Solomon Islands has showcased its progress in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) at the recent Bismarck Solomon Seascape (BSS) Marine Spatial Planning Workshop held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The four-day regional workshop brought together representatives from Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, alongside marine conservation organizations, ocean governance institutions and regional partners. Participants shared experiences and explored practical actions to strengthen marine management and sustainable ocean governance across the region.
During the workshop, Solomon Islands presented developments in its Marine Spatial Planning framework and plan, highlighting progress built on foundations established through the GIZ-funded Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in Pacific Island Countries (MACBIO) project. The country’s experience provided valuable insights for neighboring nations seeking to improve marine resource coordination and sustainable management.
Participants also examined Indonesia’s advanced implementation of Marine Spatial Planning and reviewed international examples of transboundary marine planning, including successful initiatives in Europe’s Wadden Sea and Angola. Discussions focused on the globally recognized 10-step MSP process and explored potential connections between Papua New Guinea’s MOCOR framework and the broader Bismarck Solomon Seascape agenda.
The workshop highlighted the importance of developing coordinated national marine spatial plans to strengthen ocean governance and guide the sustainable use of marine resources. Participants agreed that the interconnected marine ecosystems shared by Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia require strong regional cooperation, supported by effective policies, institutional partnerships and practical action.
Organizers and participants acknowledged the contributions of the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF), and other regional partners for their support in advancing ocean governance and regional collaboration.
The Bismarck Solomon Seascape initiative continues to serve as a key platform for knowledge sharing, partnership-building and the promotion of marine conservation and sustainable ocean management across national boundaries.
As Solomon Islands advances its Marine Spatial Planning agenda, regional engagements such as the Port Moresby workshop provide valuable opportunities to learn from neighboring countries, strengthen partnerships and turn shared commitments into meaningful action for the sustainable management of the region’s oceans.
Source : MOF
