To commemorate the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit launch at the APEC Haus on Monday, May 11th, 2026, attending delegates and officials gathered outside to see the message in a bottle sent out to sea.
At the seafront, Prime Minister James Marape addressed all who attended while carrying a child in his arms to symbolize Moana, depicting the Ocean theme
He told the gathering that Pacific nations, as custodians of a vast ocean reservoir, are prepared to sacrifice their economy and influence to protect the life‑giving ocean.
Young Moana with the message to be sent out to the sea. Picture by: Herbert Navun
“In the Pacific, we as a big reservoir of ocean can sacrifice our economy, our influence, in the quest to preserve the life‑giving ocean. Please join us, help save our oceans,” Marape said before releasing the message in a bottle.
The message in a bottle contained the following pledge:
To the technocrats out there, to those of you who in haste for profit of today’s generation, squandering the prospect of young Moana’s generation.
Together, we stand not just as nations but as guardians.
Guardians of a shared ocean that feeds our people, carries our stories, and connects every island across our Pacific Ocean.
The ocean does not belong to us. We belong to the ocean.
This message we send to sea is more than a symbol. It carries our collective pledge:
*To protect our oceans from harm.
*To manage our resources with care and respect.
*To ensure that future generations inherit seas that are abundant, alive, and strong.
We recognise that our economies and our environment are not separate – they are one and the same. And the strength of our future depends on how we protect both.
So tonight, together, we send this message beyond this shore – a commitment from Melanesia to the world.
That we will lead. That we will act. And that we will protect what sustains us.
One people. One ocean. One future. Wansolwara.
