Page 38 - IB FEB 2020

PACIFIC CONVERSATION WITH SPREP
SPREP Advertorial
NATURE CONSERVATION ACTION

FOR A RESILIENT PACIFIC

10 Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas
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Our biodiversity is in trouble as it declines across our region at an alarming rate. We must act now to ensure conservation
management of our biodiversity, which is critical for our Pacific islands to be resilient and able to adapt to a changing world.
Be a part of the solution! Nature From 19–24 April this year in Noumea, New Caledonia, hundreds of people will be coming together at the 10 Pacific Islands
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Conservation Action for a Resilient Pacific Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas.
The Conference concludes with a High Level Segment bringing Pacific Island Leaders, Government Ministers and heads of
Without a healthy Pacific biodiversity, our Pacific resilience is threatened. organisations together to agree on a pathway for Nature Conservation Action for a Resilient Pacific.

Why we must conserve and manage our biodiversity
Our Pacific biodiversity is at the core of
our cultural identity. It feeds us, protects Our biodiversity supports our livelihood. Sale of seafood products constitutes the first or the second income of an average of
us, helps us mitigate climate change, and 50% of the households of the coastal communities of 17 Pacific countries.
supports our livelihoods and economies.
We must do all we can to protect our Our biodiversity helps to mitigate climate change. Destroying ocean ecosystems releases carbon. Vegetated coastal habitat loss is
biodiversity. between 0.5% and 3% of their global area each year, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide equivalent to burning 423 billion litres
The decline in biodiversity across the of petrol. 1
Pacific continues at an alarming rate
and contributes to the high levels of loss Our biodiversity supports our economies. Healthy ecosystems and protected wildlife supports the tourism industry in the region.
globally. Effective conservation and For example, shark viewing tourism in Fiji generates an annual revenue of millions of dollars.
management of biodiversity is critical for
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ensuring our Pacific islands are resilient How the 10 Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas will help our biodiversity
and can adapt to a changing world.
Helping to map out a way we can do The conference brings together people from across the Pacific region to discuss and contribute to solutions for nature conservation
this across the Pacific islands region action. These contributions will inform the new Pacific Islands Framework for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas for beyond
through conservation action is at the core 2020, which will guide the conservation efforts of all stakeholders, countries and partners in the Pacific islands region.
of the 10th Pacific Islands Conference Isle of Pines, New Caledonia. Photo: Stuart Chape
on Nature Conservation and Protected Get involved!
Areas in Noumea, New Caledonia from biodiversity and participants at the 10th To learn more about the 10th
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19 – 24 April. Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Be a part of the solution. Participate in or contribute to the 10 Pacific Islands Conference on Nature
Held every five to six years, this Conservation and Protected Areas will Conservation and Protected Areas Conservation and Protected Areas. Learn more or register to attend at www.pacificnatureconference.com
conference forms a Pacific island regional map the way forward for how we can best please visit pacificnatureconference.
framework which guides all biodiversity to do this. com. From this site you can learn more Showcase your projects, initiatives, products or agency. Opportunities are available for exhibition space
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conservation priorities and activities so about registration, the different sessions or visibility through sponsoring elements of the conference including the 2 Pacific Islands Environmental
that our Pacific needs are addressed, The conference contributions from and speakers, and opportunities to get Leadership Awards. Contact pacificconference2020@sprep.org
working together with partners, avoiding delegates will span the six themes of: involved, sponsor or exhibit during the
duplication and ensuring effective use of 1. People and nature conservation Conference. 1 Spalding et al. 2016. Atlas of Ocean Wealth. The Nature Conservancy; Pendleton et al. 2012.
resources. action You can also keep up to date with
Our biodiversity feeds us. A healthy, 2. Economic development and happenings of the 10th Pacific Islands
well-managed reef can yield between biodiversity conservation Conference on Nature Conservation and Have your say in the conversation to shape the Framework that
5 and 15 tons of fish and seafood per 3. Safeguarding priority sites Protected Areas by downloading the will guide our region towards more effective conservation and
square kilometer per year. 4. Safeguarding species and genetic Attendify mobile app and searching for biodiversity management. Download the Attendify App to your
Our biodiversity protects us. Wetlands diversity “10th Pacific Nature Conference” and mobile phone and search for ‘10 Pacific Nature Conference’, © Stuart Chape
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are a cheaper, more effective, and 5. Threats to biodiversity creating your profile to join up. create your profile and contribute to the discussion!
more biodiversity-friendly alternative for 6. Monitoring, governing and financing This is much more than just another
coastal resilience than construction of nature conservation action. conference, it’s our think-tank for
hard infrastructure. Seawalls support solutions and nature conservation action
23% lower biodiversity and 45% fewer There will also be three cross-cutting we can all do for a resilient Pacific. Join
organisms than natural shorelines. themes: islands, ocean and traditional us and be part of the solution - our Pacific PO Box 240 A resilient Pacific environment
We must do all we can to protect our knowledge. way of life depends upon it. Apia, Samoa sustaining our livelihoods and
+685 21929
sprep@sprep.org natural heritage in harmony
38 Islands Business, February 2020 www.sprep.org with our cultures.