The 21st Annual Ministerial meeting of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement was held in Majuro, Marshall Islands from 10 to 12 June 2026. The Honourable Ministers from the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Palau, and Vanuatu attended with their key fisheries officials. Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Naoero were represented, respectively, by a Senior Official and Board Director.
The Ministers were joined for the opening ceremony by H.E. President Dr. Hilda Heine, and welcomed by Mr. Farrend Zackious, Vice Chairman of the Council of Irooj (Chiefs), who was followed by a traditional Marshallese chant performed by Mr. Alson Kelen. The outgoing Chair, Honourable Minister Ribanataake Tiwau from Kiribati, then handed over to Honourable Minister Anthony Muller of Marshall Islands to chair the PNAMIN21 meeting.
The key outcomes from the Ministers’ meeting included:
Positive Progress for PNA
Ministers welcomed the continuing progress of PNA in the management and development of their tuna fisheries reported in the PNAO Annual Report for 2025. These achievements were the outcome of PNA Members working together to achieve common goals in the management and development of their tuna resources and fisheries, supported by a well-organised and well-resourced PNA Office.
Economic Benefits from Tuna Value Chain Participation
Ministers endorsed the PNA Collective Pathway to Tuna Development Initiative framework, emphasizing the priority that they attached to promoting their domestic tuna development, through implementing the East New Britain initiative (ENBi) and other development Initiatives. The Pathway is designed to transition the evolution of PNA from resource control to value chain participation and value addition to market influence, while maximizing economic returns, ensuring sustainability, and delivering equitable benefits to all the PNA Parties and their people.
FSM Arrangement
Ministers confirmed the continuing importance of the Federated States of Micronesia Arrangement (FSMA) as a centrally important instrument for PNA Members for securing enhanced benefits from domestic tuna development. They looked forward to the completion of the review of the FSMA to strengthen the contribution of the FSMA to PNA domestic development aspirations, including aligning the FSMA with the ENBi and other related development initiatives.
Global Tuna Trading Issues
Ministers noted the changes taking place in global tuna trading conditions. PNA Members are potentially vulnerable to difficulties in global tuna trading, because PNA waters provide around 50% of the tuna for canning globally. Ministers appreciated that PNA fisheries and the VDS in particular had proven resilient so far, to changes in tariffs and the effects of conflict in the Middle East, but PNA Members need to be prepared to respond if necessary to any additional emerging adversity, noting the forecast of a strong El Nino.
.... Read more on the attached Communique
Pictured above: 21st PNA Ministerial Meeting in Majuro at the International Convention Center (ICC)