In September 2024, Daphney Kiki, the CEESP Young Professional Focal Point for Oceania, attended the Oceania Regional Conservation Forum (ORCF) hosted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Suva, Fiji. This gathering included passionate environmentalists, Indigenous leaders, government officials, NGOs, youth activists, and faith-based organizations from across the Pacific. Here she shares what she gained from the experience.
The forum opened with a powerful focus on climate resilience, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the climate crisis through nature-based solutions. Pacific island nations, among the most vulnerable to climate change, are at the forefront of this fight. Upfront, it was clear that the voices of Indigenous peoples are central to the discussion, resonating deeply with me as a Papua New Guinean and advocate for integrating indigenous knowledge with modern conservation practices.
One standout session was on marine biodiversity and ocean conservation, which highlighted the Pacific Ocean’s role in sustaining life for islands and the world. This conversation struck close to home, as the health of our oceans is tied to the livelihoods of many coastal communities in Papua New Guinea and the broader Pacific. Insights on innovative marine protection policies and community-driven marine conservation programs gave me valuable ideas to enhance my advocacy work.
