IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 - IUCN Oceania staff reflections

With almost two months passing since the landmark gathering, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on some of the experiences and accomplishments of this remarkable group who brought Pacific issues into sharp focus at world’s largest environment and conservation event, attended by some 10,000 delegates from more than 160 countries.

The 10 days of Congress were full of achievements, many of them on a personal level. Perhaps this was none more so than for IUCN ORO’s Protocol Driver and “Kava Master”, Savenaca Kalokalo. “It was the first time for me to leave my country and board a plane - an amazing experience!” Save (as he is commonly known) was ORO’s “Jack of all trades” at the Congress – providing logistical and ground support, as well as keeping the kava flowing in his role as Cultural Ambassador. When asked about his personal highlight from the trip, Save was quick to note, “serving kava to different kinds of people, sharing with them stories of Fiji and meeting IUCN staff from all around the world.” He also added that he enjoyed his time in Honolulu, apart from the notable lack of rugby and his favourite root crop – dalo. 

Te Taiawatea Moko-Mead first began work on the Congress as an intern with ORO in early 2015, subsequently taking on the role of overseeing and coordinating the Pacific Ocean Summit and the Moana Pasifika Arrival Ceremony. Although, in the end, an incredible success, Tea described how insurmountable the task of bringing the events together seemed at times. “From the outset it was a major challenge convincing the right people that the Summit was something that needed to happen, of its importance not only to the region, but in the global context. This was all alongside managing the many diplomatic obligations and expectations of the leaders and heads of state we were so lucky to have on board.” Despite the trials, she noted that overall the experience was an overwhelmingly positive one. “For me it was life changing because we did a lot of work around getting to know and appreciate many of the other cultures from the Pacific, the differences and similarities between them and really seeing that the core values from around the region are the same; it really highlighted that for me.”

Taking care of all the gory details on the ground was Water and Wetlands Project Assistant, Epeli Nakautoga, who moonlighted as ORO’s Congress Logistics Coordinator. “The journey was an interesting one, organising and taking care of all the nitty gritty stuff, and an enormous challenge with ORO taking a delegation of more than 35 staff!”  With so much time and commitment put into the preparations, Epeli reflected on how encouraging it was to see the team’s efforts pay off. “I was overwhelmed with inspiration ever since the morning of the vaka arrival. Having to pull off a vaka arrival without the vaka that speaks for itself. The presence of the Pacific Leaders at Waikiki beach was just magical. Having the IUCN Director General present as well, showed how important the challenges of the Pacific are and that IUCN is here to support us through the journey.”

Another key player behind ORO’s success was Programme Support Officer, Fipe Tuitubou, who was Manager of the Hawaii-Pacific Pavilion, a space where regional issues were brought to the forefront in truly Pacific flair. IUCN Oceania was the only office to put their hand up for a dedicated pavilion at the Forum and Fipe noted the significance of this decision. “Given the fact that our Region is the most vulnerable to climate change, it was important to showcase and encourage the efforts by local communities, governments, regional and international partners towards enhancing our capacity to deal with these challenges. What stood out for me about the pavilion was our comprehensive and holistic approach. Our inclusion of cultural aspects, such as language, bulla attire and afternoon kava, as well as hosting so many leaders to discuss issues important to the region, created a truly unique environment. The pavilion provided a platform for having our voices heard and most importantly, an opportunity to share what we are currently doing with the environmental challenges facing us.”

For the members of ORO’s Energy Programme, the profile Pacific energy issues received was a further exciting outcome at the Congress. Energy Program Officer, Andrew Irvin, noted how rewarding it was to see aviation issues raised during the Pacific Ocean Summit. “It was such an incredible success for the energy program as it served as a high level acknowledgement of our work towards reducing the region’s dependence on foreign imported fossil fuels and a tangible example of the role we can play as Pacific Island countries in setting a precedent for emissions targets, collectively, as a region on the global stage.” 

All in all, the work of the Oceania Regional Office at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress was a powerful contribution to the future of the Pacific. Perhaps their accomplishments are best summed up in the closing words of Voyager Nainoa Thompson at the Pacific Ocean Summit, “When I sat in this in this room today, I’d listened to everybody who’s crossed the line. This is a very different conversation we’re having today. So to all the Pacific Leaders…. I can’t sum up this afternoon other then there’s light, there’s hope, there’s strength.” The opportunities, interactions and dialogue that ORO initiated and facilitated resonated throughout the Congress and have certainly left a mark that will see bigger and better outcomes for conservation throughout the region. 

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