This was announced in New York by Pacific Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells when she headed an Australian delegation to the UN Ocean Conference.

 

Fierravanti-Wells co-chaired one of seven partnership dialogues on enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources by implementing international law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 

"Australia is committed to working with our Pacific neighbours to implement UNCLOS. This will build on the support the government has provided under Australia's $5.9 million Enhancing Pacific Ocean Governance project (2014-17)," Fierravanti-Wells said.

 

Australia would also commit $4.4 million over four years to build capacity in the Pacific to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

 

Fierravanti-Wells also highlighted the efforts of the Australian government to achieve sustainable development goal 14, which is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for development.