NICE, France – Monday, 9 June 2025 — The Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon. Trevor Manemahaga, today issued a strong call to action for the protection and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems, during a panel session at the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, France.
Hon. Manemahaga this morning participated in a Climate Action Panel and reaffirmed the deep cultural and environmental importance of the ocean to the people of Solomon Islands. He stated that marine ecosystems—from coral reefs to the deep sea—are not just natural assets, but are intrinsically linked to the nation’s identity, livelihoods, and survival. He expressed concern about the increasing threats from unsustainable human activities and climate change, which are eroding the resilience of these vital ecosystems.
He urged for renewed regional and international collaboration grounded in trust, fairness, and genuine partnerships. The Minister called for greater mobilization of financial and technical resources to support innovative, science-led approaches that are enriched by traditional knowledge, cultural leadership, and local wisdom.
While acknowledging some national progress, such as the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the integration of biodiversity into development policy, Hon. Manemahaga noted that less than 1% of the country’s vast marine territory is currently protected.
“This falls short of Solomon Islands’ national commitment to protect 15% of its marine space and the global target of 30% by 2030”.
He highlighted that Solomon Islands is actively scaling up efforts through marine spatial planning, strengthening community-based resource management, and progressing with key initiatives such as the Kavachi Seascape National Park and the Melanesian Ocean Reserve.
The Minister further mentioned that Solomon Islands is in the process of updating its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2025–2030, and fully supports the early entry into force and domestic implementation of the legally binding agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Hon. Manemahaga also mentioned the moratorium on deep-sea prospecting and mining in Solomon Islands waters. He emphasized that such activities must not proceed without a comprehensive understanding of their environmental impacts, and called for increased investment in local research, technology transfer, and capacity building to ensure sustainable management of ocean resources.
“The Solomon Islands will uphold a precautionary approach. We cannot afford to make irreversible mistakes in the deep ocean. We need science, capacity, and homegrown knowledge to guide our decisions,” Hon. Manemahaga said.
The Solomon Islands Government remains committed to being a strong voice for ocean stewardship in the Pacific and on the global stage, and continues to call for ambitious and inclusive action to safeguard the world’s oceans for current and future generations.
[ENDS]
PM Press Secretariat
