26 October 2024, Cali, Colombia – In a demonstration of regional solidarity at the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), Colombia, the "One Pacific - One People, One Ocean" side event showcased innovative conservation initiatives aimed at addressing biodiversity loss in the Pacific region.
Hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) on 26 October 2024, the event brought together conservationists, development partners, private sector and representatives of the Pacific region to highlight innovative strategies for combating biodiversity loss. Showcasing collaborative efforts and locally managed initiatives, the event emphasised the critical need for unity in preserving the Pacific ecosystems and ensuring adequate resourcing to support these initiatives.
Principal Terrestrial Biodiversity Conservation Officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Samoa, Ms Czarina Iese Stowers shared insights on successful national projects, emphasising the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation practices.
“In Samoa, we are empowering our communities to conserve and sustainably use our natural resources. By combining our traditional knowledge into our conservation practices, we create co-benefits for both our communities and the environment”, she said.
Ms Iese Stowers also stressed the Pacific islands urgent need for increased financial and technical support tailored specifically to support implementation of island biodiversity conservation programmes at the national level. “Without adequate resourcing, our efforts to combat biodiversity loss can fail leaving vulnerable ecosystems and communities who use these ecosystems at risk”.
Another key focus was the importance of community-based management and monitoring. Acting Principal Officer of the Biodiversity Conservation Division for the Vanuatu Department of Environment, Mr Dean Launder shared examples of local initiatives that have successfully contributed to biodiversity conservation and monitoring in Vanuatu.
““We have developed monitoring tools, and provided local expert trainings to empower communities to engage and be involved in our National Environmental monitoring programmes, through collection of biodiversity data”, he said. These efforts not only empower communities but also draw on traditional knowledge and practices, fostering a connection between communities and the environment.
The event also underscored the vital role of Pacific youth in biodiversity decision-making. Ms Camari Divuniwaqa from Fiji called for initiatives that support youth involvement in biodiversity projects, encouraging a new generation of leaders committed to preserving the unique heritage of the Pacific. She said, “engaging young people in conservation efforts is essential for ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems and fostering a sense of responsibility for the environment”.
SPREP Director General, Mr Sefanaia Nawadra in the opening session highlighted the need for unified approaches in the Pacific to address our challenges in biodiversity conservation. “The Pacific Ocean is central to our cultures, our economies and our livelihoods and must be protected at all costs for our future generations. We must raise our ambition and allocate the necessary resources for the conservation of our oceans and rich marine biodiversity”.
“One of our strengths as Pacific islands is our regionalism. We share a strong regional identity because it is a necessity for us. We are small islands, our administrations and populations are small, so we share our expertise and our strengths. This is important in this context to ensure a unified Pacific voice in advocating for our needs at COP16”, Mr Nawadra said.
The side event not only served as a platform for sharing success stories but also fostered collaboration among participants through talanoa, reinforcing the message that united efforts are essential for safeguarding the Pacific's diverse ecosystems for future generations. Through these discussions, the event highlighted the interconnectedness of biodiversity and community engagement, as well as the importance of a unified Pacific voice at the CBD COP16.
The Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) is held in Cali, Columbia from 21 October – 1 November 2024. COP 16 will be the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP 15 in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Governments will be tasked with reviewing the state of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Parties to the Convention are expected to show the alignment of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the Framework.
Fourteen Pacific Islands countries are Party to the CBD, they are contributing to a unified One Pacific Voice on collective issues at COP16, these are Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), support to Pacific island countries has been implemented with technical input through the Pacific Community (SPC), Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) and includes a One Pacific approach with financial assistance from the Government of New Zealand and the ACP MEA Phase 3 Project funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States for the ACP countries.
For more information on the CBD COP16 please visit: https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024