The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Susana Lomani Waqainabete-Tuisese as Regional Director of the IUCN Oceania Regional Office (ORO), based in Suva, Fiji. Susana assumes this leadership role at a pivotal moment for the Oceania region as countries continue to strengthen action on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable development efforts. Her appointment reflects IUCN’s continued commitment to Pacific-led leadership and strong regional partnerships.
A proud Fijian national with over thirty years of experience in conservation and sustainable development, Susana brings deep regional expertise and a strong record of working alongside governments, communities and partners. Most recently, she served as Vice President and Senior Director for the Pacific Islands Ocean Programme at Conservation International, where she provided strategic oversight and strengthened partnerships across multiple Pacific Island countries. From 2011, she served as Country Programme Director for Fiji. Earlier in her career, she held the position of Conservator of Forests within Fiji’s Ministry of Forestry and gained valuable private-sector experience within the pine industry.
