In a historic move, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu have submitted three Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) claims to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), securing 453,400 square kilometres of shared ocean heritage.
The submissions were presented by representatives of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and mark a significant step toward strengthening Pacific sovereignty and sustainable resource management.
The submissions cover the North Fiji Basin (Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu), the Melanesian Borderland Plateau (Fiji and Solomon Islands), and Fiji’s national claim for the Lau-Colville and Tonga-Kermadec Ridges.
Establishing ownership of these extended continental shelves is vital for the economic growth, political stability, and wellbeing of Pacific Island States.
“This achievement is about safeguarding the future of our people. By securing these rights, we can ensure that the wealth beneath our ocean contributes to national development while protecting our marine environment,” said Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr Raijeli Taga.
She said the submission was about ensuring that ocean wealth supports national development and environmental protection.
The Pacific Community (SPC) Maritime Boundaries Advisor Malakai Vakautawale said the submission was important for Pacific Island countries because it enables them to benefit from natural resources vital for marine conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
“These submissions align with global efforts to secure climate-resilient maritime boundaries that protect sovereignty and preserve entitlements against sea-level rise. They also support SDG 14, Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions, and the vision of a thriving Blue Pacific Continent,” he said.
These submissions took 15 years in the making.
