The Nature Conservancy (TNC) used its presence at the 2026 Melanesian Ocean Summit to promote community-driven conservation approaches and share lessons from its environmental work across Papua New Guinea.

Speaking during the summit, Research Assistant Duncan Bellet said the event provided an important platform for conservation organizations to exchange ideas and experiences.

“There are a lot of good things that other organizations are doing. I think sharing our experience and what we do is particularly important,” Bellet said.

Bellet noted that while many non-government organizations are active in the conservation sector, each group applies different approaches in working with communities and protecting natural resources.

A key focus for The Nature Conservancy during the summit was its Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) process, which the organization uses to engage communities in conservation planning and sustainable resource management.

According to Bellet, the process plays a central role in helping communities establish conservation sites and manage natural resources more effectively.

“At TNC, we have a community engagement process called the CBNRM process.”

“It is a community-based natural resource management process that we use to engage with communities,” he said.

He added that the organization hopes the summit will encourage greater collaboration among conservation partners across the region while increasing awareness of community-led conservation efforts.

Meanwhile, the summit brought together environmental groups, government representatives, researchers, and community organizations from across Melanesia to discuss marine protection, climate resilience, and sustainable development.