REMARKS: Opening Remarks by Hon. Dr. 'Uhilamoelangi Fasi At the Deep-Sea Minerals Technical Meeting

Excellencies,
Senior Officials,
Colleagues from CROP Agencies,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

Malo e lelei, Bula Vinaka, and warm Pacific greetings to you all.
It is a great honor for me to speak before you today as the representative of the Forum Chair, and I take this opportunity to extend my commitment to serving the Kingdom of Tonga and the region in ensuring responsible and sustainable management of our ocean resources.
I wish to acknowledge the significant work that has already been undertaken by the DSM Informal Working Group (IWG) since its first meeting in September 2024. Over the past months, Forum Members have worked tirelessly to prepare for this important dialogue, and I commend the dedication of the IWG Members, CROP agencies, and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in advancing these discussions.

A Critical Moment for the Region
This meeting is a crucial step in our collective efforts to manage deep-sea minerals (DSM) responsibly. As we gather here today, we do so with a clear mandate from our Leaders, who have recognized the importance of regional dialogue on DSM.
We are all aware of the opportunities and challenges that DSM presents. Some see it as a potential driver of economic growth, while others emphasize the need for strong environmental and governance safeguards. This diversity of perspectives is why this Technical Meeting is so important—it provides us with the space to openly discuss these critical issues before presenting them to our Leaders.

Guiding Principles for Our Discussions
Excellencies, our discussions today must be guided by our shared Pacific values and the vision set forth in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. These principles include:
•    Regional Cooperation – We must work together to ensure that decisions made today will benefit future generations.
•    Sustainability & Stewardship – The Pacific Ocean is central to our identity, culture, and livelihoods. We must ensure that any decisions on DSM uphold environmental integrity.
•    Respect for Sovereignty – Each country has its own policies on DSM, and we must approach this dialogue with respect for national decision-making processes.

The Spirit of Talanoa
The Talanoa process is deeply rooted in Pacific culture. It is a space for open, honest, and inclusive dialogue, where we listen to one another and find areas of common understanding. I encourage all of us to:
✅ Engage in meaningful discussions, focusing on solutions rather than differences.
✅ Be mindful of the bigger picture, ensuring that our deliberations contribute to the long-term well-being of the Pacific.
✅ Support the finalization of key documents, ensuring that our Leaders receive well-informed recommendations.

Expected Outcomes & Next Steps
Over the next two days, we aim to:
1.    Finalize the agenda and briefing materials for the High-Level Talanoa on 21 February 2025.
2.    Ensure that our technical discussions are well-documented, providing a solid foundation for Leaders' deliberations.
3.    Strengthen regional cooperation in the governance of DSM, recognizing that our collective actions today will shape the future of our Blue Pacific.

Conclusion
As I assume my role as Minister, I look forward to working closely with all of you in advancing a sustainable and inclusive vision for deep-sea mineral governance.
Let us approach this meeting with a spirit of collaboration, mutual respect, and commitment to the future of our ocean and people.
I wish you all a productive and successful meeting.

Malo ‘aupito, thank you, and may God bless our deliberations.