PNA chair highlights value of solidarity as way forward

PNA Ministers and Officials at the closing ceremony

The current Chair of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and Solomon Islands Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Nestor Giro has highlighted the value of solidarity within the PNA family to achieve its vision for the region’s tuna industry.

Speaking at the conclusion of the 18th Ministerial Meeting in Honiara on Friday 16 June, Hon. Giro commended the tremendous efforts of Officials with guidance from the CEO and Staff of the Secretariat for the success of the meeting, which culminated into significant decisions made and endorsed by the Ministers for moving the aspirations of the PNA forward.

Describing the meeting as a resounding success, Minister Giro expressed confidence that the future of the PNA Family is bright and further cooperation and solidarity is vital for the Organisation.

“The final resolutions were endorsed with a call for the PNA Secretariat and PNA countries to cooperate, support each other, embrace and move together with one purpose to develop the tuna fisheries infrastructure and trade investment opportunities, I have the confidence that future is bright for our PNA family,” he said.

Hosted on the theme “Sustainable Tuna Fisheries for economic growth and development”, the meeting began with contributions of member countries on the role of (Fisheries Information Management System) FIMS in supporting the PNA Secretariat and its member countries in the management and development of Tuna industry in the pacific.

These included exchanging and sharing constructive ideas on current challenges faced by the PNA member countries, in particular the impact of climate change on sea level rise affecting fisheries infrastructures and the migration patterns of tuna stocks.

Minister Giro conveyed his appreciation to his fellow PNA Fisheries Ministers for visiting Noro to join the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Tuna Industry in Solomon Islands.

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) will host the 19th Ministerial Meeting next year, 2024.

PNA countries are the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu plus Tokelau with its Headquarter in Majuro, Marshall Islands. ENDS///

-GCU Press