Feature Destination: Marshall Islands Elevated Pacific Traditional Knowledge at UN Ocean Conference

During the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) brought international attention to the importance of traditional Pacific knowledge in confronting today’s ocean and climate challenges.

Traditional Knowledge Meets Modern Science

Her Excellency Dr. Hilda C. Heine, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, took part in Ocean Action Panel 7, which focused on the connections between ocean, climate, and biodiversity. She highlighted the essential role of traditional knowledge systems in Pacific communities and encouraged greater integration of these practices with modern science. President Heine pointed out that Pacific societies have long relied on this knowledge in areas such as weather forecasting, sustainable fisheries, navigation, and agriculture.

She called on global financing institutions to recognize the value of Indigenous approaches and to invest in Pacific-led solutions.

Triple Planetary Crisis Impact

Her remarks came as Pacific Island nations continue to experience severe consequences from the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Countries like the Marshall Islands, which contribute very little to global emissions, are among the most vulnerable to sea level rise, marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events.

UNOC3 was held in Nice, France from 9 to 13 June 2025. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the conference brought together heads of state, scientists, civil society leaders, Indigenous representatives, and private sector actors to mobilize urgent and science-based action to protect the ocean. The conference concluded with the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a negotiated political declaration and a registry of voluntary commitments from all sectors.

Ocean-Based Climate Solutions

President Heine also spoke about the term “ocean-based climate solutions,” urging more clarity around its meaning. She noted that the concept is often too vague and may include controversial practices like geoengineering, which are not supported by Pacific leaders. However, she said there are approaches that the region is eager to pursue, such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and tidal and wave energy systems. These options, she explained, remain out of reach for many due to serious financial and technological barriers.

She called for countries to submit more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to help keep the 1.5-degree warming target within reach. She also emphasized the importance of honoring the commitments made at COP28 in Dubai, including those related to phasing out fossil fuels.

Pacific Climate Leadership

According to President Heine, Pacific climate strategies are already highly ambitious. She suggested that ocean-based adaptation and renewable energy systems could be a strong part of these strategies, but underscored that meaningful progress will require access to international finance.

The Marshall Islands was part of a large Pacific delegation in Nice, joined by leaders from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu, and others. The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) provided support to the group as part of the One CROP collaboration.

Call for Global Action

President Heine concluded by stressing the need for deeper global understanding of the ocean, the importance of grounding policy in science, and the urgency of turning commitments into action to protect marine ecosystems for present and future generations.

UNOC3 built on the progress made during previous UN Ocean Conferences, hosted in New York in 2017 by Sweden and Fiji, and in Lisbon in 2022 by Portugal and Kenya. For more information, visit: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025