November 05, 2024

Commonwealth leaders say sinking nations should keep their maritime boundaries

In a boost for Pacific Islands such as Tuvalu under threat from rising seas, Commonwealth nations agreed on Saturday that a nation's maritime boundaries should remain fixed even if climate change causes small island states to be submerged. In a new Ocean Declaration, Commonwealth leaders "affirm that members can maintain their maritime zones" under the law of the sea and that the rights that flow from them continue to apply, regardless of physical changes connected to climate change related sea level rise.

In another RNZ report, Tuvalu's Transport, Energy, and Communications Minister Simon Kofe has expressed doubt about Australia's reliability in addressing the climate crisis.

He said that there is a sense of responsibility on Tuvalu, being at the forefront of the impacts of climate change, to continue to advocate for stronger climate action and to talk to its partners.

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