EU - Pacific launch Green-Blue Alliance in bid for climate neutrality

12.11.2021

Glasgow, Scotland – The European Union and Pacific have reaffirmed their shared ambition of achieving low carbon and resilient global economy by 2050, at the official launch of the EU-Pacific Green-Blue Alliance and the Dialogue with Pacific Youth Leaders on its implementation at COP26 in Glasgow today.

The EU-Pacific Green-Blue Alliance takes into account the Pacific region’s specific challenges. It focuses on climate action, resilience, and sustainable use of natural capital as the basis for inclusive and sustainable economic development while respecting the rule of law, human rights and fundamental values.

The launch of the Alliance was attended by Mr Samsom, Head of Cabinet to Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, as well as the Prime Minister of Samoa Hon Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and Pacific Youth Leaders. The launch was designed around a youth consultation process, which included ways to increase youth participation in the design and implementation of the Green-Blue Alliance.

Today, the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing impacts of climate change in the Pacific and worldwide make the cooperation more necessary than ever. The Green-Blue Alliance framework is developed from a convergence of values and principles of the European Green Deal, the new post-Cotonou Pacific Protocol and the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent. The Alliance will form the basis for ambitious sustainable efforts both in terms of climate ambition, disaster risk reduction, ocean governance and environmental protection in the Pacific countries.

‘‘I am happy to see that the Alliance reaffirms the special case of Small Islands Developing States and in this case the Pacific (SIDS). Despite the vulnerabilities aggravated by the twin crises of climate change and COVID-19, Pacific SIDS continue to demonstrate ambition for a low carbon and resilient global economy. We applaud the interest by the European Union to support and increase youth participation in the implementation of the Green-Blue Alliance’’, the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa  said in a video address.

In addition, the Green-Blue Alliance will support actions that create opportunities for income, jobs and growth, while at the same time contributing to climate and environment goals as well as economic diversification and resilience. Furthermore, it will support green and blue growth by promoting sustainable agri-food systems to benefit local livelihoods from ocean and coastal resources, eco-tourism, e-business and digital solutions.

By enhancing the dialogue with Pacific Youth, the EU aims to develop an inclusive consultative and iterative participatory approach. This will not only contribute to the sharing and to the capitalisation of traditional knowledge between generations, but it will also support the recognition of Pacific culture and inheritance.

“We would like to acknowledge the initiative of the Pacific Green Blue Alliance. The Alliance will provide an opportunity for young people to actively take part, participate and engage in building a resilient Pacific, including post COP26. Most importantly, young people can support and realize the implementation of the Alliance in alignment with existing regional frameworks such as the Framework of Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) in an effort to advance climate change action and risk reduction”, said Sevuloni Rokomatu Ratu, Chair of Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP) Youth Working Group.

The EU-Pacific Green-Blue Alliance is one of the Team Europe Initiatives under the  EU’s new Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation  (NDICI)/Global Europe Instrument and talks are ongoing to share efforts with the EU Member states.

You can find the recording of the official launch here

  as well as the outcome of the

process of the Youth leaders.

(ENDS)

For further information, contact

Mohammed Nazeem KASIM, EU Press & Information Officer Suva, Fiji Tel: +679 3313-633 Email: Mohammed-Nazeem.KASIM@eeas.europa.eu or delegation-fiji@eeas.europa.eu