The Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni, has welcomed the announcement of more than US$25 million in new grants from the Bezos Earth Fund to support ocean conservation and management initiatives in five countries across the Pacific region.
“This significant investment is a strong vote of confidence in Pacific leadership and the generations of stewardship that Pacific peoples have provided for our ocean,” said Dr Manoni. This support complements well with countless other donors and initiatives that already exist in the region and also at grassroots that go unannounced. We in the Pacific value our donor partners, as they create an enabling environment for the great work that our countries do for the world.
“The Pacific Ocean is central to our identity, livelihoods, cultures, food security, and future prosperity. These grants recognise that effective ocean conservation is strongest when it builds upon collective stewardship and dialogue, knowledge, commitment, and aspirations of Pacific communities.”
Dr Manoni noted that the Earth Fund would support important national and regional efforts, including marine spatial planning, the establishment and strengthening of marine protected areas, sustainable financing mechanisms, community-led ocean management, and the development of pioneering proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty.
He also welcomed the support for advancing marine protected areas on the high seas, describing it as a timely contribution to global efforts to safeguard the biodiversity and ecological connectivity of the Pacific Ocean. This support provided from the Earth Fund through OPOC is also in line with Forum Leaders mandate this year for Commissioner to collaborate with members, regional organizations and partners to mobilize financing for the implementation of the BBNJ agreement.
“As the world works towards achieving the global goal of protecting at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, sustained partnerships and investments such as these are essential. They help ensure that conservation efforts deliver benefits not only for biodiversity, but also for the communities whose wellbeing depends on a healthy and resilient ocean.”
Dr Manoni reiterated the Pacific’s commitment to regional cooperation and thanked the Bezos Earth Fund and its partners for supporting Pacific-led solutions.
“We commend the Bezos Earth Fund and its partners for recognising the Pacific’s leadership and for investing in locally driven, long-term approaches to ocean protection. Together, we can strengthen our collective efforts to safeguard the health of the Pacific Ocean for present and future generations.”
The announcement came just days after the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders concluded in Koror, Palau.
The Leaders in their annual meeting in Palau also endorsed the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Ocean Statement where they laid out a unified regional agenda to strengthen advocacy and coordinated engagement across international processes on oceans, climate change, biodiversity, fisheries, pollution and sustainable development.
