Meet the speakers, moderators and panellists participating in Investing in Natural Capital: The Pacific Opportunity.
Master of Ceremony
| Mr Isoa Vakarewa |
RISE Country Manager |
Opening
| Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere |
Chief Guest: Opening remarks |
Part 1 — Setting the Scene
| Ambassador Amenatave V. Yauvoli |
Keynote: Seasoned Fijian diplomat and global public policy expert |
Part 2 — Innovative Partnerships for a Blue and Green Pacific
| Dr Donald Wilson |
Moderator: Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Fiji National University |
| Professor Paul Dargusch |
PACT Director |
| Ratu Viliame Seruvakula |
Chair of the Great Council of Chiefs |
| 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 |
Part 3 — Catalysing Natural Capital Investment in the Pacific
| Dr David Brand |
Keynote: Managing Director, Arborcrest Investments |
| Professor Lyndall Bull |
Moderator: Deputy Director, PACT |
| 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 |
Panellist |
Part 4 — Delivering on the Opportunity: High-Level Close
| Hon. Matthew Wale |
Opening Address: Prime Minister of Solomon Islands |
| Dr Winifereti Nainoca |
Moderator: Environmental Scientist & Policy Specialist |
| 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
| The Hon. Prime Minister of Fiji |
Closing: Closing address and Call to Action |
