22 Sep 2020

Call for Pacific states to secure region’s maritime boundaries

From , 6:01 am on 22 September 2020

For years Pacific Island countries have questioned what would happen to their lucrative ocean fishing grounds should their islands be submerged by rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Today these same countries are being told to pursue the delineation of their maritime boundaries with urgency.

The call was made last week at a regional conference on Securing the Boundary Limits of the Blue Pacific.

The online meeting also explored legal options and institutional responses to the impacts of sea-level rise on maritime zones.

Christine Rovoi listened in and filed this report.

The virtual regional conference on Securing Securing the Limits of the Blue Pacific: Legal Options and Institutional Responses to the Impact of Sea-level Rise on Baselines in the Context of International Law.

The virtual regional conference on Securing Securing the Limits of the Blue Pacific: Legal Options and Institutional Responses to the Impact of Sea-level Rise on Baselines in the Context of International Law. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat