Pacific Voices Lead the Way at UNOC3: IUCN Oceania Supports Tiaki Moana Side Event in Villefranche-sur-Mer

Over 200 participants from 22 Pacific Island nations and territories, including 42 Young Pacific Leaders, gathered in March 2025 for the Tiaki Moana Summit — an unprecedented regional gathering exploring inclusive and culturally grounded pathways for marine protection. At UNOC3, these stories came to life through the launch of a report and the premiere of a new documentary, Tiaki Moana: Pacific Wisdom and Community Action for Ocean Protection.

At the side event, IUCN Oceania was represented on the panel by Rahul Chand, Programme Coordinator for Protected and Conserved Areas. He spoke on the growing importance of creating shared spaces for Pacific communities and youth to engage with global conservation frameworks. 

“The idea was to bring everyone together, learn from their experiences, and explore how the Pacific can better contribute to the work of IUCN,” Mr. Chand said. “In the region, we are still learning what IUCN's concept of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) really means in practice so this was a valued opportunity to learn and exchange.”

He noted that one of the most powerful aspects of the Summit was the role played by young professionals from across the region. 

“These are the future leaders,” he continued. “It was inspiring to hear what their aspirations are, what they believe in, and how they see the future of ocean protection. As one young participant put it — ‘We are not just aligning with policy — we protect the ocean because it is our birthright.’

“We supported the Tiaki Moana journey to listen, learn and co-create solutions alongside Pacific youth and communities,” Mr. Chand said.

“They don’t need permission to protect the ocean. For many, it's a matter of identity, of survival. That level of connection is something we can all learn from,” Mr. Chand added. “These kinds of insights are crucial — they help shape how IUCN can support locally grounded action in the Pacific.”

Bridging Science, Tradition and Governance through BIOPAMA

Mr. Chand also highlighted how programmes like BIOPAMA (Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management) support Pacific-led conservation initiatives.

“BIOPAMA has been instrumental in improving the quality of protected areas across the region,” he explained. “Through site-level assessments and governance evaluations, we’re helping communities strengthen management systems and ensure that conservation efforts reflect both scientific knowledge and traditional practices.”

“We’ve built a strong network of partners who are sharing lessons from modern governance frameworks to traditional approaches rooted in Indigenous knowledge. That’s the power of collaboration, and that’s what BIOPAMA is helping to unlock in the Pacific,” Mr. Chand said.

The event also featured views from SPREP’s Director of Environmental Governance, Jope Davetanivalu, and James Nikitine, founder and CEO of Blue Cradle Foundation, who reflected on the power of partnerships and community-based leadership.

“Tiaki Moana was much more than a summit —it was a spark,” Mr. Nikitine said.

“We are proud to work with IUCN Oceania and SPREP to ensure that Pacific voices are heard, and that Indigenous knowledge leads ocean action.”

Blue Cradle became an official IUCN Member in October 2023, with a focus on conservation that connects global and local efforts. IUCN Oceania, based in Suva, Fiji, works with its members, Pacific governments, and partners like SPREP to support Pacific voices in ocean protection and decision-making. 

Following the film screening and panel discussion, Mr. Jope Davetanivalu, said, “I am glad to be here with our partner agency, the IUCN Oceania Regional Office. This shows the strength of our partnership in promoting and protecting biodiversity in the Pacific region.”

He added, “We are happy to connect and work alongside other partners behind this initiative. Through SPREP and IUCN, good progress has been made, especially with the BIOPAMA programme.”

Supporting Pacific Conservation through BIOPAMA

The BIOPAMA Programme is a €60 million initiative of the European Union and the ACP Group of States, implemented by IUCN and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC). BIOPAMA enhances long-term conservation by supporting access to high-quality data, strengthening capacity, and promoting good governance in protected and conserved areas.

In the Pacific, IUCN Oceania plays a major role in implementing BIOPAMA, collaborating with SPREP and regional observatories to improve site management, monitoring systems, and decision-making processes. The programme helps national and local groups use science, traditional knowledge, and community needs especially for OECMs and locally managed marine areas. 

With the energy of World Oceans Day and the UN Ocean Conference, IUCN Oceania continues to work with Pacific communities to protect the ocean, support fair and inclusive conservation, and help reach the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.