The presentation ceremony of the inaugural Pacific Islands Environmental Leadership Awards was held at the FMF National Gymnasium on the evening of 2nd December. Award winners of the inaugural awards categories were:
| PIELA Category | Awarded to: |
| Excellence in National Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Conservation | Ian Karika (Cook Islands) |
| Ratu Aisea Katonivere Award for Excellence in Community Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Conservation (Individual Category) Ratu Aisea Katonivere Award for Excellence in Community Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Conservation (Community/Group Category) |
Manuai Matawai (Papua New Guinea) Nguna-Pele Marine and Land Protected Area Network (Vanuatu) |
| Champion of the Pacific Environment | H.E. President Tommy Remengesau, Jr (Palau) |
| Lifetime achievement for excellence in Pacific environmental leadership | Audrey Newman (Hawaii) Professor Randy Thaman (Fiji) Professor Bill Aalbersberg (Fiji) |