Island states attending a two-day conference in Tokyo reached an agreement on Thursday to establish a fund supporting marine conservation efforts. The decision was made as part of a joint action plan announced at the conclusion of the conference.
According to the announcement, the fund will focus on financing ocean conservation projects, including combating plastic pollution, protecting coral reefs, and sustainable development of fishery resources. The island states said they will coordinate closely with international organizations to ensure the fund's effectiveness.
The Tokyo conference took place amid growing challenges for island states from climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. The establishment of the fund is seen as a significant step forward in regional cooperation on marine environmental protection.
Leaders attending the conference committed to continuing to advance joint initiatives, while calling on the international community to provide additional financial and technical support to address global challenges.