Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has hailed the successful Hosting of the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit 2026 at APEC Haus in Port Moresby this week as a major milestone for Papua New Guinea’s Regional and Global engagement, describing the gathering as proof of PNG’s growing strategic importance in connecting the Pacific and South-East Asia.
The Summit, held from May 11–14, brought together Leaders, Ministers, Special Envoys, and Delegates from across the Pacific, South East Asia, and other International Partners to discuss ocean conservation, climate resilience, sustainable resource management, and regional cooperation. Prime Minister Marape commended Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Hon. Jelta Wong for successfully hosting the landmark Summit, assisted by Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Hon. Simo Kilepa, alongside all Government agencies, officials, development partners, and stakeholders who contributed to the event’s success. “I want to commend Minister Jelta Wong, assisted by Minister Simo Kilepa, and all who worked tirelessly to make the Melanesian Ocean Conference successful,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Last week, we saw that Papua New Guinea can use its strategic place in our Regional map and the world map to pull leaders from our region together.”
The Prime Minister said the Summit demonstrated Papua New Guinea’s unique geopolitical and geographic position as the natural bridge between the Pacific and South East Asia. “For the first time, Papua New Guinea hosted Leaders from two specific Regions closest to my heart — the Pacific Region and the ASEAN Region,” Prime Minister Marape stated. “Papua New Guinea is the only country that has land, sea, and air links to South East Asia. One half of our island is connected to South East Asian space through Indonesia, while the other half is in Pacific Island space.”
Prime Minister Marape highlighted the attendance of President of Timor-Leste His Excellency Dr José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister of Fiji Rt. Hon. Ratu Sitiveni Rabuka, alongside leaders and representatives from across the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, as evidence of PNG’s ability to unite both Regions around common priorities. “You had senior Leaders from South East Asia and the Pacific in attendance. This showed clearly our ability to pull Leaders from ASEAN and the Pacific together using Papua New Guinea’s central position in our Region,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that Papua New Guinea intends to continue playing a constructive middle-ground role in Regional and Global affairs, especially on issues concerning Climate Change, Environmental Protection, Trade, Energy Security, and Sustainable Development. “In the world of Geopolitics, Papua New Guinea wants to play a mid-nation role to the many dynamics at play in our Region,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Whether it is climate change, environmental concerns, trade, energy, business-to-business, or people-to-people relations, Papua New Guinea is a bridge between the Pacific and Asia — more so between South East Asia and the Pacific.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Summit also reinforced the urgency for countries to work together on ocean conservation, climate resilience, and protection of natural ecosystems for future generations. “We want our children to live in a peaceful Region,” he said. “We want our children in the Pacific and South East Asia to co-exist, trade, receive education, and live in an environment protected against climate change through climate-resilient mechanisms and sustainable stewardship of our oceans and forests.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to advancing nature-based solutions and conservation efforts, including support for preserving at least 30 percent of ocean ecosystems from illegal and unsustainable exploitation. “We are looking forward to progressing the outcomes of these Meetings in Ocean Conservation, nature- based solutions, and respect for traditional maritime resource owners,” Prime Minister Marape said. He further stated that PNG’s leadership would continue promoting these discussions not only within the Pacific Islands Forum but also through stronger engagement with ASEAN and APEC. “Papua New Guinea’s leadership looks forward to advancing this line of thinking not only in the Pacific Islands Forum nations, but also with ASEAN, where we have held observer status for many years, and through APEC where we have long been an active Member,” he stated.
Prime Minister Marape concluded by describing the successful hosting of the Summit as a proud moment for Papua New Guinea and a signal of the country’s growing role in shaping Regional dialogue and cooperation. “It is good to see Papua New Guinea hosting Conferences that are not strictly Pacific or strictly ASEAN, but Conferences that can bring both Regions together through our strategic central position,” Prime Minister Marape said.