Stakeholders from across the Central Division gathered in Suva this week as consultations commenced for Fiji’s Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Led by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the consultation brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, academic institutions, the private sector, development partners and local communities to contribute to the reporting process.

The consultations form part of a nationwide exercise to collect feedback and verify information for the report, which will assess Fiji’s achievements against national biodiversity targets and inform the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2030.

During the session, participants examined the draft report, shared insights from their respective sectors and highlighted areas requiring further attention to ensure the final document accurately captures both progress and ongoing challenges in biodiversity conservation.

The Ministry emphasised the critical role biodiversity plays in strengthening climate resilience, supporting food security, sustaining livelihoods and driving economic growth.

It also noted growing pressures on ecosystems, including climate change, pollution, invasive species and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.

Consultations will continue in the Northern and Western Divisions before the report is finalised and submitted at the end of June.

The initiative is supported through the GEF-8 Umbrella Programme in partnership with NatureFiji-MareqetiViti and is being conducted as part of the Ministry’s Environment and Oceans Month activities, which promote the protection of Fiji’s natural environment for future generations.