Niue’s Ocean Conservation Commitments Wins International Award!

Niue Ocean Conservation Commitments Win Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Award for Nature Category

Alofi,Niue (May 14, 2024) – The winners of Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today and the Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs) concept was named the winner of the contest’s Nature category, with Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust and Conservation International honoured on behalf of the project. OCCs were rolled out in the South Pacific nation of Niue late last year, with each OCC – available for sponsorship from anyone around the world – representing the ecological protection of one square kilometre of ocean for up to 20 years.

While critical for both climate and biodiversity, ocean conservation can often be expensive. And for a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) like Niue, where the square kilometres of ocean outnumber the human population by almost 75-to-1, supporting the ongoing management and protection of so much marine territory is a significant financial challenge. The OCC funding structure help ensure adequate and reliable funding for the next two decades.

“It’s exciting to see the project recognized for its ingenuity and potential, and I hope it will bring more international attention to the some-110 thousand OCCs still available for sponsorship,” said Maël Imirizaldu, Senior Regional Program Officer at the Blue Nature Alliance within Conservation International’s Center for Oceans. Imirizaldu supported the development and launch of the program alongside the NOW Trust and OCCs architects Coral Pasisi and Brendon Pasisi, President of Tofia Niue and Project Manager of the NOW Project and NOW Trust administration, respectively. The Chair of the NOW Trust, is Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, who is also the current Premier of Niue and is championing ocean protection in the region.

The Pasisi siblings, working together with other passionate local stakeholders through their nonprofit organization Tofia Niue, and Imirizaldu, through the Blue Nature Alliance, worked alongside the government of Niue lead by Dr Josie Tamate and several technical partners to bring the OCCs project instrument to fruition and facilitate the initial 1,870 OCC sponsorships from sponsors in 21 countries. The NOW Trust, Niue’s first public-private partnership organization, will continue to hold and manage the funds raised through OCC sponsorships. OCC sponsorship is facilitated through the NOW Trust website, and many more are available to sponsor now.

Fast Company’s Spring 2024 issue (on newsstands Tuesday, May 21) will profile the project in greater detail, including insights from Imirizaldu and the NOW Trust team and updates on the project’s progress, now six months along. The OCCs concept also received an honorable mention in the World Changing Ideas Awards’ Water category.

This year’s World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 50 winners, 127 finalists, and 172 honourable mentions. A panel of Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners from a pool of more than 1,300 entries across climate, social justice, wellness, politics, technology, corporate social responsibility, and more. The 2024 awards feature entries from across the globe.

“I was struck this year by the global sweep of the honorees,” says Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. “It’s endlessly inspiring to see how the world is coming together to devise inventive solutions to our most challenging problems. We need ideas from everywhere, and this year’s World Changing Ideas Awards are an extraordinary encapsulation of the innovation and creativity that is so abundant around the globe.”

“I was struck this year by the global sweep of the honorees,” says Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. “It’s endlessly inspiring to see how the world is coming together to devise inventive solutions to our most challenging problems. We need ideas from everywhere, and this year s World Changing Ideas Awards are an extraordinary encapsulation of the innovation and creativity that is so abundant around the globe.”

“We are certain that the value of intact healthy ocean ecosystems today, will be worth more tomorrow. That value is multidimensional in nature and well beyond just financial, it includes planetary stability, food security and many others. This certainty is unfortunately underpinned by the global projections and rate of climate change, pollution, population growth and resource extraction. So put simply, as the global environment deteriorates, the value of conserved areas increases.

This has been a joint effort but very much driven by local thought leaders and the community of Niue who have grown up in the ocean and continue to explore the best ways we can support its longevity, not just for our children but all children around the world. It has also been made possible with the support from a range of international partners, with particular thanks to Oceans5, National Geographic Pristine Seas, Blue Nature Alliance, Conservation International, McKensey’s, GLISPA, SPC, CROP, OPOC, WIPO, friends and family! – Coral Pasisi, President of Tofia Niue

About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

About the Niue & Ocean Wide Trust, (NOW Trust): The NOW Trust is a charitable Trust operating as partnership between the Government of Niue and local NGO leaders. Through world class ocean conservation and marine spatial management, it is supporting a resilient, blue economy that is reinforcing of long term ocean protection, climate resilience and sustainable development for Niue. By Niue, for Niue and a New-way of inspiring global ocean leadership and action.

About the World Changing Ideas Awards: World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company’s major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and bold concepts that make the world better. Judges choose winners, finalists, and honourable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to work on solving the problems that affect us all.

About Fast Company: Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.

National Geographic Pristine Seas 2024 recaps on extensive science survey conducted in 2016 and followed up in 2023

Join us as we embark on the next leg of The Global Expedition! In a harmonious collaboration with the Government of Niue and Tofia Niue, the National Geographic Pristine Seas team has returned to this breathtaking Pacific island nation. Our mission? To build upon the extensive science survey conducted in 2016, supporting community-led efforts for sustainable management.
An esteemed National Geographic Society, a global non-profit organization dedicated to exploring, illuminating, and safeguarding the marvels of our world, Pristine Seas represents a beacon of conservation and scientific exploration.
Come along on this enthralling journey of science and discovery as we delve into Niue’s pristine seas. Follow our updates and be part of the movement to protect and cherish the natural wonders of our planet.

NOW Trust & OCC Impact at COP28- Dubai 2023

Dive into our videos where passion meets purpose, driving meaningful change in the region and worldwide. Explore how every commitment in OCC sponsorship, no matter how small, ignites a ripple effect, shaping a brighter tomorrow. Join us as we celebrate the power of collective action and the enduring impact of each inspiring story.

Key Events Featuring the OCC initiative at COP28

OCC Sponsorship and Pledges Fulfilled at COP28

Interviews & Insights-COP28

Links to Articles-COP28

NOW Trust & OCC Launch in New York – UN Climate Week

President of Tofia Niue – Coral Pasisi, Project Manager of Niue Ocean Wide – Brendon Pasisi together with Premier of Niue Hon. Dalton Tagelagi launched a World First – Smart financing mechanism – the NOW Trust and Ocean Conservation Commitment (OCC) initiative in New York during climate week. Showcasing Niue’s contribution not only in the pacific but globally towards sustainability measures and climate action and adaption.

September 2023

Links to Articles of the NOW Trust and OCC launch in New York

Guardians of the Niue Moana Mahu – Empowering Locals to Protect Our Oceans

President of Tofia Niue briefs UN Security Council
Ministerial High Level Open debate

UN Security Council Ministerial High Level Open Debate, Threats to International Peace and Security: Sea-Level Rise – Implications for International Peace & Security, Brief by Coral Pasisi, SPC’s Director of Climate Change & President of Tofia Niue

February 2023