Prime Minister opens seabed side-event at the 2021 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
“I strongly believe that the sustainable and responsible development of seabed minerals has the potential to make a significant contribution over the coming years to our…social, environmental and economic wellbeing,” said Prime Minister Mark Brown at a virtual United Nations side-event today.
The Prime Minister made his opening remarks at a side-event of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (Forum) held from 6 to 15 July. The Forum oversees the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This years’ Forum focused on the sustainable and resilient recovery from the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and how countries plan to manage its impacts to ensure the world will still be on track to achieving the SDGs by 2030.
The side-event, organised by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), looked at ensuring the sustainable management and stewardship of the deep-seabed for the benefit of all humanity. The ISA is responsible for the regulation of seabed minerals activities in international waters. Topics discussed included the importance of both the rule of law in ocean governance as well as ongoing deep-sea research and science in ensuring the sustainable management of the deep-seabed.
Prime Minister Brown expanded on the contribution that the sustainable development of seabed minerals could make for the Cook Islands, ranging from training and development opportunities for Cook Islanders, to expanding the economy’s resource base and improving the country’s economic resilience to future shocks. He gave the example of Cook Islands engineer, Eusenio Fatialofa, who recently returned from an expedition in international waters, stating that these experiences provide a wealth of knowledge, skills and opportunity.
L-R: David Todd & Cook Islander Eusenio Fatialofa
GSR 2021 Offshore campaign in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), April-May 2021
Prime Minister Brown reiterated the importance of “maintaining biodiversity and protecting habitats from over exploitation, particularly for future generations” adding that when looking at reducing and managing impacts International cooperation becomes vitally important. In closing, Prime Minister Brown thanked the ISA for their inspiring work.
The Secretary General of the ISA, Mr. Michael Lodge expressed his thanks to Prime Minister Brown, noting he looked forward to continuing to work closely with the Cook Islands in both implementing the law of the sea and contributing towards achieving the SDGs.
For more on the Prime Minister’s opening remarks, click here.
For more on the ISA side-event, click here.
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ENDS.