In a landmark event held in Papeete, the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr. Filimon Manoni, and His Excellency Moetai Brotherson, President of French Polynesia, formalized their commitment to strengthening ocean resilience by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership aligns with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, emphasizing regional cooperation for sustainable ocean governance.
The MoU reaffirms French Polynesia’s continued support for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), a partnership that began in 2019. Following the signing, Dr. Manoni expressed his gratitude for French Polynesia’s steadfast recognition of OPOC’s critical role in uniting the region to protect the Pacific Ocean.
“OPOC was established under the Framework for the Pacific Oceanscape (FPO) to advance strategic ocean governance at both regional and national levels,” said Dr. Manoni. “The unwavering commitment of French Polynesia highlights their leadership in ocean conservation and sustainable management, not only within the region but also on the global stage.”
The strengthened partnership comes at a pivotal time as the region prepares for key global ocean events in 2025, including the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France. French Polynesia’s support underscores the significance of OPOC’s work in fostering regional cohesion, coordinating policy implementation, and amplifying Pacific voices in international forums.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Manoni participated in a dialogue on Deep Sea Minerals convened by France’s Institute of Research and Development (IRD). This dialogue brought together senior government officials, civil society representatives, and researchers from across the Pacific region to discuss sustainable resource management and shared priorities.
The week of ocean-focused collaboration concluded with a high-level side event on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, co-hosted by OPOC and French Polynesia. The event culminated in the signing of the Papeete Declaration by several governments, marking a significant milestone in advancing collective regional commitments to ocean governance.
