The 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders Summit was held 23-24 August 2023 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The Efate Declaration, among others, desires “to focus the security conversation on Climate Change and the security of the environment, identified as our existential threat under the Boa Declaration and the MSG Security Strategy”. The Udaune Declaration also seeks to refocus the security narrative in the region on Climate Change and the position of SIDS, raising a number of maritime governance issues, including agreement to:
“PURSUE the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Responsibility of States vis-â-vis Climate Change to its conclusion;
Udaune Declaration, 24 August 2023
UNDERTAKE to make national submissions to the ICJ on the nefarious impact and effect of climate change;
URGE Japan not to discharge the treated water into the Pacific Ocean until and unless the treated water is incontrovertibly proven scientifically to be safe to do so and seriously consider other options like use in concrete;
REGRETS DEEPLY the decision by Japan to dump ALPS in the Pacific Ocean, which has inter-generational and transboundary impact on our ocean, economy, livelihood, and future and on lie basis of improved science and technology urged Japan to consider other options for disposal of ALPS;
UNDERTAKE not to allow Underwater Seabed Mining to be carried out in their jurisdictions;
CALL for more rigorous and transparent environmental scientific research on seabed mining and call for a Pacific region wide moratorium”
For more information see the MSG Secretariat.
De Maribus 