For Pacific communities, protecting the ocean means sustaining the cultures, livelihoods and relationships that connect people to their ancestral home. This was the insight that emerged from the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau from August 30 to September 4, where regional discussions highlighted the importance of supporting Pacific leadership with lasting partnerships, practical resources and dependable finance.
OneReef CEO Dr Lida Teneva, Director of Impact Dr Nicole Yamase and Palau Country Director Kiblas Soaladaob represented OneReef Worldwide Stewardship at the forum, their participation connecting these regional ambitions with the practical needs of local stewardship.
A shared priority emerged across conversations with national leaders, state governors, scientists, artists and conservation partners: ensuring that commitments to ocean protection translate into support for the people caring for reefs and marine ecosystems.
At the Pacific Leadership Moment on Protecting Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs, OneReef CEO Lida Teneva heard leaders reaffirm the importance of reefs to Pacific cultures, food security, economies and climate resilience. Discussions highlighted the expansion of the Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs Commitment, a new coral restoration initiative and a briefing on the Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025 report.
The question of how to turn ambition into implementation continued at the Leaders Ascent Dialogue on Climate-Smart Investment, chaired by Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. Leaders emphasised the connections between resilient oceans, renewable energy and sustainable economic development, and the need for climate finance to reach communities, local institutions and governments delivering solutions.
For OneReef, these conversations reinforced the importance of investing in the people and institutions that sustain conservation over generations. Pacific communities bring longstanding experience in customary governance and ecological stewardship. Enduring partnerships can help ensure they have the resources to continue that work as environmental pressures grow.
These discussions looked beyond immediate management needs to the next generation of ocean stewards. Supporting young rangers and creating opportunities for youth are central to maintaining the knowledge, skills and commitment that conservation requires. Pacific voices also led conversations about how ocean conservation is understood and communicated.
OneReef’s role is to support this leadership through enduring partnerships: strengthening local institutions, supporting young ocean stewards, connecting science with traditional knowledge and helping long-term resources reach communities. The Forum reinforced that protecting coral reefs depends on sustained investment in the people who know, manage and care for them.
