A US$4 million investment from the Bezos Earth Fund will support Fiji in moving from marine conservation commitments to practical implementation, with the Government and conservation partners meeting in Suva to review progress and plan the next phase of delivery.
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Sivendra Michael, joined Ministry officials and representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Conservation International (CI) and the Bezos Earth Fund at the project coordination meeting.
The meeting focused on catalyzing Fiji’s 30×30 Commitment: New Marine Protected Areas, Strengthened Management and Sustainable Finance initiative, a five-year programme supported by the Bezos Earth Fund that will help translate Fiji’s ocean commitments into practical conservation outcomes through marine spatial planning, strengthened management, sustainable financing and community enterprise grants.
The initiative is designed to ensure that marine conservation is implemented in a manner that respects customary rights, traditional knowledge, local management practices, cultural values and food security needs, while delivering lasting benefits for communities alongside biodiversity conservation.
Partners reviewed progress across key areas of work, including the development of Fiji’s Marine Spatial Plan and designation of new marine protected areas, strengthening fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance, establishing sustainable financing mechanisms, and implementing community enterprise grants designed to ensure that conservation outcomes are linked with practical community benefits. The grants will support nature-positive, community-led blue economy enterprises that provide sustainable livelihood opportunities while reducing pressure on protected areas, including responsible aquaculture and mariculture and eco-tourism.
The meeting also reaffirmed the strong partnership between Government, development partners and conservation organizations in advancing Fiji’s ocean agenda while ensuring Indigenous Peoples and local communities remain at the center of decision-making through the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change acknowledges the continued support of the Bezos Earth Fund and all implementing partners in working together to deliver practical, inclusive and sustainable ocean management that protects Fiji’s rich marine biodiversity while supporting resilient coastal communities for generations to come.