PRESS RELEASE
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
May 14, 2026
On 11 May 2026, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), through the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA), and the Republic of the Philippines, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), formalized a new partnership on fisheries cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) at APEC Haus in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The signing ceremony took place on the margins of the 1st Inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit and was attended by senior government officials and representatives from both countries. The opening prayer was delivered by H.E. Junior Aini, Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the Republic of Fiji and Pacific Islands Countries.
The ceremony was led by Special Envoy Anthony M. Muller, Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce and Chairman of the Board of MIMRA, and Hon. Francisco “Kiko” P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Secretary of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in key areas including sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture and mariculture development, trade and market access, capacity building, technical cooperation, and combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Memorandum of Cooperation also represents an important step toward strengthening regional collaboration between two ocean nations that share a deep reliance on marine resources for economic development, food security, and the livelihoods of their people.
A key highlight of the partnership is the long-anticipated advancement of cooperation in seaweed farming and harvesting, an area both countries have been exploring since initial discussions began in 2018. The agreement is expected to help pave the way for technical assistance, knowledge exchange, and future opportunities in aquaculture development, particularly in seaweed cultivation, which holds strong potential for sustainable livelihoods, food security, economic diversification, private sector growth, and greater innovation within the fisheries sector of the Marshall Islands, while also enhancing technical expertise and strengthening sustainable ocean governance between both countries.
In his remarks, Minister Muller described the signing as,
an important milestone in strengthening the partnership between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of the Philippines through this Memorandum of Cooperation on fisheries.
He noted that the agreement reflects a shared vision for, "sustainable fisheries development, grounded in mutual respect and mutual benefit."
Minister Muller also acknowledged that the agreement was the result of nearly two years of engagement and collaboration between both sides and highlighted the importance of translating the partnership into practical outcomes for both countries.
Through this cooperation, we look forward to translating our shared priorities into tangible outcomes, strengthening our fisheries sectors while ensuring the sustainability of our ocean resources for future generations, he stated.
Secretary Laurel emphasized that the Memorandum demonstrates the two nations’ "shared commitment to sustainable fisheries development, responsible ocean governance, and stronger economic and social ties."
He further noted that the partnership builds on discussions dating back to 2018 on seaweed farming and aquaculture cooperation.
“The Philippines values promoting mutually beneficial economic opportunities between our countries,” Secretary Laurel said. “Through this cooperation, we aim to explore responsible access arrangements for fishing and joint commercial fishing ventures, consistent with the domestic laws, regulations, and international obligations of both parties.”
Secretary Laurel also underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation on fisheries trade standards, traceability systems, and regional conservation efforts, noting that the MOC reflects “trust, shared aspirations, and our collective vision for a sustainable blue economy that benefits our peoples and supports regional stability and prosperity.”
As ocean nations, both the Marshall Islands and the Philippines recognized the importance of regional cooperation and responsible stewardship of marine resources to ensure long-term sustainability, food security, and economic resilience.
The signing ceremony concluded with the formal exchange of the Memorandum of Cooperation, presentation of gifts, and a commemorative photo opportunity.