At the opening of the 8th Pacific Tuna Forum this week, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Mr Henry Puna addressed the 8th Pacific Tuna Forum delegates. As the keynote speaker Secretary General, Mr Puna stated that he was very pleased to be able join all the Pacific Island leaders and stakeholders from around the globe in the 8th Pacific Tuna Forum. “Indeed, it is wonderful to be back here in this great land of Papua New Guinea – a nation rich in resources and opportunities that can propel the future of our region.” “It is no secret that we, your Pacific family, have learnt so much and will continue to learn from your leadership and unity on the issues that matter most for our Blue Pacific continent.” This year’s conference theme, “Strengthening tuna sustainability and industry development in the Blue Pacific Continent, through increased innovation, partnership and participation,” speaks to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. “ I am from an Ocean State – for us in the Cook Islands, it is from the Ocean that we derive our history, and our connection to each other – our culture – our livelihoods and our being as Pacific peoples and as custodians of nearly 20% of the earth’s surface, our future as a region lies in our Pacific Ocean”. He said importantly, the theme shines through in this Forum and added that the innovation and ideas everyone will share, the best practice and challenges on everyone’s agenda, and the way this event is structured goes to the core of partnership, participation, and collaboration. “These are key to ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous Pacific, but as many here will appreciate, how best we rise to the future often depends on how we’ve learnt from the past.” “I have been in the region my whole life and over time I have worn many different hats that have including that of a Fisheries Minister as well as Chair of the FFC so, I can appreciate the vision and tenacity of those leading the Tuna fisheries sector, whether it be in management, science, negotiations, industry, or the setting of policy.” Puna further thanked those at the remote forefront of compliance work against IUU fishing – the Fisheries Observers. “It is your work that makes a sustainable tuna fishery in the Pacific, possible, your efforts, linked to the aspirations of this industry event, will help to ensure the success of the 2050 Strategy’s long-term approach to working together as a region, and as countries and territories, communities and people of the Blue Pacific Continent.” He further added that economic prosperity is core to 2050 strategy, but the ocean and its resources will underlie the regions prosperity. “For far too often, our region has been looked upon as “the whole in the donut” and our history as a region has seen our Ocean used by major countries as a nuclear testing ground, or more recently, the perfect abyss for nuclear wastewater.” But the tides are turning as a region, he highlighted in his speech that it is time now take hold of the future and potential that the Pacific Island people have. “And in this respect, may I congratulate the people and government of Papua New Guinea and Hon. Minister Jelta Wong and your team for hosting the recent Fisheries Ministerial in East New Britain, to set ambition and action for Pacific nations securing a larger part of the tuna value chain for our Blue Continent”. “Truly, this endeavor demonstrates initiative and resilience in the face of the climate emergency our Forum Leaders have declared, and I note that the outcomes of your deliberations will be presented to Forum Leaders at their Rarotonga meeting and wish you all the best in this endeavor.” He also added that the ability to leverage and generate economic prosperity from the natural resources including the ocean goes hand in hand with addressing the most significant threats and complex challenges including: (i) Climate change and rising sea levels; (ii) Rising debt levels; (iii) Global economic fragmentation; and of course (iv) Geo-political contestations. “Question is, how can we use this era of influence to capitalise on the resources and strengths that we have as a region, to address the key challenges of our time?” “As I mentioned earlier, I firmly believe that the future of prosperity lies in our ocean – its fishery and its resources.” If there is one theme in the 2050 Strategy that drives home the global context of all coastal states, it is the Ocean and Environment thematic area and it recognizes and defines our geography as large ocean states but also sustains our economies, cultures, and way of life.