Solomon Islands Government and WCS Advance Bezos-Funded Ocean Initiative at Technical Working Group Meeting
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – 31 March 2026 – The Solomon Islands Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have formally convened the Ocean12 Technical Working Group (TWG) to advance a major five-year integrated ocean conservation and management initiative. Meeting aboard the MV Bilikiki Cruise on 30 March, the group endorsed the official work plan for the project, which is supported by the Bezos Earth Fund (https://www.bezosearthfund.org/)..
Building on a National Inception Workshop held in December 2025, the initiative focuses on strengthening integrated ocean governance, marine spatial planning, and the management of marine protected and conserved areas (MPCAs). A primary goal of the project is to expand marine protection coverage to 10–15 percent of national waters by 2030, while simultaneously enhancing community stewardship and institutional and technical capacity.
Speaking during the meeting Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Mr. Hickson George, emphasized the strategic nature of the initiative: “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.”
Meanwhile Dr. Alec Hughes, WCS Country Director, highlighted the collaborative effort required for long-term success: “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.”
The project will focus on several key priorities to ensure the sustainable management of marine resources:
- Advancing marine spatial planning across priority seascapes.
- Supporting the designation and management of new Marine Protected and Conservation Areas in Temotu and Makira Ulawa Provinces including Kavachi seascape in the Western Province
- Strengthening marine governance, compliance, and enforcement systems.
- Enhancing stakeholder coordination and community participation in ocean stewardship.
- Developing long-term sustainable financing mechanisms for conservation.
The Ocean12 Technical Working Group serves as the central national platform for coordinating government agencies, development partners, and civil society to guide integrated ocean management. This meeting underscores the Government’s commitment to collaborative, practical solutions for protecting Solomon Islands’ ocean resources for future generations.
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