At the opening of the Pacific Ocean Conference in Honiara, Dr. Filimon Manoni, Commissioner of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, emphasized the urgent need for the Pacific region to actively engage in global ocean governance. He cautioned against treating ocean issues as secondary, given the high stakes involved for future generations.
The week-long conference gathers regional agencies, governments, scientists, civil society, and community leaders to discuss sustainable management of the ocean, aiming for 100 percent sustainable ocean management. Dr. Manoni highlighted the Pacific’s leadership in conservation and resource management, advocating for stronger collaboration across sectors, cultures, and generations. He underscored the importance of maintaining a collective Pacific voice in global conversations around conservation, climate, and sustainable management.
Dr. Manoni praised the region’s unified efforts, such as the High Seas Treaty negotiations, emphasizing the strength found in collective action. He called for valuing indigenous knowledge systems like seasonal fishing practices and celestial navigation alongside modern science and technology, stressing that policies should be grounded in the lived realities of Pacific communities.
Addressing the youth, Dr. Manoni urged them to embrace their role as stewards of the world’s largest ocean. He conveyed a strong reminder of the Pacific being a “sea of islands,” emphasizing that the region’s collective voice and leadership are pivotal in shaping global ocean agendas.
This conference highlights the ongoing determination of Pacific nations to address oceanic issues collaboratively, fostering optimism for future ocean governance that integrates traditional knowledge with modern approaches. The Pacific’s proactive stance suggests a hopeful path toward sustainable solutions that can inspire global change in ocean management.