DILI, 12 May 2026 (TATOLI) — Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape called on Pacific nations and the wider international community to work together to protect the world’s oceans and address climate change.
Marape made the call in his address on Monday at the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit 2026 in Port Moresby.
The three-day summit, held at APEC Haus, brought together leaders and delegates from Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and other international partners.
Marape described the gathering as a historic opportunity to strengthen the Pacific region’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 during his official opening address.
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 stated.
The Prime Minister stressed that the Summit was not simply a regional meeting, but a global conversation concerning 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 said.
He further stated that Earth remains unique in the observable universe because of its oceans and water systems, making Ocean protection 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 attendance of President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr José Ramos-Horta, alongside other Regional Leaders and international representatives, commending their commitment to elevating Pacific priorities onto the global stage.
“The Pacific, the custodians of the biggest Ocean, is ready to preserve and manage our Oceans in a sustainable manner,” the Prime Minister stated.
The Prime Minister 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 advanced by Pacific Islands Forum member countries.
He highlighted Papua New Guinea’s strategic marine position linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans through globally significant seascapes such as the Bismarck-Solomon Seas, Arafura Sea, Timor Sea, and the Coral Triangle.
Prime Minister Marape emphasised that Ocean protection is directly connected to economic sustainability, food security, livelihoods, and the survival of future generations.
“Ocean is our supermarket. Ocean is our highway. Ocean is our livelihood. Ocean is us,” he declared.
The Prime Minister used the Summit to call for stronger global leadership in addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions, noting that Pacific Island nations continue to bear the consequences of pollution generated by larger industrialised economies despite contributing very little to global emissions.
“Yes, we may not have the power of big economies, big populations, or big militaries, but we have the power of voice today,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Prime Minister Marape also announced Papua New Guinea’s long-term transition toward renewable energy and electric transportation as part of the country’s climate response agenda.
“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,” he stated.
The Prime Minister concluded by urging Pacific nations and the international community to take decisive action 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 thanked all participating nations, development partners, scientists, conservation experts, and regional organisations for contributing to what he described as a defining global conversation emerging from the Pacific region.
TATOLI
