Former Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has moderated a regional discussion in New Caledonia examining the role of customary leadership and traditional knowledge in protecting the Pacific Ocean.
The discussion, “Customary Leadership in Ocean Governance”, was held in Nouméa on 8 September as a side event of the 11th Pacific Islands Conference for Nature Conservation. It was convened by the Blue Nature Alliance, a global ocean conservation partnership co-founded by Conservation International.
According to Conservation International Pacific Islands, the session brought together Pacific voices to discuss how customary governance systems, traditional knowledge and community leadership can strengthen marine conservation.
The discussion covered conservation ranging from coastal waters and community-managed areas to large-scale marine protected areas.
Fiame moderated the session in her role as an Arnhold Distinguished Fellow with Conservation International.
Conservation International appointed Fiame to the fellowship programme on 26 August, saying her work would focus particularly on Pacific and climate-vulnerable communities, ocean and coastal ecosystems and ensuring conservation efforts were informed by Indigenous knowledge systems.
The panel included Ailé Tikoure of Vision Kanak de l’Ocean in New Caledonia, Samoa’s Matai Ifopo Fritz Yahnke, Olive Va’ai, Pacific Regional Coordinator for the High Seas Alliance, and Schannel van Dijken of Conservation International Aotearoa.
Conservation International said the discussion reinforced the importance for Samoa of customary leadership and community stewardship in the development of its Coastal Marine Protected Area Network, including ensuring conservation decisions reflect local priorities and knowledge.
The wider conference was held at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa from 7 to 11 September, bringing together governments, Indigenous leaders, conservation practitioners, researchers and community representatives from across the Pacific.
Customary leadership and Indigenous knowledge featured prominently throughout the conference, with organisers emphasising that Pacific communities should play a central role in determining conservation priorities and managing their lands and waters.
The conference also considered the Pacific Regional Framework for Nature Conservation 2026–2030 and wider regional approaches to biodiversity protection, climate resilience and sustainable management of the Pacific’s natural environment.
This story is based on information published by Conservation International Pacific Islands and the official 11th Pacific Islands Conference for Nature Conservation programme.
