GIZ Pacific

Representatives from GIZ Pacific, AFD, and the European Union met today at the EU Delegation in Suva to discuss ongoing activities and opportunities for greater collaboration in the ocean sector across the Pacific.

The meeting brought together teams from three key regional initiatives:

- PEUMP II (European Union)
- Ocean Initiative (Agence Française de Développement – AFD)
- Blue Economy and Clean Seas Project (GIZ Pacific)

The discussions focused on identifying synergies, sharing updates on current activities, and exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation in support of sustainable ocean management, marine conservation, and resilient blue economies throughout the Pacific region.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The environment shapes every aspect of life in the Pacific.

From freshwater sources and coastal ecosystems to oceans, forests, and communities, the health of our environment influences livelihoods, food security, economic opportunities, and resilience to climate change.

Across the Blue Pacific, environmental challenges are becoming increasingly interconnected.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and pressures on natural resources are affecting both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

At GIZ Pacific, we work with governments, communities, regional organisations, and development partners to support practical solutions that strengthen environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

From freshwater resources and coastal ecosystems to sustainable oceans, climate-resilient communities, cleaner seas, and low-carbon solutions, GIZ Pacific works alongside partners across the region to strengthen environmental sustainability and resilience for current and future generations.

On this World Environment Day, we recognise that environmental protection is not only about safeguarding nature - it is about creating a future where people and ecosystems can thrive together.

By investing in healthy environments today, we help build stronger, safer, and more resilient Pacific communities for generations to come.

Across the Pacific, GIZ continues to support environmental sustainability and climate resilience through initiatives including:

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐇𝟐𝐎 - Protecting freshwater resources and strengthening water security

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 - Supporting sustainable ocean governance and blue economy development

𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 - Strengthening resilience for communities facing climate-related challenges

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 - Promoting cleaner oceans and reducing pollution

𝐋𝐨𝐰-𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 - Supporting sustainable and climate-friendly maritime transport solutions in the Pacific, including the Marshall Islands

𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 - Conserving mangrove and seagrass ecosystems and advancing blue carbon solutions

𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐒 🌏🌿🌊💙

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has dedicated the month of June to commemorating World Environment Day and Oceans Day, recognising the vital role our natural environment and oceans play in sustaining our communities, economy and future generations.

This year's themes, "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For our Future." and "Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean," remind us that protecting nature and our oceans is not just an environmental responsibility; it is an investment in our future.

Throughout June, the Ministry, along with our partners, will roll out a range of activities, competitions and community initiatives that will be officially launched on Saturday, 6 June. We encourage all Fijians to get involved and be part of the movement to protect and restore the environment we all depend on.

We acknowledge and sincerely thank our development partners, Municipal Councils, government ministries, educational institutions, civil society organisations and community groups who have joined us in taking these celebrations to the national level. Your support demonstrates that environmental and ocean stewardship is a shared responsibility.

“Our environment and oceans are more than just our surroundings. They provide food, livelihoods, cultural identity and protection for our communities. They are part of who we are as a nation,” Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Sivendra Michael.

As we mark Environment and Oceans Month, the Ministry's "Do the Right Thing" campaign continues to stand firm. Real environmental progress requires behavioral change. Each of us has a role to play in reducing litter, disposing of waste responsibly, protecting our waterways and respecting the natural resources that sustain us, said Dr Michael.

Together, let us be guardians of our environment and oceans, not just this month, but every day.

GIZ Pacific WWF Pacific WCS-Fiji Blue Prosperity Fiji Return & Earn Fiji Energy Fiji Limited Eco Guardians of Fiji iTaukei Women in Conservation BirdLife International International School Suva

GIZ Pacific's Blue Economies Project team visited the Solomon Islands to engage with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and members of the Oceans 12 Technical Working Group (TWG).

The discussions focused on the current status of blue economy initiatives in the country, key challenges, and opportunities for collaboration to support sustainable ocean-based development.

As part of the engagement, the Oceans 12 Technical Working Group convened to discuss priority areas that require technical and policy support to strengthen the implementation of blue economy initiatives in Solomon Islands.

The meeting identified several key actions, including strengthening policy frameworks, improving data management and information sharing, enhancing stakeholder coordination, and supporting sustainable blue economy business development.

GIZ Pacific looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Government of Solomon Islands, particularly through MECDM and the Oceans 12 Technical Working Group, to advance a sustainable and resilient blue economy that benefits communities, livelihoods, and ocean ecosystems.

Today, German Ambassador to Australia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, H.E. Beate Grzeski, and German Ambassador to Fiji and Special Envoy for the Pacific Island States, H.E. Dr Andreas Prothmann, paid a courtesy visit to the GIZ Pacific Office in Suva.

The Ambassadors met with senior GIZ Pacific staff including Charlotte Siegerstetter, Head of Programme - PacFresH2O, Maria Fountoukis - Finance Manager, and Vanessa Dirking - Head of Programme - MacBlue.

The engagement provided an opportunity to discuss GIZ’s ongoing work across the Pacific region in areas such as climate change adaptation, marine and coastal biodiversity, renewable energy, and freshwater resilience, as well as the progress and partnerships driving these initiatives forward.

GIZ Pacific values its close collaboration with the German Embassies and regional stakeholders in advancing sustainable and climate-resilient development pathways across the Pacific.



German Embassy Australia German Embassy in Fiji

GIZ Pacific’s Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change Programme, in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, and the Ministry of itaukei Affairs today convened a one-day training on the Application of the Culture Checklist for Planned Relocation in Fiji.

The training brought together a wide range of stakeholders involved in Fiji’s planned relocation processes, including Provincial Administrators, Roko Tuis, representatives from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and the iTaukei Affairs Board, the Department of Climate Change, the Relocation Unit under MRMDDM, as well as implementing partners working in the relocation space.

The session was officially opened by the Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Mr. Paula Tuione.

Divisional Commissioners and Divisional Planning Officers also participated in the morning session, reflecting strong cross-government coordination and commitment to culturally grounded relocation planning and implementation.

The training focused on strengthening understanding and practical application of the Culture Checklist Framework - ensuring that cultural values, identity, and community wellbeing are fully integrated across all phases of relocation: before, during, and after movement.

Through interactive discussions, case studies, and talanoa-based learning, participants explored:

• Cultural risks in relocation processes
• Practical application of the Culture Checklist in the field
• Conflict sensitivity and inclusion
• Strengthening coordination across institutions

As Fiji continues to advance its planned relocation frameworks, this work reinforces that relocation is not only about physical movement, but is also about protecting identity, culture, and belonging.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Payment Processor - GIZ Pacific

The GIZ Pacific Administration Office is seeking applications for the position of Payment Processor, based in Suva, Fiji.

This role will support the Accounting Team in ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payment operations while contributing to strong financial governance and operational efficiency within GIZ Pacific.

Location: Suva, Fiji
Application Deadline: Friday, 05 June 2026 at 4:00pm

For more information, including the full vacancy details, click on the link below and scroll down to find the “Payment Processor” position.

Oceania Jobs | GIZ Oceania Climate and environmental protection Economy and employment Overview News Note Unfortunately, the jobs are only available in other languages. Please use the language selector on the website to switch to another language.

GIZ Pacific recently co-hosted a side event at the Inaugural Melanesian Oceans Summit in Port Moresby, focused on adapting to climate change in the marine environment and fisheries sector.

Co-hosted with Papua New Guinea’s Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), the session brought together government representatives, fisheries experts, civil society organisations, and development partners to discuss practical responses to the growing impacts of climate change across Pacific Island countries.

Discussions highlighted:

- Climate adaptation efforts in coastal and fisheries sectors
- Community-based approaches to strengthening resilience
- Sustainable fisheries management practices
- Climate finance mechanisms
- The importance of regional cooperation for resilient and inclusive blue economies

Speaking during the session, Country Director of GIZ Philippines & Pacific, Immanuel Gebhardt, emphasised that strengthening resilient and sustainable blue economies in the Pacific requires long-term partnerships, nationally led action, and practical solutions grounded in community realities.

He reaffirmed GIZ’s continued commitment to supporting Pacific partner countries on ocean governance, coastal resilience, and marine conservation initiatives beyond individual project cycles.

The session also highlighted the importance of strengthening environmental governance and ensuring that climate adaptation, sustainable fisheries management, and coastal resilience efforts are supported by practical policy frameworks and regional collaboration.

Read more: https://www.giz.de/en/regions/asia/oceania/news/somacore-partners-spotlight-community-led-marine-conservation-advance -content

Supported by the German Government through the International Climate Initiative and funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the programme is implemented in partnership with the governments of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, together with SPC, WaterAid Papua New Guinea, and Live & Learn Solomon Islands.

HEALTH NEWS - REGIONAL PACFRESH2O LAUNCH 2026 The Government of Papua New Guinea, through the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM) WaSH Management Unit (WaSH PMU), together with the Gove...