During the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, Commonwealth nations adopted their first ocean declaration, the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, which emphasizes protecting oceans from climate change, pollution, and over-exploitation. The declaration aims to recognize maritime boundaries amid sea-level rise, protect 30% of oceans by 2030, and finalize the Global Plastics Treaty. However, critics express disappointment over the lack of concrete implementation strategies, with many points reaffirming previous commitments rather than introducing new measures. The summit also featured discussions on reparatory justice for the trans-Atlantic slave trade, though no financial reparations were agreed upon. Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa highlighted the importance of this declaration in the context of climate change, which poses existential threats to many Commonwealth nations. With a significant portion of the Commonwealth's population living in coastal regions, the declaration represents a critical step towards enhancing ocean protection initiatives.