Fiji and Palau strengthened regional cooperation on human mobility in the context of climate change through a Peer-to-Peer Exchange on Planned Relocation held from 19 to 23 January 2026. The exchange brought together government officials, regional stakeholders, and technical experts to share experiences, identify good practices, and reinforce Pacific-led, rights-based approaches to planned relocation as a response to climate-related risks.
Planned relocation was discussed as a measure of last resort to protect communities facing increasing threats from sea level rise, flooding, and climate-induced disasters. Participants emphasized the need for strong governance frameworks, culturally grounded decision-making, and meaningful community engagement to ensure relocation processes are fair, inclusive, and sustainable over the long term.
The Palau delegation included representatives from key national institutions responsible for climate change, finance, conservation, planning, and development. Throughout the exchange, the delegation engaged closely with Fiji’s ministries and agencies to examine national policies, institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms, and financing approaches that support climate mobility and planned relocation.
A central component of the programme was a field visit to Tukuraki Village in Ba Province, where participants interacted directly with relocated community members. The visit provided practical insights into housing, infrastructure, and livelihood initiatives, while highlighting the importance of community perspectives, cultural considerations, and governance safeguards in shaping effective and dignified relocation outcomes.
The exchange also included technical roundtable discussions with Fiji’s Taskforce on Relocation and Displacement and the Pacific Regional Technical Working Group on Human Mobility. These sessions promoted peer learning, reflection on lessons learned, and collaborative approaches to addressing shared climate mobility challenges across Pacific Island countries.
This initiative forms part of broader regional efforts under the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility and its Implementation Plan 2025–2030, which prioritizes peer-to-peer learning to strengthen capacity and policy coherence. For Palau, the exchange built on its Migration Policy and Action Plan, while Fiji continued to demonstrate leadership through its experience in planned relocation and community-centred approaches.
Overall, the Peer-to-Peer Exchange reflects a shared commitment among Pacific governments and partners to collaborative, locally led solutions that place communities at the centre of decision-making and support long-term resilience to climate change and disaster risks. The programme was hosted by Fiji’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and supported through regional partnerships, with plans for a reciprocal exchange to sustain ongoing regional cooperation.
