Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to advancing the Melanesian Ocean Reserve (MOR) following a meeting with ʻAulani Wilhelm, Chief Executive Officer of Nia Tero, in Honolulu on Saturday.
The Melanesian Ocean Reserve is a joint regional effort involving the governments of Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. It aims to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems across Melanesia, ensuring long-term benefits for indigenous communities and future generations. The initiative was first introduced by Prime Minister Manele during the UN Ocean Conference last year.
The Melanesian Ocean Reserve represents a bold and innovative approach to ocean stewardship from an indigenous perspective. Rather than following traditional protected-area models, it emphasizes a shift in responsibility—moving from protecting the ocean from people to empowering people to protect the ocean for themselves and future generations.
Original Article: Solomon Islands – Prime Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Melanesian Ocean Reserve
