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By Pita Ligaiula
NEW YORK, June 19, 2024 (PACNEWS) – Ambassador Jim Lipway, Permanent Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to the United Nations in New York, stressed that decisive global action is urgently needed to protect the oceans in light of the climate crisis.
Ambassador Lipwe said in a statement at the 34th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: “Micronesia welcomes the report submitted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to Article 319 of the Convention.”
He stressed that the reports provided important insights, especially given the severe impacts of climate change on the marine environment.
Ambassador Lipwe stressed that greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities pose an unprecedented crisis to the ocean.
“The oceans are facing a crisis of magnitude never before seen in human history,” he said.
He cited an advisory opinion of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, which classified such discharges as pollution under the Convention.
Ambassador Lipwe said the Tribunal stressed the importance of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in order to meet States Parties’ obligations regarding marine pollution.
He noted that simply adhering to commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement may not be enough.
Ambassador Lipwe stressed that “Micronesia shares the Tribunal’s determination that while all States Parties have an obligation to address anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, those with greater resources and capabilities must take the lead.”
This includes efforts to reduce emissions, provide financing, transfer technology and build capacity for resource-poor countries.
He warned that “States parties fall far short of the mark in implementing these obligations” and urged vigilance and accountability for violations of the Convention.
Turning to seabed mining, Ambassador Lipwe acknowledged the work of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on the Mining Code but warned against hasty action.
“One of our guiding principles is that meeting the needs of the present cannot come at the expense of future generations,” he stressed.
Ambassador Lipwe believes that while moving away from fossil fuels is essential, this should not lead to mismanaged development of marine areas that could cause new pollution.
“Replacing one form of damage with another is not responsible ocean management,” he said, citing Article 195 of the Convention, which prohibits converting one form of marine pollution into another.
Ambassador Lipwe also celebrated the adoption of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and urged all countries to ratify it swiftly.
“Micronesia was the first country to sign the Agreement and the seventh to deposit its instrument of ratification,” he noted. The country has included in its instrument of ratification a declaration affirming that the marine zones established under the convention will continue to apply despite rising sea levels due to climate change.
He encouraged other countries to adopt similar declarations, highlighting the climate crisis of our time… PACNEWS
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