Indigenous communities play a critical role in conservation efforts, says Pacific Director of WWF-Pacific Dr Mark Drew.
In opening the ‘Oceania First Voices Workshop Empowers Indigenous Conservation Efforts’, held at the Holiday Inn in Suva, Dr Mark said a recent report titled ‘The State of Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ Lands and Territories provided obvious evidence that addressing the triple planetary crisis, climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution required the full inclusion of Indigenous and local communities.
“WWF-International is committed to redefining our conservation agenda to be more inclusive and just, with robust collaboration with indigenous peoples and local communities at its core,” he said.
The forum, themed “One Voice, One People, One World,” has brought together traditional community leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji.
