Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — From June 2– 13, 2025, the city of Nice, France, hosted the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), a global summit dedicated to the sustainable management and protection of the world’s oceans. Representing American Samoa, local environmental nonprofit Finafinau’s Board Chapter Liaison, Uisaina Taufa’asau-Collins, joined global delegates as the Territory’s voice in the fight for ocean guardianship.

The UNOC3 brought together governments, indigenous leaders, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and private sector advocates to address major ocean threats — ranging from marine pollution and overfishing to climate disruption and, most urgently for American Samoa, the rising threat of Deep Sea Mining.

Masha Kalinina, Senior Officer for International Conservation at The Pew Charitable Trusts, played a critical role in uniting Pacific Island nations at the conference. As the lead organizer behind the Pacific’s collective presence, she mentored Taufa’asau-Collins and fellow delegates in preparation for their featured segment.

Earlier this year, Finafinau founder Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka joined other island leaders to draft a “Call to Action,” presented to the President of French Polynesia in Papeete, Tahiti. 

This historic collaboration gave rise to the One Oceania initiative — a unified regional movement dedicated to protecting Pacific marine ecosystems through Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty.

Taufa’asau-Collins was invited to help launch One Oceania during the “People of the Ocean” segment on June 8, standing alongside voices like Emma Oliver, delegate of Papua New Guinea, who declared, “This is a call to the world: Stand with the Pacific, not just at the UN Ocean Conference, but beyond.” 

Taufaasau-Collins shared that American Samoa’s participation in this conference is vital. As one of the few U.S. territories in the Pacific with an active moratorium against Deep Sea Mining, its leadership sets a powerful example of indigenous-led environmental protection. By taking a firm stance on safeguarding ocean resources, American Samoa not only defends its own future but reinforces the Pacific’s collective power to shape global ocean policy.

“It was truly an honor to stand among like minded individuals to reaffirm our stance against harming our ocean — particularly with Deep Sea Mining,” she said. Adding, “I gave an interview with a journalist from Belgium about how important our ocean is to our culture and our people.”

As revered conservationist “Uncle Sol” Kahoʻohalahala reminded the world: “This voyage is sacred. Together we will sail forward, united in our commitment to the ocean and each other.”