The Solomon Islands Government today welcomed more than 50 delegates from across Asia and the Pacific to Honiara for the opening of the 25th Session of the Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) Forum.
Hosted by the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA), the forum is being held from 14 to 17 April at the National Aquatic Centre and brings together maritime leaders from across the region, including representatives from Canada and Chile.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, in his opening address, emphasised the significance of Solomon Islands hosting the forum, describing it as a critical platform to shape the future of maritime safety, cooperation and development across the Asia-Pacific region.
“As a maritime nation, our ocean is not just our geography. It defines who we are as a people and underpins our future,” Prime Minister Manele said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the central role of the maritime sector in connecting communities, supporting essential services and driving economic growth in Solomon Islands.
He also called for a shift in regional cooperation, urging APHoMSA members to move beyond dialogue towards practical implementation and partnerships.
“The time has come for APHoMSA to move from dialogue to implementation, towards practical cooperation, joint projects and long-term partnerships that deliver real outcomes for our region,” he said.
Prime Minister Manele outlined the growing challenges and opportunities facing the maritime sector, including the transition to low-carbon shipping, digitalisation, evolving safety and security risks and the need to build a skilled maritime workforce.
As Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Prime Minister also highlighted the Pacific OneMaritime Framework, a regional initiative aimed at transforming the maritime sector across Pacific Island countries. The Framework is expected to be endorsed by maritime ministers in Papua New Guinea in May this year.
“The Pacific OneMaritime Framework is a roadmap for collective action, ensuring that no Pacific country is left behind in the global maritime transition,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the success of the Framework will depend on strong partnerships with countries across the wider Asia-Pacific region.
He further noted that Solomon Islands is already taking practical steps to strengthen its maritime sector, including investments in safer and more energy-efficient shipping, port development and workforce training.
“These are not concepts. They are projects ready for partnership,” he added.
During the forum, SIMA is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on maritime cooperation with the China Maritime Safety Administration, further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the sector.
Prime Minister Manele reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ commitment to working with regional partners to advance a safe, secure, sustainable and connected maritime future.
“I extend an open invitation to our partners across APHoMSA to work with us, invest with us and build the maritime future we need together,” he said.
The APHoMSA Forum provides a key platform for maritime authorities to share expertise, strengthen cooperation and advance initiatives that support safety, sustainability and economic development across the region.
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