News

News updates from the Kiribati Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development.

Kiribati Assumes Chairmanship at 44th PNA Officials Meeting

A delegation from MFOR, Kiribati participated in the 44th annual meeting of the PNA officials that took place from 13 to 14 March 2025, at the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNAO) headquarters in Majuro, the Republic of the Marshall Islands. During this meeting, Kiribati takes on the chairmanship of this group from the out-going chair, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This means, Kiribati will drive the processes of the PNA during a one-year tenure, guided by the Parties and the PNA Office. Like other regional organizations, this meeting allows Parties to the PNA to discuss matters of great importance to the commercialization and sustainable development of the tuna fishery in their group. Around 80% of the total purse seine catch in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean comes from the PNA waters. This is why this PNA grouping is so important to Kiribati, in terms of the aspirations to maximize benefits from the tuna resources in our vast ocean space. The MFOR acknowledges the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority and the PNA Office for supporting the successful convening of this annual meeting. 

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US and Kiribati Discuss Tuna Exports and Climate Challenges

On 13th March 2025, US Ambassador H.E. Marie C. Damour and First Secretary Kelly H. Bushy met with Kiribati’s Minister for Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Hon. Ribanataake Awira, and Deputy Secretary Tieri Tamoa. The discussions focused on strengthening US-Kiribati cooperation, particularly in sustainable tuna exports and marine scientific research, with an emphasis on bluefin tuna and climate change.
Hon. Awira expressed gratitude for the partnership but raised concerns about recent changes in US foreign aid programs, highlighting potential impacts on Kiribati’s exclusive economic zone security and the US Treaty with PNA members. He stressed the need to address possible financial gaps.
Ambassador Damour reassured Hon. Awira that she would advocate to the US President to uphold commitments to the Pacific Islands, including securing fishing rights for US companies in Kiribati’s waters while ensuring sustainability and mutual benefits.
The meeting reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to sustainable fisheries management, economic growth, and scientific collaboration, particularly in addressing climate-related challenges in the Pacific.
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Uniting for the Ocean: Kiribati’s First National Ocean Policy

Kiribati is embarking on a new journey today, to work together cohesively with the ambition of maximising more benefits from the ocean resources. This was realized through an agreement by all key Government sectors to formulate the first national ocean policy with the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources to act as the secretariat for the Ocean Steering Committee. This national ocean policy should also balance all interests of key sectors and uses of the ocean, allow a platform for better coordination and management of potential conflicrs over the use of the vast Kiribati EEZ. The MFOR thank the line Ministries, MFAT and partners for their continuous support to this important journey for Kiribati.

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MFOR and British High Commissioner Discuss Bilateral Cooperation and Future Opportunities

Secretary Riibeta Abeta from MFOR met the British High Commissioner H.E Dr Brian Jones and his Second Secretary Andrew Heseltine at the MFOR Headquarters in Bairiki. H.E Dr Brian Jones is accredited as non-resident High Commissioner to Kiribati. This productive bilateral meeting was focused on exploring future opportunities that would mutually benefit each Countries. There are opportunities for scholarships, support for hydrographic surveys for extended maritime boundaries and navigational charts, the Commonwealth Secretariat support to Kiribati, the Blue Charter, potential collaboration to access climate finance to support adaptation and sustainable development initiatives, Kiritimati Is development hub, among other things. The Government of Kiribati MFOR acknowledges the on-going interest of the British Government and the UK to future initiatives of Kiribati and look forward to future cooperation programs.

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