Taiwan and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) have signed a new cooperation agreement to support the operations of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) from 2025 to 2027, strengthening their partnership in ocean governance.
The agreement was signed by Taiwan’s representative in Fiji, Zhou Jinfat, and PIFS’s Deputy Secretary-General Esala Nayasi, witnessed by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner Filimon Manoni. Taiwan’s Ambassador to Palau, Lily Chien-yi, participated via video conference.
Over the next 3 years, Taiwan will provide $1.045 million to support OPOC in advancing projects in key areas, including enhancing marine governance capacity, promoting youth participation and ocean advocacy, innovative financing for sustainable ocean management, and promoting marine literacy education.
These projects align with the “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent,” a crucial blueprint for achieving sustainable and resilient ocean development in the region. The cooperation agreement underscores Taiwan’s long-term commitment to the well-being and development of the Pacific region.
Zhou Jinfat emphasized that the signing of this cooperation agreement marks a new milestone in Taiwan’s partnership with PIFS. He stated, “Since 2010, the Pacific Islands Forum has played a leading role in protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening marine governance. Taiwan is honored to support these initiatives and collaborate with Pacific nations to address climate change, protect ocean resources, and promote sustainable blue economic development.”
Zhou Jinfat reiterated Taiwan’s full support for the “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” and emphasized the importance of professional capacity building, youth empowerment, financial innovation, and marine literacy. He also reaffirmed Taiwan’s broader contributions in the region, including economic growth, education, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, and climate adaptation.
In his remarks, Filimon Manoni expressed heartfelt gratitude for Taiwan’s long-standing support, stating, “As a development partner of the Pacific Islands Forum, Taiwan plays a critical role in enhancing OPOC functions. This cooperation agreement is a strong endorsement of our shared vision, working together to create a more resilient and prosperous Blue Pacific.”
He emphasized that ocean governance, biodiversity conservation, fishery management, and sustainable maritime development should not be limited by borders. Regional countries should enhance cooperation to ensure the sustainable development of marine resources and create a better environment for future generations in the Pacific.
Established in 2010 under the “Framework for Pacific Oceanscape,” OPOC is responsible for promoting the Pacific Islands Forum’s strategies for sustainable marine governance. In 2023, OPOC expanded its functions to deepen the objectives of the “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”
(This article is sourced from the Central News Agency)