Fiji’s environment authorities say the country’s biodiversity will not survive without stronger community action, warning that national policies alone cannot halt the rapid loss of ecosystems as consultations progress on the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
Speaking at the launch of the Zero Draft in Suva, Director for Department of Environment Senimili Nakora said the strategy must be driven by the people it is designed to protect.
She said meaningful progress relies on actions at grassroots level, including responsible waste management, forest protection and respect for fishing taboo areas.
She described the NBSAP as a plan for all of Fiji, shaped by all of Fiji.
“When biodiversity thrives, Fiji thrives,” she said.
“Every healthy reef, restored forest, and protected mangroves is a shield for our communities, a storehouse for our economy, and a promise to our children that we will not leave them with a poorer, weaker world.”
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change opened the National Dialogue at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday, calling it a critical step in safeguarding the nation’s natural heritage.
Ms Nakora said the dialogue marked an important national moment for Fiji’s nature, our people, and our future, and emphasised that the revised strategy is a roadmap for all sectors, not just government.
The updated NBSAP will align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15, including targets to protect 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030, restore degraded ecosystems and reduce invasive species.
Since 2024, national workshops have helped shape the Zero Draft, with further sessions planned across the Western and Northern divisions. Ms Nakora acknowledged partners such as UNEP, GEF, NatureFiji, academic institutions and provincial offices, saying these collaborations are essential for turning policy into results on the ground.
