The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...
- WWF Global
- Adria
- Argentina
- Armenia
- AsiaPacific
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Borneo
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Caucasus
- Central African Republic
- Central America
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- European Policy Office
- Finland
In terms of geographical size, individually, the Pacific Islands encompass some of the smallest places on the planet. But together, we cover a large expanse; 30% of the world’s surface. We are also experiencing an outsized share of climate change, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution — affecting our health, well-being and way of life. For us, these interlinked crises are already existential threats.
That's why we consider ourselves Big Oceanic States (BOS). Our share of voice in policy arenas has been massive in terms of leading the change for climate action, nature recovery, tackling pollution and achieving sustainable development. That’s why even though we are often put at the margins as so-called “Small Islands Developing States,” we have been unwavering in our demand for more meaningful attention and action to halt the destruction of our oceans and ecosystems, the cornerstone of our economy and culture in the Pacific.
Though our contributions to global emissions are minuscule, we are among the hardest-hit by the climate crisis, deforestation and pollution. Rising seas, devastating natural disasters, and other extreme pressures on our natural resources are not just daily, visible concerns here in the Pacific, but are also existential threats.
That’s why as a region, we are unwavering in our commitment to address the current gaps in our ocean management and ecosystem recovery efforts.
Pacific voices are driving policy change and action at national, regional and global levels. WWF helps amplify their advocacy by highlighting the needs, concerns and capacities of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and ensuring their representation in global and regional policy influencing forums through the Oceania First Voices Programme.
We also hold consultations with key government agencies and local community stakeholders to identify and unlock opportunities for policy change and action. Our work also involves building capacity of national governments to ratify relevant international treaties and put into place an implementation architecture through national legislations, policies and processes.
We are contributing to Pacific leadership on key policy priorities including:
- Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
- GBF implementation including supporting 30x30
- Moratorium on deep sea mining
- Reducing plastic pollution
- The commitment to co-host COP31 with Australia in 2026
Oceania First Voices Alliance established at the 2ND OCEANIA FIRST VOICES REGIONAL FORUM
Ninety-eight participants attended the 2024 Oceania First Voices Regional Forum in Suva, Fiji in late March 2024, with a majority of participants representing Indigenous peoples and local communities from across the oceanic region, including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, First Nations Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Under the theme, “One Voice, One People, One World," participants launched the Oceania First Voices Alliance, with the aim to inspire momentum on Pacific spirit, solidarity and sustainability.
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WWF-Pacific commends UN Environment Assembly’s watershed decision to start negotiations for a global plastics treaty
WWF-Pacific welcomes the unanimous agreement to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. The Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have shown great leadership in calling for this landmark agreement, as clearly articulated in the Pacific Marine Litter Action Plan 2018 to 2025 and the Pacific Regional Declaration on the Prevention on Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution and Impacts in 2021. Alfred Ralifo, Senior Policy and Government Affairs Manager, WWF-Pacific said: "The next step is to continue with this partnership and support our Pacific Island Countries as we go into the INC (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee) to draft and negotiate the elements of the new treaty that is able to address the unique and special circumstances and needs of our Pacific Island Countries to end plastic pollution.”
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New Oceans treaty brings the Pacific into the Fold
In March 2022, United Nations member countries agreed on the UN High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Ocean Treaty, aiming to protect 30% of the world’s oceans. This landmark convention, concluded after nearly two decades of negotiations, enables countries to safeguard, conserve, and sustainably manage biodiversity in international waters, which cover two-thirds of the world’s oceans and were previously unregulated. The treaty raises hopes for sustainable use and effective management of these areas, particularly in the Pacific, while also potentially increasing funding for marine conservation and establishing new regulations for activities impacting high seas biodiversity.
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Talei Silibaravi
"We call on government leaders to enhance current platforms and explore additional means through which communities can voice our priorities, share data and our perspectives to inform policy and legislative changes specifically on food security, clean energy and biodiversity conservation."
