𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐊𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦, 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐢

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

𝟖 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Professor Transform Aqorau, Vice-Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), today delivered a keynote address at the International Symposium on the Science of Pacific Tunas and Tuna Fisheries hosted by Shanghai Ocean University.

In his address titled “From the Pacific to the World: Navigating Global Policy Currents in the Governance of Tuna Fisheries in Pacific Island States,” Professor Aqorau highlighted the vital role of Pacific leadership in shaping global ocean governance. He underscored that the Pacific Islands are custodians of one of the world’s most biologically rich marine domains, where tuna fisheries form the cornerstone of livelihoods, food security, and economic independence.

Professor Aqorau discussed how Pacific Island States are responding to evolving global frameworks – including the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, and the recent ITLOS and ICJ Advisory Opinions on Climate Change – through regional mechanisms such as the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS). He emphasised that Pacific nations are no longer rule-takers, but rule-shapers, embedding the values of stewardship, sovereignty, and sustainability into global fisheries governance.

The Vice-Chancellor concluded by affirming that the Pacific’s collective vision, embodied in the Blue Pacific narrative, continues to influence international policy and offers profound lessons in equity and sustainability for the world’s ocean future.

Read the Vice-Chancellor’s Keynote Address here: International Fisheries Symposium on the Sciences of Pacific Tunas and Tuna Fisheries -From the Pacific to the World -10 October 2025

ENDS//