Vanuatu convenes first Ocean and Marine Spatial Planning Forum

The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Maritime and Ocean’s Affairs Division successfully convened an Oceans and Marine Spatial Planning forum with key national and regional stakeholders in Vanuatu.

The objective of the forum is to create a platform for regular dialogue amongst and between institutions at the national and regional level who have an oceans mandate, to commit and contribute, to Vanuatu’s national marine spatial planning process.

In his opening address, the Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Yvon Basil emphasised the significance of partnership in this national undertaking given that 98% of Vanuatu’s sovereign space is made up purely of oceans.

“Not one Government stakeholder can manage the oceans space on its own, let alone all other significant marine users. I therefore call upon all of us, Government stakeholders actively using the marine environment, to work together and forge a stronger partnership with our development partners and regional institutions in achieving our Marine Spatial Planning goals,”Mr Basil said.

Marine Spatial Planning is a novel component of Vanuatu’s National Oceans Policy that was endorsed by the Council of Ministers in August 2016.

The work entails a process that brings together multiple ocean users to make informed and coordinated decisions on how to use ocean resources sustainably.

The intended result of the planning process is a more coordinated and sustainable approach to how the ocean is used – ensuring that marine resources and services are utilized, but within clear environmental limits, to ensure marine ecosystems remain healthy and biodiversity is conserved.

The forum, held at the Melanesian Hotel, was attended by key ocean players including the Department of Fisheries, Department of Ports and Harbour, Department of Environment, Department of Lands Survey and Live & Learn. Regional partners in attendance included the South Pacific Community (SPC), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme (SPREP).

All stakeholders agreed to close collaboration in support Vanuatu’s Marine Spatial Planning process.

 

Photo supplied Caption: Participants of the first Oceans and Marine Spatial Planning forum

 

     

Author: 
Tensly Sumbe