A Roundtable For Pacific Conservation

Within those boundaries, just two percent of land plays home to some eight million Pacific islanders, who share forest ecosystems, tiny volcanic islands and low lying coral atolls with a disproportionate number of endemic and threatened flora and fauna. Many of these life forms face an uncertain future. Nature conservationists say the reasons are all too obvious and familiar.

Over-development, over harvesting, poor planning and fiscal greed have put many ecosystems under huge pressure. Finite natural resources for small island developing countries at unsustainable levels means conservation alternatives need to be closely examined. Given that so much of the current dilemma has been caused by humans, the need to create stronger partnerships between environmental policy and those of the governments, private sector and business has become a priority. This mainstreaming of the environment is crucial if the Pacific is to have any chance of conserving its unique fauna and flora into the future.

In response the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has come up with a regional Action Strategy for Nature Conservation. The strategy details collective conservation concerns, and provides a framework for coordinating responses. At the helm of this activity is a group of donors, NGOs, regional organizations and governments known as the Roundtable for Nature Conservation. Considered one of the region's most influential conservation networks, the Roundtable has 30 member organizations led by ten working groups that focus on key strategic areas.

The Pacific, one of the world’s richest habitats, is now the focus of a regional Action Strategy For Nature Conservation. Photo: Courtesy SPREP

SPREP Action Strategy Advisor, Kate Brown says the key to achieving the goals and strategy of the Roundtable is through strong networks, and partnership between the government, private sector and conservation groups.

"This action strategy is built on the principles of collaboration and partnerships-everyone has a shared responsibility for implementing the activities and action in the region. Without trying to sound melodramatic this situation is getting worse by the day"

A roundtable meeting in Papua New Guinea recently brought those concerns to the fore with delegates calling for more commitment with their conservation efforts.

The gathering made positive progress in strengthening partnerships and collaboration with national and regional activities. Prior to the Roundtable meeting, the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP) coordinators met to highlight national priority areas and plans for nature conservation.

NBSAP chairperson Tepa Suaesi says delegates were highly aware of the importance of collaboration and what is now at stake.

"This Roundtable allowed us to discuss ways to improve the use of limited resources, and focus on supporting communities, the immediate beneficiaries of conservation efforts in the region," he says.

While solid progress is being made, Tepa believes that much work needs to be done to ensure that all Pacific communities benefit from the alliances.

"There is great potential to further develop this collaboration in a more systematic manner to benefit local communities, and nature conservation people in the region."

Members of the Roundtable include The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, NZAID, Macarthur Foundation, Packard Foundation, and Bishop Museum. These groups meet on an annual basis to examine progress, gaps and issues in the Action Strategy and to highlight priority areas for the following year.