Enhancing Niue’s natural resources
Apia, April 22nd –
Niue’s unique natural environment and ecosystem provide for food security, drinking water and economic livelihood for
the raised atoll’s population of over 1,600 people. The sustainability of the country, and the opportunities for its
future generations, rely on the conservation and sustainable management of its remarkable natural resources.
UNDP Samoa staff at the official signing ceremony
Responding to this need, a project to strengthen Niue’s capacity to create and manage protected marine and terrestrial
conservation areas for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources was officially signed in Apia
on Friday April 15th, 2016, at the Samoa Multi-Country Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The
project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and will be jointly implemented by UNDP and the Ministry of
Natural Resources of Niue.
“We are pleased with the approval and signing of the Ridge to Reef project. This is the largest project to be
implemented under the Ministry of Natural Resources since its establishment in early 2014. A lot of effort has been
invested in its development and we look forward to starting its implementation. Strong cooperation from all key
stakeholders and effective coordination will be required and to be sustained throughout the life of the project to
achieve the desired outcomes,” said the Director General of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr. Josie Tamate.
The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr Jaime de Aguinaga, co-signed the project as implementing agency for the
project. In his remarks, Mr de Aguinaga highlighted that “the United Nations Development Programme celebrates the strong
commitment of the communities and the Government of Niue to build a prosperous society that respects its rich
environmental and cultural heritage. Niue is a unique island with very special ecosystems, and this project will support
the creation and management of key protected areas to ensure the sustainable use of those natural resources and protect
its remarkable biodiversity. UNDP also appreciates the financial support provided by the Global Environmental Facility,
which is significantly contributing to the sustainable development of the Pacific.”
This project has some distinguishing features, such as the combination of community conservation areas and
government-led protected areas, as well as the full participation of village councils and communities as custodians of
the land. Another unique characteristic of this project is its paradigm shift in the management of marine and
terrestrial protected areas from a site-centric approach to a holistic “ridge to reef” approach. This approach will
range across the entire island and the surrounding reefs, recognising the value and vulnerability of the groundwater
lens which extends right across the entire island. All land use decisions must consider the potential impacts on the
entire environment and thus the project introduces the concept of ecological connectivity on a landscape and seascape
basis in Niue. The project also covers the creation of a marine protected area at Beveridge Reef which, while distant
from Niue Island, may be a source of recruitment of various marine species for Niue’s coral reefs and coastal
environment through favourable ocean currents.
The project reflects Niue’s new National Strategic Plan (2014-2019), whose objective is to “build a sustainable future
that meets our economic and social needs while preserving environmental integrity, social stability, and the Niue
culture”. In particular, the project will support the practical implementation of the 5th Pillar of the Plan, which
focuses on the “sustainable use and management of Niue’s natural resources and environment for present and future
generations”.
This project has also been developed in accordance with the goals and scope of the UNDP-GEF Regional Ridge-to-Reef
Programme "Pacific Islands Ridge-to-Reef National Priorities – Integrated Water, Land, Forest and Coastal Management to
Preserve Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, Store Carbon, Improve Climate Resilience and Sustain Livelihoods”.
ENDS