Nia Tero Hosts Pasifik Leaders’ Dialogue on Critical Issues at Pacific Islands Forum

During the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) – held in Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands in September – Nia Tero organized a series of side events for attendees to further connect, celebrate, and reflect on some of the most important issues in advancing Indigenous Peoples’ guardianship in the Pasifik.

After seven years of strong network-building across the Pasifik, Nia Tero and its partners convened these discussions about Indigenous Peoples in the Pasifik during PIF. These events were held during the season of Ara, or the sea wind, which inspired the name of the gatherings. The name of PIF’s host city, Honiara, refers to a place where the sea wind meets the land.  True to its name, the Ara events were held amidst strong winds in Honiara but were still well attended by PIF-goers.

“Ara nights were inspiring gatherings where partners connected, shared ideas, strengthened relationships, and celebrated IKI and Nia Tero's work across the Solomon Islands and the region—an enjoyable blend of networking, reflection, and planning with a great atmosphere,” said Edgar Pollard, an Indigenous ecologist and CEO at the Islands Knowledge Institute (IKI).

Each evening spotlighted important topics in the region, many of which have been advanced thanks in part to the support of Nia Tero. Following an opening celebration, a session was held about Sky Aelans, the sacred high elevation forests of the Solomon Islands.

Co-hosted by Nia Tero and IKI, the next day’s session focused on a monitoring tool co-developed by Conservation Metrics in partnership with Nia Tero. They shared how the tool, called REMOTO, is helping Indigenous Peoples monitor and protect Sky Aelans.

A third evening centered on the Melanesia Ocean Reserve (MOR) with ministers, Nia Tero, and others participating. MOR is the first Indigenous-led, multi-national ocean reserve on Earth.

The fourth night explored kava, a traditional drink known across the Pasifik for its cultural significance, and the Kava Declaration which seeks to protect the beverage from commercialization and appropriation as well as recognize its important role in the Pasifik. The final session was on Indigenous constitutionalism, hosted by thought leaders from across the region.

“Ara became more than an event; it became a vessel for the stories and knowledge of our people. It was a moment to reflect on the pillars of our work and our future,” said Nia Tero’s Pasifik Lead Lysa Wini (Solomon Islands). “These initiatives are not just projects; they are expressions of guardianship, acts of love for the land and sea that have sustained generations. They remind us that Pacific peoples, with ancestral knowledge and contemporary tools, can continue to protect and steward our homes—our islands, our waters, our communities—for humanity as a whole.”

The Ara events offered a wonderful opportunity to share the work of Nia Tero’s partners with an esteemed audience of various backgrounds. Food was an important part of the celebrations, with regional fare prepared by a renowned Vanuatu chef. This, along with kava, live music and dancing, gave the events a warm and celebratory atmosphere.

Wini added, “In a world facing unprecedented environmental, developmental, and climate crises, our work is an affirmation: that the strength of the Pacific is not only in its beauty but in its resolve. We act not only for ourselves, but for the generations yet to come, ensuring that the Ara — the sea wind — continues to guide us, always forward.”