BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Marshall Islands, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) during the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) event on Monday.

The signing took place at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) headquarters in Honiara as part of a pre-summit event leading up to this week’s Honiara Summit, which was officially opened yesterday.

FSM, the Marshall Islands, and Papua New Guinea are advancing elements of the ENBi framework through this MoU, aiming to accelerate the ENBi concept and invite others interested in collective efforts.

“Our goal is to enhance our participation and engagement in the development of the ENBi concept at a tripartite level and create opportunities for PFA members to benefit from the broader ENBi programme,” said Elina Akinaga of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Delivering her keynote remarks at the event on Monday, Akinaga emphasized that the sustainable development of the region’s fisheries remains a critical objective, ensuring that effective management aligns with broader development goals.

She noted that ENBi is founded on the principle that regional development opportunities must prioritize long-term sustainability.

“Active collaboration and engagement with the industry are vital to ensuring that our tuna products meet both regional and international standards while protecting them from the threats of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

“This includes pursuing sustainability certifications such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifications for our tuna fisheries, establishing and enhancing our chain of custody programme, strengthening monitoring, control, and surveillance tools, and integrating emerging technologies in fisheries management, such as electronic reporting and electronic monitoring.”

Hon. Jelta Wong, Papua New Guinea’s Fisheries Minister, told the media during the signing that collaboration is a key pillar of the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi).

“This tripartite MoU keeps us united and ensures that we support one another for a sustainable future. We need to stand together, whether big or small.

“We have a motto: never leave anyone behind. I’m very pleased that both countries have joined us in this effort, working together to strengthen our economies.

“They have strengths that Papua New Guinea may lack, and in turn, we may be able to support them in areas where we have expertise,” said Wong.

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