Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands will come together next month to talk about how a global conservation program — the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) — can help support their environmental work through local civil society organisations (CSOs).
CEPF is a worldwide program that gives funding to protect and manage the environment in biodiversity “hotspot” areas — places that are rich in plant and animal life but are under threat.
In a statement this week, CEPF confirmed the July meeting will help the three countries explore how the program can continue to support the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems in the East Melanesian Islands (EMI).
To help guide future funding, a new consultation process is taking place in each country:
- Solomon Islands: July 3–4
- Papua New Guinea: July 9–10
- Vanuatu: July 17–18
These consultations will help shape the program’s investment plan from 2026 to 2031.
Since 2013, CEPF has supported local communities and governments in these countries by funding projects through civil society groups — helping them to manage conservation strategies at the local level.
According to the statement, there are 20 key biodiversity areas (KBAs) in the region, covering more than 1.2 million hectares of land and coastal ecosystems.
The program also carries out important environmental surveys, tracking 54 endangered species of animals and plants, and has built the skills of over 7,000 people through training and CSO partnerships.
