Papua New Guinea Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Jelta Wong has called on Melanesian nations to take stronger leadership in protecting the region’s oceans and marine resources during the Melanesian Ocean Summit.
Speaking on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Wong highlighted the growing environmental pressures facing Pacific waters and stressed the need for collective regional action.
“The challenges we face are very complex. I call on the Melanesian countries to take leadership,” Wong said.
He emphasised Papua New Guinea’s important role in safeguarding the ocean alongside other Melanesian nations, noting that stronger cooperation is needed to ensure long-term marine security, conservation and sustainable resource management.
Wong also acknowledged the work of the ATSEA Programme, which focuses on improving ocean conservation, protection and resource management across the region. The programme supports efforts towards achieving the global “30×30” target, which aims to protect 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.
The discussions at the summit reinforced the growing urgency for Pacific nations to strengthen Marine Protected Areas and work together to preserve the region’s rich marine biodiversity for future generations.
