Samoa is among key countries from the region to benefit from a three-year funding agreement worth £2.4 million (ST$7.16 million tala) for the Integrated Ocean Management and Maritime Governance Programme. 

The signing of the three-year funding was announced by the UK Government and the Pacific Community (S.P.C.) this week. 

The SPC, in collaboration with Pacific countries and territories and a consortium of partners including regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (P.I.F.S.) and the Forum Fisheries Agency (F.F.A.), recognises the critical importance of this funding for the region's sovereign rights and maritime boundaries.

This initiative holds significant importance for island nations whose economies and livelihoods are intricately linked to the sea, particularly in establishing maritime boundaries as a crucial aspect of national sovereignty and economic development.

Vicki Treadell CMG, MVO, British High Commissioner to Australia and Head of the UK Government’s Oceania network, expressed pride in the UK government's investment in maritime security and safety across the Pacific. 

She highlighted that the funding will support Pacific Island Countries in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific while upholding the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The three-year programme, spanning from May 2024 to April 2027, will be funded through the UK Integrated Security Fund Pacific programme. 

The financial assistance will be allocated to activities aligned with SPC's plans in various key areas including ocean management, maritime boundaries, maritime transport, port security, and empowering women in the maritime sector.

Dr. Paula Vivili, Deputy Director-General of S.P.C, emphasised the importance of ocean management and maritime governance in the Blue Pacific. 

He underscored the region's leadership in establishing maritime zones under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, surpassing the global average.

Vivili highlighted the pivotal role of maritime governance in supporting the socio-economic development of the Blue Pacific Continent, despite facing challenges such as the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance maritime safety.

Expressing gratitude for the UK Government's continued support, Vivili emphasised that the funding will enable SPC to address critical challenges in ocean management and maritime governance, promoting sustainable development for Pacific Island nations.

The initiative is expected to benefit Pacific Island Countries across the region, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu, providing a significant boost to Pacific Island security and addressing key challenges in the region.