SPC highlights Pacific leadership and inclusive governance at One Ocean Science Congress

The Pacific Community (SPC) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) in global ocean science and governance during the high-level Town Hall event “From Barcelona to Nice and Beyond: Science and Knowledge for Action through the Ocean Decade”, during the One Ocean Science Congress.

The event brought together ocean scientists, policymakers, Indigenous knowledge holders, and international organisations to explore progress made since the adoption of the Ocean Decade Barcelona Statement in 2024. The Statement outlined key actions and priorities for transforming ocean knowledge into solutions through science, co-design, and inclusive partnerships.

Representing SPC, Dr Katy Soapi, Coordinator of the partnerships for the Pacific Community Ocean Science (PCCOS), addressed the critical need for targeted support and greater leadership from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within the Ocean Decade.

Soapi emphasised that the Ocean Decade presents a historic opportunity to rethink how ocean knowledge is produced and used, placing equity, inclusion, and sustainability at the heart of global ocean action. However, she also pointed to shortcomings in SIDS engagement, as highlighted in the recently released 2024–2025 Monitoring & Evaluation Results Report.

• Only 17.2% of Decade Actions included capacity development in at least one SIDS country.
• 16.6% of Actions were implemented in at least one SIDS country.
• 0.3% of endorsed Decade Actions are led by institutions based in SIDS — only 18 out of hundreds of endorsed initiatives.

“These figures are deeply concerning and underscore a critical leadership and engagement gap”, Soapi said. “The Barcelona Statement reinforces what the Pacific has long recognised: that regional and national leadership are essential to driving meaningful ocean action. In our region, the Blue Pacific Narrative embodies this commitment — a call for Pacific-led and Pacific-owned solutions, and the right to define and lead our sustainable development agenda.”

With 98% of the Pacific region comprised of ocean and 47% of households depending on fishing as a primary or secondary source of income, ocean health is not an abstract concern; it is a matter of daily survival. Pacific Island countries also serve as custodians of 20% of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones, making their leadership in ocean governance both necessary and strategic.

She underscored the Pacific’s proactive engagement in the Ocean Decade, noting, “From the outset, the Pacific didn’t want to be an afterthought in the Ocean Decade. We wanted a seat at the table, we even raised our hands to host the first regional consultation under the Decade.”

Building on this momentum, Soapi highlighted that the SPC, hosted by the Decade Collaborative Centre for Pacific SIDS, has played a central role in advancing the region’s vision. “The Decade Collaborative Centre for Pacific SIDS has been part of this journey—established to serve as a driver of change, turning global aspirations into locally driven action, and supporting co-designed initiatives led by our countries and communities,” she said.

While acknowledging the many implementation challenges, Soapi reaffirmed the Pacific’s determination to ensure the Ocean Decade delivers real and lasting benefits for SIDS. To that end, she outlined three strategic priorities that should guide efforts moving forward:

1. Invest in capacity development and provide long-term support for people, institutions, and infrastructure across the ocean science value chain.
2. Strengthen existing SIDS-led initiatives, like PSIOM and the DCC, rather than creating new platforms.
3. Secure accessible, sustained financing that meets the needs of SIDS and supports equitable partnerships.

“These priorities are grounded in our regional experience but reflect the shared reality of all SIDS. We want the Ocean Decade to work for us, with solutions led by those most affected and rooted in our knowledge, priorities, and vision for the ocean.”

As the Ocean Decade advances toward 2030, SPC will continue to champion inclusive, Pacific-led approaches that uphold the rights of island nations and promote sustainable ocean futures for all.

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