Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele met with ʻAulani Wilhelm, Chief Executive Officer of Nia Tero, in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday to advance implementation of the Melanesian Ocean Reserve (MOR).
The Melanesian Ocean Reserve is a collaborative regional initiative by the Governments of Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu aimed at protecting and sustainably managing ocean and marine resources across Melanesia for the long-term benefit of indigenous peoples and future generations. The initiative was spearheaded and announced by Prime Minister Manele at the UN Ocean Conference last year.
The Melanesian Ocean Reserve is a new and transformative contribution to what nation-states can do for the ocean from an indigenous perspective. It does not replicate existing protected-area models. Rather, it reframes ocean guardianship. From protection from our people to protection by our people and for our people.
