It’s been a few weeks since the 2nd Pacific BioScapes Steering Committee Meeting took place in Suva, Fiji, a key regional gathering of Pacific Island countries, partners, and environmental leaders working together to protect our land and sea for future generations.
Representing the Cook Islands, GEF-7 Project Officer, Terena Koteka-Wiki joined discussions on how regional programmes like BioScapes are helping Pacific nations strengthen conservation, respond to climate change and improve biodiversity management.
At the heart of this meeting was one big question: How do we protect our ocean and land in a way that works for our people? For the Cook Islands, we shared some of the steps we’re already taking, including recent GIS mapping training held in May and the upcoming recruitment of a Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Project Coordinator. These efforts are laying the groundwork for a national marine plan that balances environmental protection with community needs.
The Cook Islands also contributed to shaping how the region tracks progress, helping to ensure that indicators reflect the real challenges faced by small island nations. It’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about making sure the system works for us too.
Looking ahead, the BioScapes programme will support further capacity through workshops on seabird monitoring, access to powerful mapping tools like the Marine Atlas, and more chances to get involved in protecting places like turtle nesting sites and coral reefs.
Many of these initiatives directly connect to local priorities, from restoring degraded areas to protecting turtle habitats and building resilience in tourism. The outcomes of this meeting go beyond regional policy, they support on-the-ground efforts to care for the environment and communities of the Cook Islands.
