A productive bilateral discussion was held today, 25 February 2026 at Ocean Family Restaurant, Bairiki, between the Senior Officials of the #Ministry of Information, Communications and Transport and the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources on integrated maritime and fisheries infrastructure development for Kiribati. Discussions centred on key areas of intersection between the two ministries, including the coordinated implementation of multi-purpose ports, the development of shipyard facilities for vessel maintenance and repair, and the acceleration of dredging activities to support future port expansion, channel development, and land reclamation projects. Additional topics included strengthening national marine surveillance capacities for fishing vessels, enhancing sea safety and fisheries management, and improving data integration and information sharing on LiDAR datasets, marine spatial planning (MSP), bathymetry, and related technical areas.

Both ministries agreed to strengthen collaboration through continued engagements, the establishment of joint task forces, and the development of clear coordination and implementation plans moving forward. The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) extends its appreciation to Secretary Mitateti and his team for their support and commitment to working together toward the shared vision of accelerating maritime infrastructure development and positioning Kiribati as a key fisheries port and hub in the region.