Fiji, Sept. 17 -- Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to finalising all outstanding maritime boundaries and continental shelf submissions, calling the move critical to protecting sovereignty and resources in the face of rising seas.

"Leaders reaffirmed their collective commitment to urgently conclude all outstanding maritime boundaries delimitations and continental shelf submissions.

Leaders reaffirmed this decisive action is crucial to securing the full legal certainty and permanence of our maritime zones in perpetuity, in the face of the existential threat posed by climate change-related sea-level rise. Leaders emphasised that this would safeguard the region's sovereign rights, protect ocean resources, and s...