After 28 years, the Pacific Maritime Transportation Alliance has retuned to Honiara with climate change taking the center stage.
The 45th PMTA was opened today at the Heritage Park Hotel, where the guest speaker and acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga underscored the importance of collective cooperation to tackle the challenges the ports face—especially climate change.
Addressing the theme: Climate Change: Sustainability and Resilience of the Pacific Ports, Maelanga said it resonates deeply with “our nations as we face the reality of climate change and its profound impacts on our islands and our maritime transport systems.”
“As Pacific Islanders we understand the urgency and gravity of the situation that our very existence and way of life are at stake. In light of these challenges, it is imperative that we come together to address the impacts of climate change,” said Maelanga who is also the minister responsible for Solomon Ports.

He said the conference serves as a crucial platform for sharing experiences best practices in building sustainable and resilient ports in face of the challenges.
Regional and international speakers who are expects in the field will be speaking in different sessions over the next two days on the issues.
Maelanga reminded the conference that the pacific region is the home to some of the world’s vulnerable nations when it comes to effect of climate change, rising sea levels, extreme weather events so the conference is a crucial platform for discussion.
Meanwhile the DPM thanked the PMTA for entrusting SIPA for the honour to host the event.
“After 28 long years it is a testament to our nation’s commitment of addressing the effects of climate change and our determination to strengthening sustainability and resilience of our ports,” he said.
News@SBMOnline2023