Page 39 - IB FEB 2020

PACIFIC CONVERSATION WITH SPREP

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.
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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Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas.
The Conference concludes with a High Level Segment bringing Pacific Island Leaders, Government Ministers and heads of
organisations together to agree on a pathway for Nature Conservation Action for a Resilient Pacific.

Why we must conserve and manage our biodiversity

Our biodiversity supports our livelihood. Sale of seafood products constitutes the first or the second income of an average of
50% of the households of the coastal communities of 17 Pacific countries.

Our biodiversity helps to mitigate climate change. Destroying ocean ecosystems releases carbon. Vegetated coastal habitat loss is
between 0.5% and 3% of their global area each year, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide equivalent to burning 423 billion litres
of petrol. 1

Our biodiversity supports our economies. Healthy ecosystems and protected wildlife supports the tourism industry in the region.
For example, shark viewing tourism in Fiji generates an annual revenue of millions of dollars.

How the 10 Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas will help our biodiversity
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The conference brings together people from across the Pacific region to discuss and contribute to solutions for nature conservation
action. These contributions will inform the new Pacific Islands Framework for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas for beyond
2020, which will guide the conservation efforts of all stakeholders, countries and partners in the Pacific islands region.

Get involved!
Be a part of the solution. Participate in or contribute to the 10 Pacific Islands Conference on Nature
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Conservation and Protected Areas. Learn more or register to attend at www.pacificnatureconference.com

Showcase your projects, initiatives, products or agency. Opportunities are available for exhibition space
or visibility through sponsoring elements of the conference including the 2 Pacific Islands Environmental
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Leadership Awards. Contact pacificconference2020@sprep.org

1 Spalding et al. 2016. Atlas of Ocean Wealth. The Nature Conservancy; Pendleton et al. 2012.

Have your say in the conversation to shape the Framework that
will guide our region towards more effective conservation and
biodiversity management. Download the Attendify App to your
mobile phone and search for ‘10 Pacific Nature Conference’, © Stuart Chape
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create your profile and contribute to the discussion!

PO Box 240 A resilient Pacific environment
Apia, Samoa sustaining our livelihoods and
+685 21929
sprep@sprep.org natural heritage in harmony
www.sprep.org with our cultures. Islands Business, February 2020 39