COMMENTARY: Solomon Islands’ Participation in the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco

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The recent participation of Dr. Melchior Mataki, Secretary to the Prime Minister, at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco (7-8 June 2025) marks a significant moment in the Solomon Islands' global leadership on ocean sustainability.

This high-level engagement underscores our nation's commitment to shaping the future of our oceans at a time when decisive action has never been more critical.


A Watershed Moment for Ocean Finance

As a precursor to the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), BEFF served as a crucial platform where the Solomon Islands brought the urgent concerns of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to the forefront of global discussions.

The shocking reality that less than 1% of the trillions generated by the global ocean economy is reinvested in ocean protection highlights the systemic neglect of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).

For our island nation, where the ocean constitutes 98% of our sovereign territory, this funding gap represents an existential threat.

Our marine resources sustain livelihoods, preserve cultural heritage, and ensure food security for our people.

The forum's focus on scaling up finance for conservation, building climate resilience, and securing equitable access to ocean funding for SIDS aligns precisely with our national priorities.

From Monaco to Nice: Solomon Islands' Advocacy Agenda

As we transition from BEFF to UNOC 2025 in Nice, France (9-13 June), the Solomon Islands delegation carries forward three non-negotiable priorities:

·     Direct Access to Climate Finance - We will demand simplified funding mechanisms that enable SIDS to protect marine ecosystems and develop climate-resilient infrastructure without bureaucratic hurdles.

·    Technology Transfer for Sustainable Management - Pacific nations require advanced tools and knowledge to monitor and manage our Exclusive Economic Zones effectively.

·     Indigenous Leadership in Ocean Governance - Global policies must recognize and incorporate the traditional knowledge and rights of coastal communities in decision-making processes.

Our Ocean, Our Future

The statistics speak for themselves: while our land territory comprises just 2% of our nation, the surrounding ocean forms the very essence of our identity as Solomon Islanders.

This vast blue territory feeds our families, connects our islands, and harbors biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth.

Yet climate change, illegal fishing, and marine pollution threaten to unravel this precious inheritance.

·         The time for rhetoric has passed. At UNOC 2025, the Solomon Islands will:

·         Champion debt-for-nature swaps to unlock conservation funding

·         Forge innovative partnerships with responsible investors

·         Ensure local communities lead in blue economy initiatives

A Call to the Global Community

Protecting the Pacific Ocean is not merely an environmental concern—it is a matter of survival for SIDS and a test of the world's commitment to climate justice. 

The Solomon Islands stands ready to work with all nations, but we insist that global solutions must match the scale of our challenges.

As we look toward UNOC 2025, we carry the hopes of our children and the wisdom of our ancestors.

The question is not whether we can afford to act, but whether we can afford not to.

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