Pacific Community, Island Conservation Sign Pact
The memorandum of understanding was signed at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, to coordinate island and ocean conservation work across the Pacific.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Environmental
The Pacific Community and Island Conservation signed a memorandum of understanding at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. The agreement outlines possible collaboration on island and ocean restoration, biodiversity and climate resilience, with specific activities to follow under separate agreements.
Why it matters
Climate resilience and biodiversity are closely linked across Pacific islands, and the partnership aims to restore island ecosystems and protect the natural resources communities depend on. The memorandum is intended to complement existing work and contribute to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The memorandum is a framework rather than a funded programme, with the target year of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent used as its long-term reference. No budget or deliverable figures were disclosed, and these will be set in later agreements.
The players
Pacific Community (SPC)
The Pacific Community is an international development organisation owned by its Pacific Island member countries and territories, supporting science and capability across the region.
Island Conservation
Island Conservation is a nonprofit organisation that works to prevent extinctions and restore island ecosystems through invasive species removal and conservation partnerships.
The details
The memorandum was signed by SPC Deputy Director-General Science and Capability Dr Andrew Jones and Island Conservation Vice President, Conservation Programs, Cameron Driver. It identifies possible collaboration areas including island and ocean restoration, marine and terrestrial protected areas, threatened species, nature-based solutions and integrated ridge-to-reef management, and provides for data sharing, climate resilience and sustainable financing.
Timeline
9 to 20 November 2026: COP31 conference in Antalya, Türkiye, where the memorandum was signed
2050: target year of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent
Blue Pacific Context
The partnership is designed to contribute to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, a long-term regional framework for Pacific island nations. It extends that framework into island and ocean restoration, protected-area management and biodiversity work.
The partnership is expected to support island ecosystem restoration and the natural resources that Pacific communities rely on. Residents will see concrete effects only once the separate agreements define specific projects and funding.
The takeaway
Long-term conservation across the Pacific depends on linking climate resilience with biodiversity protection. Partnerships like this one set the framework, but outcomes will hinge on the funded projects that follow.
What happens next
Specific activities will be developed through separate agreements setting out responsibilities, deliverables and funding arrangements, though no dates for those agreements were given.
Further reading
Explore more on Environmental coverage for context on island and ocean conservation efforts.
