Tuvalu at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya

Voyage Pacific Media Team

19 October Nagoya, Japan - Tuvalu will be pushing for support from the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to highlight issues relating to biodiversity and climate change in the Pacific region.

Soseala Tinilau and Solomona Lotoala, from Tuvalu’s Department of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Labour, said they were particularly interested in leading and supporting item 5.6, Biodiversity and Climate Change, on the COP10’s agenda five, “Issues for In-depth Consideration.

“Climate Change and Biodiveristy is very important to Tuvalu since Biodiversity provides wealth of food, other natural products and is the foundation for our traditional and cultural practices,” they said adding that Tuvalu is gravely concerned about climate change given their imminent inundated should global warming continue at its present rate.

L - R Soseala Tinilau and Solomona Lotoala of the Tuvalu delegation

With the negotiation processes underway, Tuvalu’s other interests that they are keen on tabling and working closely with PICs are issues on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity, Protected Areas and the issue of Access Benefit Sharing (ABS).

ABS is where Tuvalu says its vitally important that PICs advocate and support the adoption of ABS regime as the Pacific is the providers thus need to share some of the benefits.

Mr Tinilau and Mr Lotoal, both new to the COP scene, said so far the event as been interesting and very challenging.

“One needs good stamina to withstand the amount of work needed during negotiation processes.” they said.

Their involvement will help them gain negotiation experiences and skills and also technical and financial assistance from the outcome of the COP10 conference.

They said other issue like the Marine biodiversity and protected areas is where they would also like to see more in depth discussion.

Tuvalu has established six conservation areas on six of its nine islands with only one being regulated under a formal legislation while the rest through traditional management systems. Preparations are underway to expand its protected area networks. This will be identified under the National Biodiversity Strategy.

Tuvalu is currently working to implement the Whale and Dolphin Action Plan and also the Regional Action Plan on Turtles in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).