Commonwealth countries adopt their first ocean declaration

APIA, Samoa —

Commonwealth countries adopted their first ocean declaration on Saturday at their summit held for the first time on the Pacific island of Samoa, as calls from some of Britain’s former colonies grew louder for restorative justice for the transatlantic slave trade.

The Apia Ocean Declaration was announced at the closing session of the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, or CHOGM, and calls on all 56 Commonwealth countries to protect the ocean in the face of severe climate, pollution and overexploitation.

More than half of the Commonwealth’s members are small countries such as Samoa; Many face significant, some even existential, threats from rising sea levels.

While environmental threats were heralded as a dominant theme during the summit, the transatlantic slave trade of British colonial history dominated the discourse during the opening days.

The Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration for One Resilient Common focuses on recognizing maritime boundaries amid sea level rise, protecting 30% of the oceans and restoring degraded marine ecosystems by 2030, and urgently completing the Global Plastic Treaty. It also calls for ratification of the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty, development of climate adaptation plans for coastal areas and strengthening support for sustainable blue economies.

Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said in a statement released by her office that it was appropriate that “our first ocean declaration” should be adopted on the blue Pacific continent as climate change is recognized as the greatest threat to security . and the well-being of our people.”

The Commonwealth represents a third of the world’s population and 49 of its 56 countries have a coastline. The organization says 25 of its members are increasingly affected by climate change, rising sea levels, rising temperatures and increasing acidity of the oceans – impacting marine life, ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Mata’afa said the declaration should become “a line in the sand” for the world to collectively “translate ocean exploitation into protection and sustainable stewardship.”

Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said in a statement that they are “immensely proud of this achievement,” which “sets the standard for future international meetings and generates momentum for ocean protection as we move forward to the COP29 in Azerbaijan in November and next year’s UN conference. Ocean Conference “.”

Calls from some of Britain’s former colonies for a reckoning over their role in the transatlantic slave trade were the thorniest issue at the summit, particularly restorative justice.

‘Painful aspects of our past’

At its height in the 18th century, Britain was the world’s largest slave trading country, transporting more than 3 million Africans across the Atlantic Ocean. Its legacy is woven into some of the country’s wealthiest and most respected institutions – from the Church of England to insurance giant Lloyd’s of London and the monarchy itself.

King Charles III, attending his first meeting of Commonwealth heads of government as sovereign, said in his speech Friday that history could not be changed but that he understood that “the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.”

Although he made no mention of financial reparations, which some leaders at the event pushed for, his comments were seen as an acknowledgment of how strongly many felt about the issue in countries Britain once colonized.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had entered the summit promising that Britain would not apologize for slavery or discuss reparations. He left with that promise largely intact, although the final communiqué called for discussion on the issue.

A “truthful, respectful conversation” is encouraged

Saturday’s 52-point official leadership statement included a paragraph urging a “meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation” to build an equitable future. The communiqué also directed the Commonwealth Secretary-General to engage governments and stakeholders in consultations on restorative justice, with a particular focus on the impact on women and girls.

Earlier this week, Starmer suggested that opening the door to a conversation about reparations could lead to ‘very, very long, endless discussions’.

“(The communiqué) agrees that now is the time for a conversation,” Starmer said at a press conference in Apia on Saturday. “But I have to be very clear here. In the two days we have been here, none of the discussions have been about money. Our position is very clear on that.”

“Let me first be clear that the slave trade, the slave practice, was abhorrent, and it’s very important that we start from there. Disgusting is the right word.’

Earlier Saturday, Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey was announced as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

Botchwey, who has pushed for financial reparations for the past enslavement of colonized people, replaces Patricia Scotland of the United Kingdom, who has held the post since 2016.

Antigua and Barbuda were also announced to host the next CHOGM in 2026.