03/06/2026
The second day of the Tabu Area and Biodiversity Symposium, began with a customary ceremony led by local chiefs.
The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished leaders, including Mr. Johnathan Iavere, Secretary General of the Sanma Provincial Government, the Chairman of the Sanma Council of Chiefs, the President of Sanma Province, and Honourable Ralph Regenvanu, Minister responsible for Environment and Climate Change.
The symposium was officially opened by Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, who emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships between government, communities, and conservation stakeholders to achieve Vanuatu’s biodiversity and sustainable development goals.
The morning session featured presentations from government agencies on biodiversity protection, management, and conservation, including:
Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC)
Department of Forestry
Vanuatu Fisheries Department
Department of Water Resources
Vanuatu Kaljoral Senta
The symposium continued with a session showcasing the contributions of NGO partners in supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
In the afternoon, Session 5 focused on showcasing Community Conservation Area and Environmental Networks from across Vanuatu. Participating networks shared their achievements, lessons learned, and ongoing conservation efforts.
The plenary discussion provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on key presentations and share experiences from their communities and organizations. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships, supporting community-led conservation, improving biodiversity monitoring, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
The session provided an excellent opportunity for networking, knowledge exchange, and strengthening collaboration among conservation networks working to protect Vanuatu’s unique biodiversity and support sustainable community development
