The Solomon Islands government has taken a significant step towards strengthening ocean conservation and management, formally convening the Ocean12 Technical Working Group to drive a five-year integrated initiative supported by the Bezos Earth Fund.
The working group, led by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, met aboard the MV Bilikiki Cruise on 30 March. Participants endorsed the project’s official work plan, marking a key milestone following a national inception workshop held in December 2025.
The initiative is designed to strengthen ocean governance, expand marine spatial planning and improve the management of protected areas. It aims to increase marine protection coverage to between 10% and 15% of national waters by 2030, while enhancing institutional capacity and empowering local communities.
Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Hickson George said the programme underscores the country’s leadership ambitions in ocean governance.
“This initiative represents a significant step forward in strengthening Solomon Islands’ leadership in ocean governance. Through the Ocean12 platform, we are bringing together national institutions, partners and communities to ensure that marine spatial planning and conservation efforts are coordinated, inclusive and aligned with our national development priorities. The health of our ocean is directly linked to the well-being and prosperity of our people,” he said.
Alec Hughes, country director for the Wildlife Conservation Society, emphasised the importance of collaboration across stakeholders.
“This project reflects a strong partnership between the Solomon Islands Government, local communities and international partners to safeguard some of the country’s most ecologically important seascapes. By strengthening marine spatial planning, governance systems and sustainable financing mechanisms, we are working to ensure that conservation delivers lasting benefits for both biodiversity and coastal livelihoods,” he said.
The programme will prioritise advancing marine spatial planning in key seascapes, supporting the designation and management of new marine protected and conservation areas in Temotu and Makira Ulawa provinces, as well as the Kavachi seascape in Western Province. It will also focus on strengthening governance, compliance and enforcement systems, improving stakeholder coordination and community participation, and developing sustainable financing mechanisms for long-term conservation.
The Ocean12 Technical Working Group will serve as the central platform for coordinating government agencies, development partners and civil society in delivering integrated ocean management.
The meeting highlights the government’s commitment to safeguarding marine resources while ensuring sustainable development for future generations.
