Boosting Coastal Resilience: Highlights from the Kiwa Initiative Mangrove Restoration Workshop held in November 2024, Fiji

The Kiwa Initiative, committed to Nature-based Solutions for climate adaptation, recognizes mangrove restoration as a critical priority for the region. In this framework, SPREP and Conservation International (coordinating the Kiwa RESTORE regional project), organized a two-day workshop titled "A deep dive into mangrove restoration practices and initiatives in the Pacific", bringing together experts, community representatives, and Kiwa stakeholders from across the Pacific region. Hosted in Ra Province, Fiji, from November 28 to 29, 2024, this event was a pivotal opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen the collective capacity for mangrove restoration in the Pacific.

Workshop Objectives and Key Discussions

The workshop aimed to:

• Foster collaboration among Kiwa beneficiaries and partners from Pacific Island countries and territories on mangrove restoration initiatives.
• Document and share best practices tailored to the region’s ecological and social contexts.
• Enhance understanding of effective restoration practices and the conditions required for their success.
• Identify gaps and opportunities for ongoing and future projects.

The event included:

• A knowledge-sharing session in Suva, where participants discussed key expectations and challenges (e.g. land tenure systems for coastal rehabilitation or restoration),as well as existing resources and the need for user-friendly, localized restoration guidelines.
• Technical presentations and discussions on project design (expected outcomes, site selection), implementation and techniques (planting, natural regeneration, community engagement, etc.), as well as long term and participatory monitoring and evaluation.
• A field visit to mangrove restoration sites in Navitilevu Bay, where participants witnessed hands-on practices and discussed real-world challenges and solutions.

Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned

1. Holistic Ecosystem Management: Restoration must be considered as part of a wider ecosystem-based management approach, addressing ecosystem pressures and drivers (such as land-use changes, hydrological disruptions, and biodiversity loss), biodiversity and socio-economic benefits, sustainable livelihoods and well-being.
2. Natural Regeneration vs. Planting: Effective restoration begins with identifying and addressing degradation drivers. In some cases, natural regeneration may outperform planting efforts if conditions are favorable.
3. Local Knowledge and Scientific Insights: Combining traditional ecological knowledge with scientific data and tools enhances restoration success and community buy-in.
4. Sustained Community Engagement: Long-term success hinges on active participation from local communities, supported by provincial authorities and NGOs.
5. Long-Term Commitment: Effective restoration requires multi-year funding and ongoing monitoring to adapt to site-specific conditions and ensure sustainability.
6. Accessible Resources and Training: User-friendly tools, translated guidelines, and capacity-building initiatives are essential for empowering communities and ensuring long-term project ownership.

Looking Ahead

At a broader policy level, workshop’s participants highlighted the need for cross-sectoral coordination and sustainable financing mechanisms. In line with this, participants proposed developing a regional policy brief for decision-makers and government entities to support and foster mangrove restoration efforts aligned with national and international commitments, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Thanks to Nicolas ROCLE and Mathilde KRAFT at SPREP, as well as SPC, Conservation International, the Ra Provincial Council, Barotu chiefs and community, and all participants for their invaluable contributions.