Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Marine Conservation: 2nd Bismarck Solomon Seascape Dialogue Held in Papua New Guinea

Supported through the GIZ-implemented Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience (SOMACORE) in the Coral Triangle Programme, the dialogue served as a platform for countries and partners to align priorities, exchange updates, and advance coordinated action toward the sustainable management and protection of one of the world’s most ecologically significant marine regions. 

Building on the inaugural BSS Dialogue held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in September 2025, participants reviewed progress in strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms and discussed next steps toward implementing a shared workplan for the seascape. A key milestone during the meeting was the presentation and discussion of the draft Terms of Reference for the BSS Sub-Regional Working Group. The proposed mechanism aims to formalize collaboration among member countries and provide a structure for coordinating regional plans, reporting progress, and mobilizing technical and financial support for conservation and sustainable coastal development initiatives. 

Under the proposed arrangement, member countries will nominate focal points to facilitate coordination at the national and regional levels, while development partners and collaborators will continue providing technical guidance and support to advance implementation efforts. 

The dialogue also highlighted updates from regional exchange activities and ongoing efforts to strengthen science-based marine management, including emerging university partnerships and knowledge-sharing initiatives across the region. Discussions emphasized the importance of stronger cooperation in addressing shared marine challenges such as biodiversity loss, unsustainable resource use, and climate-related impacts affecting coastal ecosystems and communities. 

Through SOMACORE, the BSS Dialogue contributes to regional commitments to strengthen marine protected areas, improve governance, and support sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. 

As countries continue to deepen collaboration, the BSS partnership demonstrates how regional cooperation can help accelerate practical, science-based, and community-centered solutions for ocean resilience in the Coral Triangle. By strengthening coordination across borders, the dialogue helps ensure that conservation efforts are not implemented in isolation but instead contribute to a more connected and resilient marine ecosystem that benefits both people and nature across the region. 

SOMACORE is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUKN) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and is being implemented by 12 organizations across the Coral Triangle.