At the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort, participants of the Indo-Pacific Environmental Security Forum (IPESF 24) visited the communities of Naidiri and Malomalo to see their efforts in conserving marine reserves.
Dr. Sivendra Michael, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, noted that the fieldwork provides participants with a real-world perspective, helping them grasp the issues facing the Pacific region.
The IPESF addresses various environmental security concerns, including the impacts of invasive species, wildlife crime, and the effects of climate change on food security.
“The program contextualizes broad issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss by emphasizing the increasing challenges of food security,” said Dr. Michael.
The Naidiri community, noticing a decline in fish stocks, proactively created a proposal and reached out to the government for assistance.
They approached the government in 2022, which led to support for facilities and equipment to establish a marine biodiversity park.
The Permanent Secretary highlighted that the initiative taken by the villages to create this biodiversity park after witnessing a significant drop in marine resources sets a positive example for other communities.
He mentioned that the biodiversity park is now generating income for the local people, offering a model that participants at the IPESF can replicate in their own countries.