At the recent UN Ocean Conference, the governments of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu announced the establishment of the Melanesian Ocean Reserve, designed to protect the ancestral waters of Indigenous Peoples in the southwestern Pacific.

This groundbreaking initiative will be the first Indigenous-led multi-national ocean reserve, spanning at least 6 million square kilometers, an area comparable to the Amazon rainforest.

Vanuatu's Minister for Environment, Ralph Regenvanu, emphasized that the reserve will bolster efforts to safeguard these ancestral waters from exploitation while promoting Indigenous management practices.

Support for the Melanesian Ocean Reserve has been voiced by Papua New Guinea's Minister of Fisheries, Jelta Wong, along with organizations such as Nia Tero and the Islands Knowledge Institute.

Dr. Edgar Pollard from the Islands Knowledge Institute highlighted the reserve's importance in nurturing a profound connection between the ocean and the lives of Melanesian communities.

While the reserve aims to promote sustainable economic activities aligned with Indigenous values, there are concerns regarding Papua New Guinea's plans for deep-sea mining in the region.

Melanesia is recognized for its rich biodiversity, hosting 75% of known coral species and over 3,000 species of reef-associated fish.

New Caledonia's environment minister, Jeremie Katidjo Monnier, expressed his support for the reserve and noted a local moratorium on seabed exploitation that will last until 2075.

Nia Tero, led by Indigenous CEO 'Aulani Wilhelm, is focused on empowering Indigenous Peoples through direct funding and support for environmental initiatives.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele stressed the significance of Indigenous stewardship in managing these sacred waters, which are essential for the cultural and economic sustainability of local communities.

The concept for the ocean reserve was initially developed by Indigenous leaders Trevor Mahaga of the Solomon Islands and Ralph Regenvanu of Vanuatu during a Convention on Biological Diversity meeting in Cali, Colombia, in 2024.

The reserve will encompass the national waters of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and will connect with the protected waters of New Caledonia's Exclusive Economic Zone.