In a move that strengthens regional cooperation and environmental protection in the Pacific, Tuvalu has formally submitted its Instrument of Ratification for the Noumea Convention end of September. This enters into force on the thirtieth day from the date of deposit.
The Noumea Convention, formally known as the Convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region is a multilateral comprehensive umbrella agreement for the protection, management and development of the marine and costal environment.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is the Secretariat for the Convention that now has 13 signatories, those being Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, United States of America, and now Tuvalu.
“We congratulate Tuvalu in becoming a Party to the Noumea Convention joining efforts to protect and conserve our Pacific Ocean and environment,” said Mr Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General of SPREP.
“This is our very own Pacific multilateral environment agreement that respects the economic and social value of our natural resources and environment and values the traditions and cultures of our Pacific people. It is the legal framework by us, for us. We welcome Tuvalu into the Noumea Convention and are empowered by the potential this has for a safer environment and Pacific people.”
The Noumea Convention entered into force in 1986 and is the legal framework to address accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through the sustainable management and use of marine and coastal environments.
There are two protocols under the Noumea Convention, one is the Protocol for the Prevention of the South Pacific Region by Dumping to prevent, reduce and control pollution by dumping of others wastes and other matter in the South Pacific.
There is also the Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combatting Pollution Emergencies in the South Pacific Region to enhance cooperation among the Parties to protect the region from threats and effects of pollution incidents.
“It is a proud moment for us to unite with our SPREP family and become a Party to the Noumea Convention, we know that together we are stronger and having legal framework of this Agreement behind us propels us in the right direction,” said Dr Soseala Tinilau, the Director of the Department of Environment of Tuvalu.
“Tuvalu faces so many challenges as a small island nation, protecting our people and our environment is a priority for us. We are constantly working to address the impacts of climate change, we see the benefits of being a Party to both the Waigani and Noumea Conventions in saving our natural environment that sustains our people, as crucial for us all.”
The Noumea Convention works in partnership with the Waigani Convention for which SPREP is also the Secretariat. Formally known as the Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the South Pacific Region, Tuvalu is already a Party to this.
The Waigani Convention works to reduce and eliminate transboundary movements of hazardous and radioactive waste as well as minimise the production of hazardous and toxic wastes in the Pacific region and to ensure that disposal of wastes in the Convention area is completed in an environmentally sound manner.
Parties to the Waigani Convention which entered into force in 2001 include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.