Melanesian Leaders Unite to Launch the World’s Largest Indigenous-Led Marine Reserve

In a historic move at the UN Ocean Conference in France, the governments of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu unveiled their ambitious plan to establish the Melanesian Ocean Reserve, which will become the world’s largest Indigenous-led multi-national marine protected area.

When complete, the Melanesian Ocean Reserve will encompass the combined national waters of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea, and connect with the protected waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone of New Caledonia.

The proposed reserve will span more than 6 million square kilometres of ocean and islands—an area equivalent to the Amazon rainforest.

It will include the combined national waters of Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea, and connect with the Exclusive Economic Zone of New Caledonia.

Once fully realised, the initiative will safeguard some of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet and strengthen the cultural and economic foundations of Melanesia’s Indigenous Peoples.

“For millennia, the Indigenous Peoples of Melanesia have been the wisest and most effective stewards of these sacred waters,” said Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

“That is why the governments of Melanesia are joining forces to create an unprecedented ocean reserve that honours our identities, livelihoods, and spiritual connections.”

The Melanesian Ocean Reserve will not only preserve ecosystems but also restrict activities within its boundaries to sustainable practices that align with Indigenous knowledge and values. Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have already committed to including all their archipelagic waters and adjoining areas in the reserve.

“This initiative brings to life a major objective of our National Ocean Policy—to establish a transboundary corridor of traditionally managed ocean space,” said Vanuatu’s Minister for Environment, Ralph Regenvanu.

“We hope our Indigenous stewardship of this vast reserve will create momentum for similar initiatives all over the world,” he said.

Although the official launch came from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, both Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia are anticipated to join the initiative. Together, the four countries would form a powerful regional alliance committed to Indigenous-led marine conservation on an unprecedented scale.

Off Ulawa Island, Solomon Islands, a circle of Indigenous fishermen catch scad by forming a circle, honouring the ocean’s gift. Photo credit: Su'umoli Village, Makira-Ulawa Province, Solomon Islands.

Born from Indigenous Vision

The concept was born during a meeting at the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia, in 2024, where two Indigenous leaders—Hon. Trevor Mahaga of Solomon Islands and Hon. Ralph Regenvanu of Vanuatu—began drafting the blueprint for the reserve. They later collaborated with PNG’s Minister of Fisheries, Hon. Jelta Wong, and secured the support of key partners.

The Islands Knowledge Institute (IKI), led by Solomon Islands ecologist Dr. Edgar Pollard played a central role in shaping the initiative. 

“The Melanesian Ocean Reserve has progressed from an idea to a powerful platform amongst Melanesian leaders because it connects to an unmistakable truth in their lives: that treating the ocean as our home, in the deepest sense of the word, is the best protection,” said Dr. Pollard.

The global nonprofit Nia Tero, which has become one of the world’s leading Indigenous-focused funders, has also pledged long-term support. 

Its CEO, ‘Aulani Wilhelm, praised the initiative as “giving voice to the hope of all Oceanic Peoples—to fully bring forward the dream and knowledge of our ancestors in the modern day and to care for the ocean and our planet in the way they deserve.”

A Shared Future for the Ocean

More than a conservation effort, the Melanesian Ocean Reserve is a vision of regional solidarity, cultural resilience, and environmental leadership. It affirms that the most effective guardians of marine ecosystems are the people who have lived in balance with them for generations.

With climate change accelerating and ocean ecosystems under increasing pressure, the Melanesian Ocean Reserve signals a new era of Indigenous-led governance and international cooperation. 

And perhaps more importantly, it offers a compelling reminder to the world: that ancestral knowledge and modern policy can coexist—not only to protect the planet, but to heal it.