Written by MFOR Media on 17 March 2025.
Today on the 13th of March 2025 marked an important milestone for Kiribati, as it becomes the signatory to the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). This significant undertaking was performed by the Kiribati’s Permanent Resident to the United Nations Ambassador Teburoro Tiito, acting on behalf of H.E President Taneti Maamau of the Republic of Kiribati, together with his team at the United Nations Secretariat, New York, USA. The overall objective of the BBNJ, is the conservation and sustainable use of the marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdictions, for present and in the long-term; through marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments and capacity building and transfer of marine technology. This agreement requires a total of ratification from a minimum of 60 countries to allow this agreement to enter into force and becomes a treaty. MFOR is coordinating this work at the national level and following this signing, preparations, and domestication of this agreement into the Kiribati relevant laws, before the proper ratification of this agreement. The MFOR thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and the Kiribati Embassy at the United Nations in New York, USA for executing this signing.
The Kiribati delegation, which included the Director of the Planning and Development Division and two officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, departed to attend the 2025 Joint Committee Meeting for the EU-Kiribati Fisheries Partnership Agreement. The meeting takes place in Singapore from March 11 to 13, 2025. The meeting focused on reviewing the performance of both parties under the partnership protocol to ensure compliance and enhance cooperation throughout the agreement's duration (2024–2028). Additionally, the committee assessed the progress of the Fisheries Sector Support Project, a key component of the protocol implemented by the Ministry. The meeting concluded with great outcomes with the approval of the EU Sector Support Programme for the 2025. The committee expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the EU Sector Support Project and approved the release of the second tranche of EUR 400,000 in April 2025. The Kiribati delegation expressed gratitude to the European Union Delegation for its ongoing cooperation and support under this partnership.
A delegation from MFOR, Kiribati participated in the 44th annual meeting of the PNA officials that took place from 13 to 14 March 2025, at the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNAO) headquarters in Majuro, the Republic of the Marshall Islands. During this meeting, Kiribati takes on the chairmanship of this group from the out-going chair, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This means, Kiribati will drive the processes of the PNA during a one-year tenure, guided by the Parties and the PNA Office. Like other regional organizations, this meeting allows Parties to the PNA to discuss matters of great importance to the commercialization and sustainable development of the tuna fishery in their group. Around 80% of the total purse seine catch in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean comes from the PNA waters. This is why this PNA grouping is so important to Kiribati, in terms of the aspirations to maximize benefits from the tuna resources in our vast ocean space. The MFOR acknowledges the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority and the PNA Office for supporting the successful convening of this annual meeting.
Written by MFOR Media on 12 March 2025.
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