71445 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

71445 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Further to WPQ 62539 (2024). What contribution, if any, does the Government intend to make at the next UN Ocean Conference in France in 2025, and will this contribution include specific action toward achieving the global ocean protection target of 30% protection by 2030?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Officials will provide advice in due course on New Zealand's engagement at the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in June 2025. While New Zealand's engagement at the UN Ocean Conference is still under consideration, New Zealand has committed to contributing to all targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), including Target 3 to protect 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas and of marine and coastal areas. This target is global in nature, and does not require New Zealand, or any one party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, to protect 30% of its domestic marine environment. New Zealand is required to report on progress against its national targets submitted under the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as on how we are contributing to supporting the world's collective achievement of all 23 global targets of the GBF. New Zealand submitted its national targets to the CBD ahead of COP16, consistent with its commitments under the Convention. Reporting against these national targets is expected to take place in 2026 and 2029.