３年に一度の太平洋島サミット。その中間に閣僚会議が開催される。
Chairs’ Summary of the PALM Third Ministerial Interim Meeting
Tokyo, JAPAN 17 January 2017
http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000219451.pdf
前回は2017年１月。岸田外相とミクロネシア連邦のロバート外相が共同議長だった。
ここに、海洋問題が２項目（21と22）、しかもBBNJについて協議されているではないか。知らなかった！
21. The Ministers reiterated the critical importance of integrated approaches to sustainable
development, management and conservation of marine resources and the marine
environment, while at the same time utilizing fishery resources and other marine
resources to promote economic development. They reconfirmed the need to continue
cooperative relationship in fisheries between Japan and the Forum Island Countries. They
emphasized the importance of cooperation for taking necessary measures to eradicate
illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. They expressed their intention to continue
cooperation in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC),
including identifying possible opportunities for development of joint proposals on issues
of key importance. They stressed the importance of developing a well-balanced legally
binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity
of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) under the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which will fully respect relevant existing legal frameworks.
They reaffirmed that these areas will continue to be one of the priorities between Japan
and the Forum Island Countries.
上記の項目は海洋資源の保護と開発の両立、違法操業取締の強化。WCPFCでの共同提案、とはなんであろう？ BBNJに関しては既存の法的枠組みを尊重するように、と。これは漁業関係であろう。水産資源がBBNJによって規制されることに抵抗しているように読めるが、どうであろうか？
Upholding Free and Open Maritime Order
22. The Ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining free, open and rule-based
maritime order in the Pacific Ocean in accordance with the universally recognized
principles of international law, including UNCLOS and its relevant Implementing
Agreements, as an important foundation for peace, stability and prosperity in the region,
and reaffirmed their intentions to promote cooperation in this area. They underscored the
importance of all states respecting rights under international law including freedom of
navigation and overflight. They further emphasized the importance of making and
clarifying their claims based on international law, not using force or coercion in trying to
advance their claims, exercising restraint and resolving disputes by peaceful means in
accordance with international law.
22の項目は海洋の秩序は国際法に則って、という内容で、これは中国の南沙諸島に対する圧力のつもりなのかもしれない。
全体的に、基金をさらに作れ、金だせ、という内容で、しょうがないけどこうなっちゃうんだろうな、と。日本がエンゲージしなければ中国がどんどん入って、太平洋分割どころでなく、全制覇されてしまう可能性も否定できない。
