by Kiwiana Ngabung – EM TV Online
Conservation International (CI) is a non-government organisation that empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature. Their work is global, from working with villages through to Presidents and high-ranking CEOs. CI has been working in the Pacific Islands region for around 20 years.
CI has now gone into a financial partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) to support the operation of the Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape (FPO). This framework has been created to conserve the vast ocean and islands for generations to come.
An amount of USD $225,000 was presented to PIFS Secretary General and Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dame Meg Taylor.
“In the Pacific, the ocean is integral to our economies, livelihoods and societies as people of the sea. This funding will help us establish much needed support to raise awareness of the need for immediate action to protect our most precious resource.”
The primary purpose of the funding is to support the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commission; to provide high level accounts and advocacy of ocean priorities in the Pacific at regional and international levels. In addition, the funding will assist to coordinate the application and execution of the Pacific’s ocean policy frameworks.
Sue Taei, Executive Director of CI’s New Zealand and Pacific Islands Programme said: “this new CI funding will enable the commissioner and her staff to better engage in key regional and international ocean forums, and help unite the voice of the Pacific Islands region for better management of our ocean.”
