Program

Event Programme

Investing in Natural Capital: The Pacific Opportunity

This event brings together leaders, financiers, and policymakers to explore how that can happen. Hosted by Fiji National University and organised by Pacific Action for Climate Transitions (PACT), Investing in Natural Capital: The Pacific Opportunity is designed to move beyond conversations about the Pacific’s climate vulnerability and towards enhanced partnerships and new opportunities that can be taken to COP31 and developed into tangible, scalable investments in the Pacific.

Programme Schedule

Time Duration Session Format
8.30am 30 mins Registration
9.00am 60 mins Welcome Ceremony
10.00am 20 mins Part 1: Setting the Scene High-level keynote
10.20am 40 mins Morning Tea
11.00am 50 mins Part 2: Innovative partnerships for a Blue and Green Pacific Panel discussion
11.50am 20 mins Part 3: Natural Capital Investment Opportunities and Challenges High-level keynote
12.10pm 60 mins Lunch
1.10pm 50 mins Catalysing natural capital investment in the Pacific Panel discussion
2.00pm 90 mins Part 4: Delivering on the Natural Capital Opportunity in the Pacific including presentation of Call to Action High-level political session
3.30pm Event Close

Master of Ceremony: Mr Isoa Vakarewa, RISE Country Manager.

Traditional Welcome Ceremony

The day opens with a traditional welcome ceremony (approximately 45 minutes), grounding the programme in Fijian custom and the authority of the traditional leaders present.

Opening

Opening remarks — Chief Guest: Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere — grounding the day in the custodianship of Pacific natural resources.

Part 1 — Setting the Scene

Keynote: Ambassador Amenatave V. Yauvoli — seasoned Fijian diplomat and global public policy expert, framing the climate challenge from a Pacific perspective.

A short scene-setting presentation: why the region’s ecosystems are among the most valuable, most overlooked and most at risk in the world; and why investing in blue and green natural capital, and managing the water systems within it, is at once a climate, an economic and a health opportunity for the Pacific.

Part 2 — Innovative Partnerships for a Blue and Green Pacific

Moderator: Dr Donald Wilson, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Fiji National University

Panellists:

  • Professor Paul Dargusch — PACT Director
  • Ratu Viliame Seruvakula — Chair of the Great Council of Chiefs — speaking to traditional leadership and the custodianship of Pacific natural resources
  • Dr Vaeno Vigulu — Non-Executive Board Member, Kolombangara Forest Products Limited
  • Dr Aliti Vunisea — Community-based fisheries management specialist & women empowerment expert
  • Professor Joeli Veitayaki — Strategic Adviser, Blue Prosperity Fiji
  • Mr Timoci Naivalulevu — Project Manager, Watershed Interventions for Systems Health (WISH) Pacific

Presentation — The State of SIDS Report 2026

Dr Emily Wilkinson — Principal Research Fellow, ODI Global, and Director, Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative — presenting The State of SIDS Report 2026: Defending the Special Case.

Part 3 — Catalysing Natural Capital Investment in the Pacific

Keynote: Dr David Brand, Managing Director, Arborcrest Investments — opportunities and challenges for investing in natural capital in the Pacific.

Moderator: Professor Lyndall Bull, Deputy Director, PACT

Panellists:

  • Dr Satyendra Prasad — Pacific Resilience Facility Lead Capitalisation Adviser
  • Mr Hemant Mandal — APAC Director, Green Climate Fund
  • Dr Andrew Tukana — Permanent Secretary, Fiji Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways
  • Mr Filimone Waqabaca — CEO, Fiji Development Bank
  • Ms Radha Kuppalli — Director, Ahnay Climate and Nature Finance
  • Mr Rick Shaw

Part 4 — Delivering on the Opportunity: High-Level Close

Note: With Pacific Heads of State travelling to Tuvalu on 5 October, this segment brings together Ministers, parliamentary leaders and senior officials, ahead of the closing address by the Hon. Prime Minister of Fiji.

Opening address: Hon. Matthew Wale, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands.

Moderator: Dr Winifereti Nainoca — Environmental Scientist & Policy Specialist

Panellists:

  • Mr Ruel Yamuna — COP31 Pacific Envoy for Access to Climate Finance
  • Ms Debra Sungi — Director, Climate Change Development Authority, Papua New Guinea
  • H.E. Michael Henry — Cook Islands High Commissioner to Fiji
  • Hon. Alitia Bainivalu — Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Fiji
  • Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, OBE, MP — PNG Minister for Roads and Infrastructure
  • Hon. Inia Seruiratu — Leader of the Opposition, Fiji & COP31 Pacific Envoy for the Ocean

Closing Remarks

Closing remarks & Call to Action: The Hon. Prime Minister of Fiji — closing address, and presentation of the combined Pacific Statement on Natural Capital as a Call to Action carried forward to COP31.