Date:  27 November 2020

The 10th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas is taking place this week across the Pacific. 

Minister of Conservation Kiritapu Allan says New Zealand has a long history of working with Pacific partners to deliver meaningful conservation benefits in the region.

“New Zealand’s approach to nature conservation closely aligns with challenges and priorities being discussed at this conference.

“We can share knowledge with our Pacific partners including our experience with initiatives such as the Jobs for Nature programme to create nature-based job opportunities and the Predator Free 2050 strategy to rid the country of the most damaging introduced predators.”

Representatives from 21 Pacific island country governments, donor partners, NGOs and others are gathering virtually to agree on ways to help build a more resilient Pacific, with the natural world at its heart.

The Vemööre Declaration sets out commitments to nature conservation action in the Pacific Islands region for the next four years.

“New Zealand has a long history of working with our Pacific partners to share knowledge and deliver meaningful conservation benefits in the region,” Kiritapu Allan said.

“This declaration provides valuable guidance for us and all partners in the region as we unify in our efforts to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.”

As part of our commitment to conservation action in the Pacific, New Zealand is contributing to the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) through a four-year programme. 

“We believe our longer-term work in PRISMSS will be a game changer, addressing the increasing threat of invasive species to the Pacific region’s environmental and economic wellbeing.  We have experience to share and much to learn from the approaches of our Pacific partners,” Kiritapu Allan said.

Background information

Vemööre is a term in the Kwényï language from the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, which refers to making something viable. New Caledonia is the host government for 10th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

The conference takes place every five years to prioritise threats to the environment, to help build regional nature conservation capacity and knowledge, and for partners to commit to action.

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