25 May 2026 - This year’s theme for World Biodiversity Day – "Acting Locally for Global Impact" – emphasises connecting grassroots and community-led conservation initiatives directly with the 23 ambitious targets set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
It is timely then to reflect that, in just over three months, from 7 to 11 September, the region’s conservation practitioners and advocates will meet in New Caledonia for the 11th Pacific Islands Nature Conservation Conference.
The Pacific Nature Conference convened every five years, serves as a vital platform for bringing together diverse stakeholders committed to nature conservation across the region. It fosters collaboration and coordinated action to address environmental challenges including biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change while also responding to emerging threats facing Pacific ecosystems, communities and island economies.
The Conference is grounded in the recognition of the central pillar of nature in addressing the planetary crisis. It emphasises integrated approaches that connect environmental stewardship with people, culture and spirituality, placing nature at the heart of sustainable development and regional resilience.
The 11th Pacific Conference builds upon the legacy of the 10th Conference and its Vermoore Declaration, which affirmed our shared commitment and responsibility to uphold the principles of life – principles that sustain balance and strengthen alliances across our region. This gathering is also a moment for reflection. It reminds us that caring for biodiversity extends beyond conservation alone; it is a moral and spiritual practice. In protecting the web of life, we safeguard the foundations of communal well-being, ensuring that our cultures, livelihoods and ecosystems continue to thrive in harmony.
The 11th Nature Conference will create a space for intergenerational exchange, bringing together Pacific youth and indigenous custodians where the aspirations of younger generations are strengthened by cultural and spiritual grounding.
Grounded in local action, the 11th Nature Conference supports implementation of the Pacific Islands Framework for Nature Conservation (2026- 2030), and strengthens national Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs).
This #WorldBiodiversityDay, let’s come together to co-create practical, realistic actions and partnerships that drive real impact for biodiversity conservation across our Blue Pacific Continent.
Photo - Mangroves and village, Gau island, Fiji © Stuart Chape 2022
The 11th Pacific Islands Nature Conservation Conference will be held in New Caledonia from 7 to 11 September 2026. Contact linad@sprep.org for more information. Registration information will be released soon.