PM Manele meets Nia Tero CEO in Honolulu to advance Melanesian Ocean Reserve implementation efforts.
Honolulu, Hawaii, Monday 23 February 2026 – 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.
The Prime Minister welcomed the opportunity to reconnect with Ms Wilhelm following their previous engagement in Nice, France, and acknowledged the important work undertaken by Nia Tero in supporting indigenous-led conservation efforts globally, including support towards the MOR.
Discussions focused on the next phase of implementation for the MOR, with the Prime Minister reaffirming the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to safeguarding ocean resources for the benefit of indigenous peoples across Melanesia.
He further highlighted recent collaborative engagements among Ministers from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea to chart a coordinated pathway forward for the initiative, including preparations for the formal launch of the MOR in Port Moresby later this year.
Prime Minister Manele requested that Nia Tero continue working with the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology in line with Cabinet decisions made last year. To that end, he urged the organisation to prioritise fundraising for the MOR within its work programme.
He acknowledged that strengthening connectivity and coordination across the three participating countries remains a challenge and stressed the need for continued advocacy and partnership to advance shared priorities under the MOR framework.
The Prime Minister assured Ms Wilhelm of the Solomon Islands Government’s continued support for Nia Tero’s engagement in the MOR, reaffirming that national commitment to the initiative remains steadfast despite recent changes in Government leadership, including within the environment portfolio.
Nia Tero is an international organisation that works in partnership with indigenous peoples and local communities to support the protection of lands, waters and ecosystems. In Solomon Islands, the organisation has supported national environmental priorities through its collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, including ongoing efforts to advance the Melanesian Ocean Reserve.
SOURCE; OFFICE OF PRIME MINISTER PRESS RELEASE
