The ecosystems of the Pacific are essential to the region’s environmental health, economic sustainability, and cultural heritage. To strengthen biodiversity conservation and align with national development priorities, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, in collaboration with environmental agencies from Fiji, Nauru, and Tonga, has launched the “Responding to Pacific Priorities for Ecosystem Management and NBSAP Implementation” project. Supported by the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) Project Preparation Grant (PPG), this initiative will enhance biodiversity planning, monitoring, and policy integration across the region.
The inception meeting brought together government officials, UNDP specialists, and international consultants, laying the foundation for a four-year project supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for North Pacific Office Kevin Petrini set the tone for the discussions by emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard the Pacific’s rich biodiversity: “Our region’s ecosystems are among the most diverse in the world,” he remarked. “Strengthening governance and conservation efforts is critical to maintaining biodiversity while supporting national development objectives.”
