Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jnr, Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee has called on the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to adopt a restricted approach to international partnerships in the country’s maritime space, citing growing regional security concerns.
He issued the call during Parliament’s Motion of Sine Die, warning that Solomon Islands must remain vigilant as global interest in maritime spaces increases.
He acknowledged that technological advancements have made partnerships increasingly important but cautioned against opening the country’s vast maritime domain to multiple external actors.
“When it comes to partnership, I for one would support a restricted partnership, particularly in the area of our maritime space,” he said.
“We have a lot of partners who might want to be involved, but we need to be very careful and very restrictive in that big space.”
He warned that developments in other parts of the world, particularly in the North Pacific, demonstrate how contested maritime spaces can become flashpoints for the competing interests of larger nations.
“We don’t want to attract what might be happening in other parts of the world, where contested space becomes an area where the behaviour of larger countries becomes an issue,” Kenilorea said.
He urged the government to remain focused on maritime security by considering a limited number of trusted partners, or even a single partner of choice, with whom Solomon Islands can work closely under clearly defined arrangements.
“It’s very important that we don’t open up this space too much and allow ourselves to become a playground for those who seek to use it for their own interests,” he said. “We must be vigilant in our maritime space.”
Kenilorea also highlighted increasing concerns over transboundary crime, including the movement of illicit drugs and other criminal activities across maritime borders.
“Let us continue to watch that space and encourage the government to sign up to international conventions, particularly those addressing transboundary crime and the need for cooperation,” he said.
He noted that concern among observers about maritime security is likely to intensify in the coming years, making early and decisive action critical.
“Therefore, the focus needs to be there, and I would encourage GNUT to look into this very urgently and ensure that our maritime space is secured,” he said.
Kenilorea further linked maritime security to the management of wharves and ports, describing them as issues of national interest that must be protected from undue influence.
“It is important that we do not allow this to be hijacked by other interests—business or special interests,” he said. “We must view it through a national lens, particularly when it comes to entries into the country.”
He acknowledged the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) as the mandated body responsible for managing ports and said he supports maintaining SIPA’s role in overseeing national entry points.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
