Nia Tero 2022 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 31
REGIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Nia Tero provides an opportunity for me as an
Indigenous person of the area to strengthen
leadership of the Indigenous group, and prepare our
community to understand global challenges that will impact
Indigenous communities here in the Solomon Islands.
~ FRED CONNING
Solomon Islands
PASIFIKA ACHIEVEMENTS
Indigenous guardianship of islands and
oceans is vital to the health of the Pasifika
region, and in 2022 we furthered our work
to elevate the influence of Pasifika identity in
shaping policy and action on guardianship.
The Sky Islands Pledge has continued to
resonate in subnational expressions of
Indigenous agency across the domains of
education, regulation, and investment
in Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands Ocean Guardianship side
events at UN convenings in Lisbon, New York,
and Egypt helped garner support for Pasifika
values-based ocean mapping processes in the
Solomon Islands. These efforts have helped to
influence regional policy, including deep-sea
mining moratoria, Indigenous values being
considered in large-scale ocean conservation
planning, and direct access to climate finance
for Indigenous communities.
At the same time, the Mt. Panie Kauri reserve
in Kanaky/New Caledonia has expanded, and
traditional learning centers were established
at Hatahobei (Helen Reef) and the Hatahobei
community in Koror, Palau. Additionally, plans
are in place to establish partnerships and
centers in six more communities in Palau and
the Federated States of Micronesia over the
next two years, furthering our commitment.
We sustained our firm commitment to Sepik
River Peoples living in Papua New Guinea
who stood in opposition to the Frieda River
mine and in support of guardianship of
the river, with backing from the provincial
government. Save the Sepik campaign
lodged a complaint with the Australian
National Contact Point for Responsible
Business, which was signed by over 2500
Sepik River People to increase pressure on
mining company, Pan Aust. We’re hopeful for
a favorable ruling affirming the importance of
Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
In addition to the specific guardianship work
in the rich reef systems in remote areas of
Koror, Palau, our Pasifika team has been
active on the Palau National Marine Spatial
Planning Steering Committee. Through our
direct support of pelagic fisheries and marine
planning reform as part of maintaining Palau's
leadership in large-scale ocean guardianship,
our team is ensuring that lessons learned across
Indigenous-led Pacific Island States directly
inform large-scale Marine Spatial Planning.
THRIVING PEOPLES. THRIVING PLACES.
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