The Strength of the Union Lies in Its Members: Pacific Leaders Unite to Accelerate 30x30 at IUCN Oceania Dialogue

In her opening remarks at the high-level event Charting Pacific Blue: Accelerating 30x30 through Regional Roadmaps and Inclusive Marine Conservation, IUCN Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar welcomed leaders from across the Blue Pacific Continent: Samoa, Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, and IUCN's Oceania team by reaffirming the essence of the Union itself.

More than a policy platform, Dr. Aguilar described IUCN as a living network rooted in local leadership and grounded in collective action. She said our greatest asset lies in who we are: a union of governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, scientific experts, and community voices—coming together as one to speak with one united voice for nature. 

“Today, IUCN has 1400 Members and 18,000 Experts. What is truly remarkable about the Pacific is that the Pacific is the region where conservation is deeply ingrained in the culture here. In Nice, it has been clear that the Pacific is leading on ocean action with historic commitments to expand marine protected areas and new announcements on ratification of the High Seas Treaty,” she said.

Marshall Islands: From Ambition to Action

As the newest State Member of IUCN from Oceania and the Pacific, the Republic of the Marshall Islands highlighted its readiness to contribute to global conservation goals. 

Her Excellency, President Hilda Heine delivered a keynote, grounding the 30x30 target as far more than a number.

"For the Marshall Islands and our Pacific family, the 30 by 30 ambition is not merely a numerical target. It is an act of survival, a search for sovereignty, and a living expression of our stewardship."

She emphasised that Pacific nations are not small island states, but rather "large ocean states" responsible for stewarding vast marine ecosystems. President Heine proudly announced the recent declaration of the National Marine Sanctuaries of Bikar and Bokak, under the Protected Areas Network (PAN) Act, protecting over 48,136 square kilometers of pristine marine and terrestrial habitats.

"These sanctuaries are not just lines on a map. They are living, breathing ecosystems, home to rare seabirds, coral reefs, and migratory species. They are a legacy for our children, a buffer against climate change, and a beacon for global conservation,” she added.

She highlighted the Micronesia Challenge, a regional commitment by Micronesian countries to conserve at least 30% of near-shore marine and 20% of terrestrial resources by 2020, which was extended to 2030 and expanded to 50% and 30%, respectively. This initiative has become a model of locally led and regionally owned conservation.

"The Marshall Islands stands ready, united with our Micronesian and Pacific family, to stand together with the IUCN Union to build a blue future worthy of our ancestors and our descendants."

New Caledonia: A Moratorium for the Future

Hon. Jeremie Katidjo Monnier, Minister of Environment, New Caledonia, spoke about some great interventions as he announced that New Caledonians have officially voted for a moratorium on the exploitation and exploration of our seabed until 2075.

He explained that the 2075 moratorium is the result of extensive consultations with traditional leaders, fishers, miners, environmental groups, NGOs, and scientists. It prohibits both exploitation and exploration, recognizing that exploration is the precursor to mining. However, it supports continued scientific research in New Caledonian waters.

Minister Monnier also emphasised the worth of the Coral Sea Natural Park, a 1.3 million square kilometer protected area, and highlighted recent expansions:

• In 2018, 28,000 km² of integral and natural reserves were created (IUCN categories I and II).
• In 2024, an additional 105,000 km² were added, meaning 10% of New Caledonia’s EEZ is now under strict protection.

These areas now represent a highly protected zone roughly the size of Greece.

New Caledonia also announced its support to the Melanesian Ocean Reserve project, working alongside partners in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and other Melanesian countries. 

Minister Monnier stressed the role of traditional Kanak knowledge, community engagement, and a new Conservation Fund to finance ocean protection sustainably.

"We protect our ocean for our people. The harmony between our tribes and nature is a key to protecting biodiversity."

Samoa: Community Governance and Integrated Action

Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Minister for Environment of Samoa, accentuated the role of indigenous knowledge and customary marine tenure in achieving conservation goals.

"Our villages have governed the sea for generations. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) must strengthen—not replace—those systems."

He urged that 30x30 efforts recognise local leadership and ensure benefits flow to communities. Samoa called for MSP approaches that integrate biodiversity and climate resilience.

Vanuatu: A Melanesian Vision for Marine Sovereignty

Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change, Vanuatu, shared the country's commitment to regional cooperation and indigenous-led conservation.

"Our ocean governance must be rooted in kastom (Bislama word). We have always known how to live in balance with the sea."

He called for a legally binding global instrument for marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and reaffirmed Vanuatu's role in the Melanesian Ocean Reserve.

SPREP: A Backbone for Regional Coordination

Mr. Jope Davetanivalu, Director of Environmental Governance at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), underlined the role of regional institutions in uniting science, policy, and traditional knowledge.

"No single nation can do this alone. SPREP is here to support, to amplify, and to ensure Pacific voices lead global marine policy."

He highlighted SPREP’s technical and policy tools, support for national planning, and commitment to building capacity across the Pacific to implement the 30x30 target.

Closing remarks

Dr. Dindo Campilan, IUCN Regional Director for Asia and Hub Director for Oceania, delivered closing remarks by reiterating the overall message conveyed by speakers and participants -- Asia and the Pacific lead the way when it comes to driving ocean conservation. 

“When we speak of the power of the Union, we often think it lies in Gland, Switzerland. We need to realise that the full power of IUCN lies in its members and constituents around the world in places like the Marshall Islands, our newest State Member, which we are formally welcoming today,” he said.

“We have 350+ members in the Asia and Oceania statutory regions, including over 40 State members and government agencies. Together they are innovating and scaling conservation action rooted in community-led governance to address the intertwined challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.” 

He also challenged the common narrative on gaps in conservation financing: “In this part of the world, I’m not convinced that the immediate issue is lack of financing for nature, as example there are billions of dollars of multilateral finance which are yet to be tapped by Asia-Pacific countries. The challenge is convincing governments to seek investments for nature, and helping countries design bankable projects for high-integrity Nature-based Solutions.”

Finally, he thanked partners and donors for collaborating with and supporting IUCN’s Suva-based Oceania regional team, anchored on a shared commitment to achieve the GBF 30x30 target through inclusive, locally driven efforts in the Pacific.

As we venture into UNOC3, we carry these messages forward—amplifying Pacific leadership and uniting as one voice for our ocean and our future.