FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port Morseby, Papua New Guinea
May 12, 2026
Republic of the Marshall Islands and Papua New Guinea Reaffirm Commitment to Stronger Pacific Fisheries Cooperation
Hon. Anthony M. Muller, Presidential Envoy of Her Excellency President Hilda C. Heine and Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Honorable Jelta Wong, MP, Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, met today for a bilateral consultation along the margins of the 1st Inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit (MOS26). The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Papua New Guinea (PNG), particularly through the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and shared efforts to strengthen Pacific ownership and stewardship of tuna fisheries resources.
Minister Muller conveyed warm greetings from H.E. President Dr. Hilda C. Heine and congratulated Papua New Guinea for successfully hosting the Melanesian Ocean Summit, describing it as, “a landmark event that underscores Papua New Guinea’s leadership in regional ocean stewardship.”
The discussions focused on strengthening Pacific-led fisheries development initiatives, including the continued advancement and upscaling of Pacific Island Tuna (PIT), regional processing opportunities, dockside offloading, and broader tuna industry cooperation between PNG, RMI, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
Minister Wong reaffirmed PNG’s full support for the ENBi Tripartite initiative and emphasized PNG’s commitment to working closely with the Marshall Islands to ensure the success of the partnership. PNG also conveyed its readiness to make available its fisheries infrastructure and processing facilities to support PIT operations, including landing, processing, and future upscaling opportunities.
Both sides acknowledged that certain provisions within the existing PIT arrangements and onboarding term sheet have presented challenges affecting commercial implementation and participation. The Ministers agreed on the importance of constructively reviewing and refining aspects of the arrangements to ensure greater commercial flexibility and opportunities for all participating parties while maintaining the broader vision and objectives of the initiative.
Minister Muller noted that the RMI remains committed to finding practical pathways forward for PIT and regional fisheries cooperation. The Ministers also discussed the growing strategic importance of the Pacific tuna industry and opportunities to strengthen Pacific ownership and participation across the tuna value chain. PNG acknowledged recent discussions relating to the Walmart canned tuna initiative and reaffirmed its understanding that the initiative is being led by the Marshall Islands as part of broader Pacific fisheries development efforts.
Minister Muller highlighted that the Marshall Islands was once the leading tuna transshipment hub in the world and noted that shifting weather patterns and operational trends may increasingly favor renewed fisheries activity in the central Pacific, including the RMI. The two Ministers further exchanged views on regional fisheries management, the US Treaty, monitoring and surveillance cooperation, and the importance of strengthening transboundary fisheries cooperation arrangements between PNG and RMI.
Minister Wong reiterated PNG’s strong bilateral friendship with the Marshall Islands, stating that PNG “will always stand with the Marshall Islands” and reaffirmed PNG’s full support for strengthening cooperation under the ENBi Tripartite framework. Both Ministers agreed to continue close consultations moving forward, including engagement with FSM and relevant stakeholders, to further operationalize the shared vision of a stronger Pacific-owned tuna industry grounded in sustainability, regional cooperation, and long-term economic benefits for Pacific Island countries.
Minister Muller also expressed his appreciation to Minister Wong for the constructive discussions and noted that he looks forward to welcoming Minister Wong and his delegation to Majuro for the 21st PNA Ministerial Meeting in June. The bilateral meeting concluded with a gift exchange between the two Ministers, symbolizing the strong friendship and continued partnership between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Papua New Guinea. The Minister was accompanied by Ambassador Junior Aini, MIMRA International Fisheries Policy Advisor Asia Chong-Gum and MIMRA Legal Counsel Laurence E. Edwards, II.