10 June 2026, Noumea - Young leaders from across the Pacific will come together with Indigenous knowledge holders, conservation practitioners, policymakers, and regional partners for the Pacific Biodiversity Youth Dialogue, a landmark youth engagement initiative to be held as part of the 11th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation.
The 11th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation will be held from 7–11 September 2026, in Noumea New Caledonia.
The Youth Dialogue will provide a dedicated platform for Pacific youth to strengthen their role in biodiversity conservation, environmental governance, and sustainable development while reconnecting with the cultural values and traditional knowledge systems that have sustained Pacific communities for generations.
With more than half of the Pacific region's population under the age of 25, investing in youth leadership is critical to securing the future of the region's unique biodiversity and natural heritage. The Dialogue aims to empower young people as culturally grounded, environmentally conscious leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to conservation efforts at local, national, regional, and global levels.
The programme will bring together approximately 30–40 young participants from across the Pacific, including youth advocates from New Caledonia and members of Pacific Regional Chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network- GYBN Pacific. Through a series of intergenerational dialogue sessions, leadership workshops, innovation labs, cultural activities, and policy forums, participants will explore solutions to pressing biodiversity challenges while learning from Indigenous custodians and community leaders.
The GYBN Pacific chapter is being supported by the Pacific BioScapes Programme, a European Union (EU) funded action, managed and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The Pacific BioScapes Programme aims to contribute to the sustainable development of Pacific Small Island Developing States through the implementation of regional activities and 30 national activities taking place across a diversity of ecosystems in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
The Programme includes national-level marine spatial planning in the Cook Islands and Kiribati, ocean and ecosystem-based management in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, and support for the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT), amongst many other diverse initiatives.
"Pacific youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow, they are also leaders today," said Claire Oiire -Coordinator of the GYBN Pacific. "Their energy, innovation, and commitment, combined with the wisdom and guidance of Indigenous custodians, will be essential in shaping a resilient and sustainable future for our region."
Key activities during the Dialogue will include the Intergenerational talanoa sessions between youth and Indigenous knowledge holders; capacity-building workshops on biodiversity conservation, leadership, advocacy, and preparations toward CBD COP17; cultural and spiritual grounding activities that reinforce identity, values, and connections to place.
The Youth Innovation and Action Labs focusing on developing practical conservation solutions, will be part of the Dialogue as well as a Youth Leadership Forum and networking and mentorship opportunities to support ongoing youth engagement in conservation.
The initiative is being coordinated through the Pacific chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN Pacific), which seeks to strengthen meaningful youth participation in biodiversity governance and support implementation of the Pacific Islands Framework for Nature Conservation.
Organisers believe the Dialogue will help create a stronger pipeline of Pacific conservation leaders, promote greater integration of Indigenous knowledge into environmental policies and programmes, and foster sustained youth engagement in decision-making processes across the region.
The Youth Dialogue is expected to contribute directly to regional conservation priorities while helping shape Pacific youth perspectives and recommendations for international biodiversity discussions, including preparations toward the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (CBD COP17).
The 11th Pacific Nature Conference represents a unique opportunity to ensure that conservation efforts across the Pacific are innovative, inclusive, culturally grounded, and driven by collaboration between generations.
About GYBN Pacific
The Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) Pacific is a regional youth network that promotes meaningful youth engagement in biodiversity conservation, environmental governance, and sustainable development. Through partnerships, capacity-building, and advocacy, GYBN Pacific supports young people to contribute to biodiversity decision-making processes at community, national, regional, and international levels.
For more information, please visit: https://www.pacificislandsroundtable.com/pacificislandsroundtable-com-youth
About the EU/SPREP Pacific BioScapes Programme
Pacific Island countries have identified many critical issues and national priorities to protect biodiversity, communities and ecosystems in our region. In response, the Pacific Biodiversity and Sustainable Land‐Seascapes (Pacific BioScapes) Programme has the overall aim of better managing our coastal and marine resources and adapting to climate change through ecosystem-based responses. For more information, please visit: www.sprep.org/bioscapes
