Solomon Islands Plenary Statement Reinforces Implementation-Led Ocean Governance at Melanesian Ocean Summit

14 May 2026, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea — Solomon Islands has used its plenary statement at the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit in Port Moresby to make its position clear: ocean governance must be built on national authority, Indigenous stewardship, and implementation-ready frameworks already endorsed by government.

The statement placed the Melanesian Ocean Reserve (MOR) at the centre of Solomon Islands’ contribution to the regional ocean dialogue, describing it as the country’s most significant contribution to the Summit and a framework grounded in customary law, Indigenous authority, and national decision-making processes.

Solomon Islands also used the Summit platform to underline the importance of proper sequencing before any new regional framework is adopted. The statement called for genuine consultation, Attorney General clearance, Cabinet endorsement, and completion of domestic processes in each participating state before any regional declaration or institutional framework is advanced.

Solomon Island High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, William Soaki said this measured approach should not be read as hesitation.

“It reflects Solomon Islands’ commitment to building ocean governance that is meaningful, nationally accountable, and capable of delivering impact on the ground.” Mr Soaki goes on to say, “For Solomon Islands, regional cooperation must be shaped through learning and relearning how to engage across Melanesia in ways that respect Indigenous Ocean Governance, national systems, and the authority of communities who continue to manage and care for their waters.”

The statement reinforced that Solomon Islands is not opposed to regional ocean cooperation, nor is it stepping back from its international biodiversity commitments. Rather, cooperation must be built on foundations that can hold national sovereignty, Indigenous Ocean Governance, constitutional process, community authority, and practical delivery.

The position is consistent with outcomes from the recent Ocean12 Technical Working Group meeting in Honiara, where Solomon Islands reaffirmed the Melanesian Ocean Reserve as the Government’s only Cabinet-endorsed ocean governance framework currently in active implementation. Ocean12, a whole-of-government coordination platform bringing together 12 ministries, continues to support alignment across marine spatial planning, sustainable ocean economies, conservation finance, and implementation delivery.

The plenary statement reinforced that the Reserve is not a proposal or a declaration. It is an operational framework already advancing through national institutions and practical workstreams, including the ARA Ocean Knowledge Partnership, led by Solomon Islands National University, which is integrating Indigenous knowledge with ocean science and research.

Whilst advancing the Reserve, Solomon Islands remains committed to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including through its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and nationally grounded initiatives. Its national target of 15 percent remains subject to consultation and must be understood not only as a question of area coverage, but as a commitment to strengthen connections, relationships, local governance, and community-led stewardship across Solomon Islands’ waters.

The Melanesian Ocean Reserve is recognised as the world’s first Indigenous-led, multi-national ocean reserve framework, uniting Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea through a shared commitment to ocean protection, cultural authority, and sustainable development. It brings together Indigenous knowledge and modern science to protect marine ecosystems while supporting livelihoods, community leadership, and long-term resilience.