Pacific Island Leaders Unite on Nature-Based Action at IUCN World Conservation Congress

Three high-level side events hosted by the Promoting Pacific Islands Nature-based Solutions (PPIN) initiative showcased the region’s leadership in integrating NbS into finance, policy, and global standards. The sessions were opened by Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, Fiji’s Minister for Climate Change and Environment, and Sione Akau’ola, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Environment (MEIDECC), and attended by Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change, alongside regional and international partners.

“Nature-based Solutions must be central to how we plan, finance, and deliver resilience in the Pacific,” said Minister Bulitavu. “Pacific nations are on the frontlines of climate change, but we are also on the frontlines of solutions. Through nature, we find both strength and strategy.”

The three events focused on key areas for scaling up Pacific NbS:

• Finance for NbS explored how to unlock funding through green finance, climate funds, and blended financing.

• Applying IUCN’s Global NbS Standard emphasized the need for high integrity, credible NbS aligned with international best practice.

• Policy and Practice highlighted the importance of embedding NbS into national laws and community-based approaches.

“NbS is part of our Pacific identity,” said Sione Akau’ola. “We are drawing from tradition and science to protect our islands, and we need partnerships and finance to match our ambition.”

The PPIN events reinforced the political commitment of Pacific leaders to act decisively and collaboratively. Countries shared experiences from national strategies, legal reforms, and grassroots projects already underway.

The sessions were convened and coordinated by Vinay Singh, IUCN’s Regional NbS Programmes Coordinator, highlighting “The Pacific is not waiting. We’re moving with purpose, guided by shared values, standards, and leadership. These events showed that our leaders are united, ambitious, and ready to scale nature-based action.”

“Seeds planted through PPIN, if nurtured with care and commitment, will grow into forests of lasting change across the Pacific,” said Singh. “Like our ancestors who planted trees knowing they’d never sit in their shade, we act today so that future generations can stand tall in their shelter.”

The PPIN initiative, supported by the New Zealand Government and implemented by IUCN in partnership with SPC, SPREP, and GGGI, is helping Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu integrate NbS across governance, finance, and implementation.

As the Congress concluded, Pacific voices sent a clear message – “investing in nature is the solution and Pacific is leading the way”.