Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum Showcases Bold Government Action at United Nations Ocean Conference
- Blue Prosperity Coalition
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Nice, France (9 June, 2025) — Ocean leaders from around the world convened at the third Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum to celebrate successes and explore pathways for implementing marine protection. Hosted by the Waitt Institute, the high-level event welcomed over 40 government officials and technical and philanthropic partners that are on the leading edge of sustainable ocean management.
The Forum includes senior representatives from the Azores, Bermuda, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, creating a platform to exchange knowledge, align efforts, and promote the sustainable use of marine resources to support long-term economic and environmental resilience.
Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose Schuster, Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources & Environment, was appointed as the new Chair of the Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum. In this role, he will lead efforts to convene ocean policy leaders and strengthen collaboration among countries and territories advancing ocean action.
Speakers who addressed the Forum included:
Hon. Minister Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Samoa
T.H. Elina Akinaga, Secretary of the Department of Resources & Development, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
Mr. Rui Martins, Director of Maritime Policy, Regional Government of the Azores
Dr. Kathryn Mengerink, Executive Director, Waitt Institute
Taholo Kami, Strategic Advisor, Waitt Institute
The evening centered on progress toward the global 30x30 target — fully protecting at least 30% of ocean areas by 2030 — and highlighted major milestones from Blue Prosperity Coalition partner countries. Since the last meeting of the Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum last April in Greece, several governments within the Blue Prosperity Coalition have made major steps forward in their ocean protection goals.
Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose Schuster, Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources & Environment, announced the adoption of the nation’s Marine Spatial Plan, legally designating 30% full protection of their ocean through the establishment of 9 new protected areas, equaling 36,000 square kilometers. He called upon fellow Blue Prosperity Coalition leaders to advance their own sustainable management goals and look to the Pacific as a model for guidance.
“Samoa’s Marine Spatial Plan is more than a legal milestone; it is a promise to all future generations of Samoans,” said Minister Schuster of Samoa, Chair of the Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum. “We are not only caretakers of vast ocean spaces, we are custodians of hope for the future.”
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), represented by T.H. Elina Akinaga, Secretary of the Department of Resources & Development, confirmed that a national Marine Spatial Planning Bill is currently before Congress. Once passed, this legislation will establish a participatory, transparent, and legally-binding process for developing a comprehensive and holistic Marine Spatial Plan in FSM’s national waters.
Secretary Akinaga remarked, “By continuing to work together as a Coalition, we will shape a brighter future, not just for the FSM, but for all our large Pacific ocean states — a future defined by resilience, sustainability, and reverence for our ocean heritage.”
Rui Martins of the Regional Government of the Azores announced that the Azores is shifting towards the implementation of Marine Protected Areas following the successful designation of 30% of its waters (287,000 square kilometers) in October 2024.
“Marine protection provides a unique opportunity to reach agreements that transcend political borders,” remarked Rui Martins of the Azores. “Science-based, participatory marine management is possible, and it works.”
“At a time when ocean protection is more critical than ever, Blue Prosperity Leaders are inspiring hope for the rest of the globe, taking accountability to protect our shared resources and conserve them for our future generations who will depend on the ocean just as we do,” said Dr. Kathryn Mengerink.
The inaugural Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum was launched at the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference to establish an impact network of like-minded ocean leaders to learn from each other and share successes related to marine protection, Marine Spatial Planning, Blue Economy development, and sustainable finance.
