Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has officially opened the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit 2026 at APEC Haus in Port Moresby today, calling on Pacific nations and the international community to unite in protecting the world’s oceans and safeguarding the future of humanity.
Welcoming Leaders and Delegates from Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and representatives from around the world, Prime Minister Marape described the three-day Summit as a “historic gathering” that would amplify the Pacific’s collective voice on Ocean Conservation and Climate Action. “Hopefully after we have done this important historic Summit, we will have left behind a collective voice that is bigger and as big as our Pacific Ocean,” Prime Minister Marape said in his opening remarks.
Prime Minister Marape highlighted Papua New Guinea’s unique geographic and environmental significance, noting that PNG is one of the world’s largest island nations by landmass and home to some of the richest biodiversity on Earth. “Papua New Guinea is deeply Pacific. We share common values with our brothers and sisters from across the Pacific, and we also share common concerns — especially as small island states living with the realities of climate change and global economic pressures,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the Summit was not merely a regional discussion, but a global conversation about the future of life on Earth. “Our ocean is life-sustaining. Without the ocean, we would not be where we are today,” Prime Minister Marape stated. He stressed that Earth remains unique in the observable universe because of its oceans and water systems, making conservation efforts a shared responsibility for all humanity. “There is no other planet that looks like planet Earth. Today’s conversation here in Port Moresby is all about saving our Oceans because Oceans save humanity,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the presence of President of Timor-Leste His Excellency Dr José Ramos-Horta and other Regional Leaders, commending their commitment to elevating Pacific concerns onto the global stage. He said the Pacific Ocean — the world’s largest Ocean — carries immense responsibility for the future of the planet. “The Pacific, the custodians of the biggest Ocean, is ready to preserve and manage our Oceans in a sustainable manner,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Marape also outlined Papua New Guinea’s commitment to marine conservation and international environmental frameworks, including the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Blue Pacific Continent Strategy pursued by Pacific Islands Forum member countries. He highlighted PNG’s strategic marine position connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans through key seascapes including the Bismarck-Solomon Seas, Arafura Sea, Timor Sea, and Coral Triangle.
The Prime Minister said Ocean protection was also directly linked to economic sustainability, food security, livelihoods, and future generations. “Ocean is our supermarket. Ocean is our highway. Ocean is our livelihood. Ocean is us,” he declared.
Prime Minister Marape used the occasion to call for stronger global leadership in addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions, stressing that Pacific Island nations continue to bear the consequences of pollution generated elsewhere despite contributing very little to global carbon emissions. “Yes, we may not have the power of big economies, big populations, or big militaries, but we have the power of voice today,” he said.
The Prime Minister also announced Papua New Guinea’s long-term transition toward renewable energy and electric transportation as part of its climate response efforts. “I came this evening on an Electric Vehicle. PNG is shifting towards Electric Vehicles and moving away from fossil fuel over the next 10 years,” Prime Minister Marape stated. He urged Pacific nations and the wider global community to act decisively in preserving the planet for future generations. “To save our Oceans is to save our Planet. This is our responsibility to humanity and to generations yet to come,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Prime Minister Marape concluded by thanking all participating nations, development partners, scientists, conservation experts, and regional organisations for attending the Summit and contributing towards what he described as a defining global conversation from the Pacific region.