HONIARA – Monday, 8 September 2025 — In response to the Republic of Kiribati being appointed the Chairmanship of the Small Island States (SIS) Leaders Meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum today, the following statement can be attributed to Rae Bainteiti, Pacific Political Coordinator at Greenpeace Australia Pacific:
"Kiribati's appointment to the Chair of the SIS leaders meeting is an opportunity for Kiribati to show Pacific strength, solidarity, unity and leadership in championing the health of the Pacific Ocean. As Chair, Kiribati now holds a crucial leadership position, and it takes on a critical role in steering the Pacific region through urgent shared challenges, including climate change, sustainable development, and geographic isolation.
"Greenpeace strongly encourages Kiribati to use its power to seek and sow solidarity on one of the biggest threats facing the Pacific in recent history – deep sea mining. We are calling for Kiribati to back a pause or moratorium on deep sea mining until the regulatory body, the International Seabed Authority, finalises a robust, science-backed and enforceable Mining Code.
"Backing a pause or stop to deep sea mining would not only show environmental leadership from Kiribati, but also embody the spirit of regional unity needed to protect our shared 'Ocean of Peace' for current and future generations."
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