Solomon Islands calls for a plastic treaty and financial support at UNOC3 to address marine pollution caused by plastics and WW2 remains

By Fredrick Kusu

In Nice, France

For Solomon Islands, pollution is not just a contamination caused to the environment or marine biodiversity but a threat to human lives.

For years, the country has been battling to address pollution caused by plastics and more so the remaining wrecks and Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs) from the second World War.

At the third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele called for the establishment of a legally binding Plastic Treaty to accelerate actions towards protecting and conserving the ocean against plastic pollution.

Manele said marine pollution in Solomon Islands include plastics, wrecks and UXOs from the second World War which are speeding up marine degradation.

Acknowledging the impacts of marine pollution to the environment, the Prime Minister expressed support for the ‘polluter producer pay principle’ to ensure polluters are responsible for managing and preventing damage to the health of the environment.

He called for financial support to address pollution caused by plastics, World War 2 wrecks and UXOs within the Solomon waters.

“Financial support is needed to address the legacy pollution from world war 2 wrecks and un-exploded ordnance,” Manele said.

Addressing plastic pollution at the country level

In its efforts to reduce pollution to protect and conserve the ocean, Solomon Islands has enforced a ban on the use of single used plastic.

Effective since March 2024, the ban prohibited the use of plastic shopping bags, plastic straws, PET water bottles less than 1.5 litres, Polystyrofoam takeaway plates cups forks and spoons and Plastic cups, plates and cutleries.

The ban was seen as a step forward in eliminating plastics from the environment.

According to the State of Environment Report plastic is among climate change and other wastes as the next biggest threat to the environment.

World War 2 remains, more than a pollution

For Solomon Islands, the pollution caused by world war 2 wrecks and UXOs is not just a threat to the environment but to human lives.

For years, the country has been working with partners such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, and Japan to remove these un-exploded ordnances that are threatening the lives of Solomon Islanders.

To date, many UXOs were removed in Guadalcanal and in the provinces where the battle was fought.

A call for action

In its efforts to address its pollution concerns, Solomon Islands is calling for accelerated actions at UNOC3 towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Tackling plastic pollution by generating renewed political will and unlocking new financial streams to accelerate the implementation of SDG14 is among the top discussions at UNOC3.

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This story was produced as part of the 2025 UNOC Fellowship organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.