The inaugural State of the Pacific Ocean Convening (SOTPOC) brought together Pacific leaders, parliamentarians, academics, Indigenous knowledge holders, civil society, churches, youth and regional partners in Suva, Fiji, for four days of dialogue on the mounting environmental, economic and geopolitical pressures facing the Blue Pacific.

Anchored in the spirit of World Oceans Day, the convening examined the interconnected challenges of climate change, ocean health, biodiversity loss, deep-sea mining, militarisation, geopolitical competition, economic dependency and shrinking Pacific policy space through a distinctly Pacific lens.

Participants reaffirmed that the Pacific Ocean is not simply a resource or economic asset, but identity, genealogy, culture, spirituality, livelihood and the foundation of Pacific peoples’ collective future.

Discussions centred on sovereignty, self-determination, decolonisation and Pacific ownership of decisions affecting the region. Participants called for precautionary approaches to deep-sea mining, stronger regional coordination, Indigenous knowledge and greater investment in Pacific-led solutions.

The convening affirmed a shared vision grounded in Pacific agency, justice, reciprocity, stewardship, and regional solidarity. It strengthened the call for collective action to protect the Pacific Ocean for generations to come.

Read the State of the Pacific Ocean Convening Outcome Statement here.