Fiji’s Presentation to The Commission on The Limits of The Continental Shelf on The Partial Submission of Fiji on The South Fiji Basin

The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) convened its 68th Session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from the 19 October to 20 November 2026.

Established pursuant to Article 2 of Annex II under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Commission is mandated to examine data and scientific submissions from coastal States on matters regarding the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.

On the margins of the 68th Session, Fiji has been invited by the Chair of the Subcommission established to consider Fiji’s Partial Submission concerning its Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) claim on the outer limits of the Continental Shelf for the Lau – Colville and Tonga-Kermadec Complex region other wise known as the South Fiji Basin.

This presentation to the Subcommission follows on from Fiji’s initial scientific and legal submission made to the CLCS in April of this year, after which the CLCS decided to establish a Subcommission to further consider Fiji’s ECS claim for the South Fiji Basin.

Fiji’s presentation which took place on 19 October 2026 (New York time) provides an opportunity for the delegation to actively engage with the Subcommission on the legal, technical and political aspects of its submission, to provide clarity on information previously provided and to respond to any questions that may be raised by the Subcommission.

Fiji’s delegation is led by the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini, supported by Second Secretary Ms Aliti Radevo, Director Fiji Hydrographic Services Commander Jervis Robinson, Senior Scientific Officer (Marine) from the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources Mr. Robert Varea and technical experts Mr. Malakai Vakautawale of the Pacific Community (SPC) and Dr. Alain Murphy, Director Geolimits.

The preparation and finalization of Fiji’s partial submission to the CLCS on its extended continental shelf for the South Fiji Basin was undertaken by members of the Maritime Affairs Coordinating Committee (MACC) chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. The submission itself has taken more than a decade to finalize and reflects the commitment and diligent work of present and past members of MACC.

The Ministry also wishes to acknowledge the support of SPC and consortium partners through the ongoing regional Maritime Boundaries Programme which has allowed Fiji to progress its maritime boundaries delimitation and ECS submissions.

Fiji’s involvement in this process further reiterates Fiji’s commitment to UNCLOS and effective ocean management.