The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through the Promoting Pacific Island Nature-based Solutions (PPIN) Project, has successfully completed and officially handed over three major policy outputs to support the mainstreaming of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) within Fiji's policy and governance systems.
The policy outputs were formally launched during the SPREP-PPIN Regional Reflection and Fiji Policy Handover Event in June. Together, they provide new tools to strengthen customary land governance, coastal resilience, forestry planning, and environmental decision making.
"These three policy outputs reflect years of collaboration between government agencies, customary land institutions, technical experts, communities and development partners,” said Mr Amena Yavouli, SPREP Director of the Fiji Office and Biodiversity Conservation during the handover ceremony.
“The launch represents an important milestone in advancing Nature-based Solutions policy in Fiji. Together they provide practical guidance to strengthen environmental governance and support more resilient and sustainable development across Fiji."
The three policy outputs comprise:
• Natural Resource and Environmental Management Policy for the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB);
• National Policy Framework Assessment on Nature-based Solutions for Coastal Resilience and Forestry Sectors in Fiji; and
• Policy Briefing Paper on the National Policy Framework Assessment for Nature-based Solutions in Fiji.
Collectively, these support the integration of Nature-based Solutions into policy, planning, investment, and land management across multiple sectors, while supporting Fiji's climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development objectives.
Mr. Yauvoli noted that while the formal handover marks the completion of the PPIN policy development process, the real value of the work will be realised through implementation.
"The value of these outputs will be realised through their application, helping to inform policy, planning, investment and land management decisions in the years ahead."
A key highlight of the event was the official handover of the Natural Resource and Environmental Management Policy to the iTaukei Land Trust Board.
The policy represents a significant institutional milestone as the first dedicated Natural Resource and Environmental Management Policy developed by TLTB in its 86-year history. It also marks a regional first for SPREP through the PPIN Project, representing the first Nature-based Solutions policy developed specifically for a customary land management institution in a Pacific Island country.
Developed under the SPREP component of the PPIN Project, the policy provides a framework for integrating Nature-based Solutions into the management of iTaukei land, which accounts for approximately 91 percent of Fiji's land area. It will support environmental stewardship while embedding environmental safeguards across land leasing and natural resource management.
"Being a statutory body, TLTB has proudly developed its own policies for the past 86 years, yet this new policy is the first in which the Board has opened its doors to formal collaboration and partnership in the development of this Policy," said Mr. Solomoni Nata the Chief Executive Officer of TLTB.
Mr. Nata said the policy reflects the Board's commitment to balancing sustainable development with responsible environmental stewardship for the benefit of both iTaukei landowners and tenants.
"At TLTB, our business involves leasing iTaukei land and herein lies our need to have a policy that will provide a reference tool for the governing and the administration of all natural resources on iTaukei land."
In a recorded message, Mr. John Clemo, Senior Development Adviser, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade reaffirmed New Zealand's commitment to strengthening Nature-based Solutions across the Pacific through the PPIN partnership.
"New Zealand recognises that it is more important than ever to safeguard our natural resources and build resilience. "There is a huge, missed opportunity if we do not embed Nature-based Solutions and climate resilience across all sectors of our economy."
He commended SPREP and the PPIN partnership for delivering practical policy tools that will support countries to continue mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions into national planning and decision making.
The launch and handover ceremony of the three policies took place on 26 June 2026 at The Pearl Resort in Fiji.
The Promoting Pacific Island Nature-based Solutions (PPIN) project works across Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. It is funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). PPIN seeks to support the development of policy and legislation for Nature- based Solutions (NbS), build regional awareness and capacity, and strengthen regional cooperation amongst Pacific Island countries on NbS. PPIN is managed by IUCN in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).