Fiji’s support for the United Nations goes well beyond climate action.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres commended Fiji on its efforts to secure the well-being of the world’s oceans and seas.

The oceans – the UNSG warns are warming and becoming more acidic, causing coral bleaching and reducing biodiversity.

Overfishing is rampant. Pollution, he says especially from plastic, is further poisoning and depleting this vital resource.

An impassioned plea, the UNSG says the world must do more to respond to the Call to Action adopted at the first Ocean Conference.

The Second Ocean Conference the UNSG notes will be held next year in Portugal, his home and like Fiji, it has been shaped by the sea.

He says, this shared affinity can follow the Fijian initiative.

Meanwhile, the UNSG also expressed his deep appreciation to Fiji for its other contributions to the work of the United Nations.

The UNSG labelling Fiji’s contributions in UN peacekeeping steadfast with many leaders that have personally served this noble cause.

Fiji he also noted is the first Pacific Island country elected to the Human Rights Council.

Adding that Fiji is a leading voice globally for upholding the protection of refugees, with the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants adopted during Fiji’s Chairmanship of the General Assembly.

The UNSG will today travel to Tuvalu for the day before returning to Fiji overnight and departing for Vanuatu on Saturday to conclude his Pacific tour.

In his first official visit to the region, the UNSG has used the opportunity to forge a consensus in the lead up to the UN Climate Action Summit which will be held in September.