France has reaffirmed its long-term economic, environmental and security commitment to the Pacific, outlining major investments and regional partnerships aimed at strengthening ocean governance, fisheries protection and the blue economy during the opening of the Melanesian Ocean Summit, held from May 11-14 in Port Moresby.
Speaking at APEC Haus on May 12, French Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Pierre Fournier, said France viewed ocean preservation as central to global economic stability, livelihoods and regional prosperity.
Addressing Pacific leaders, diplomats and delegates at the summit, Ambassador Fournier linked France’s Pacific engagement to outcomes from the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in Nice in June 2025, which France co-hosted alongside Costa Rica.
He said the conference resulted in the “Nice Ocean Action Plan,” a political declaration backed by voluntary commitments from governments and stakeholders aimed at improving ocean protection and sustainability.
“With the biggest ocean, the Pacific has the biggest impact on the implementation of this outcome,” Ambassador Fournier said.
He also highlighted international efforts to reverse ocean degradation, including commitments to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 and support for the High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
According to the ambassador, the treaty would play a major role in supporting regional ocean corridor initiatives currently being promoted across the Pacific.
Blue Economy Financing a Key Focus
Ambassador Fournier said financing remained one of the biggest challenges in ocean protection, noting that Sustainable Development Goal 14 — focused on life below water — remained the least funded of all UN Sustainable Development Goals.
He said the Blue Economy and Finance Forum held in Monaco helped accelerate practical financing solutions for ocean conservation and sustainable marine development.
The ambassador also referenced recommendations from the “One Ocean Science Congress,” which brought together 2,000 international scientists ahead of the UN Ocean Conference. Their recommendations, now incorporated into the Nice Ocean Action Plan, included improving scientific knowledge of the deep sea.
France’s Economic Footprint in the Pacific
France also outlined the scale of its economic presence in the Pacific through its territories of New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna, which collectively manage an exclusive economic zone covering 6.5 million square kilometres.
Ambassador Fournier said France spends an average of 5 billion euros annually in the Pacific through these territories, contributing to regional ocean protection and support for Pacific regional organisations.
He said France’s management of its Pacific territories positioned the country as a major contributor to the region’s sustainability, prosperity and security.
The ambassador added that France continued to support conservation, fisheries management and maritime cooperation through active participation in regional organisations.
Fisheries Surveillance and Maritime Security
France also detailed its operational support for Pacific fisheries monitoring and maritime security.
Ambassador Fournier said France supports the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) through the deployment of navy vessels and patrol aircraft in regional operations, representing approximately 130 days at sea and 50 flight hours annually at a cost of 2 million euros per year.
He said French armed forces in the Pacific also organise the large-scale humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise “Croix du Sud” every two years.
The most recent exercise involved 2,000 personnel from 19 countries and territories across the Pacific, with operations extending from New Caledonia to Wallis and Futuna.
France also highlighted the role of Maritime Information Fusion Centres in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, which provide maritime monitoring and operational intelligence support throughout the Pacific.
Marine Protection and Resource Policies
Ambassador Fournier described France’s marine conservation initiatives in the Pacific as “exemplary,” highlighting major marine protected areas and resource management policies.
He said French Polynesia declared its entire 5 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone a marine protected area during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, while Wallis and Futuna is pursuing a similar initiative.
In New Caledonia, the Coral Sea Natural Park — established in 2014 — covers the territory’s entire 1.3 million square kilometre EEZ and includes high-protection nature reserve zones covering 10% of the area.
The ambassador also pointed to New Caledonia’s adoption in April 2025 of a 50-year moratorium on the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources on its continental shelf.
Regional Partnerships and Security Cooperation
France said its regional strategy would continue to focus on strengthening Pacific territories, expanding sovereignty partnerships and supporting regional multilateralism.
Ambassador Fournier said France was also contributing to European Union capacity-building initiatives, including the CRIMARIO III Indo-Pacific maritime security project.
He noted that French maritime and air surveillance assets support broader Pacific efforts against transnational crime, including drug trafficking.
The ambassador cited recent seizures involving New Zealand, Australian and French authorities in New Caledonia, including 2.5 tonnes of drugs and 76 tonnes of cigarettes intercepted during separate operations.
Ambassador Fournier commended Papua New Guinea for convening the Melanesian Ocean Summit, saying the initiative enabled Melanesian countries and regional partners to unite around shared ocean priorities.
He also reaffirmed France’s diplomatic and strategic relationship with Papua New Guinea, referencing PNG’s foreign policy white paper, which described France as both a friend and neighbour.
“We share the same vision; we share the same values. You can count on us,” Ambassador Fournier said.
