The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN Oceania) welcomed its new Oceania regional director Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago last Friday.
Ms Tago is a seasoned regional public servant with about 26 years of professional experience in the Pacific region.
Throughout her distinguished career, she has spent 19 years serving as a senior leader and executive manager at both national and regional levels.
Her expertise has been instrumental in collaborating with and supporting Pacific countries and territories to achieve sustainable development goals through policy and program implementation.
In his welcoming address, Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna expressed Fiji’s deep appreciation for the invaluable assistance provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in advancing national plans, policies, laws, and strategies for sustainable development.
He said Fiji’s partnership with IUCN transcends a mere alliance symbolising an unyielding commitment to safeguarding the nation’s rich environment.
“With Fiji boasting the 26th largest ocean state globally, covering 1.3million square kilometres, and hosting pristine flora and fauna, the Fiji Government stresses the urgency of protecting this invaluable resource,” Mr Tubuna said.
“An essential foundation for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development lies in adopting an integrated approach to economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.”
Mr Tubuna underscored the importance of collaborative efforts and called upon partners like the IUCN and other organisations to catalyse a concerted push towards implementing environmental and climate commitments across the Pacific.
Ms Tago holds a Master of International Social Development degree from the University of New South Wales (Australia).
She is a graduate of Massey University (New Zealand) and is currently a PhD candidate at the Australian National University’s Department of Pacific Affairs.
