Republic of the Marshall Islands Participates in Historic First BBNJ Preparatory Commission Session

New York, NY – The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) proudly participated in the inaugural session of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), held at the United Nations Headquarters.

Leading the RMI delegation was His Excellency Ambassador John M. Silk, joined by alternate delegate RMI Deputy Attorney General Johnathen Kawakami, Dr. Filimon M. Manoni of the Office of the Pacific Oceans Commissioner (OPOC), MIMRA Legal Counsel Laurence E. Edwards II, and First Secretary Tony Shu from the RMI Mission.

This landmark session—BBNJ PrepCom1—marks the first formal step by UN Member States toward operationalizing the BBNJ Agreement. Discussions focused on key organizational and procedural elements, including:

1. Rules of procedure for the Conference of the Parties

2. Terms of reference and modalities for subsidiary bodies

3. Selection process for scientific and technical experts

4. Secretariat arrangements and seat

5. Operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism

6. Financial rules for the Conference of the Parties and its bodies

7. Funding arrangements with the Global Environment Facility

8. Preparatory dialogue for future cooperation, reporting, and financial mechanisms

As a member of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), the RMI underscored its priorities in the formation of key subsidiary bodies such as the Access and Benefit-Sharing Committee, the Implementation and Compliance Committee, the Capacity-Building and Marine Technology Transfer Committee, and the Finance Committee.

The RMI delegation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable ocean governance, protecting marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions, and supporting robust international cooperation.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau have signed a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to apply the 2024 amendments to the U.S. Tuna Treaty. This step reinforces regional cooperation in sustainable fisheries management and development.
The signing, led by Hon. Anthony M. Muller of RMI and Hon. Steven Victor of Palau, took place during the WCPFC21 sessions in Suva, Fiji. Forum Fisheries Committee Chair Ms. Erana Aliklik highlighted this milestone as a testament to the continued collaboration among Pacific Island Parties and the U.S.
Stay tuned as other members prepare to sign this MOU, paving the way for improved fisheries access arrangements over the next five years.

Republic of The Marshall Islands Delegation Participates with Pacific Leaders at the 21st WCPFC Session in Suva, Fiji
The 21st Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) commenced on November 28, 2024, in Suva, Fiji, and will continue until December 3, 2024. This week-long event brings together regional leaders to shape the sustainable management of tuna fisheries across the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO).
Representing the Marshall Islands at this pivotal session are Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce Hon. Anthony Muller and Mrs. Sharon Muller, MIMRA Director Glen Joseph, Legal Counsel Laurence E. Edwards, II, Deputy Director Berry Muller, Chief Fisheries Officer Beau Bigler, Koo's Fishing Company General Manager Orlando Paul, Education & Awareness Representative Tamiko Jajo and Deputy Chief of Mission Terry Keju.

The Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, highlighted several critical priorities for the region, including the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change, fishing on the high seas, and the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) under Article 30 of the WCPFC Convention. He underscored the importance of replenishing the Special Requirements Fund (SRF) to ensure Pacific Island nations can tackle these challenges without bearing disproportionate burdens.
Quoting Genesis 1:26-28, the Prime Minister reminded participants of their shared duty to protect the Pacific's resources for future generations. He urged delegates to make decisions reflecting long-term commitments to sustainability, equity, and resilience, ensuring tuna stocks remain plentiful to sustain livelihoods and regional economies.
Hon. Muller’s statement echoed the sentiments shared by the Prime Minister Hon. Rabuka, he addressed key priorities for the RMI which, “…are aligned with the collective goals of robust conservation, equitable economic opportunities for coastal states, and the empowerment of our communities to actively participate in the tuna value chain”. Minister Muller also stressed the importance of domestic development and investment in marketing our tuna resources through the value-added chain with the likes of the Pacific Island Tuna Provisions (PITP), the development of a regulation for high seas transshipment activities demands urgent attention.”
In summary, Hon. Muller expressed the key priority areas for the RMI:

1. Domestic Development: Emphasizing the importance of purse seine and longline fisheries and efforts to increase dockside offloading and value-added processing. 
2. Strategic Engagements: Highlighting support for the FFA-led ENBI and the collaborative vision for processing tuna within the Pacific to generate local jobs and economic resilience. 
3. Catch and Effort Trends: Interpreting the WCPFC-CA’s 2023 catch of 2.63 million metric tons in economic terms—valued at $6.1 billion—and the need for Pacific nations to maximize this through regional cooperation. 
4. Future Vision: Proposing the establishment of a Pacific Fisheries Innovation Hub to pilot new technologies and sustainable practices. Other key priorities that RMI is expected to make contributions to the WCPFC21 meeting will also be: High Seas Transshipment, Compliance Monitoring Scheme (CMS), Marine Pollution, Labor Standards, Climate Change and Tropical Tuna Target Reference Points (TRP).