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COLOURS will deepen these impacts, particularly through a three-component approach: with a focus on promoting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs); by supporting Centres of Excellence designated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); and by implementing the Nature Positive approach to track and encourage progress toward biodiversity targets. ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��’s Head of the Protected and Conserved Areas Team, James Hardcastle, emphasised the legacy of BIOPAMA in his remarks, noting how the programme established Regional Observatories and information systems, supporting capacity development and direct conservation efforts. “These Regional Observatories, initiated in BIOPAMA’s first phase and further strengthened in its second, are foundational in managing and disseminating biodiversity data critical to conservation efforts.”

The Oceania region will gain considerably from COLOURS, with the Oceania Biodiversity Centre of Excellence now bolstered under the new program. Hosted jointly by ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Oceania and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)—recognised as the CBD’s regional scientific and technical support hub—this Centre will serve as a critical resource for the Pacific Islands Protected Area Portal (PIPAP). PIPAP, established under BIOPAMA, offers a centralized platform for data on protected areas and capacity-building opportunities. Under COLOURS, SPREP’s role will expand, enhancing PIPAP’s reach and capabilities, strengthening partnerships, and supporting practical, Nature Positive outcomes, including establishing Key Biodiversity Areas across the Pacific and Caribbean.

A second core component of COLOURS focuses on advancing the rights and roles of IPLCs, with an emphasis on youth, women, and other vulnerable groups. The project will identify a pilot country in the Pacific where it will gather baseline data on IPLC rights, governance, and advocacy. Through national dialogues, these groups will collaborate on policy structures, contributing their insights and ensuring their needs are central to decision-making processes. COLOURS will convene regional exchanges, enabling IPLCs to share their experiences and develop advocacy strategies for the CBD, with regular updates published online to document progress.

������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis

In announcing the initiative, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Deputy Director General Dr. Stewart Maginnis underscored the project’s potential to drive change in conservation efforts across these regions. "With COLOURS, we are building on years of impactful collaboration to support countries in their journey toward the 30x30 biodiversity target. When we empower Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, we create solutions rooted in resilience and a deep respect for nature—a legacy essential for a sustainable future,” Maginnis stated. Aurelie Godefroy, Deputy Head, Environment & Sustainable Natural Resources Unit, DG INTPA, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging BIOPAMA’s foundational role and the importance of this next phase, noting that Regional Observatories will now evolve into Centres of Excellence, enhancing institutional capacity and fostering regional ownership of biodiversity management.

Rahul Chand, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Oceania’s Protected and Conserved Areas Programme Coordinator, further acknowledged the EU’s commitment to the Pacific, highlighting the increasing importance of conservation efforts in the region given the unique challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. “The EU’s support will enable us to build new partnerships and accelerate our research, capacity building, and policy support, essential to meeting the 2030 Global Biodiversity Targets,” he noted. As COLOURS rolls out, its impact promises to be transformative, with a focus on inclusive conservation, rights-based governance, and regional leadership to ensure a legacy of resilience and sustainability in biodiversity protection.