The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Pacific Editors Forum on Loss and Damage has ended on a high with the adoption of the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration.
The Declaration re-emphasises the Media’s critical role in informing, educating, and amplifying the voices of our Pacific communities on the impacts of the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and the work being done by SPREP, Member countries and partners to address it.
It is also a renewed commitment from Editors and News leaders to consistently share critical information, amplify Pacific voices and stories on the triple planetary crises, for a more resilient and well-informed Pacific communities.
“We express deep concern on the findings of the United Nations Environment Programme’s report on Limiting Overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return. We call for action to ensure 1.5 degrees to stay alive and thrive,” reads the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration.
“We echo the call by our Pacific Leaders in the Boe Declaration, Belau Declaration and reiterated in 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Communiqué that climate change remains the greatest existential threat facing our Pacific communities.”
Held in the lead up to the 8th Pacific Media Summit, hosted by the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Fiji Media Association (FMA) in Savusavu, Fiji, the Forum from 21-22 September, was attended by Editors, Newsroom Leaders and representatives from Fiji, Naoero, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.
Organised and facilitated by SPREP, it was part of SPREP’s Pacific Voice Amplification work; to engage and continue to build the understanding of Pacific Media Leaders ensuring they are better equipped to report on climate change and Loss and Damage. The Forum was made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.
“We acknowledge the economic and non-economic losses and damages caused by climate change is an issue of climate justice for our Pacific communities,” the Savusavu declaration continues.
“We demand action to ensure these losses and damages are averted, minimised and addressed.”
Since 2008, SPREP has worked with partners to build the capacity of Pacific Islands media to report on the issue of climate change, and other environmental issues. With the support of the LDCC Project, SPREP has rolled out a series of trainings and media activities across the region that have empowered the Pacific Media to understand climate change, the connection with Loss and Damage, and the best ways to report on these pressing issues.
The first phase was a Regional Media training on Loss and Damage, held in Samoa in 2025. From the training a selection of reporters returned to Samoa to provide media coverage of the inaugural Youth Loss and Damage Dialogue, the second Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue as well as the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR).
All these reporters are part of the growing Pacific Loss and Damage Media Network. SPREP has also rolled out training nationally, with Solomon Islands the most recent country to benefit.
At the 8th Pacific Media Summit, dubbed the region’s premier biennial gathering of media professionals, SPREP elevated the advocacy on Loss and Damage to the decision makers in the newsroom.
“Editors and Newsroom managers shift newsroom priorities, allocate resources, and support reporters,” said Ms Nanette Woonton, SPREP Adviser Communications and Outreach Unit.
“As guardians of information, their engagement directly determines whether issues become peripheral stories or lead news and front-page priorities. We are pleased to have been able to host this Forum to bring them up to speed on developments in the environment space, particularly climate change and climate induced Loss and Damage.”
The Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration acknowledges SPREP and its role for over two decades, in building the capacity of Pacific media.
“To strengthen our work, we require access, transparency and resources. We call on political leaders, government and technical agencies to make themselves available in a timely manner for interviews and public interest questioning,” the Savusavu Declaration continues.
“We implore SPREP, other Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) Agencies, Pacific Islands News Association, development partners and other Pacific agencies to continue to collaborate and strengthen partnerships with the Pacific media. We strongly believe that this can be achieved through funding opportunities, capacity building activities, resource sharing and development, to enable our work and strengthen the delivery of content to the last mile.”
The Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration is part of the Outcome of the 8th Pacific Media Summit, opened by Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.
The Pacific Editors Forum on Loss and Damage was supported by the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project funded by the Government of New Zealand and implemented by SPREP.
The 8th Pacific Media Summit hosted by the Fiji Media Association in Savusavu Fiji is held from 21-25 September 2026.
