Pacific Ocean Initiative launched to protect marine ecosystems

A new regional initiative, the Pacific Ocean Initiative, has been launched in Fiji to enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Supported by an 8 million euro grant from the Agence Française de Développement over five years, the program will be implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Pacific Community (SPC).

The initiative aims to support 18 Pacific Island countries and territories by focusing on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and community-based coastal management. It aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

In a related development, SPREP and Conservation International have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding in Palau. This partnership seeks to accelerate Pacific-led solutions to environmental challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss through collaboration on conservation science, regional leadership, and innovative finance.