H.E. Va‘inga Tōnē, the Head of the Tonga Delegation, emphasised Tonga’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection at the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority held in Kingston, Jamaica this week.
“Tonga remains committed to a precautionary approach to sustainable development, which balances environmental protection measures with the sustainable use of our natural resources. We look forward to the adoption of the draft exploitation regulations, which will provide a robust system for activities conducted in the Area,” Tone said.
However, the Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) is urging the government to take further action. “In order to truly give effect to that approach and safeguard the ocean we depend on for life, we believe it is crucial for Tonga to join the growing international moratorium movement on deep-sea mining,” the CSFT said in a statement on social media. They are calling on the government to align with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and support a moratorium.
“Stand alongside our Pasifiki family, and vote for a Moratorium on Deep Sea Mining to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of our ocean for the benefit of all humanity now and into the future,” urged CSFT.