Commonwealth Blue Charter, Apia Ocean Declaration

Abstract

More than 12 million tonnes of plastic waste makes its way into our oceans each year. To address the rising threats our ocean faces, leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) gathering in Apia are expected to launch the 'Apia Ocean Declaration' to accelerate initiatives for a healthy, sustainable and resilient ocean. The Commonwealth, a diverse family of 56 countries comprising of 2.7 billion people, have jurisdiction over 36% of the world’s national marine waters, therefore critical actors in the fight to protect oceans. The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by all 56 Commonwealth countries to actively cooperate to solve ocean-related challenges and meet commitments for sustainable ocean action. SPREP through the Australian Government funded, Pacific Ocean Litter Project #POLP is working together with Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa (MNRE) to ensure a more sustainable and environmentally friendly Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting #CHOGM, currently underway in Samoa.