Conservation International Pacific Islands

Across the Pacific Islands, healthy lands and oceans are central to people's wellbeing, providing food, water and livelihoods, sustaining cultural connections, and helping communities adapt to a changing climate.

For over 30 years Conservation International has worked alongside Pacific peoples, governments, and partners to protect the ocean and islands that sustain this region.

Together, we deliver Pacific-led solutions, that are in-line with indigenous knowledge, culture and values that strengthen ecosystems, improve sustainable management of nature, and support wellbeing for current and future generations.

Through science, policy, finance, and partnerships across all stakeholders we support locally led action at scale for people and nature — grounded in Indigenous knowledge and Pacific priorities.

Learn more about Conservation International

A Pacific-led approach

Local leadership is at the heart of everything we do. We work in partnership with communities, customary leaders, governments, and regional institutions to ensure conservation is shaped locally and delivers real benefits on the ground.

By aligning national priorities with regional Pacific frameworks, we help scale solutions that are inclusive, durable, and rooted in place — integrating Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary science and policy.

And we take these efforts to the global stage, sharing the bold leadership of the Pacific with other nations, and the world to inspire and amplify our shared outcomes for people and nature.

Our focus

Our work across the Pacific is organised around the below interconnected pillars that reflect the realities of island nations — as ocean and land systems are inseparable, and people depend on nature, collaboration across these spaces and across all stakeholder groups, from communities, governments, and partners is vital to drive lasting impact.

Indigenous-led Stewardship

For Pacific peoples, land and ocean are central to identity, culture, wellbeing and place. Across the region, generations of knowledge, stewardship and responsibility have shaped how communities care for nature, making Indigenous leadership essential to protecting biodiversity and building climate resilience.

Conservation International supports Indigenous peoples and local communities as the primary stewards of their lands and seas by strengthening governance systems grounded in culture, tradition and place. Through partnerships, regional collaboration, and sustainable finance solutions we help advance Indigenous-led conservation that brings together traditional knowledge and science to sustain healthy ecosystems and thriving communities for generations to come.

Climate-Resilient Islands

On islands, the land and sea are intrinsically linked—what happens in forests and watersheds directly shapes the health of rivers, reefs, and communities. Protecting these interconnected ecosystems is essential for securing freshwater, sustaining biodiversity, and strengthening resilience to climate change.

We take a ridge-to-reef approach, working with partners to protect and restore forests and watersheds from mountains to oceans. By recognising these connections, we deliver integrated solutions that enhance freshwater security, conserve biodiversity, and build climate resilience for people and nature.

Large-scale Ocean Protection & High Seas Governance

Pacific Island countries and territories collectively steward more than 40 million km² of ocean within their national jurisdictions, making them some of the world’s most significant ocean stewards and Large Ocean States. Beyond these waters, nearly two-thirds of the Pacific Ocean lies beyond national jurisdiction, highlighting the need for collective action and cooperation to protect the interconnected ocean systems that sustain Pacific cultures, livelihoods, biodiversity, food security and climate resilience.

Conservation International works alongside Pacific governments and regional partners and Indigenous and local community leaders to advance ambitious ocean conservation goals across national waters and the high seas.

Through scientific research, inclusive stakeholder engagement and marine spatial planning, we support nationally led ocean governance, long-term stewardship and regional cooperation. We also contribute to science-based approaches that strengthen implementation of the BBNJ Agreement (High Seas Treaty), including support to Pacific governments to enhance the technical, legal and institutional capacity required for effective implementation and participation in global ocean governance processes. This work advances connected ocean management and safeguard migratory species, food security and climate resilience.

Sustainable Coastal & Oceanic Fisheries

The Pacific Ocean supplies more than half of the world’s tuna, and fisheries are central to the lives and wellbeing of Pacific Island communities. Beyond their economic value, fisheries provide essential sources of food, nutrition, livelihoods and cultural connection across the region. Yet these vital resources face growing pressures—from climate change shifting tuna distribution and degrading marine ecosystems, to labour challenges and the uneven distribution of benefits that do not always reach Pacific Island communities.

We work with local, national and regional partners to support sustainable coastal and oceanic fisheries that strengthen food security and community resilience. Through scientific research, improved fisheries management and collaboration, we advance solutions that promote equitable benefits, protect marine ecosystems and ensure fisheries remain socially responsible, environmentally sustainable and economically resilient for generations to come.

Blue Green Economies

Across the Pacific healthy ecosystems underpin the production of food, provide jobs and income and national economies—yet climate change is increasing risks to livelihoods, food security, and marine ecosystems.

We work with communities, governments, and partners to create the enabling conditions for durable, climate-resilient blue green economies. Through improved access to finance, technical support, and nature-based solutions, we support sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and innovative nature-based enterprises. This approach strengthens local livelihoods, enhances food security, and ensures communities are better equipped to adapt to climate change while safeguarding marine ecosystems for the long term.

Where we work

* has a Conservation International Office and contains one or more projects that receive Conservation International financial support
** contains one or more projects that receive financial support
*** areas beyond national jurisdiction

The boundaries and territory/country names shown on this map do not imply endorsement or acceptance by Conservation International or its partners, and are for reference purposes only.

Aotearoa

From our office hosted by the University of Auckland, we catalyse Indigenous-led action and regional collaboration to strengthen biodiversity protection and sustainable development across the Pacific, from Tokelau and Samoa to Cook Islands, Fiji and beyond.

Grounded in the Pacific Ocean as shared heritage, with enduring systems of stewardship, and working in partnership with governments, communities and regional institutions, we bring together Māori and Pacific knowledge systems with cutting-edge science to advance marine protection, nature-based climate solutions, and locally led approaches that scale across the region.

Australia

We work to protect and restore Australia’s coastal ecosystems — rich in biodiversity, carbon, and cultural significance — by developing new sources of sustainable funding and supporting long-term Indigenous stewardship.

As a regional fundraising and partnership hub, we mobilise support from government, business, and philanthropy to deliver impact across Asia-Pacific.

Fiji

We work with communities and government partners across Fiji to protect forests, watersheds, oceans, and fisheries through an integrated “ridge to reef to ocean” approach. Across the country’s islands, we support efforts to strengthen food security, safeguard biodiversity within island and seascapes, and enhance ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change.

Our work combines ecological and socio-economic research with community-led conservation to inform policy, establish protected areas, and promote 100% managed areas across key biodiversity landscapes and seascapes. This includes advancing sustainable fisheries management and supporting the protection and restoration of critical areas such as Fiji’s EEZ, the Lau Seascape, Sovi Basin, and Nakauvadra Range, ensuring that nature continues to sustain people, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

New Caledonia

Since 1996, we have worked with the Indigenous Kanak people and local communities, government partners and local organisations across New Caledonia to protect forests, coastal ecosystems, coral reefs and ocean ecosystems.

Our work combines Indigenous knowledge, scientific research and locally-led conservation to strengthen ecosystem resilience, support sustainable livelihoods and inform conservation decision-making. This includes supporting Kanak leadership through the Kanak Vision of the Ocean, strengthening protection and management of the Natural Park of the Coral Sea, advancing sustainable fisheries, and restoring connected mountain-to-coast ecosystems to ensure nature continues to benefit communities for generations to come.

Palau

For more than two decades, Conservation International has partnered with the Government of Palau, traditional leaders, communities, researchers, and local organisations to support Palau’s vision for a healthy ocean and resilient future. We support the effective management of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary—one of the world’s largest marine protected areas—while advancing locally led conservation that protects biodiversity, supports sustainable livelihoods, and reinforces Palau’s global leadership in ocean conservation.

Our work spans sustainable fisheries, giant clam restoration, marine science, and cetacean research. By combining scientific research, technical expertise, and community knowledge, we support ocean stewardship, the rehabilitation of ocean ecosystems, and solutions that ensure Palau’s marine environment continues to benefit both people and nature.

Samoa

Conservation International Samoa works with government, communities, academia and civil society to protect the country’s ocean, forests, and biodiversity. As a long-standing partner in Samoa’s ocean and conservation journey, we are supporting national efforts to protect 30% of the ocean and advance sustainable management of marine resources through the Marine Spatial Plan under the Samoa Ocean Strategy.

We combine science, culture, and education— to elevate community leadership and inspire the next generation of ocean and nature stewards. Through a ridge-to-reef-to-ocean approach, our solutions focus on ecosystem protection and conservation, climate resilience, sustainable fisheries, and innovative finance.