Pacific Islands Take Center Stage at Pivotal Climate Adaptation Conference: What This Means for Our Future

For the first time, Pacific nations will take a leading role at a major global climate event. Christchurch is set to host the 8th International Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025), where over 2,000 delegates from around the world will gather. This United Nations event emphasizes the significance of Indigenous knowledge and economic sovereignty in tackling climate challenges.

Among the participants are more than 50 Pacific representatives, including government ministers and community advocates. Notable attendees include Tuvalu’s Climate Change Minister, Maina Talia. Steven Ratuva, Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific at Canterbury University, views this as a pivotal moment for the Pacific in global climate discussions. He highlights a new opportunity for Pacific voices to drive the agenda, rather than merely adapting to existing frameworks.

The week-long conference will showcase hard-earned lessons from Pacific communities about resilience and adaptation. Ofa Ma’asi-Kaisamy from the Pacific Climate Change Centre emphasizes the importance of sharing best practices that have emerged from the region’s unique experiences. These insights often encompass building capacity, conducting innovative research, and fostering community-led initiatives.

Suli Vunibola, a senior lecturer at Lincoln University, stresses the need for a holistic approach to climate adaptation. He warns that many short-term aid projects fail to provide lasting solutions. “Communities get vulnerable once external support goes,” he notes, underscoring that true resilience requires sustainable practices alongside cultural and economic empowerment.

With the baton passing from Canada to New Zealand and later to Mexico in 2027, the Pacific region’s influence on global climate adaptation may finally get the recognition it deserves. Ratuva points to the profound historical resilience displayed by Pacific peoples over centuries as a model for current adaptation strategies.

He remarked, “Our survival on small islands relies on our adaptive capacities, which stem from our rich knowledge and food systems. The world has much to learn from our experiences.”

This conference not only opens doors for Pacific nations but also encourages a dialogue on sharing knowledge globally. Both experts and local communities hope the outcome will be more than just talk — it should lead to actionable results that empower vulnerable regions worldwide.

For further details on the conference’s objectives and to follow discussions, check the [World Adaptation Science Programme](https://www.worldadaptationscienceprogram.org/).

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