meetings like this.
He said going home empty handed is always disheartening, especially when the costal erosion rate high across the Pacific.
The conference was first organised by the US government in 2014.