Niue holds first Pacific One-Maritime Framework consultation
The Pacific One-Maritime Framework (POMF) aims to create a safe and secure maritime network across the Pacific region
Niue had its first consultation on the Pacific One-Maritime Framework (POMF) held this week in Alofi.
The framework aims to address and respond to the needs, priorities, challenges and emerging issues in the maritime sector in the Pacific focusing on safety and security, decarbonisation efforts, cost and access for remote communities.
The Pacific One-Maritime Framework came about after a request was made from the Pacific Transport Ministers during the Pacific Energy and Transport Ministerial Meeting held in Vanuatu in 2023.
Maritime Consultant at the Pacific Region Infrastructure facility-John Fox shared more on his role. The Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) is a multi-partner coordination and technical assistance (TA) facility that aims to improve the quality and coverage of infrastructure and service delivery in the Pacific.
“We wanted a maritime framework that consolidated all maritime transport within the region, there’s never been a maritime framework there has been a transport framework that included maritime in a small section but they wanted one just on maritime. We asked development partners and so assisted the Pacific and so SPC has been the secretariat for this process. The framework is to create a safe and secure maritime network within the Pacific
Fox has been impressed with the discussions by those in attendance on Monday.
“The discussion this morning has been very good, there are areas we have not touched yet. One of the participants mentioned whaling, which is a big tourist attraction here in Niue. But Niue also relies on cargo ships and so the sound that propagates from this ship clashes with the acoustic of the whales, those are things that we never thought of so the aim of the consultation is put this forth in today’s discussion,” he said.
The objectives of the consultation is to gather Niue’s national input on the POMF Zero draft and ensure Niue’s priorities align with the framework’s vision. Various representatives from the various stakeholders were part of the one day consultation.
The project has been funded by the European Union (EU) with the Pacific Community (SPC) co-implementing the work with partners all over the Pacific region, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), SPREP and PRIF.
