Niue Announces New Initiative to Finance Ocean Protection
NGOs and private donors among the first to support Niue’s Ocean Conservation Commitments, aiming for a target of USD $18 million
Today in New York, the Government of Niue launched a holistic approach to the long-term conservation of its sovereign waters: Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs). By sponsoring OCCs, anyone from individuals to corporations to foundations can help support the protection and management of a square kilometer of Niue’s ocean territory for up to 20 years.
“As a small island nation, Niue’s vast marine territory holds immense ecological, cultural, and economic value to our people. The ocean is everything to us,” said Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, Premier of Niue. “We are also proud that several NGOs and private donors have already committed to sponsor the first OCCs: the Blue Nature Alliance, Chris Larsen and Lyna Lam, and Conservation International.”
Niue, a small island nation in the South Pacific, has a marine territory 1,200 times larger than its land mass. The 321,018-square-kilometer area is home to pristine coral reefs, undersea mountains, and diverse marine life. Niue’s exclusive economic zone has largely been unexploited and serves as a sanctuary for many shark, whale, dolphin, ray, and turtle species. Sponsorship of the OCCs will help Niue’s marine ecosystems remain intact for the benefit of its people and the global community at large.
“Even the smallest nations can make global waves. Congratulations to Niue, whose leadership in conservation is proving that our 30x30 ambitions are entirely attainable when we unite governments and private funders around innovative funding. We hope other island governments seize this historic momentum to protect the pristine beauty, and life-sustaining bounties, of our oceans,” added M. Sanjayan, Blue Nature Alliance Steering Council member and CEO of Conservation International.
The funds raised from OCC sponsorships will be held and managed by the newly formed Niue and Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust. Visit the NOW Trust website to learn how you can directly contribute to the conservation of Niue’s precious ocean resources.