By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Amid the Pacific island leaders’ growing call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in the region, Nauru appealed for its neighboring nations' reconsideration.
During the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 24, Nauru President David W.R. Adeang made a case for his country’s plan to harvest minerals from its waters
“The greatest risk we face is not the potential environmental impacts of mineral recovery but the risk of inaction. There is a risk of failing to seize the opportunity to transform to renewable energy and decarbonize our planet,” he said.
“We cannot let fear and misinformation hold us back. Instead, we must use the knowledge we have gathered wisely to ensure that deep-sea mineral recovery under the principle of the common heritage of humankind, does not compromise the integrity of our marine environment.”
Nauru, an 8.2-sq.mi island nation with a population of 10,000, is on the frontline of a drive to jumpstart sea-bed mining in international waters governed by the International Seabed Authority. Nauru’s government has been prodding the ISA to approve its deep-sea mining plans in collaboration with The Metals Company.
“This is not just an economic opportunity; it is an environmental imperative,” Adeang said. “As a nation surrounded by the ocean, Nauru has a vested interest in the responsible stewardship of the ocean’s marine resources.”
The Nauru president said his country has been at the forefront of international efforts to protect and sustainably use the ocean’s resources. He reminded the UN that Nauru has adopted the international pact on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement.
In 2022, Palau and Fiji launched an alliance to put the brakes on deep-sea mining, noting that the Pacific Ocean is home to a vast marine life that is not fully understood and not completely examined by science.
But Adeang said Nauru has the science and technology to handle the process. “To those who seek to block our efforts in sourcing renewable energy resources, do not
dismiss the potential of deep-sea minerals outright. Do not ignore the science and the progress we have made,” he said. “We, therefore, call on the international community not to ignore the science and progress we have made.”
Adeang appealed to the ISA to “work with us to establish the robust regulations necessary for responsible mining” and accelerate the efforts “without delay because the climate crisis will not wait for us to get our acts together.”
“Nauru’s story is not one of despair but of resilience. Our people have thrived for centuries, living in harmony with the land and the sea. Today, we adapt, we innovate, and we persevere,” he said.
“We are exploring new frontiers because even as we fight against the effects of climate change, we must also adapt to the reality that is upon us. Through initiatives like the Higher Ground Project, we are reclaiming land, strengthening our infrastructure and securing our future,” he added.
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